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Faculty Learning Communities

We offer Faculty Learning Communities each year in the Faculty Center.  FLCs provide a unique opportunity for faculty to engage in an important project, learn something new, and connect with colleagues. In addition to the training opportunities provided by our FLCS, we also have a research community to support faculty in making time for their research during the semester.

AY 2023/24 Faculty Learning Communities

 


Open Calls

Faculty Learning Community: Building Resources Towards Curricula on the Innovation Process

Spring 2024

 

  • Want to support student learning through facilitating the creation of innovative practices?
  • Are you interested in learning about the innovation process and partnering with The Innovations Hub?
  • Does the idea of creating curriculum to support colleagues and the broader adoption of innovation-centered pedagogies sound exciting?

Join us for our faculty learning community lead by Dr. Elinne Becket

Overview 

  • Meetings on Wednesdays 12:30 to 2:15 pm at the Faculty Center (in-person). 2/14, 2/28, 3/13, 4/10, 4/24
  • $500 stipend for each faculty member who participates
  • Open to faculty of all ranks and colleges with teaching appointments in Spring 2024
  • Deadline to apply: Feb 2, 2024

Description

This FLC is focused on developing cross-disciplinary curricular materials for faculty to integrate the innovation process into the learning experience in order to introduce student researchers to the innovation process. The innovation process is a set of steps between an idea's conception and its implementation. Integrating the innovation process into the classroom supports several broad high-impact practices as well the application of knowledge.

The innovation process consists of:

  1. Problem Defining
  2. Ideation
  3. Design/Prototyping
  4. Testing
  5. Implementing

Specifically, this FLC focuses on: 

  • Identifying pedagogical strategies for integrating the innovation process into academic courses
  • Developing skills for implementing interdisciplinary and course-specific curriculum on the innovation process
  • Creating cross-disciplinary course materials such as syllabi and/or activities for CSUSM faculty to implement the innovation process into their courses

Throughout the semester, we will identify best practices on integrating the innovation process into our courses. We will investigate the use of online modules, additional materials, assignments and activities, and design sample curricula within our fields. Creativity is encouraged!

What is the time commitment?

  • Participants will be expected to meet in-person on Wednesdays from 12:30 to 2:15 pm at the Faculty Center for a total of 5 meetings/8.75 hours of meeting time (2/14, 2/28, 3/13, 4/10, 4/24).
  • Participants will spend an additional few hours engaging in modest readings and enriching activities prior to learning community meetings and working on deliverables (see below).

What are the deliverables?

  • Participants will develop example course materials within their fields for each portion of the innovation process.
  • Participants will also make the work from this FLC available to the larger CSUSM community as resources to implement the innovation process into courses broadly.

What is the compensation?

  • Faculty will receive $500 stipendfor participating in at least 4 of the 5 meetings and submitting the example course materials for use by the larger CSUSM faculty community. Faculty who do not provide the sample course materials by May 1, 2024 will receive a reduced stipend of $250 if all other criteria has been met.
  • Participants will also share the work from this FLC with the larger CSUSM community at the Faculty Center Teaching and Learning Expo in Spring 2024.  

Who should apply?

Faculty of all ranks from all colleges with teaching appointments in Spring 2024 are welcome to apply!

How will faculty be selected?

Faculty will be selected based on several criteria:

  • Diverse representation within FLC (ideally, we would like to include different ranks and disciplines).
  • Application clearly articulates experience or interest in developing curricula focused on one or more phases of the innovation process to incorporate in their classes
  • Preference will be given to faculty that plan to incorporate the innovations process into their curriculum in the future
  • Priority will be given to faculty who have not participated in a Faculty Center FLC in the last calendar year
  • Space will be limited to 6-8 participants

To apply

Fill out the application:

Apply by Feb 2, 2024

In your application of approximately (200 words) Letter please include:

  • Overall reason of interest
  • Faculty should include an explanation of their experience and/or interest in teaching a curriculum involving the innovation process. Listing specific classes they are interested in developing is also encouraged.

For questions about the Faculty Learning Community or application, please contact Elinne Becket at ebecket@csusm.edu.

Only Unit 3 faculty members who will be on contract with an existing Unit 3 appointment during the entire time frame of the training or professional development opportunity are eligible to be considered for a stipend. Faculty may not request or accept professional development and/or training under this program unless they are on active pay status as a faculty bargaining unit employee. Summer stipends can only be offered to faculty who will be employed the preceding spring and subsequent fall semesters.

Faculty are limited to a maximum of $10,000 in stipends for faculty training and professional development per fiscal year. Faculty cannot accept an offer for a stipend that will cause them to exceed this $10,000 annual limit.

All faculty members accepting a stipend must fulfill all of the stated terms and expectations that constitute completion of the training or development activity to receive the stipend.

 

 

Critical Intercultural Communication Faculty Learning Community 

Leader: Dr. Robert Gutierrez-Perez  

Overview  

  • 6 meetings total in online synchronous format (via Teams): 2/13, 2/20, 3/05, 3/12, 3/26, 4/02 
  • Meetings from 12:00-1:45 PM 
  • $500 stipend for each faculty member who participates in at least five meetings and submits IDEA action plan by May 10, 2024 
  • Open to faculty of all ranks and colleges with teaching appointments in Spring 2024 
  • Deadline to apply: Feb 1, 2024 

Description 

Participating faculty members will embark on a transformative journey to enhance their understanding of intercultural communication and its profound impact on teaching, learning, and the broader academic environment. Through a blend of theoretical frameworks, practical applications, and introspective exercises, participants will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to foster inclusive and equitable learning experiences for all students. In today's increasingly interconnected world, effective intercultural communication is essential for fostering inclusive and equitable learning environments. 

The six 105-minute Teams sessions spread evenly throughout the semester, which allows faculty to form breakout rooms based on discipline for further discussion and curriculum development. Participating faculty are expected to redesign significant portions of a course (assignment sequence, assessment, syllabus, course activity, etc.) to integrate critical intercultural communication into student learning outcomes and will be asked to create personalized plans for their teaching context. This personalized plan will serve as a roadmap for implementing inclusive practices and promoting a more equitable learning environment for all students. 

This transformative workshop will empower faculty to become catalysts for intercultural understanding and create learning spaces that embrace diversity, foster belonging, and promote the success of all students. The FLC will take place during Spring Semester 2024 beginning Tuesday, February 13 and concluding Tuesday, March 26. Please see schedule below for complete dates and topics. 
 
Preliminary Faculty Learning Community Schedule 
All sessions will be on Tuesdays from 12:00 to 1:45 PM via Teams 

  • February 13: Foundations of Intercultural Communication 
  • February 20: Cultural Identity, Intersectionality, and Communication 
  • March 5: Context, Power, and Communication 
  • March 12: Intercultural Communication in the Classroom 
  • March 26: Dialogue on Intercultural Conflict, Misunderstandings, and Failure 
  • April 2: IDEA Plan Development 

 
Faculty participants should plan to spend 2-3 hours reviewing materials outside of the six sessions. 

Learning Outcomes: 

  • Articulate a comprehensive understanding of intercultural communication concepts and theories 
  • Identify and analyze the impact of culture on communication patterns, beliefs, and values 
  • Apply intercultural communication principles to enhance their teaching, research, and service 
  • Foster inclusive and equitable learning experiences for all students 
  • Contribute to a more inclusive and culturally responsive academic environment 
     
    Deliverables include: a completed redesign of a course and an inclusion, diversity, equity, and action (IDEA) plan to be implemented for the Fall 2024 semester. 

Expectation and compensation 

The FLC meets on select Tuesdays from 12:00-1:45 for a total of 6 meetings for a total of 10.5 hours of meeting time. Faculty will receive $500 stipend for participating in at least 5 of the 6 meetings and completing a redesign of a course and an IDEA action plan by May 10, 2024. A course redesign involves exploring resources and developing new assignments, assessments, and syllabi to enhance student success by integrating diverse perspectives, technology, and real-world applications to create more engaging and impactful intercultural classrooms. Ultimately, the course redesign and IDEA action plan is meant to align with the University’s mission and values of student success. Faculty who do not provide the course redesign materials or IDEA action plan by May 10, 2024 will receive a reduced stipend of $250 if all other criteria have been met. 

Participants will also share the work from this FLC with the larger CSUSM community at the Faculty Center Teaching and Learning Expo in Spring 2024. 

Who should apply? 

Faculty of all ranks from all colleges with teaching appointments in Spring 2024 are welcome to apply! 

For questions about the Faculty Learning Community or application, please contact Robert Gutierrez-Perez, Faculty Center Fellow for Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice at rgutierrez@csusm.edu 

How will faculty be selected? 

  • Stated interest in goals of the FLC 
  • Diverse representation of different ranks, disciplines, and colleges 
  • Priority will be given to faculty who have not participated in a Faculty Center FLC in the last calendar year 
  • Space will be limited to 6-8 participants 

Apply By Feb 1, 2024  

Only Unit 3 faculty members who will be on contract with an existing Unit 3 appointment during the entire time frame of the training or professional development opportunity are eligible to be considered for a stipend. Faculty may not request or accept professional development and/or training under this program unless they are on active pay status as a faculty bargaining unit employee. Summer stipends can only be offered to faculty who will be employed the preceding spring and subsequent fall semesters. 

Faculty are limited to a maximum of $10,000 in stipends for faculty training and professional development per fiscal year. Faculty cannot accept an offer for a stipend that will cause them to exceed this $10,000 annual limit. 

All faculty members accepting a stipend must fulfill all of the stated terms and expectations that constitute completion of the training or development activity to receive the stipend. 

 

 

Closed Calls

 

CSU Teaching Climate Change & Resilience (TCCR) Faculty Learning Community

Leaders: Juliana Goodlaw-Morris (CSUSM) and Dr. Mark Stemen (CSU Chico)

Overview

  • 7 meetings total: 2/06 (in-person CSUSM campus), 2/13 (Zoom), 2/27 (Zoom), 3/05 (Zoom), 3/19 (in-person CSUSM campus), 4/08 (Zoom), and 4/23 (Zoom)
  • Meetings from 9:00-10:30 AM
  • $250 stipend for each faculty member who participates in at least six meetings
  • Open to faculty of all ranks and colleges with teaching appointments in Spring 2024
  • Deadline to apply: Dec 15, 2023

Description

This Faculty Learning Community addresses the unfolding climate crisis and what solutions faculty and students can employ, and be employed by, in the future. Faculty participating in the FLC in TCCR will learn from experts in the field about the science behind climate change, the solutions available to counter it, the need to incorporate justice into the conversation and the enormous anxiety all of this produces in our students.

The five 90-minute Zoom sessions spread evenly throughout the semester, which allows faculty to form breakout rooms based on discipline for further discussion and curriculum development. In addition to changing their own courses, participating faculty will also become part of the systemwide network of colleagues focused on issues of climate change that formed after the first FLC in TCCR, and learn how other faculty incorporate those issues across a wide spectrum of curricular disciplines.

The FLC will take place during Spring Semester 2024. Every other Tuesday from 9:00-10:30am, beginning Tuesday, February 6 and concluding Tuesday, April 23. Because this FLC will be with faculty from across the CSU, five out of the seven sessions will be on Zoom.

Preliminary Faculty Learning Community Schedule
All sessions will be on Tuesdays from 9:00 to 10:30

  1. February 6:  1stFLC meeting (In-Person, CSUSM campus)
  2. February 13: Introduction to TCCR (Zoom)
  3. February 27: Climate Solutions (Zoom)
  4. March 5: Climate Anxiety (Zoom)
  5. March 19:  In Person CSUSM Climate (In-Person, CSUSM campus)
  6. April 9: Climate Justice (Zoom)
  7. April 23: Climate Curriculum (Zoom)


2 of the 7 sessions will be on campus, in-person meet-ups to foster a sense of community and to learn more about what is happening locally and at CSUSM as it relates to climate change and resilience. Also, faculty participants should plan to spend 2-3 hours reviewing materials outside of the five Zoom sessions.

Learning Outcomes:
Participating faculty are expected to redesign significant portions of a course (assignment sequence, assessment, syllabus, course activity, etc.) to integrate climate change and resilience into student learning outcomes.

Deliverables include: a completed redesign of a course and a recorded “lightening talk”. These are in addition to presenting at the FC Expo.

Expectation and compensation

The FLC meets on Tuesdays from 9:00-10:30 for a total of 7 meetings. 5 of the sessions are held on Zoom and 2 of the sessions will be in-person at the CSUSM campus for a total of 10.5 hours of meeting time. Faculty will receive $500 stipend for participating in at least 6 of the 7 meetings and completing a redesign of a course and a recorded “lightening talk” by May 10, 2024. Faculty who do not provide the course redesign materials and lightening talk by May 10, 2024 will receive a reduced stipend of $250 if all other criteria has been met.

Participants will also share the work from this FLC with the larger CSUSM community at the Faculty Center Teaching and Learning Expo in Spring 2024.

Who should apply?

Faculty of all ranks from all colleges with teaching appointments in Spring 2024 are welcome to apply!

For questions about the Faculty Learning Community or application, please contact the CSUSM co-leader of this FLC Juliana Goodlaw-Morris, at jgmorris@csusm.edu

How will faculty be selected?

  • Stated interest in goals of the FLC
  • Diverse representation of different ranks, disciplines, and colleges
  • Priority will be given to faculty who have not participated in a Faculty Center FLC in the last calendar year
  • Space will be limited to 6-8 participants

Only Unit 3 faculty members who will be on contract with an existing Unit 3 appointment during the entire time frame of the training or professional development opportunity are eligible to be considered for a stipend. Faculty may not request or accept professional development and/or training under this program unless they are on active pay status as a faculty bargaining unit employee. Summer stipends can only be offered to faculty who will be employed the preceding spring and subsequent fall semesters.

Faculty are limited to a maximum of $10,000 in stipends for faculty training and professional development per fiscal year. Faculty cannot accept an offer for a stipend that will cause them to exceed this $10,000 annual limit.

All faculty members accepting a stipend must fulfill all of the stated terms and expectations that constitute completion of the training or development activity to receive the stipend.

Apply By Dec 15, 2023

Understanding and Improving Student Engagement: A Faculty Center Certificate Program

Leader: Dr. Ruoxi Li

Overview

  • Meetings on Fridays, 7 meetings total: 9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/17
  • Meetings from 12:00 to 1:30 pm at the Faculty Center
  • $250 stipend for each faculty member who participates in at least six meetings
  • Open to faculty of all ranks and colleges with teaching appointments in Fall 2023
  • Earn a Faculty Center Certificate suitable for WPAF
  • Deadline to apply: Sept 8, 2023

Description

Student engagement is crucial for creating a successful classroom learning environment, yet many students struggle to participate in activities, complete assignments on time, or even to show up for class. This FLC is dedicated to understanding and improving student engagement both inside and outside the classroom, using data sources such as Canvas Analytics, CSUSM DFW dashboard, CSU Student Success Dashboard, as well as surveys and activities designed by instructors. Participants will receive instructions on utilizing various tools and applying data to identify problems and develop solutions.

Specifically, this FLC focuses on:

  • Accessing and analyzing data from Canvas Analytics, CSUSM DFW dashboard, and CSU Student Success Dashboard
  • Developing course specific activities to obtain a deeper understanding of the problems and involve students to create solutions
  • Communicating and sharing insights and experiences with fellow faculty participants and the wider CSUSM community

 


The Inventor’s Patent Academy (TIPA)

Leader: Dr. Serhan Kotiloglu 

Overview  

  • Meetings on Wednesdays, 6 meetings total: 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/11, 10/18, 10/25
  • Meetings from 1:30 to 3.00 pm at the Faculty Center
  • Virtual participation in meetings possible
  • $500 stipend for each faculty member who participates in at least five meetings and complete Qualcomm’s The Inventors Patent Academy (TIPA) Training Module (9 hours asynchronous training)
  • Open to faculty of all ranks and colleges with teaching appointments in Fall 2023
  • Earn a Faculty Center Certificate suitable for WPAF
  • Deadline to apply: Sept 8, 2023 

Description 

The Inventor’s Patent Academy (TIPA) is an online resource to orient inventors to the patent process.  Developed by the non-profit organization, Invent Together, TIPA intends to increase the number of women inventors and inventors of color who apply for and are issued a patent.  In an effort to introduce student researchers to the patent process, this FLC is focused on developing guidance for the best way for faculty to integrate TIPA into the learning experience. 

Specifically, this FLC focuses on:  

  • Completing TIPA training
  • Identifying pedagogical strategies for integrating TIPA into academic courses
  • Creating guides for CSUSM faculty that support the successful implementation of TIPA

Throughout the semester, we will identify best practices on integrating TIPA to our courses. We will investigate the use of TIPA online modules, additional materials, assignments and homework, and design sample curricula within our fields. Creativity is encouraged!

 

 


 

Quality Online Learning and Teaching Faculty Learning Community (QLT FLC)

Leader: Dr. Karno Ng

Overview

  1. Fall 2023 QLT FLC – Intro to Teaching Online with QLT
  • 9/15/2023 (Fri) noon to 1:00 p.m.  Workshop #1:  Introduction to QLT FLC
  • 10/6/2023, 10/13/2023, 10/20/2023 Synchronous online weekly Q&A session during the 3-week Intro course
  • 11/3 (Fri:) noon to 1:00 p.m. Faculty Center: Workshop #2: Reflection, Sharing and the Next Step
  • 12/1 (Fri): Complete Core 24 in the Self-Assessment.
    1. Spring 2024 QLT FLC – Implementation & Showcase
  • Complete all components of Self-Assessment by 2/16/2024.
  • Peer Review completed by 3/15/2024.
  • 3/22/2024, 3/29/2024, 4/5/2024, 4/12/2024: Workshop # 3,4,5,6: Weekly synchronous online workshop to implement feedback from internal peer reviews.
  • Complete internal certificate requirement (24 core & 85% overall) by 4/19/2023.
  • Faculty Center Expo Showcase Event – share and celebrate accomplishments with wider CSUSM faculty community at campus’s signature Faculty Center Teaching & Learning Expo. (Likely the week of April 29—May 3, 2024).
  • $1000 stipend for each faculty member who complete the above requirements.
  • Open to faculty of all ranks and colleges with teaching appointments in Fall 2023
  • Deadline to apply: Sept 8, 2023

Description

Quality online and hybrid courses are vital to student success. They not only increase student engagement but also lower DWF rates of the courses.  Thus, it is essential to ensure that the online and hybrid courses have reached a commonly accepted standard prior to their delivery. The Quality Learning and Teaching rubric is an evaluation tool developed by the CSU Chancellor’s office to ensure the quality of online and hybrid courses. This FLC offers the opportunity for faculty to conduct self or peer reviews of online or hybrid courses with the QLT rubric. The goal of these reviews is to provide best practices and support towards designing and delivering courses that result in quality learning experiences for students. This FLC is committed to preparing faculty who are interested in completing the informal campus review process while offering a holistic approach to teaching online and hybrid courses. Not only will you complete the certification process, you will also be (1) guided through setting up your online or hybrid course in a way that provides support to students, (2) offers guidance to ensure your assessments are measuring your course objectives and, (3) creates an efficient  way for you to provide feedback to students.

Specifically, the FLC will focus on:

  • Applying best practices for designing and delivering online and hybrid courses using the QLT rubric.
  • Developing online and hybrid specific strategies to increase student engagement and get the most out of your online or hybrid courses.
  • Fostering a community of faculty who will share ideas and current examples of what they are doing in their online and hybrid courses to increase student success.

Expectation and compensation

Meetings:

The FLC meets on Fridays from 12:00 to 1:00 pm at the Faculty Center or online (indicates by *)for a total of six workshops with a total of 6 hours of meeting time (9/15 (in person), 11/3 ( in person), 3/22*, 3/29*, 4/5*, 4/12*).

Note: Faculty must attend at least 5 out of the 6 workshops.

Training Course, QLT Course Certification, Presentation at the CSUSM Teaching and Learning Symposium
  • 10/2/2023—10/22/2023: Complete a 3-weeks asynchronized online training course (time required: 15-20 hours): “Intro to Teaching Online with QLT”
  • Weekly Q&A online sessions will be held from 12:00 to 1:00 PM (on 10/6, 10/13 & 10/20) during the duration of this 3-weeks training course. Note: Faculty must attend at least one out of the 3 Q&A sessions.
  • Obtain QLT Course Certification by 4/19/2023. (see details component in the overview section)
  • Present at the Faculty Center Teaching and Learning Expo in Spring 2024 (oral or poster presentation)

Faculty will receive $1000 stipend if they fulfill the expectation as listed above. 

Who should apply?

Faculty of all ranks from all colleges with teaching appointments in Fall 2023 are welcome to apply!

For questions about this Faculty Learning Community or application, please contact Karno Ng, Faculty Fellow for QLT at kng@csusm.edu

How will faculty be selected?

  • Taught an online or hybrid course at least once in the semester before Fall 2023.
  • Stated interest in gaining knowledge in effective evaluation and implementation of online and hybrid best practices and getting their online courses to be QLT certified.
  • Diverse representation of different ranks, disciplines, and colleges
  • Space will be limited to 10 participants.

Apply Now 

Only Unit 3 faculty members who will be on contract with an existing Unit 3 appointment during the entire time frame of the training or professional development opportunity are eligible to be considered for a stipend. Faculty may not request or accept professional development and/or training under this program unless they are on active pay status as a faculty bargaining unit employee. Summer stipends can only be offered to faculty who will be employed the preceding spring and subsequent fall semesters.

Faculty are limited to a maximum of $10,000 in stipends for faculty training and professional development per fiscal year. Faculty cannot accept an offer for a stipend that will cause them to exceed this $10,000 annual limit.

All faculty members accepting a stipend must fulfill all of the stated terms and expectations that constitute completion of the training or development activity to receive the stipend.

 


Accepting Proposals for New FLCs for Spring 2024!

FLC Proposals accepted on continuous basis. For best consideration please submit by the first week of the academic semester to offer opportunites for the following semester.

Submit a Proposal


Research and Creativity Activity Community

Leader: Dr. Cecilia “Lia” Uy-Tioco, Faculty Fellow for RSCA

Description and Outcomes

Research and creative activity start way before the writing process, many of us get stuck in various places, especially during the semester when teaching and service take up so much of our time. This community provides a space for faculty to develop their research, scholarly, or creative activity. Our aim is to keep each other accountable as we embark on our projects. Our community will be composed of faculty who are exploring new research, scholarly, or creative projects, trying to get their project started, or are stuck in the middle of a project. Some examples: getting updated with current literature and research; gathering data (e.g., conducting interviews); transcribing and coding interviews; working on a book proposal; designing a research plan, etc.

The Research and Creative Activity Community is not about brainstorming a new project nor is it a guided writing group with a training curriculum (like the Writing FLC). Rather, it is a space for faculty who already have a project in mind or stuck in the middle of one and would benefit from having a community to help keep them on track. Each participant will set their own goals and map out their plans for the semester. We will be sharing our projects and progress with each other, holding one another accountable. The hope is by the end of the semester, participants would have advanced in their research, scholarly, or creative project and be ready to move on to writing.

Who should apply?

Faculty of all ranks from all colleges with teaching appointments in Fall 2023 are welcome to apply! Any faculty (tenure track and lecturers) who would like to make significant progress on their research, scholarly, or creative activity project and participate and share their projects with a supportive community.

How will faculty be selected?

  • Interest in participating in the community and having a research or creative activity project in progress that aligns with the goals of this community
  • Diverse representation of different ranks, disciplines, and colleges
  • Space will be limited to 8 participants.

Time Commitment and Compensation

This community will meet virtually from 1pm-3pm on the following Fridays in Fall 2023: September 15, September 29, October 20, November 17, and December 8, for a total of 10 hours. The facilitator will also be available for 1:1 meetings/Office Hours. Faculty participants will receive $250 compensation as Professional Development Funds for participating in the opportunity and missing no more than two meetings.

Apply Now

Please submit a statement (no more than 500 words) that describes your research, scholarly, and creative project and what you hope to achieve in this research community. Applications due Sept 8, 2023. If you have any questions, please email: Lia Uy-Tioco at cuytioco@csusm.edu