Faculty Learning Communities

Faculty members devoted to exploring a specific area of teaching

Center for Teaching Excellence

Faculty Learning Communities are interdisciplinary groups of faculty devoted to exploring a specific area of teaching. Typically learning communities meet 4 times a semester and work toward a goal, product, or publication. Contact us if you have ideas for learning communities.

 

  • Fresh Perspectives: Teaching First-Year Students Journal Club

    Join our community of passionate educators dedicated to enhancing the learning experience of first-year students. Immerse yourself in thought-provoking scholarly articles that delve into pedagogical strategies, student engagement, and best practices for teaching novices. Engage in dynamic discussions, share insights, and discover innovative approaches to guide and support the educational journey of first-year students. Our journal club fosters collaboration, professional growth, and the exchange of ideas to empower educators in their mission to provide a transformative educational experience. Elevate your teaching with this SoTL Journal Club - where scholarly expertise meets student success.

    Register here 

    Spring 2025 Dates: 

    Mondays from 1:30 - 2:30 PM

    Hybrid format, in the CTE Faculty Lounge (441 Sherrod Library) and online

    February 24, March 31, April 28

  • New Faculty Learning Community

    Register here

     
     
    New Faculty Learning Community is an opportunity for new faculty to meet each other, exchange teaching ideas, and collaborate in other ways. We all benefit from learning from each other as we acclimate to a new institution. We invite all new faculty over the past two years to participate.


    To accommodate as many schedules as possible, we are offering two options for three different sessions. You may come to either Thursday or Friday for lunch for each session, or join us online via Zoom. 




  • Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Community

    This FLC is guided by CTE Director Alison Barton. Community members meet on Zoom and support each other on projects relating to researching and publishing on improving teaching and learning in their classes and fields. Click here to learn more about the SoTL Writing Group and meeting dates.

    Topics and samples of SoTL research by ETSU faculty can be viewed here and in Digital Commons.

  • SoTL Show and Tell Journal Club

    One-hour long “journal club” discussions on published research on SoTL. This group will focus on ETSU faculty who have published on SoTL in the past. We will invite them to lead the session and share their research topics, findings, and practical applications.


    Who 

    We want to start with faculty at ETSU who have published on SoTL!


    Where  

    Zoom Link and In-Person at the CTE Sherrod Library 441 

    When  

    Dates forthcoming


    How  

    Prior to the Journal Club:  

    • Will send link or PDF of the article to those wanting to attend.  

    During the Journal Club:  

    • Approx 30 minutes to discuss article and 5-10 for questions 
    • Approx 10 minutes brainstorm how to implement strategy into classroom AND/OR implement research methodology for project 
    • Approx 10 minutes to wrap up and plan going forwards.  
  • AI Demystify

    Are you worried about AI in your classes? Sometimes familiarity can ease anxiety. In this FLC, we will roll up our sleeves and play with generative text AI platforms such as ChatGPT in real time. We will gather around the screen with snacks in the CTE faculty lounge and ply the AI with prompts, critique its responses, and hone our abilities to use these tools ethically and effectively in order to better guide and advise students. We will explore a range of topics and techniques. CTE staff will prepare activities and case studies and participants can bring in and test out assignments and activities, get feedback from colleagues, and exchange ideas in an interactive collaborative environment. 

    Join us, we will have fun with this, and surely learn lots along the way!

    Register here 

    Spring 2025 Dates: 

    Tuesdays from 1:30 to 2:30PM in the CTE Faculty Lounge (441 Sherrod Library) with hybrid option

    February 25, April 1, April 29

  • Open and Affordable Course Materials Awards Program FLC

    This FLC is specifically for faculty and instructors participating in ETSU's Open and Affordable Course Materials Award Program. Learn more about the program and how to apply at the OA Program website.

    See the content modules here.

  • Alternative Grading Practices Club

    Alternative grading practices includes a variety of grading approaches and adaptations - including, but not limited to, specifications grading, standards-based grading, and ungrading. For those who are using or just interested in learning more about alternative forms of grading – join the club! We’ll discuss what we’re doing, what’s working, what’s not, what’s going on in the Grading for Growth blog, and more!

    Register here soon

    Fall 2024

    All Mondays, from 2:30 - 3:30 in CTE Lounge (Sherrod Library, Room 441)

    September 9, October 7, November 18

     

Have an idea?

Want us to start a new faculty learning community? Let us know what you'd like to explore with other faculty. Submit your learning community idea to the CTE.