High Impact Practices
Explore High-Impact Practices
Learn about the 11 High-Impact Practices identified in educational research. Tap any card to learn more.
First-Year Experiences
Courses designed for students new to college
Definition
First-year seminars and experiences bring small groups of new college students together with faculty or staff to support academic skills, inquiry, and transition into college learning.
Practice Features
- Small seminar-style courses or coordinated first-year programs
- Emphasis on critical inquiry, writing, and information literacy
- Regular interaction with faculty, staff, or peer mentors
Why It Matters
Students often find first-year experiences meaningful because they provide structure, support, and early connection to academic expectations and campus resources.
Student Benefits
- Build meaningful connections with classmates and professors
- Develop strong academic skills early
- Feel more confident navigating college life
Common Experiences
Shared learning across the curriculum
Definition
Common intellectual experiences involve shared courses or curricular themes that connect learning across disciplines through common questions or readings.
Practice Features
- Core or general education sequences
- Thematic or integrative course clusters
- Emphasis on connections across fields of study
Why It Matters
Students often find common intellectual experiences meaningful because they help ideas connect across courses and promote shared academic purpose.
Student Benefits
- Connect your learning across different classes
- Build community with fellow students
- Engage with big ideas and questions
Learning Communities
Groups of students in linked courses
Definition
Learning communities link two or more courses around a shared theme, allowing students to explore ideas collaboratively across disciplines.
Practice Features
- Linked or themed courses
- Cohort-based enrollment
- Collaborative projects and shared inquiry
Why It Matters
Students often find learning communities meaningful because they foster connection, collaboration, and shared understanding.
Student Benefits
- Form close friendships with peers
- See how different subjects connect
- Get more personalized support
Writing-Intensive
Courses emphasizing writing and feedback
Definition
Writing-intensive courses emphasize writing as a tool for learning across disciplines through drafting, feedback, and revision.
Practice Features
- Frequent writing assignments
- Revision cycles
- Writing for multiple audiences
Why It Matters
Students often find writing-intensive courses meaningful because writing clarifies thinking and deepens understanding.
Student Benefits
- Become a stronger, more confident writer
- Learn to express complex ideas clearly
- Receive meaningful feedback on your work
Collaborative Projects
Structured group work experiences
Definition
Collaborative assignments involve structured group work where students solve problems and share responsibility for outcomes.
Practice Features
- Team-based projects
- Peer discussion
- Shared problem-solving
Why It Matters
Students often find collaborative work meaningful because learning is strengthened through shared perspectives.
Student Benefits
- Learn from peers with different backgrounds
- Develop teamwork and leadership skills
- Tackle bigger challenges together
Undergraduate Research
Contributing to scholarly research
Definition
Undergraduate research provides opportunities for students to contribute to scholarly research, working alongside faculty mentors on meaningful projects.
Practice Features
- Faculty-mentored research projects
- Original inquiry and discovery
- Presentation of findings
Why It Matters
Students often find undergraduate research meaningful because it allows them to contribute to knowledge creation and develop mentoring relationships.
Student Benefits
- Develop research and critical thinking skills
- Build close mentoring relationships
- Create work that matters to your field
Global Learning
Exploring cultures and perspectives
Definition
Diversity and global learning explore cultures, identities, and global perspectives.
Practice Features
- Equity-focused coursework
- Dialogue around complex social issues
- Experiential components
Why It Matters
Students often find diversity and global learning meaningful because it broadens perspective and deepens understanding.
Student Benefits
- Broaden your worldview and empathy
- Prepare for diverse work environments
- Understand complex global issues
Service Learning
Connecting learning to community
Definition
Service learning integrates academic coursework with meaningful engagement in the community. Students apply what they are learning to real-world contexts while reflecting on their experiences.
Practice Features
- Partnerships with community organizations
- Field-based or project-based work connected to course content
- Structured reflection linking experience to academic concepts
Why It Matters
Students often find service learning meaningful because it allows them to connect academic learning to real community needs, develop civic awareness, and see the social relevance of their education.
Student Benefits
- Make a difference in your community
- Apply what you learn in class
- Develop civic responsibility
Internships
Supervised professional experience
Definition
Internships provide supervised work experiences connected to academic or career interests.
Practice Features
- Professional work settings
- Supervision and feedback
- Academic reflection
Why It Matters
Students often find internships meaningful because they connect learning to career pathways.
Student Benefits
- Explore potential career paths
- Build professional skills and networks
- Stand out when job searching
Capstone Projects
Integrative culminating projects
Definition
Capstones are culminating academic experiences requiring synthesis and application of learning.
Practice Features
- Major projects or performances
- Integration of disciplinary knowledge
- Public presentation
Why It Matters
Students often find capstones meaningful because they demonstrate growth and accomplishment.
Student Benefits
- Demonstrate what you've learned
- Create a portfolio piece
- Transition confidently to next steps
ePortfolios
Curating and reflecting on work
Definition
ePortfolios are digital collections of student work emphasizing reflection and integration over time.
Practice Features
- Curated student work samples
- Reflective narratives
- Longitudinal documentation of learning
Why It Matters
Students often find ePortfolios meaningful because they make learning visible and support professional growth.
Student Benefits
- See your progress and growth
- Create a professional showcase
- Develop reflection skills
Based on AAC&U's High-Impact Educational Practices framework (Kuh, 2008).
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