Active Learning Proposal

Through the generous support of the Martinson Family Foundation, the Institute for Teaching Excellence is pleased to announce a new multi-year initiative that prioritizes innovative student-centered teaching and learning, with an emphasis on immersive and active learning. As part of the new VITAL initiative (Virtual Immersive Technologically Augmented Learning), the ITE is opening a Call for Proposals for faculty interested in revising course syllabi to implement new active learning approaches as a regular part of course delivery.

Active Learning Proposal

A total of eleven awards will be provided for fiscal year 2023 (July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023). These are $1,000 payments that will be awarded to instructors who revise their courses to include weekly active learning activities. All courses, regardless of the delivery mode, are eligible. Funds will be distributed as additional compensation or in the form of budget transfer to your department.

Timeline

  • Call for proposals will begin September 26, 2022 and end November 2, 2022 at midnight.

  • Decisions for awards will be announced on November 4, 2022.

  • Revised syllabi will be due by January 9, 2023.

  • Funds will be distributed in February, 2023.

Application

The application for the active learning proposal is available online.

Selection Criteria

Grants will be awarded to proposals on the basis of:

  1. Pedagogical foundation: The types of activities being proposed are based on best practice backed by research.
  2. Number of students impacted: Priority will be given to high enrollment courses; course coordinators are especially encouraged to apply.
  3. Preparedness for implementation: The types of activities being proposed can be implemented during the Spring 2023 semester. 
  4. Innovation: The active learning activities can build on current strategies but need to add new activities, different from what is currently happening as part of the course.
  5. Impact: Instructor proposes ways to measure the impact of the proposed activities. 

The rubric is available below.

Expectations

Recipients of the awards will be required to:

  • Provide a copy of the revised syllabus or course outline for the class that includes the following:
    • A variety of active learning techniques (both weekly and throughout the semester) with these activities labeled as "Active Learning" or "AL" in the syllabus. 
    • Active learning activities that are chosen to best support students’ achievement of the measurable course learning outcomes.
    • Strategies that are appropriate for the mode of instruction and encourage student-to-student interaction.
  • Courses that have scheduled meeting times should have class time dedicated to active learning, and courses that are online (fully asynchronous) should have activities that students can complete as such. 
  • Activities should be flexible and adaptable to accommodate possible shifts in course delivery mode.
  • Present at an ITE event or write a final report that includes a narrative summarizing the challenges and accomplishments of your experience creating active learning activities, the impact on your teaching, the impact on students and their performance, and any lessons learned.
  • Share a survey with all of your students at the end of the first semester in which the new active learning activities are used.
  • Optional: meet with the Office of Digital Learning to discuss best practices and implementation.

If you have questions about this initiative, please submit them to ite@njit.edu. 

Evaluation Rubric

Pedagogical Foundations The proposal includes a statement that provides research-based evidence that the activities qualify as active learning and were chosen to follow best practices for this instructional strategy. The activities proposed are the focus of the weekly required activities for students and encourage student-to-student interaction.
3 Points		 The proposal includes a statement that describes how the active learning techniques follow best practice. The proposed activities take up some class time/weekly requirements for students, but students will spend more time doing passive, solitary activities (listening to lectures, reading course content, etc.)
2 Points
 		 The proposal does not include a statement linking the activities to research. The proposed activities do little to encourage active learning and students will spend most time each week engaged in passive, solitary work. 
1 Point
 
Number of Students Impacted 100 or more students will be enrolled in these course sections this fall.
3 Points		 30-99 students will be enrolled in these course sections this fall.
 2 Points		 Less than 30 students will be enrolled in these course sections this fall.
1 Point
Preparedness for Implementation The types of activities being proposed can be prepared during the fall for delivery in the spring with no need for additional resources.
3 Points		 The types of activities being proposed can be prepared during the fall for delivery in the spring, but only if additional resources (funds, materials, etc) are acquired. 
2 Points		 The types of activities being proposed may require additional time (beyond the fall) and resources.
1 Point
Innovation The use of active learning in the course occurs weekly, is innovative and immersive for students, and goes beyond what has historically been done as part of the course. 
3 Points		 The use of active learning in the course occurs multiple times throughout the semester but is not weekly, follows basic best practice, and goes beyond what has historically been done as part of the course.
2 Points		 The use of active learning in the course occurs a few times throughout the semester, but does not significantly change the course delivery.
1 Point
Impact The active learning activities provide a new, transformative way of teaching the course.
3 Points		 The active learning activities provide some new approaches to teaching the course.
2 Points		 The active learning activities do not innovate the teaching in the course.
1 Point