An Educator’s Guide to Reforming and Refining General Education by Caleb J Keith

An Educator’s Guide to Reforming and Refining General Education by Caleb J Keith

As higher education adapts and responds to new expectations and opportunities, this practical collection equips general education instructors and educational developers to meet evolving demands for student success and workforce readiness.

Positioning general education as a powerful engine for producing graduates who can thrive in a dynamic, pluralistic society, this book offers diverse approaches and actionable models and strategies for designing and delivering effective learning experiences. Through case studies from across institution types, contributors showcase successful on-the-ground reform efforts that reaffirm faculty and staff commitment to student learning. Each chapter distills flexible, evidence-informed practices and concludes with main takeaways, lessons learned, and questions for reflection. Designed for instructors, instructional designers, assessment practitioners, and center for teaching and learning professionals engaged in general education teaching and assessment, this volume also serves graduate students, scholars, and institutional leaders exploring curriculum design, implementation, and assessment.

"At a moment when the purpose and value of general education are being intensely debated, this book provides both inspiration and directionThe collection brings together diverse voices from across higher education to offer a compelling vision for how general education can evolve to meet the needs of today's students and society. Readers will discover innovative, theory-driven, and research-informed approaches for creating a general education that is more coherent, equitable, engaging, and responsive to students' lives and futures. With topics ranging from curriculum design and student success to faculty leadership and novel methods for assessment, this volume offers a clear-eyed examination of the contemporary landscape of general education and an invaluable guide for educators seeking both a conceptual roadmap and practical insights. Ultimately, it showcases how general education can fulfill its most important promise: preparing students to navigate complexity, contribute meaningfully to society, and thrive amid continual change."

Territa L. Poole, Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Lakso Center for the Scholarship on Teaching and Learning, Juniata College

"Across the higher education landscape, discussions of general education continue to be supercharged with tensions, debate, and innovation. Should we have a common, standardized approach that centers canonical texts and disciplines? Should we encourage students to DIY their own Gen Ed experience, connecting courses of interest in an open curriculum? What purpose does Gen Ed actually serve, anyway? An Educator's Guide to Reforming and Refining General Education: Insights for Instruction and Assessment addresses these questions by bringing together an impressively diverse range of scholars, educators, and academic leaders. This book is truly a field guide suited for all levels of general education development, from creating campus culture to maturing assessment cycles that strengthen existing programs. I cannot think of a more robust text that empowers educators to meet this critical moment."

JT Torres, Director of Houston H. Harte Center for Teaching and Learning, Washington and Lee University

"GE reform is hard work! It is not for the faint of heart. It is tedious, it is thankless, and yet it is at the heart of our institutions. At a time when general education in higher education is increasingly on the defensive about its value and relevance, Keith, Watson, and McConnell go on the offensive. This guide for educators provides a rich tapestry of voices from diverse institutions that reaffirm the centrality of general education and assessment in advancing learning, career readiness and overall campus missions. Most importantly this book is a reminder that knowledge and skill development are not mutually exclusive and GE provides ideal spaces for maximizing diverse campus environments for the public good. Each chapter provides pragmatic insights and compelling narratives, all grounded in theories and frameworks that reframe student success as a function of faculty success and campus learning. A must read for faculty, staff, executives and trustees who are interested in authentic GE reform and assessment and who may too often feel alone in their process. GE is hard work—and Keith, Watson, and McConnell bring forth a fine resource to help us do that work authentically and unapologetically."

Jose Moreno, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Chicano & Latino Studies at California State University, Long Beach

"Guided by Caleb J. Keith, C. Edward Watson, and Kate McConnell—distinguished leaders, scholars, and practitioners in general education and high-impact practices—this edited collection arrives at a crucial moment in higher education. Academic institutions are being called upon to demonstrate the value and relevance of general education as they prepare students for an increasingly complex and uncertain future amidst social and economic upheaval, political polarization, and rapid disruption. Covering topics from curriculum redesign, student-centered learning, and interdisciplinarity to workforce readiness, high-impact practices, assessment, and faculty development, the volume provides a comprehensive and timely look at the challenges, opportunities, and importance of contemporary general education reform. Contributors draw on diverse institutional contexts and rich case studies to offer readers compelling ideas and practical strategies. An Educator's Guide to Reforming and Refining General Education is an invaluable resource for instructors, assessment specialists, and academic leaders dedicated to strengthening student learning and holistic success through a meaningful, inspiring, and adaptable general education program."

Amy M. Johnson, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education, Old Dominion University

"This volume is both practical and inspiring. Drawing on a rich set of case studies from diverse colleges and universities, the contributors offer concrete strategies for fostering faculty ownership in designing student-centered curricula and embedding meaningful assessment, thereby demonstrating the enduring value of general education. Especially vital is the book’s attention to transferable skills, equity, high-impact practices, and institutional identity, all of which are central to successful reform efforts. This is an essential resource for academic leaders, faculty, and assessment professionals seeking thoughtful, evidence-informed approaches to renewing both general education and public trust in colleges and universities."

Kathy J. Wolfe, Senior Vice President for Academic Life and Learning and Shirley C. and Donald E. Morel Dean of the College, Roanoke College

"An Educator's Guide to Reforming and Refining General Education challenges us to move general education beyond a "we've always done it this way" mindset and reimagine it as a powerful equalizer in students' educational journeys. What resonated most with me was the emphasis on connecting big ideas to the realities of implementation, recognizing that context matters when translating high-impact practices into meaningful learning experiences. The chapters offer practical strategies that bridge institutional support, assessment, teaching, and curriculum design. This book is a valuable resource for educators and leaders committed to strengthening general education in ways that are both intentional and transformative."

Julaine Fowlin, Assistant Professor and Executive Director of the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL), Medical University of South Carolina

"There are several unique ways to think about what General Education can mean for unique college campuses. This book and these thoughtful authors have provided ample material, ideas, and strategies to begin and sustain that discussion."

Brian Dewsbury, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, Florida International University

Caleb J. Keith is the Assistant Vice President for Digital Initiatives at the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U).

C. Edward Watson is the Vice President for Digital Innovation at the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U).

Kate Drezek McConnell is the Vice President for Curricular and Pedagogical Innovation at the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) and Executive Director of VALUE (Valid Assessment of Learning in Undergraduate Education).