One of the Essential Learning Outcomes of a liberal education, as defined by the American Association of Colleges and Universities, is the ability for students to integrate and apply their learning (AACU). Students learn best when work isn’t “a series of isolated problems” but is relevant and connected (Blad, 2018). Students should be able to “build across the curriculum and co-curriculum, from making simple connections among ideas and experiences to synthesizing and transferring learning to new, complex situations within and beyond the campus” (Integrative Learning VALUE Rubric).
Faculty can intentionally design courses and assignments to help students acquire this competency and relate content to life outside of the classroom. Not only does this help prepare students for their personal and professional futures but will motivate students to engage with your course content as they see direct connections to their lives.