The University of Miami’s 2018 Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) was developed to reaffirm accreditation by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. It reflects and affirms a commitment to enhance overall institutional quality and effectiveness by focusing on an issue that the institution considers important to improving student learning outcomes and/or student success.
The purpose of the QEP is to enhance student learning through dialogue and discussion-based learning in undergraduate courses. Research suggests that student to student dialogue and discussion stimulates active learning, socialization, and knowledge construction. Discussion-based learning has been fostered on our campus using the following teaching methods:
Harkness method
In the Harkness method, 12-15 students sit at an oval table, an arrangement which promotes discussion and collaboration. Students initiate and lead a discussion about the assigned material, exchanging views and learning with and from one another. Faculty serve primarily as facilitators who help to ensure that all students speak and that the learning does not veer off track. Intergroup Dialogue employs a version of the Harkness method to help students explore and understand their own and others’ social identities.
Problem-based method
In problem-based learning, students are presented with a challenging problem or question. Through a series of steps students work together to define what they know and what they need to learn, seek out new information, formulate a response, and present that response. This approach typically involves technology to conduct background research, analyze and synthesize new information, and prepare a presentation or product.
Flipped classroom method
In a flipped learning course, students access course content such as readings, recorded videos, and podcasts before coming to class. Then class time is used for activities such as discussing case studies, working on problem sets, debating issues, and other forms of active learning.
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