Connecting the Undergraduate Experience

CUE Framework for General Education
Based on its learning model, the CUE Committee presents the BGSU community a connected framework for general education. The framework contains the following elements:

• Foundations: University Seminar (example: BGSU 1000), General Studies Writing, “Math with Context”
• Cross-disciplinary, Themed Inquiry Courses (1 course in Diversity in the United States and the World)
• Problem-Solving Courses (1 course in Global Issues)
• High-Impact Practices, Capstones, and Writing Courses in the Upper Division
• Benchmark Assessments of Student Learning
• A Common Learning Time

The Committee is asking the BGSU community for its input, so the framework can be revised in preparation for endorsement. You can download a copy of the PowerPoint Presentation and the Handout from the open forums.

The Committee encourages you to view the PPT file and respond to the questions listed below. You can post your responses as blog comments or you can download a response form, MSWord Question Form, and send it to the Committee, cue@bgsu.edu, or through the Campus Mail: Office of the Provost, Attention CUE Committee

• Which of the proposed elements of the G.E. framework resonate most strongly with your experience?
• Which proposed elements provide the most challenge?
• What do you see as problem-solving courses?
• What alternative elements may be missing from the proposed framework?
• What inquiry themes can you propose?
• What skills/knowledge/attitudes do you expect students to bring to curricular and co-curricular learning after they have completed their general education “breadth” of knowledge experiences?

Here are the steps the Committee asks you to take:

1. If you didn’t attend one of the open information/conversation forums, you can watch the Learning Model Presentation at this URL:
http://wbgustream.bgsu.edu/bgsu/cue/9905574.htm

2. Based on the presentation, please answer the following questions for the Committee by adding a comment to this post.

3. If you would rather not share your comments on the blog, please download the question response form below and either email it as an attachment to cue@bgsu.edu or send it through Campus Mail to CUE c/o the Provost’s Office.

CUE Question Response Form

Question1:
What is your overall response to the conceptual learning model as presented?
Question 2:
What issues haven’t we identified that need consideration?
Note: Here is a list of issues that the BGSU community has already identified.

• Confusion among the various first-year programs (BGP, BGeX, UNIV 1000, & BGSU1000)
• Consideration of non-traditional, non-residential students (e.g., online or transfer)
• Advising
• Budget Constraints
• Faculty promotion, tenure, and merit issues
• Assessment of student learning
• Resistance to change
• State transfer issues (TAGS, Ohio Transfer Module)

Question 3:
What is your department, program, or area doing already that contributes to an integrated learning experience for students, either through high-impact practices or another method?
Note: Here is a list of high-impact practices that lead to engagement and deep learning.

• First-year seminars and experiences
• Common experiences (including second year)
• Learning communities
• Undergraduate research
• Collaborative projects
• Writing intensive courses
• Diversity/global learning
• Engagement and service learning
• Internships/coops
• Capstone projects and experiences

Please provide the name or description of your integrated learning experiences along with the name of your program or department.
Thank you for contributing to the CUE discussion.