As part of its efforts to promote best practices for a 21st century college education, the AAC&U initiative proposes a core set of learning outcomes within the LEAP initiative (discussed in our first newsletter). The outcomes were developed and refined over several years, and are based on conversations with employers and representatives of higher education institutions, recommendations from the business community, and accreditation requirements for engineering, business, nursing, and teacher education.
The LEAP essential learning outcomes will serve as a basic framework for our own efforts to redefine general education learning outcomes here at UNO:
Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World
· Through study in the sciences and mathematics, social sciences, humanities, histories, languages, and the arts
Intellectual and Practical Skills, Including
· Inquiry and analysis
· Critical and creative thinking
· Written and oral communication
· Quantitative literacy
· Information literacy
· Teamwork and problem solving
Personal and Social Responsibility, Including
· Civic knowledge and engagement—local and global
· Intercultural knowledge and competence
· Ethical reasoning and action
· Foundations and skills for lifelong learning
Integrative and Applied Learning, Including
· Synthesis and advanced accomplishment across general and specialized studies
Essential Learning Outcomes on the AAC&U website:
