Enhancing High-Impact Practices
In their 2015–2020 Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) submitted to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges titled “Experiential Learning@MGA,” Middle Georgia State University (MGA) planned to offer students an array of experiential learning opportunities including several High-Impact Practices (HIPs), with the goal of reinforcing the “student-centered focus of the university’s strategic plan.”
The experiential learning approach was selected after analysis of NSSE results and internal assessment data indicated MGA students were participating in some HIPs less frequently than their peers at comparison institutions. For example, NSSE data showed MGA seniors participated less often in undergraduate research, collaborative learning, and service-learning.
MGA’s QEP is designed to foster students’ progress through four tiers of experiential learning activities. Students are introduced to the QEP and experiential learning ideas at a “bronze level” event prior to their first experiential learning course or activity. They then have the opportunity to achieve “silver level,” “gold level,” or “platinum level” by completing additional qualified experiential learning courses and activities throughout their time at the university.
MGA developed a rubric with specific evaluative criteria that allows them to qualify courses and activities as experiential learning and to help ensure consistency across these experiences. As MGA carries out their phased implementation of this QEP, NSSE will serve as an important assessment tool.
