The Scholarly Inquiry about Active Pedagogies cluster focuses on promoting the use of active pedagogies and researching the effectiveness of these pedagogies. We are working to develop and study various curricular models that incorporate appropriate technologies, assessments, and pedagogies that promote deep learning and critical thinking. Pedagogies being explored include: active learning collaborative learning problem-based learning service learning Assessments were conducted at each campus and results have been presented and disseminated through publications and the cluster web site

In addition to the joint efforts of the cluster, cluster members at each campus have been busy working on local active pedagogies projects. Clayton University Work on this campus has focused on active, collaborative, and problem-based learning faculty development project. The cluster members have developed a five-year model that incorporates training by expert consultants as well as peer-led and individual training. Florida Atlantic University The cluster members have conducted two research projects on scholarly inquiry about active pedagogies" effects on classroom performance and student learning across the disciplines. The Department of Political Science has revised their curricula to strategically incorporate active learning methodologies. The cluster members at the Physics and Chemistry departments regularly provide training on active learning strategies to other faculty. Indiana State University Cluster members have formed the Institute for Transforming Teacher Education that provides professional development in experientially-based pedagogies to ISU faculty. The cluster members have formed interdisciplinary faculty learning communities and hold workshops led by faculty experienced in inquiry-based pedagogies. Texas Tech University Cluster members have held three campus-wide teaching and learning workshops on active and SoTL featuring Chuck Bonwell, Brian Coppala, and Pat Hutchings (also delivered a plenary on SoTL). Cluster members organize monthly campus-wide Spotlights on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning focusing on scholarly approaches to active learning. University of Massachusetts - Lowell Cluster members were investigating the use of portfolios as an assessment tool. In the summer of 2004, they held a three-day workshop on assessment, rubrics, and portfolio development. In the fall of 2004, the members completed their projects, implemented plans, collected student input, and assessed the results. In the spring of 2005, the cluster members incorporated their outcomes and discussed the results at a campus-wide conversation dinner. In the summer of 2005, they ran another three-day workshop to introduce more faculty members to classroom assessment techniques.

During the past year our cluster has been involved in a number of activities on each of our individual campuses and as a group. As a group, we worked together to develop a Summer Academy workshop as well as to create an online database and an assessment tool. Summer Academy 2005 Workshop Cluster members have worked together to develop an interactive workshop that focuses on incorporating active learning elements into courses and academic programs on diverse campuses. Over the course of three years, the cluster members have developed a number of active learning models at the institutional, departmental, and individual levels. During the workshops, members had a chance to share their models and their implementation experiences. The workshop was very successful and well-attended. Online Active Learning Database We have created an online searchable database of 80-plus active pedagogy strategies. Cluster members will continue to contribute to the database and will help to disseminate the information. To search for learning strategies or to submit one of your own, please visit http://learningcenter.clayton.edu/cid/active_learning/search.asp. Assessment Tool We have developed a student survey/assessment tool that we hope to use across cluster institutions. The survey includes questions about perceived learning from active pedagogies, learning styles, and teaching styles. This year, we will be assessing perceived learning on each campus.

Over the past two years, cluster members have completed several case studies at their respective universities. Student Success and Active Pedagogies at Clayton State University In 2003, Clayton State University (CSU) launched a five-year faculty development program focused on active pedagogies that promote student success. After reviewing the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) benchmarks and local CSU NSSE results, we administered a faculty needs assessment to: 1) determine the knowledge, interest and implementation levels on five identified active pedagogies, 2) identify preferred training methods, and 3) ascertain desired incentives to encourage faculty participation... Read full text: PDF Word Flash The Institute for Transforming Teacher Education and Faculty Learning Communities: Encouraging Pedagogies of Engagement through Professional Development at Indiana State University The Center for Teaching and Learning, the College of Arts and Sciences and Project PRE, a U.S. Department of Education grant focused on the transformation of teacher education programs, are interested in promoting inquiry-based learning strategies to guide students and faculty in addressing local issues confronting the community. They recognize that such issues must be approached in an interdisciplinary way to facilitate the collaboration of our faculty, the community, our students, and particularly our future teachers. Building on the long-term tradition of excellence in ISU"s teacher education programs, the Institute for Transforming Teacher Education (ITTE) has been designed as a faculty development program aimed at transforming university coursework in teacher education curricula... Read full text: PDF Word Flash Can You Believe What You See? Where"s the Proof? An Active Learning Course Portfolio Workshop at University of Massachusetts - Lowell Each summer, the UMass Faculty Teaching Center runs three-day morning workshops for faculty development. The summer workshops are popular because they require faculty to develop end products to use in their classes, and there is a small stipend for their work. This summer was no exception; the workshop leaders, Ann, Carol, and Monica decided to repeat one of last year"s popular sessions on the course portfolio. However, they would change it to focus on active learning. The workshop became, "The Course Portfolio: Focus on Student Outcomes of an Active Learning Strategy." Nine faculty signed up for the workshop... Read full text: PDF Word Flash In Good Company: Active Learning and SoTL at Texas Tech University Texas Tech University (TTU) has been making strides implementing active learning and encouraging faculty to publish scholarly work related to active learning. We regularly hold workshops on active learning and host Spotlights on SoTL to make public research done on active learning. Each semester we have 4 workshops on different facets of active learning and 4 Spotlights on SoTL. Average attendance at these events is 30 people. Each year we hold a conference in fall featuring a national leader in SoTL... Read full text: PDF Word Flash Enhancing Student Learning at Florida Atlantic University Faculty at Florida Atlantic University have been active in a number of different projects aimed at incorporating active learning pedagogies into courses and programs. In the past year, the main thrusts have been through curriculum development, through professional development workshops and the introduction of new technologies in the classroom... Read full text: PDF Word Flash

Alease S. Bruce Professor of Health & Clinical Sciences University of Massachusetts - Lowell [email protected] Robin Jordan Professor of Physics Florida Atlantic University [email protected] Debra A. Laverie Associate Professor of Marketing Associate Director, Teaching, Learning and Technology Center Texas Tech University [email protected] Debra Runshe Assistant Director, Center for Teaching & Learning Indiana State University [email protected] Martha Wicker Director, Center for Instructional Development Clayton College & State University [email protected]

University of Massachusetts - Lowell Learning-Centered Teaching Center Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Project Clayton University Center for Instructional Development Active Learning Bibliography Active Learning Strategies Online Database Indiana State University Center for Teaching and Learning Instructional Development Resources Texas Tech University Teaching and Learning Technology Center SIAP Cluster Leadership Web Site