ADVISORY COUNCIL ON INSTRUCTIONAL EXCELLENCE
November 12, 2024, 3-4 p.m.
Minutes
Present: M. Bridges (Chair), L. Delale-O’Connor, B. Falcione, L. Fennimore, J. Hart, P. Harper, K. Heffernan,
Z. Horvath, B. Keown, T. Klinbubpa-Neff, J. Martinson, M. Norman, A. Tuttle, E. Votruba-Drzal
Not present: C. Bonneau
Mike Bridges called the meeting to order at 3:07 p.m. and welcomed the members. Marie Norman formally moved for the approval of the October minutes, which Jeremy Martinson seconded.
Agenda Items and Discussion
Brief Update on TEACH @Pitt
Charge and Recommendations:
- Questions regarding the timeline were addressed. The timeline depends on the provost's decision, and implementation could be set for spring.
- There were questions about the modules, particularly their asynchronous delivery. The decision is pending.
- The actual implementation may vary slightly from the set of recommendations. There was a question about whether there would be requirements. Mike has accepted the SEPC’s invitation to join their December meeting to provide an overview pending the provost’s approval. We can propose a presentation to the Faculty Assembly upon the provost's approval.
- Mike will provide ongoing updates.
Innovation in Education Award
Timeline and RFP Review:
- Mike reviewed the timeline, emphasizing flexibility in thematic areas.
- Noon suggested using examples from submissions that were previously awarded.
- Laura proposed adding phrases from previous minutes to the RFP, emphasizing "reflecting on experience."
- A broader scope for learning environments outside traditional classrooms was discussed.
Key Thematic Areas:
- Literacy and critical thinking were added as thematic priorities.
- Jeremy said the School of Public Health’s emphasis on literacy.
- Paul suggested building on the second bullet, emphasizing dialogue on differences, including interdisciplinary and community-specific factors.
- "Interprofessional" was identified as a recurring theme across submissions.
- Laura recommended clarifying language related to motivating student engagement across disciplines.
- Item 4 – focus on environments where student engagement is a challenge – then provide examples
- High enrollment.
- High failure rate (drop, fail, withdraw)
Terminology Alternatives:
- Suggestions to replace "constructive dialogue" included:
- productive conversation
- collaborative discussion
- meaningful exchange
- solution-focused dialogue
- engaged communication
- purposeful conversation
- mutual exchange
- progressive discussion
Eligibility and Application Process:
- Eligibility criteria clarified: Postdocs in the School of Medicine are residents.
- Proposed holding a one-hour informational session for potential applicants.
- It is essential to have transparency by sharing rubrics or previous awards.
Additional Considerations:
- Clarify terms for part-time vs. full-time eligibility.
- Ensure alignment with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
- Adjust the budget section to reflect "NUMBER, SIZE, AND DURATION OF AWARDS."
- Consult the Office of Counsel on intellectual property issues.
- Mike will finalize the slide deck for further review.
Next Steps and Action Items
- Focus on preparing for the January 2025 meeting.
- Mike will send a Qualtrics survey to gather input on raising the impact and visibility of the Teaching Center.
Adjournment
The meeting ended at 4:01 p.m. with no further business to discuss.