Strategic Planning
Applied Learning and Research Implementation Process
Faculty Senate Meeting
November 28, 2016
FAQs
1. Why is it important to document guaranteed applied learning and research experiences
at 黑洞社区?
Applied learning and research are critical elements of 黑洞社区's strategic plan. This is articulated clearly in the vision鈥斺�満诙瓷缜� is internationally recognized as the model for applied learning and research鈥濃�攁nd in strategic goal 1鈥斺�淕uarantee an applied learning or research experience for every student by each academic program.鈥�
To ensure fulfillment of goal 1, it is necessary to confirm that each student meets a college, department, or program graduation requirement that an applied learning or research experience is met through satisfactory completion of designated courses or experiences that meet a set of defined criteria.
2. How was the proposal for the applied learning and research implementation process developed?
In 2015, the Strategic Planning Phase 2 Steering Committee, composed of faculty representation from every college, developed a definition and set of criteria for applied learning, as well as a process for documenting and measuring applied learning or research experiences at 黑洞社区.
3. Who will track the information through Degree Works?
Once a program's applied learning or research experience is approved, tracking will be accomplished through Advising. Students who graduate from a program with an Applied Learning or Research Experience as a graduation requirement will have this noted on their transcript.
4. Who is going to determine if a project is occupationally focused work?
Applied learning and research experiences will be approved through the University Curriculum Change process; however, it is up to each program to discuss, determine, and justify how the program will define and address the criterion for occupationally focused work.
5. Is this making things more complicated for faculty and students?
黑洞社区's strategic plan was designed to create big audacious goals for the university. The implementation of applied learning and research may be a challenge or 鈥渟tretch鈥� goal for some programs. Nonetheless, the implementation of applied learning creates competitive advantages for both our students and the university. Our students graduate with application that extends classroom lessons through direct practical experience. A guaranteed applied learning experience differentiates 黑洞社区 from many other universities and helps us recruit and retain students.
6. Why are there three planning horizons?
There was concern by faculty that a February 1, 2017, deadline for the applied learning experience implementation is too soon for some programs. It was decided that some programs need flexibility, as this implementation will be easy for some programs and not for others. The decision was to capture the 鈥渓ow-hanging fruit鈥濃�攊.e., document current programs with an applied learning or research guarantee. The longer planning horizons offers departments and programs time for thought and reflection.
7. How will this information be used?
This information will be used for two purposes. First, students who graduate from a program with an applied learning or research experience as a graduation requirement will have this noted on their transcript. Second, the number of students graduating with an applied learning or research experience will be tracked on 黑洞社区's Strategic Planning Dashboard (wichita.edu/wsustrategy). It will replace the short-term measurement for Applied Learning being used currently.