Apply now to participate in a Faculty Learning Community!

Dear Colleagues,

No matter how long you’ve taught, there is always something you can learn from your colleagues. And if you generally prepare and teach your classes in isolation, you may wish you had more opportunities to have the kinds of conversations with colleagues from across the disciplines that would enrich your teaching practice, help you improve student engagement, and deepen your sense of belonging to a community of scholars. Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs) at UMBC fill this niche. The Faculty Development Center is pleased to announce six new proposed topics for Faculty Learning Communities in AY 2024-25:

• Developing Students’ AI Literacy Within and Across Disciplines
• Using AI to Enhance and Expedite Teaching
• Supporting Students to Collaborate in Teams
• Who Are Our Students? Exploring Student Identities and Why They Matter
• Internationalizing Our Courses
• Serious Fun: Exploring the Role of Play and Humor in the Classroom

What are FLCs? Faculty Learning Communities are groups of 6-12 self-selected faculty who are co-learners, joining together across disciplines for a year-long exploration of specific evidence-based teaching practices. FLCs support faculty in developing a new pedagogical approach, new kinds of assignments, and/or new ways to assess student learning. Participants who meet the attendance requirements (missing no more than 3 out of approximately 11 meetings over the academic year) receive a professional development award. The meeting format for each FLC, in-person or virtual, will be determined by the preference of the facilitators and the majority of the applicants.

Who is eligible? All current faculty, as well as staff who teach, are encouraged to participate.

To apply: The application form contains descriptions of each of the proposed FLCs. Please submit your application to fdc@umbc.edu by Friday, June 28th. Although you can only participate in one FLC, you may apply to more than one, ranking your choices on the application form. Pending budget decisions, the FLCs that receive the greatest numbers of applicants will go forward as FDC-sponsored FLCs for 2024-25.

To learn more about the FLC program: Please come to the FLC End of Year Celebration on Friday, May 10 from 12:00-1:30 p.m. to hear participants in the current FLCs share the outcomes of their work. In person registration has closed, but you may join us online via WebEx by registering here. Also, visit the FLC page on the FDC website.

Best,
Kerrie and Sarah

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