Faculty Learning Communities

Overview

Over a decade of research in social psychology indicates that learning mindsets play a role in students’ persistence and achievement; these mindsets are not fixed, but are shaped by messages students receive from society, from daily interactions and observations, and from their experiences in school. By fostering a positive student experience in the classroom and beyond, colleges can increase a student’s likelihood of persevering through academic challenges to graduation.

The Student Experience Project FLC is for faculty in any discipline interested in collaborating with peers on campus to implement evidence-based teaching practices to improve student experience. Practices include revising syllabi, reviewing and revising course policies, utilizing new grading and feedback processes, and other evidence-based approaches that increase sense of belonging, convey a growth mindset, and foster inclusivity and institutional trust. Faculty will have the opportunity to get frequent student feedback about their classroom experiences using Ascend, a survey tool that helps faculty reflect on and improve their teaching practices. By participating in the learning community, faculty will build expertise in inclusive teaching practices to improve student success for students of all backgrounds at their institution.

Activities

Because this FLC directly supports teaching, it is most suited to faculty and instructors who are currently teaching at least one course.

Who is it for?

As part of participation in this FLC, faculty will:

• Explore and employ evidence-based, high impact tools that promote student self-efficacy.
• Revise course syllabi to include messaging and language proven to increase sense of belonging and growth mindset among students.
• Utilize approaches to giving critical feedback in a way that engenders trust, increases academic engagement, and helps close academic outcome gaps.
• Survey students 2 or 3 times throughout the term using Ascend.

Facilitator

Dr. Sandra Watts, Teaching Professor of Spanish and Latin American Studies, UNC Charlotte. Dr. Watts has published and presented on the implementation of the Student Experience Project, including research that was selected as an EDUCAUSE Horizon Report Exemplar.

To Apply

Please complete this brief survey to apply to participate in the Student Experience Project FLC.

Overview

The Generative AI in Teaching and Learning FLC is an interdisciplinary initiative open to faculty members, librarians, and instructional professionals across the University of North Carolina (UNC) System. This community will focus on exploring and leveraging Generative AI in Teaching and Learning. Generative AI refers to the application of artificial intelligence to create content, generate responses, and simulate human-like behavior. Through collaborative discussions, webinars, and hands-on activities, participants will discuss ways to integrate and/or restrict Generative AI technologies in their teaching so that AI technology enhances the learning experience while also mitigating the potential negative consequences. The FLC will be facilitated by a faculty members with experience in Generative AI in an educational context who will guide participants through the discussions and practical application activities.

Who is it for?

This FLC is designed for faculty members, librarians, and instructional professionals from diverse academic disciplines within the UNC System. Whether participants are seasoned tech-savvy educators or just starting to explore the potential of AI in education, this community offers a supportive and inclusive environment for all levels of expertise.

Activities

• Monthly or Bi-Monthly Discussions: The FLC will hold regular synchronous and asynchronous discussions, including Zoom meetings for those whose schedule allows. Sessions may feature expert guest speakers, interactive workshops, and open discussions centered around Generative AI in teaching and learning.
• Hands-On Activities: Participants will have the opportunity to engage in practical, hands-on activities that involve exploring various Generative AI tools and platforms, experiment with their applications, and brainstorm creative ways to integrate them into educational contexts.
• Project Development: Over the course of the program, participants will work on designing and developing one or more learning activities or teaching resources that leverage Generative AI. These projects can be adapted for use in their own classrooms or shared with the wider UNC System community.
• Online Collaboration and Resource Sharing: Between meetings, participants will have access to an online platform where they can collaborate, share resources, and seek guidance from facilitators and fellow community members.

Facilitators

Dr. Sarah Egan Warren, Teaching Assistant Professor, Institute for Advanced Analytics, and DELTA Faculty Fellow, NC State University

Dr. Mary Lou Maher, Professor and Director, Integrated Critical Core And Center For Education Innovation, Co-Director of the Human Centered Computing Lab, College of Computing and Informatics, UNC Charlotte

To Apply

Please complete this brief survey to apply to participate in the Generative AI in Teaching and Learning FLC.

Overview

This FLC, the Open Pedagogy Incubator, supports faculty in adopting open principles to create more inclusive, student-centered courses through a series of workshops, facilitated discussions, and curated readings. Participants will complete the program with a clear process for implementing open pedagogy in courses they are leading.

The Open Pedagogy Incubator is a semester-long program designed to incentivize faculty to go beyond the first step in open education – adopting open course materials – to implement multiple open-enabled practices in their courses. Modeled on the successful NC State Alt-Textbook program and the 2019 pilot of its OPEN Incubator, the Open Pedagogy Incubator brings together a cohort of faculty instructors to develop competencies in open pedagogy through a series of hands-on workshops, curated readings, and cohort discussions.

This FLC program was developed by and is run through the Open Knowledge Center, Hunt Library, NC State. See this page for details.

Who is it for?

Because this FLC directly supports teaching and the development of teaching assignments, it is most suited to faculty and instructors who are currently teaching at least one course.

Activities

The program is built around the spine of three cohort meetings: an introduction session, mid-semester check-in, and final presentations and report out. These meetings introduce fundamental aspects of open education and open pedagogy and build a relationship between cohort members as they move through the Incubator.

In addition, participants select and attend four guided discussions about intellectual and philosophical issues in open pedagogy and four hands-on workshops covering specific tools and practices for implementing open pedagogical practices. Armed with these models and supported by this community, participants are given a financial award and assigned a library liaison so they can successfully implement open pedagogical interventions in their own courses.

Facilitator

David Tully, Librarian for Student Success & Affordability, Open Knowledge Center, NC State

To Apply

Please complete this brief survey by September 15, 2023 to apply to participate in the Open Education FLC.