High-Impact Practices
Collaborative Assignments and Projects
Collaborative learning combines two key goals: learning to work and solve problems in the company of others and sharpening one’s own understanding by listening seriously to the insights of others, especially those with different backgrounds and life experiences. Approaches range from study groups within a course, to team-based assignments and writing, to cooperative projects and research. Collaborative assignments provide social, psychological, and academic benefits which build understanding, increase self-esteem, and promote critical thinking.
*Modified from AACU High-Impact Educational Practices handout & Kuh (2008) High-impact educational practices
High-Impact Practices In Action
Short Takes: Plant Love
Sophomore honors student Rhiannon de la Rosa saw plastic containers being tossed in the trash across campus and realized she could use her love of plants in an environmentally sustainable way. She gathers bottles and cups, paints them and propagates plants in them to give to students. In fact, if you want to drop off a used container, she will trade you a plant in a decorated planter. A horticulture major in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, Rhiannon’s goal is to share her love of plants and spread a little happiness while encouraging others to adopt a reuse, reduce, recycle philosophy.
Short Takes: Dressed and Engineered for Success
Students in apparel merchandising and product development, electrical engineering and horticulture teamed up to create a fashion show that electrified the runway with innovative designs, lighting, sound and flowers to capture the senses. The project promoted cross-discipline collaboration, bringing engineering, horticulture, fashion and art to the stage to expand minds through creativity.
We Want You To
Send us your HIPs!
Have you turned a high impact practice into reality at the University of Arkansas? Let us hear what you’ve done!
