SEEK — Solutions in Enriched Experiences & Knowledge

SEEK, VSCC’S new student learning initiative, focuses on helping students improve critical thinking skills. This initiative provides a challenging, student-centered approach to learning. The SEEK program includes courses from disciplines all across the General Education core. Students will engage in active and collaborative learning experiences that challenge them to improve their critical thinking skills and equip them with the tools to solve everyday problems in the classroom and throughout life after college.

What Can Students Expect From Seek?

• Learning to solve complex problems with multiple solutions.
• Learning to solve problems based in real-life situations or case studies.
• Learning to reflect about your own thinking.
• Learning to communicate critical thinking in writing.
• Learning to communicate critical thinking in presentations.
• Learning to evaluate the work of others.
• Learning is active and student centered.
• Learning is collaborative, including group work.

Seek Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completing SEEK courses, students will be able to solve complex, real-life problems using critical thinking.

• Complex problems are defined as ones that provide multiple, alternative approaches for solutions.
• Critical thinking is assessed through the students’ ability to solve complex problems and demonstrating the ability to:
  1. Clearly and precisely analyze a complex problem in a manner that reflects an awareness of situation, audience, purpose, and diverse points of view;
  2. Gather, analyze, and synthesize primary and secondary research relevant and appropriate to the complex problem;
  3. Identify and apply appropriate theories and/or ideas to the complex problem;
  4. Reach reasonable and supported conclusions or solutions and test them against relevant criteria or standards;
  5. Communicate their findings and conclusions effectively in oral and/or written forms of communication;
  6. Demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively/collaboratively in peer groups to solve problems;
  7. Reflect on their own learning processes and how the problem-solving process is related to complex, real-world applications.