The document discusses deep approaches to learning (DAL) in student affairs. It provides an overview of DAL and findings related to DAL. Specifically: - DAL refers to learning that emphasizes understanding material at a deeper level through reflection, integration, and application. In contrast, surface-level learning focuses on memorization. - Research finds students are more likely to use DAL if they attend liberal arts colleges, private institutions, and certain majors. Faculty are more likely to emphasize DAL in certain disciplines and if they are women or faculty of color. - The document outlines an exercise for participants to define DAL for a group of students and plan an activity to promote that type of learning

1. Introductions & Overview
SUPPORTING 2
DEEP APPROACHES TO LEARNING !! Presenter Introductions
IN STUDENT AFFAIRS
!! Deep Approaches to Learning (DAL)
!! Some DAL Findings
Thomas F. Nelson Laird Indiana University !! Defining Exercise
Amy K. Garver Center for !! Planning Exercise
Mahauganee Shaw Postsecondary
!! Discussion
Tony Ribera Research
!! Comments/Questions
Presentation at the
3/31/09 Annual Meeting of ACPA International
“Deep learning is learning that
takes root in our apparatus of
understanding, in the
What is Deep Learning? embedded meanings that
define us and that we use to
define the world”
Tagg, 2003, p. 70
“Surface-Level Processing” “Deep-Level Processing”
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!! Focus on substance and the underlying
!! Focus on substance meaning
!! Personal commitment to understanding
!! Emphasize memorization and rote learning !! Reflection on relationships between pieces
of information
!! Goal is simply to avoid failure !! Applying knowledge to “real life”
!! Integration & synthesis of information
with prior learning

2. Process and Outcome Setting the Context
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!! The approaches to learning students use
depend on context
!! Deep approaches to learning (process)
!! Learningactivities characterized by deep
connections to the material
!! The key to setting the context to foster the
use of deep approaches to learning…
!! Deep learning (outcome)
!! Learning of substance and underlying meaning Educators!
NSSE Measures
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Measuring
Deep Approaches to Learning Scale
Deep Approaches to Learning
Sub-Scales
!!Reflective learning
!!Integrative learning
!!Higher-order learning
Reflective Learning Integrative Learning
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!! Students were asked how often they did the following during the !! Students were asked how often they did the following during the current
current school year: school year:
!! Examined the strengths and weaknesses of your !! Worked on a paper or project that required integrating ideas
own views on a topic or issue or information from various sources
!! Included diverse perspectives (different races, religions,
!! Tried to better understand someone else's views by
genders, political beliefs, etc.) in class discussions or writing
imagining how an issue looks from his or her assignments
perspective
!! Put together ideas or concepts from different courses when
!! Learned something that changed the way you completing assignments or during class discussions
understand an issue or concept !! Discussed ideas from your readings or classes with faculty
members outside of class
!! Discussed ideas from your readings or classes with others
outside of class (students, family members, co-workers, etc.)

3. Higher-Order Learning
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!! Students were asked how much their coursework emphasized the
following:
!! Analyzing the basic elements of an idea, experience, or
theory, such as examining a particular case or situation in
depth and considering its components Some findings of note…
!! Synthesizing and organizing ideas, information, or
experiences into new, more complex interpretations and
relationships
!! Making judgments about the value of information,
arguments, or methods, such as examining how others
gathered and interpreted data and assessing the soundness of
their conclusions
!! Applying theories or concepts to practical problems or in new
situations
Students likely to use DAL… Faculty likely to emphasize DAL…
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!! Women (+) !! Students at Liberal !! Women (++) !! Faculty at private
Arts Colleges (+) institutions (+)
!! Asian-Americans (-) !! Faculty of color (++)
!! Students at private
!! Other SOC (+) !! Upper division (++)
institutions (+)
!! First-generation (-) !! Years teaching (-)
!! Traditional age (-) !! Results based on seniors !! Discipline (+++)
!! Full-time (++)
!! Greek affiliation (+)
!! Major (+++)
Disciplinary Comparisons: DAL
DEFINING EXERCISE
Soc Sci Arts Prof Educ Phys Sci Eng Business
.80
STUDENTS
1. Think of a group of students
.60
FACULTY 2. Define what ___ learning is for that
group of students
.40
.68 .65
.73 3. Share your definitions with your team
4. Pick a student group and create a
.60
.20
.26 .22 .20 .22 collective definition
.09
.00
-.05 -.08 -.08 -.09
-.21
-.20
-.40
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4. PLANNING EXERCISE
For the group of students you picked and
relying on your definition of ___ learning,
plan a project/activity/program that will
promote the adoption of that approach to
learning