This article presents the Simmons World Challenge curriculum, an intensive, interdisciplinary program for sophomore undergraduate students that emphasizes student-directed collaborative learning and skills development. The authors present the curricular approach and assessment outcomes, and they relate this program to goals of the AAC&U's…

The purpose of this scholarship of teaching research is to assess the effectiveness of a cross-cultural problem-solving assignment in two senior-level family and consumer sciences courses at the University of Wyoming. We focus on the development of selected cognitive and affective critical-thinking skills in undergraduates and their international…

When college teachers are explicit about specific methods and strategies involved in effective thinking, students are more likely to learn and use these skills. Labeling test questions with the thinking skills required can help students refocus their study methods, resulting in more effective thinking, problem-solving, or decision-making skills.…

In the cooperative controversy technique, two opposing sides are clearly drawn over a single issue, and learners on both sides cooperate to understand both sides and arrive at a personal position. Students respond enthusiastically to the exercise, are helped in exploring emotional responses to issues, and learn how, not what, to think. (MSE)

Argues that one of the richest vehicles for enhancing students' classroom learning is the diversity of the student body itself. Integrating diversity into the classroom process also increases motivation and facilitates development of social, cognitive, and communication skills necessary for today's multicultural workforce. Classroom experiences,…