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Faculty Learning Communities

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Enhancing Student Learning through High-Quality Teaching

SCHEV works in partnership with the Virginia Educational Development Collaborative (VEDC) to offer programs that support faculty in enhancing their teaching. A faculty learning community is a small, practice-oriented study group. Members of SCHEV/VEDC-sponsored FLCs spend a semester or academic year learning together about a topic of mutual interest related to teaching, learning or assessment. FLCs meet in person or online on a schedule determined by the members. Through this initiative, SCHEV and the VEDC aim to create a structure for faculty across Virginia to connect in meaningful ways and to develop "communities of practice" that support high-quality teaching and learning.

Each FLC is led by a formally-identified facilitator. Facilitators are generally not experts on the topic of the FLC; they are there to learn along with everyone else. Facilitators have agreed to take responsibility for coordinating the group, scheduling meetings, keeping the group on task, and submitting a final report on the FLC’s activities.

How to Participate

To receive announcements about future FLCs and other teaching-related activities, join the SCHEV Teaching & Learning group on Google.

FAQs

Expand/Contract Questions and Answers

Who can participate in an FLC?
Instructional staff of all ranks/levels, in any discipline, and from any Virginia institution are welcome to propose or participate in a learning community. Each learning community consists of 4-6 faculty members from a single discipline/institution or any combination of discipline(s) and institution(s).
What is the time commitment?
FLCs run for one or two consecutive semesters, with the option to continue for an additional semester or year, as the group members desire. Groups meet regularly online on a schedule determined by the members. The frequency and content of the meetings vary depending on the members’ interest and availability, as well as the purpose and desired outcomes of the particular FLC.

FLC members may be invited to share what they have learned through a poster, conference presentation or SCHEV-sponsored webinar. Faculty who wish to publish articles based on their FLC activities are encouraged to do so, provided they abide by the ethical standards of their discipline and institution.
Are FLC participants compensated?
SCHEV is not able to offer financial compensation to FLC participants. However, members and facilitators may receive a letter from SCHEV at the end of the FLC year to recognize their efforts. SCHEV will send a copy of this letter to each participant's dean or supervisor at the participant's request.
What kinds of topics do FLCs explore?
2024
- Talking Across Differences: Integrating Dialogue Skills Into Classroom Teaching
- AI and Teaching & Learning
- Teaching and Learning Center Assessment for Educational Developers
- Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
2019-20
- Competency-Based Education
- Contemplative Pedagogical Practices
- Data Analytics for Teaching and Learning
- Engagement in Online Courses
- Equity-Driven Teaching Strategies
- Equity-Driven Teaching Strategies in the Community College Classroom
- Increasing Open Educational Resources Use at Radford University
- Integration of the Socratic Method in the Classroom
- Student-Centered Teaching Practices
- Supporting Minority Faculty Through Mentorship
2018-19
- Innovative Assessment
- How Do Institutions Support Faculty in Teaching Civic Engagement?
- Developing Policy Advocacy and Related Critical Thinking Skills Among Health Professions Students
- Common Book Programs and Civic Engagement
- Does Walking with Students Decrease Stress and Increase Engagement?
- Exploring Civic Engagement Through Problem-Based Learning