A residential curriculum is a framework used by colleges and universities to create learning opportunities and programs for students outside the classroom
and the college residences.
It provides opportunity for students to learn valuable skills for their personal and professional lives.
Description
In 1996, at the Student Learning Institute in
Harrisonburg, Virginia, a residential
curriculum
In education, a curriculum (; : curricula or curriculums) is broadly defined as the totality of student experiences that occur in the educational process. The term often refers specifically to a planned sequence of instruction, or to a view ...
was proposed. It was offered as a way for college student affairs divisions to articulate intentional, planned, and structured learning experiences through an established committee.
In place of a traditional programming model, a residential curriculum utilities a curricular approach that insures student experiences are:
* sequenced
* intentional
* unique to the institution
An example of a residential curriculum is at
Wilfrid Laurier University
Wilfrid Laurier University (commonly referred to as WLU or simply Laurier) is a public university in Ontario, Canada, with campuses in Waterloo, Brantford and Milton. The newer Brantford and Milton campuses are not considered satellite campuses ...
. The four learning goals for its program are Life Skills, Self-Awareness, Community Integration and Participation, and Academic Curiosity and Success.
Measurement of a learning experience's success is assessed by reviewing student learning that took place through the experience, as opposed to measuring success by number of students that attend.
The
American College Personnel Association
American College Personnel Association - College Student Educators International is a major student affairs association headquartered in Washington, D.C. at the National Center for Higher Education.
Founded in 1924 by May L. Cheney, ACPA has 7 ...
(ACPA) outline that although the concept of a residential curriculum was developed primarily within residence life, the approach has been adopted in many different facets of
student affairs
Student affairs, student support, or student services is the department or division of services and support for student success at institutions of higher education to enhance student growth and development. People who work in this field are know ...
. The execution of a curricular approach is different for all campuses and institutions, but the foundation of this learning is used to organize an educational activity to ensure the achievement of
learning outcomes.
Creating residential curriculum
To create a residential curriculum, a department must:
# Conduct an "archeological dig" of the institution's mission, goals, and values. This process could involve examining
strategic plans,
mission statement, and core leadership capabilities.
# Turn the themes from the archeological dig into learning goals. These learning goals will help to influence the educational priority and overall approach.
When institutions have a residential curriculum. it helps to support the student staff working in residence as the intentional learning is created by professional staff.
This curriculum should be based on the latest in
developmental research and
learning theories in order to bring forth the best programming to the students. Due to this, it is recommended that professional staff have a good understanding of these theories, and highly encouraged to gain these skills at a Master graduate level.
Theories and Research that help build Curriculum
Having constant updated research around the points below would allow the institution to build a successful program related to residential curriculum.
* Development - particularly the work of Marcia Baxter Magolda on
Self-Authorship
* Student Identity
* Assessment
* Educational Design
References
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Curricula