Overview of High Impact Practices (What is it and what makes a HIP so hip?)

At the College of Science and Mathematics, we continuously strive to improve student success both within the classroom and beyond. With a diverse student populations one of the ways the CSM enables student to achieve their full potential is through High Impact Practices. 

High Impact Practices (also commonly referred to as HIPs)  is a term used to encompass educational teaching practices that - based on evidence - confer "significant educational benefits for students who participate in them—including and especially those from demographic groups historically underserved by higher education." (AAC&U, 2023) These practices are designed to provide students with meaningful and lasting experiences that go beyond traditional classroom instruction to enhance student engagement, retention, and learning outcomes.

Students are encouraged to seek out and participate in a variety of HIPs throughout their college time. Faculty are encouraged to implement and offer students opportunities to participate in HIPs. Admin and Staff are encouraged to support and assist students and faculty to promote expansion and sustainability of these valuable experiences.

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High Impact Practices

* To date there are 11 educational practices that fall under the term "high-impact”. Initially, there were 10 suggested High Impact Practices. e-Portfolios are the newest addition. More research is needed to determine the effectiveness of e-Portfolios.

 

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What makes these practices "High Impact"?

Using Dr. George Kuh’s (whose work stands at the forefront of HIPs) definition, there are 8 characteristics by which to identify a practice as a HIP. The practice does not need to hit all 8 points (it may be impossible due to the nature of the educational practice) but it should aim to effectively incorporate as many as it can.

·         Performance expectations set at appropriately high levels

·         Significant investment of time and effort by students over an extended period of time

·         Interactions with faculty and peers about substantive matters

·         Experience with diversity, wherein students are exposed to and must contend with people and circumstances that differ from those with which students are familiar

·         Frequent, timely, and constructive feedback

·         Periodic, structured opportunities to reflect and integrate learning

·         Opportunities to discover relevance of learning through real-world applications

·         Public demonstration of competence

 

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What do students need?

Through focus groups held by AAC&U, students identified the following skills as necessary to obtain during their college experience to feel confident in being able to succeed after degree completion. These sought after skills guided the 8 charcteristics required of an effective HIP.