High-Impact Practices
A report from the Association of American Colleges and Universities on high-impact practices (HIPs) indicated that these educationally purposeful activities help to promote student learning and engagement, and especially benefit those students who start college further behind in terms of entrance scores and those who are from under-served communities (AAC&U, 2008). Not only do these practices attempt to reach all students, but they also meet the needs of employers who highly value a workforce that is ready to meet 21st century demands. Because of the ever-changing demands of our fast-paced economy, students who earn a college degree must also possess the skills necessary to make them a competitive force. High-impact practices allow students to face modern challenges by preparing them to gain knowledge about various cultures, as well as develop skills including critical thinking, written and oral communication, team work and problem solving. These practices also help students gain personal and social responsibility through increased civic knowledge and engagement. By having opportunities to integrate and apply their learning through specific high-impact practices, college students will graduate not only with a degree, but also with the skills necessary to solve real-world problems.
Characteristics
deepened commitment through purposeful tasks
extended and substantive interactions with faculty and peers
interactions with people who are different from themselves
frequent and rich feedback to student performance
application of learning in different settings and situations
reflection that deepens learning and brings students' values and beliefs into awareness
Research has identified the following practices/experiences as transformative:
First-year seminars
Common intellectual experiences
Learning communities
Writing-intensive courses
Collaborative assignments and projects
Undergraduate research
Diversity/global learning
Service-learning
Internships
Capstone courses and experiences
E-portfolios
The Role of Reflection
While high-impact experiences provide opportunities for student learning and retention, reflection fosters the skills and habits integral to students' understanding of the value of their experiences. Therefore, integrating reflection within high-impact practices increases the likelihood of thoughtful student engagement, i.e., "struggling, processing, sense-making," which are essential steps of deep learning (Bass, 2012).
[1] Kuh, George D. "High-Impact Educational Practices: What They Are, Who Has Access To Them, and Why They Matter." (Washington, DC: AAC&U LEAP, 2008).