Lessons for the Future: A Conceptual Model and Practical Guidelines

Abstract

Each chapter of the book discussed the concrete strategies that pursue key values of liberal arts education in the different parts of the world. The cut-across core values of liberal arts education are very much tied to students’ experience as a critical thinker and a future change agent of the world. Practices pay much attention to generating critical thinking, interdisciplinary and integrated learning, civic engagement with a sense of social justice and equity, and deep understanding of various cultural and theoretical perspectives. While these core values had been consistent in liberal arts education in its long history, more recent phenomena are seen in the modes and methods that embody core values in the educational programs. Advanced information technology and international exchanges of students and programs expanded the scope of students’ experiential learning. There is also more emphasis on evidence-based policy-making and efforts to measure tangible learning outcomes of liberal arts education. With a wide variety of efforts made at the institutional level, all institutions focus clearly on students’ learning processes and outcomes in their primary mission.