Part 1
After reading the Preface in Cultivating Inquiry-Driven Learners and the other readings in this module, respond to the question that your text authors pose: "If we are to help students flourish as human beings throughout their lives . . . what should be the fundamental purpose of a college education in the twenty-first century?" Take on the role of a college administrator-how would you design a college education to meet the professional, economic, and learning demands of the twenty-first century? What areas of study do you think are most critical for today's professionals? What would the learning experience be like for students?
As you respond to your classmates' posts, discuss the differences in your own goals for a twenty-first-century higher education. What challenges do you think your classmates' proposals would create for today's higher education institutions?
Note: There are no right or wrong answers to this discussion board; the purpose of the assignment is to ask you to think about what higher education means to you as a twenty-first century learner.
part 2
As you being to create your degree program plan of study, it is important for you to contextualize general education and its importance to your own (inter)disciplinary interests. Why is general education important to you? What role does it play in your academic plan of study?
In a short paper, provide the following discussion:
Introduction: Briefly discuss your reactions to the module readings this week. End with a working definition of general education that has most value to you in your education.
General Education in Your Plan of Study: Discuss what skills you hope to develop and what you wish to accomplish in your general education experience. You may also reflect on what you have already learned in your general education coursework up to this point.
Conclusion: Briefly describe how you would discuss the importance of general education to a prospective student. What recommendations would you provide to that student to make the most of his or her general education experience?