ABSTRACT
Capstones have been a part of higher education curriculum for over two centuries, with the goal of integrating student learning to cap off their undergraduate experience. In practice, capstones are most often delivered as a course or include a significant project that addresses a problem or contributes new knowledge. This edited collection draws on multi-year, multi-institutional, and mixed-methods studies to inform the development of best practices for cultivating capstones at a variety of higher education institutions. The book is divided into three parts: Part One offers typographies of capstones, illustrating the diversity of experiences included in this high-impact practice while also identifying essential characteristics that contribute to high-quality culminating experiences for students. Part Two shares specific culminating experiences with examples from multiple institutions and strategies for adapting them for readers’ own campus contexts. Part Three offers research-informed strategies for professional development to support implementation of high-quality student learning experiences across a variety of campus contexts. Cultivating Capstones is an essential resource for faculty who teach or direct disciplinary or interdisciplinary capstone experiences, as well as for faculty developers and administrators seeking ways to offer high-quality, high-impact learning experiences for diverse student populations.
A Series on Engaged Learning and Teaching Book. Visit the books’ companion website, hosted by the Center for Engaged Learning, for book resources.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part One|46 pages
Understanding the Landscape of Capstone Experiences
chapter 1|14 pages
Frames, Definitions, And Drivers
chapter 3|14 pages
Institutional Considerations for Capstones on Campus
part Two|94 pages
Exploring Capstone Experience Models
chapter 4|12 pages
Where there's a Will, there's a Way
chapter 6|14 pages
How Two Australian Universities Achieved "Capstones for All"
chapter 7|12 pages
Adapting a Capstone
chapter 8|12 pages
Just a Few Minutes of your Time
part Three|58 pages
Supporting Capstone Faculty and Staff