OVERVIEW
As part of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Reaffirmation process and The University of Alabama’s commitment to undergraduate education, the University is engaged in a Quality Enhancement Plan to increase the use of active and collaborative learning methods as part of the First Year Experience.
Research shows that students learn more when they do more than passively listen to faculty lecture on a topic. The purpose of the active and collaborative learning grants is to provide support for faculty who wish to redesign an existing course or a portion of an existing course in ways that actively engage students in the learning process.
Faculty are invited to submit proposals requesting up to $12,000 to employ new strategies to foster active and collaborative learning in 100 and 200 level courses. Particular consideration will be given to large lecture classes and multiple section courses.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the active and collaborative learning grants is to provide faculty with resources to develop instructional methods that challenge students at various performance levels to engage in a dynamic learning environment that goes beyond passive classroom instruction methods.
Outcomes from the active and collaborative course redesign will be included in a five-year summary report on the Quality Enhancement Plan to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
Active and Collaborative grant courses will achieve the following outcomes.
- Course delivered during the 2007-2008 academic year.
- Reach substantial numbers of first-year students (i.e. regularly offered course or number of course participants).
- Demonstrate enhanced student learning through the use of active and collaborative instructional methods.
- Develop clear student learning outcomes, a plan for outcomes measurement, and strategies for course improvement based on assessment findings.
- Utilize previous performance measures to demonstrate successful outcomes of the new teaching method.
- Department and College Endorsement.
- Serve as a model for future active and collaborative course instruction.