WCTL Faculty Fellow in Course Development
SUMMER 2022
Scope of the Program
In cooperation with the Office for Academic Affairs, the Walker Center for Teaching and Learning is pleased to announce a new program for Faculty Fellows in Course Development. This cohort program, consisting of up to ten regular UTC faculty, will run during May 17-June 28, 2022. This 6-week hybrid program is designed to encourage sustained course development and teaching innovation. The program, application procedures, and stipend are detailed below.
What is a Faculty Fellow in Course Development (FFCD)?
The FFCD Program is a six-week hybrid teaching innovation program that offers a select cohort of full-time UTC faculty the opportunity to engage in course development and revision work in relation to current best practices in engaged learning. The online portion will be self-paced. A stipend of $1,000 will be awarded to each Fellow at the successful completion of this program.
See this link for examples of previous applicant projects: WCTL Faculty Fellow Profiles
What topics are covered in this program?
Modeled after the new faculty Teaching and Learning Institute, FFCD faculty propose to develop a new course (or significantly revise an existing course) to explore a wide-range of teaching innovation topics (through program modules):
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Overall Course Design
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Student Retention and Success: Using Canvas Tools and Learning Technology Effectively
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Creating Engaged and Active Learning Environments
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Library-Based Learning Activities and Resources
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Experiential and Community-Based Learning
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Equity-Oriented Pedagogy: Utilizing UDL and Accessibility
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The Diverse Classroom: Race, Inclusion, Mental Health
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The Science of Learning: How Brains Learn
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Exploring the Undiscovered Country: A Self-Designed Path
Designing their own path, Fellows will proceed through six of the nine modules they deem most relevant to their course design and development. Note that this program is not open to faculty who have attended the Teaching and Learning Institute during 2021-2022.
How is the program structured?
The program will be structured around a cohort of up to ten faculty participants. The WCTL Assistant Director and a Senior Instructional Developer will engage and support these faculty members throughout the program.
Each cohort will begin its journey with a joint seminar session on aims and principles (to be held face-to-face if the COVID-19 situation permits.)
The six weeks that follow will run self-paced and online, allowing for individualized course development in relation to a self-selection of the weekly course modules listed above (choosing six out of the eight available modules).
The cohort concludes with a final joint session (face-to-face if possible) devoted to a demonstration of each faculty member’s course innovation accomplishments during the program.
After the program ends, Faculty Fellows will report and reflect on the results of their course development, either through presentations in a WCTL showcase (such as the annual Instructional Excellence Conference), WCTL teaching spotlight videos, or the WCTL teaching resource website.
How practical is this program?
The Fellow’s course development work will take place in a Canvas sandbox. Module activities will encourage experimentation with new Canvas tools, learning technologies, and other pedagogical strategies. As the major deliverable, Fellows will have created new course modules and potentially an entirely new course for their department based on up-to-date pedagogies.
Are there opportunities for mentoring?
To encourage on-going conversation, the Fellow will regularly engage with a mentor to dialogue about teaching in their discipline. The applicant (in consultation with their Department Head) will identify a seasoned faculty member, preferably in the applicant’s field, who will serve as a committed dialogue partner during this process. The mentor will attend a mentoring orientation at the start of the program. Staff from the Walker Center will assist in the cohort’s pedagogical exploration and offer Canvas support. The program will also encourage informal consultation between cohort members throughout the process.
What is the application procedure and deadline?
The online application includes a course development proposal (describing the development of a new course or significant revisions for existing courses), a letter of support from the Department Head, mentor commitment letter, and a CV. The stipend for this program cannot be combined with other funds or grants received for this work without program approval. Further details will be found on the application form.
Application form link: Applications are now closed.
Deadlines for the Summer Cohort
- Application Deadline: April 20, 2022
- Cohort Participants Announced: May 1, 2022
- Program Begins: May 17, 2022
For more information contact Dr. David Pleins ([email protected]), WCTL Assistant Director.