This study assesses whether Tufts University's campus culture was successful at infusing civic-mindedness in all undergraduates. A structural equation model was developed, and findings revealed that the campus environment had a significant positive impact on civic values and beliefs and a positive indirect effect on civic engagement activities.…

This qualitative case study explores how undergraduate students and their instructor made meaning of students' motivation to learn in a one-credit, pass/fail first-year seminar. The findings point to the importance of addressing structural motivational barriers and ensuring that instructors possess the instructional, motivational, and…

This study examines how diversity requirements differ from courses that are highly inclusive or less inclusive of diversity. Results suggest that instructor characteristics are statistically different and that highly inclusive and less inclusive diversity courses score highest and lowest, respectively, on measures of effective teaching compared…

Baxter Magolda's Learning Partnerships model was used to create a program designed to foster student epistemological development. To assess its effectiveness, the Measure of Epistemological Reflection was administered to the experimental cohort and a comparable group in the traditional general education program. Results indicate that the model…

Many universities positively impact student retention rates by aligning state competencies and undergraduate coursework with specific learning outcomes known to contribute to success. Faculty from teaching and nursing conducted interdisciplinary focus group research to gather student perceptions concerning whether skills obtained through core…

The study examines the effects of randomized credit on the percentage of students participating at four predefined levels. Students recorded their comments on specially designed record cards, and days were randomly selected for participation credit. This arrangement balanced participation across students while cutting instructor time for recording…

Seton Hall University's new core curriculum includes a pair of Signature Courses and a third-year Signature Course developed within departments, two composition classes, a university life course, and five proficiencies. This article describes the process leading to the development of this new curriculum and provides advice on general education…

This study investigated deep learning produced in a community of general education courses. Student speeches on liberal education were analyzed for discovering a grounded theory of ideas about self. The study found that learning communities cultivate deep, integrative learning that makes the value of a liberal education relevant to students.…

There is little discussion as to the involvement of military students in higher education and their benefit to the classroom in the form of civic development and learning outcomes. The study suggests that all students benefit from these engagements but special considerations should be undertaken by creating positive learning environments.…

This research study investigated the assessment practices of five different undergraduate business programs. It examines the learning outcomes required for the business programs and their linkages with general education outcomes. Specific assessment methods, the results from assessments, and how business program faculty use assessment findings to…

This investigation uses student course evaluations to examine the relationship between class size and perceived student learning, after student effort and instructor quality have been taken into account. This study found that despite the efforts by students and instructors, class size had a significant negative relationship with perceived student…

The study presents an analysis of student papers at the end of a problem-based course designed to create an active learning environment and encourage a deep approach to learning. It explores the achievement and participation characteristics of students claiming to have "learned nothing" and suggests the impact of student resistance. (Contains 3…

The article features an analysis of Lessons Learned in Assessing International Learning, the goals of which were to advance the assessment of international learning in order to improve it at U.S. higher education institutions. The project was conducted from 2003 to 2007 and utilized a mixed-methods approach using student surveys and ePortfolios.…

This essay is anchored on the challenges institutions face in attempting to assess international learning outcomes. It documents Michigan State University's efforts to seek and pilot new measurement tools to confront this challenge. Based on Michigan's assessment experience, it provides lessons others might consider for the success of their…

Portland State University participated in Lessons Learned in Assessing International Learning hoping to generate new knowledge about how international learning might be assessed. Though attention was focused on developing and testing particular instruments for assessment, several highly tentative inferences about international learning itself,…