Consider joining the CATE Action Research Scholars program in Fall 2024
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Scholars may ask questions such as: What does student success in my course look like? What is a course concept with which my students struggle the most – why is that and how can I help students overcome these conceptual barriers?
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As an instructor, how do you know if what you’re doing in the classroom is “working”? In other words, how do you know if your teaching methods are effective in supporting student achievement of your course learning objectives? How are you documenting your success and that of your students?
The goal of the Action Research Scholars program is to inspire and empower UIC instructors to engage in data-informed, reflective teaching practices. Scholars will explore the broader question: “How do I know I’m effective in my teaching?” by using a variety of approaches to investigate how instructional strategies and curricular design impact the learning experiences of UIC students in their discipline and course context.
Scholars may ask questions such as: What does student success in my course look like? What is a course concept with which my students struggle the most – why is that and how can I help students overcome these conceptual barriers? How does a particular teaching strategy or intervention impact student learning, motivation, engagement, belonging, and sense of community in my students? Do various learner groups experience my course differently – if so, how do I better incorporate student voice and make my course accessible to all learner groups?
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What will Action Research Fellows do?
This is a year-long program beginning in the Fall 2024 semester. Scholars will spend the first semester participating in workshops and learning community meetings to develop an education research plan. Implementation requires completion of human subjects research and FERPA training and IRB approval. Data collection will occur either in Spring 2025 or Fall 2025 semester, depending on the semester they teach the course(s) they are studying as the focus of their action research project. The program culminates with each scholar presenting their findings and proposing a plan for next steps in their teaching.
How will CATE support fellows?
- Customized workshops to support development of reflective and scholarly teaching skills as well as inclusive, engaging, and research-informed instructional practices
- Consultation and support in creating and refining research questions, locating relevant literature, resources, and tools on campus, determining suitable study design and methodology, and interpreting data
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- Consultation in addressing research findings by examining next steps related to teaching and/or course design and identifying opportunities for dissemination of findings, if appropriate
- Guidance in completing human subjects research and FERPA training, submission of an IRB application, and creating a data management plan by meeting with campus experts and partners (Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Learning Technology Solutions, Library, Office of Institutional Research, Office of the Registrar, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research)
- Space for community and dialogue with UIC instructors from across campus who are also interested in reflecting on and enhancing their teaching and the student learning experience
- Scholars will receive a $1200 payment to support their participation in this program.
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Eligibility
Full-time instructors who teach and/or coordinate UIC undergraduate or graduate courses are eligible to apply. We encourage tenure and non-tenure track faculty to submit applications. Applicants need to have the support of the department head or chair and/or the department’s undergraduate committee or educational policy committee.
Call for Interest: Due February 1, 2024
Spots for this program are limited. To apply to participate in this program, please complete a brief Call for Interest form with your information (e.g., department, college, courses taught) and goals for participating in this program (e.g., questions you have about your teaching or students’ learning experiences that you want to explore).
The deadline to submit your Call for Interest form is February 1, 2024. A formal application (including departmental endorsement) will be due April 1, 2024.
We will be holding an Information Session on Thursday, February 15 from 11 am – 12 pm for those who submit a call for interest. By attending the session, you will have a full sense of the program goals, timeline, expectations, and deliverables. The format will be synchronous-distributed: It will be held in-person in the Teaching Excellence Building with the option to join via livestreaming. Applicants joining in-person are welcome to stay to consult with CATE staff on their application from 12-1 pm. Applicants who are unable to join will be sent a recording of the session.
If you have any questions, please contact the CATE team at teaching@uic.edu.