The FTCP consists of 12 contact hours, divided into eight, 90 minute seminars scheduled approximately once each month beginning in October. Participants will also have a peer faculty consultation during the year. A final capstone project is required to receive the certificate.
A final luncheon for all participants will be scheduled toward the end of the academic year. At the luncheon, faculty who complete the program will receive a certificate from President Richard Davenport.
Faculty can apply during the summer and first two of weeks of the academic year to be a participant in the FTCP. The deadline to apply for the 2007-2008 FTCP is September 16th. Faculty in the program will be notified no later than September 23rd as to who is in their group and when the group will meet throughout the fall semester. The first seminar for all groups will take place the final week of September. Faculty will be assigned a group based on availability for that time slot. It is anticipated that each group will average from 6-10 faculty.
Faculty are required to attend 7 of the 8 seminars in order to receive the certificate. Should faculty need to miss one of their scheduled seminars they can make-up the missed seminar by joining another group for that topic. All participants will receive a list of all groups and their meeting times. Faculty are cautioned to not volunteer for the program if they think it may be impossible to attend 7 of the 8 seminars during the school year.
All college deans support the FTCP at MSU and will count the certificate and capstone project as part of "continuing preparation" in article 22 for promotion and tenure. It is for this reason that faculty cannot drop in and out of seminars. The certificate and capstone project will be evidence of continuing preparation as teaching faculty and therefore attendance at most seminars is a required part of the program.
All participants will be required to schedule one peer faculty consultation through the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. These observations will be done by one of our trained faculty who will observe a class, talk with students, and present findings with the faculty member in an encouraging, supportive environment. There is no evaluation in this process. It is simply an opportunity to have a discussion about teaching and learning between the consultant and faculty member.
As part of the FTCP, faculty will be required to complete some type of capstone project that can be used in the classroom. This project might include a new teaching strategy, restructuring a class, adding technology to a course or any other project deemed important to the faculty member. The capstone project will be shared at the final seminar with other participants. The capstone project must be submitted in written form in order for the certificate to be awarded. The capstone project has two goals. The first is to motivate participants to try something new and innovative in their teaching. The second goal is to provide deans with evidence of innovation in teaching that can lead to improved student learning at MSU (and improved rates of tenure and promotion).
Participants in the FTCP will attend eight seminars during the 2006-2007 academic year. The seminars are designed to assist faculty members early in their careers to develop and enhance their teaching skills and establish a foundation for a lifetime of creative and engaging teaching. Participants will meet with their group members in monthly seminars as they explore teaching/learning topics together in an active learning environment. All seminars will include a mix of presentations, discussion, and reflective thinking on the part of participants. Participants will receive a "Faculty Resource" CD complied by CETL along with occasional articles to read prior to seminars. The seminars and topics are listed below.
An important part of the FTCP is the final, wrap-up luncheon for all participants scheduled for May 2, 2008. At this luncheon, President Davenport will thank the faculty who complete the program and present them with a certificate that can be added to Article 22 materials for deans. This celebration will be a time to congratulate faculty who participated while reflecting on what was accomplished during the program.
Please read above under the heading: "Requirements of the FTCP." In a nutshell, participants will become a part of a small (6-10 faculty members) learning community that will meet for 90 minutes, once each month during the academic year to discuss and learn about issues that can aid teaching and learning at the University. Besides the seminars, participants will also have a peer faculty consultation at least one time during the year and will develop their own capstone project that can be used in classes. Finally, your work will be celebrated at a luncheon in your honor, hosted by President Richard Davenport, where your certificate will be presented.
Good question. The FTCP is designed to place a limited burden on your time while providing substantial benefits for your teaching. Participants learn how to be more effective and efficient as teachers while making teaching more fun and less stressful. In addition, college deans have unanimously supported the FTCP and will give credit to faculty who receive the certificate for continuing preparation as part of Article 22. The capstone project will be further evidence to department chairs and college deans of the faculty member's interest in innovative teaching and desire to improve student learning at MSU. In short, you don't have time to NOT be in this program. It will actually save time in the long run and be a valuable way to meet other faculty in a positive intellectual/social atmosphere.
The quick answer is any faculty member teaching a course during the academic year who is interested in talking about teaching with other faculty and learning more about teaching at the University. In practical terms, however, the program is designed especially for faculty in their first five years at the University who are responsible for the design and teaching of at least one course per year. First and second year faculty are especially encouraged to register for the program. Those who complete the program not only gain a certificate that will aid tenure and promotion but also learn more about teaching and meet other faculty from around the University in a safe, supportive environment.
That is easy. There are many ways to register. One way is to fill out a paper form and turn it in to Dr. Ross at the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Office. Another way to register is to fill out the form and send it to CETL through intercampus mail. One other way to register is to send a request to register electronically.
Faculty can register for the program anytime through September 16th. Faculty groups will then be assigned based on available times. If you wait to apply, make sure you set a reminder so that you don't forget to register by the deadline date. Because of the need to form groups of faculty we cannot accept applications after that date.
The FCTP is designed and implemented by the MSU, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning which is supported by Academic Affairs. Therefore, there is no financial cost to faculty participating in the program. Faculty will receive articles, resources, refreshments, and lunch at the final celebration-all paid for by CETL. There will also be MSU library books you will learn about related to teaching.
