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Center for Teaching Excellence

CTE INFORMATION

Faculty Funded Programs

faculty member

The Center for Teaching Excellence offers two programs that support faculty members on the Lawrence campus.

Check this page in November 2009 regarding the deadline for the Spring 2010 Faculty Seminar. Deadlines for 2010 BPI and Fall 2010 Faculty Seminar will be in March 2010.

Check here to see the eligibility policy for these programs.

Best Practices Institute

BPI is a collegial, hands-on seminar especially useful for teachers who would like to reflect on and learn to represent their teaching. BPI is a good first experience for interacting with colleagues about course design. In the BPI, you’ll focus on one thing you want to change about one of your courses. You’ll work in small groups with teachers from various disciplines, as well as with colleagues who’ve successfully implemented changes in their teaching.

What will you do in BPI?
You’ll learn more about:
• Designing a course to maximize student learning
• Making the most of class time
• Using out-of-class time to promote learning
• Assessing learning efficiently and productively
• Representing your teaching effectiveness

By the end of the seminar, you’ll have an electronic poster that documents new features you’re developing with your teaching and that tracks implementation of your ideas. And as a BPI participant, in FY08 you’ll receive a $750 instructional fund you can use for materials, travel, or hourly help for any teaching project.

When is the BPI?
The seminar will be held for two days in May 2010. Participants will also attend a follow-up session in August.

When is the application deadline?
Applications for the May 2010 BPI are due next March. Participants will be chosen and notified by April. Final representation of your teaching should be completed by December.

Check here for BPI applications when they become available.

Faculty Seminar

The Faculty Seminar gives faculty and instructional staff members an opportunity to represent and reflect on your teaching accomplishments. You’ll also learn how various teaching strategies can result in better learning.

What will you do in the Faculty Seminar?
You'll meet five times during the semester with a small group of other teachers, and you'll read several cutting-edge works on the scholarship of interdisciplinary teaching. In the sessions, you'll discuss the readings and develop a plan for:

1. A significant change in an existing course in which you wish to introduce a substantial interdisciplinary component,
2. Revision of an existing interdisciplinary course to address problems or new goals, or
3. Development of a new course that is interdisciplinary in nature. Courses may be co-taught, and one or both instructors may apply for the Faculty Seminar.

The seminar requires independent work on teaching. It’s best suited for faculty members who have some experience reflecting on their teaching and success with improving student learning.

How will you benefit from participating in it?
In addition to what you’ll gain from the readings and discussions, you’ll also:

  • Complete the first steps of creating a teaching portfolio

  • Develop a strategic plan to improve the quality of your teaching and know how to demonstrate that quality

After developing your plan, you’ll receive a $1,000 instructional fund you can use for materials, travel, or hourly help for teaching projects, including research on teaching and learning.

Check here for Faculty Seminar applications when they become available.