Xavier University Center for Teaching Excellence
Faculty Learning Community - Member Application 

Topic: Alternative Teaching Practices 
Start Date: Week of October 5

Facilitator(s): Kristen Renzi and Sheena Steckl, English Department 

       This Faculty Learning Community will focus on implementing innovative pedagogical practices that challenge norms of place, process, assignments, and assessment. In order to consider how we might best allow students to present their understanding of concepts and receive credit for their work, participants will examine concepts such as ungrading and unessays. The FLC will also explore methods for tech-free and low-tech classroom that support intellectual and social growth and dissuade academic dishonesty. Finally, this group of faculty and staff will review best-practices concerning pedagogy and community outside the classroom by utilizing green spaces on campus. The FLC facilitators have received a Center for Innovation Grant to supplement and expand the outdoor learning space in our NEXUS Urban Farm and Community Garden: this FLC will help craft the space and discern how to best utilize the outdoor classroom and green space across disciplines. 

Application Deadline: 
We will continue to accept applications if the FLC does not fill up at this deadline.

FLC Member Information:
* Members will be selected from all teaching faculty at Xavier, with typically no more than two members from a single academic department; staff may also be considered. Selection criteria include commitment to engage reflectively on this topic, openness towards new ideas and perspectives, and commitment to full and regular participation in the community. 

* Members agree to engage in a year-long learning community, attend all meetings (approximately 10-12), and complete an individual or collective project related to the FLC topic and directly relevant to teaching and learning at Xavier. They also are expected to share their learning with the Xavier community, both through a collective final presentation and informally. 

* FLC budgets will be proposed and approved after the learning community has been formed and members have been selected. FLCs can request up to $7,500 for relevant expenses, which may include up to $500 in professional development funds for each members. The final budget proposal should be the consensus of the full group. 

Questions?  Feel free to contact the facilitators with questions about this particular FLC:


For general questions about FLCs, check the CTE website or contact CTE Faculty Director (buchere@xavier.edu)


Complete this application and e-mail it to cte@xavier.edu by September 18
Name:	
Phone:
Department:
Email:
Number of Years at Xavier:

Respond briefly to the following questions:
1. Why are you interested in this topic?


2. What do you believe you can gain from participating in this community?


3. What do you think you can contribute to the group?


4. What are the questions or issues you are most interested in exploring?


5. Do you have a specific project in mind that you will work on within the FLC?  If so, briefly explain.


Meeting availability: Indicate below when you are NOT available to meet during the xx xx semester. The FLC will meet approximately every three weeks for 1.5-2 hours.


Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
9:00-9:30





9:30-10:00





10:00-10:30





10:30-11:00





11:00-11:30





11:30-12:00





12:00-12:30





12:30-1:00





1:00-1:30





1:30-2:00





2:00-2:30





2:30-3:00





3:00-3:30





3:30-4:00





4:00-4:30





4:30-5:00






Would you consider an evening meeting time? Yes | No
	If yes, indicate which weeknight evenings you would NOT be available. 



Applicant�s Agreement
If I am selected as a member of the faculty learning community (FLC) on 	TOPIC, I agree to participate fully in the community�s activities including the meetings, readings, projects, reports, and documents associated with this FLC. I will also share the things I learn with faculty outside the FLC, in both formal and informal settings. 

(Please indicate your agreement to this statement by typing your name below.)

Applicant�s Name (please type):				Date:


Please email your completed application as an attachment to cte@xavier.edu by DATE.

One completed copy of the application should also be sent to the applicant�s Department Chair, who can indicate their endorsement by typing their name below the following statement and emailing this page of the application to cte@xavier.edu

Department Chair�s endorsement
I endorse the above applicant�s participation in the faculty learning community (FLC) on TOPIC and will support the implementation of the curricular and pedagogical work completed. 

(Please indicate your agreement to this statement by typing your name below.)

Department Chair�s Name (please type):			Date: