STEM Active Learning Academy
We are happy to announce the Active Learning Academy will continue for another year! This program is NSF-funded, faculty-driven, and supported by ASSETT and the CTL. The Active Learning Academy offers STEM faculty professional development (PD) opportunities to learn and apply research-based instructional strategies and course design principles to an undergraduate STEM course of their choosing. These strategies and principles are straightforward to implement and known to enhance student learning. They are also aligned with Boulder's current efforts to have a “common student-centered approach to learning [PDF]” and to be a “T1 at the R1” [PDF].
The academy offers a series of three semester-long PD programs that build from one to the next: Learning by Design, Follow-up Mentoring, and Course Re/Design. Participants who successfully complete the first program are eligible but not required to participate in the second program. Those who successfully complete the first and second program are eligible but not required to complete the third program. Faculty who complete any of these programs can claim them in their annual performance. They will also receive additional recognition in the form of a faculty development award, a certificate, and a letter for their reappointment, promotion, and tenure file.
The programs offered through the Active Learning Academy are currently scheduled as follows:
Learning by Design: Fall 2024
Eight meetings per semester, once every other week
Award: $1500
Follow-up Peer Mentoring: Spring 2025
Two meetings per academic year (kick-off and wrap-up) and five meetings with a peer mentor
Award: $500
Course Re/Design: Summer/Fall 2025
One symposium presentation and numerous meetings to (re)design a course
Award: $1500 (two awards per cycle)
Tenure-stream and teaching professor ranks are eligible to participate. We are currently accepting applications for the fall 2023 Learning by Design cohort. The first program meeting will be held during the third week of instruction. Lunch will be provided at all meetings.
Space is limited! Cohort size is limited to 8. Preference will be given to pairs of faculty members from the same department who partner to complete Learning by Design together.
Submit your application by May 28, 2024. Send questions to Amanda.McAndrew@colorado.edu, Karen.Crouch@colorado.edu, Kalpana.Gupta@colorado.edu, or Leilani.Arthurs@colorado.edu