2012-13 Curriculum Innovation Communities:
Global Interdependence
Curry College is interested in increasing international and global connections through the curriculum, as well as through new ways to foster contact between people of differing cultural, linguistic, and national backgrounds. Supporting and advancing this work, the Global Interdependence CIC will bring together faculty and key staff across departments, disciplines, and offices to more deeply consider objectives and methods for Curry. The group will engage with readings and guests, as well as each other, on topics such as 1) international/global course offerings, 2) support for international students and visitors to the Curry campus, 3) study abroad, and 4) foreign language instruction. Individual members will have an opportunity to apply new learning about global interdependence in their own teaching, scholarship, and home departments, with the support of the community. As a community, we will work together to articulate ways that Curry can both extend and deepen its effectiveness in educating informed citizens prepared to engage meaningfully within our increasingly globalizing world community. Bring your global perspectives to this local community—we are going to make a difference at Curry College!
Information Literacy
As information based in traditional media formats continues to blend with newer, more diverse digital forms, and as Curry College travels down the path toward a revised General Education curriculum, the opportunity is ripe to form a multi-disciplinary community on information literacy—an aspect of the College experience that touches all of our diverse academic programs and an important element of life-long learning. The Information Literacy CIC will examine the research and literature on effective integration of content and skills, changes in national standards, learning outcomes assessment, and the interaction of learning styles with information literacy. Individual CIC members will gain immediately applicable ideas and practices, which they can apply in their courses and home departments with feedback and discussion from the community. As a community, we will work to develop recommendations and learning modules to further the goal of effective information literacy components in the curriculum at Curry College. Look forward to a wild ride—information literacy is more than you might think!
Integrative Learning & Authentic Assessment
We have been hearing a lot about “integrative learning” and “authentic assessment” using ePortfolios, and Curry College already has both interested dabblers and experienced early adopters already innovating in this area. This CIC will bring together a vibrant, interdisciplinary group of explorers to try out some current practices and investigate new ways in which ePortfolios can support integrative learning and authentic assessment, for both curricular and co-curricular student experiences. The community will engage in readings and dialogue related to best practices, while also having time in the “lab” (together and individually) to experiment with ways to use ePortfolios effectively in existing courses. Guest speakers and mentors—ranging from local practitioners, to national experts—are an exciting possibility that the group can pursue according to their interest and discoveries. Additionally, the community will work towards creating ePortfolio learning outcomes for the campus and a multidisciplinary ePortfolio pilot that could be implemented in Spring 2013. Get ready to integrate teaching, learning, and assessment innovations with existing and emerging technologies in this authentic community!