Facilitating the Integration of Learning

"So great to see James Barber providing practical ideas that educators can use to help students connect what they have learned in one context to its application in new contexts. Bridging the much talked about 'skills gap' may be more about having learners understand how to use what they already know and can do in new ways, than it is about actually learning 'missing' skills. Anything that helps people integrate learning across contexts is a bonus for educators, students and employers!"

N. Johnston, PhD, President - World Association for Co-operative and Work Integrated Education

"Facilitating the Integration of Learning provides invaluable information for educators. Barber adeptly uses findings from the Wabash National Study of Liberal Arts Education to illuminate practices that support students' abilities to integrate of learning in a multitude of contexts. Rather than dictating how to engage in these practices, Barber provides readers with the tools to reflect upon, design, and assess educational experiences that promote integration of learning. It is a must read for college educators."

Rosemary J. Perez, Assistant Professor, School of Education - Iowa State University

“Integrative learning could be one of the most promising hallmarks of a quality higher education as we prepare students to address complex and novel challenges in society. By calling out the false borders that currently limit curricular approaches, Barber has issued a call to action for the entire campus community to embrace their role in facilitating student learning. College educators will appreciate the practical model of integrative learning, and will benefit from having the tools they need to break down borders and help students bring together what they know and can do, regardless where the learning happened.”

Amber Garrison Duncan, PhD, Strategy Director - Lumina Foundation

"James Barber’s Facilitating the Integration of Learning: Five Research-based Practices to Help College Students Connect Learning across Disciplines and Lived Experiences is one of the few books that delivers more than its title promises. The middle section of the book, chapters 4-8, does what the title describes: it offers five practices educators can implement to help college students integrate their learning. However, the book goes beyond that in two ways. First, Barber adds an informative and in-depth discussion of integrative learning in the first section of the book. Second, he examines ways to assure that integrative learning is a central feature of the student experience, considering both how to create an integrative curriculum and how to document and assess integrative learning as part of a broader effort of iterative improvement.

In summary, Barber’s book provides a wonderful opening into a robust consideration of how individual faculty and other educators can facilitate students’ integration of their learning. The book balances solid foundational considerations with practical tips and tools that are easy to implement."

- Elon Center for Engaged Learning Book Review

Foreword—Kate McConnell
Acknowledgments
Introduction

Part One: How Students Integrate Learning and Why They Must
1) False Borders: The Case for Integrated Learning
2) Integration of Learning Model
3) Reflection: The Foundation of Integration

Part Two: How You Can Help: Creating Experiences to Facilitate Integration of Learning
4) Practice 1: Mentoring Students
5) Practice 2: Writing as Praxis
6) Practice 3: Encourage Juxtaposition
7) Practice 4: Hands-On Experiences
8) Practice 5: Embrace Diversity and Identity

Part Three: How to Make it Stick
9) Creating an Integrative Curriculum
10) Documenting and Assessing Integration of Learning

Appendix A: Additional Details on Learning, Development, and Meaning for Those Who Care to Read It
Appendix B: Student Examples
References
Index

James P. Barber

James P. Barber is Senior Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Associate Professor of Education at William & Mary. Dr. Barber is an expert in the areas of college student development (in particular, self-authorship assessment), assessment of student learning and integrative learning. Prior to his faculty appointment, he worked in student affairs administration for nearly a decade, specializing in fraternity and sorority affairs, residence life and student activities. Dr. Barber also has substantial experience with globalization and international education. He has led students on study abroad experiences in the Czech Republic (2011), China (2013, 2016), and Spain (2017, 2019).

Integrative Learning 101 Webinar - Chat Dialogue

Integrative Learning 101 - Stylus Webinar with Author Jim Barber

Integrative Learning 101 - Full Slidedeck

IOL Planning Matrix

Reflective Writing Prompt Examples