ADVISORY COUNCIL ON INSTRUCTIONAL EXCELLENCE
November 30, 2023, 2-3 p.m.
Minutes
Present: M. Bridges (Chair), C. Bonneau, S. Dickerson, B. Falcione, L. Fennimore, S. Goodkind, P. Harper, Z. Horvath, T. Klinbubpa-Neff, D. Och, C. Perfetti
Absent: B. Barnhart, A. Dakroub, L. Delale-O’Connor, J. Hart
Welcome and Introductions
Mike Bridges called the meeting to order at 2:01 p.m. and welcomed members. He then briefly reviewed the October 2, 2023, minutes, which were formally approved.
Innovation In Education Awards
Mike suggested modifications to the “Objectives” page of the ACIE award to include in this year’s call “the application of generative AI to support student learning, experiential learning, discipline-based projects, technology-enhanced learning, innovative approaches to facilitating meaningful dialogue and discourse. This is to incorporate this year’s “Year of” theme. Zsusza suggested formatting the first paragraph as a bulleted list to match the second section. Sam suggested that the “generative AI” topic be further explained to include not only the use of AI in the classroom but how to deal with the effects of AI. Chuck suggested that we insert something to emphasize not just innovation in AI but innovation that is sensitive
to what the literature describes as AI that is sensitive to the learning success of students. There was discussion about the general confusion between the items in the paragraphs vs. the items in the bulleted list (which should be followed, should applications address them all, etc.?). Laura suggested that we boil the information from each of these into one bulleted list that is more focused. Dana suggested putting the yearly themes into a bulleted list and adding broader, eternal themes in the top paragraph. This was met with agreement.
Mike asked if we even need the broader objectives at all. Should we restrict applicants to any defined set of objectives? Are they too prescriptive and limiting for a proposal that looks for innovation? We should ask that they identify which item of the Plan for Pitt these fit into and then link them to the actual Plan for Pitt. Chuck suggested that we keep some of them as examples rather than requirements. We should reframe the paragraph as examples and then add at the end that we are also looking for XX this year (generative AI, emotional well-being). Mike said his office will develop and circulate a first draft to the committee.
There was also discussion about removing the focus on high-enrollment courses.
Bonnie asked about the summary report process – can we do something to improve the reporting of the ongoing success of the projects? Mike said that the Center for Teaching and Learning will review past final reports to analyze how well we’ve done with tracking progress. Zsusza suggested we consider requiring winners to present at the Assessment and Teaching Conference to further the work.
Mike reviewed the timeline outlined in the document, which was distributed before the meeting. The target date for distributing the announcement and Call for Proposals will be December 8, 2023, and the due date will be February 16, 2024. The Committee’s meeting to review the proposals is scheduled for March 27, 2024. Additionally, there will be an information session for new members on Info Ready.
Update on Master of Teaching Certification effort and review of development document
A subcommittee met and developed the document, which Mike reviewed with the Committee. The table at the end of the document outlines the steps that need to be worked through/decided before a proposal can be written. The group is still working through these items. The subcommittee will meet again to develop a draft proposal by January 2024 for the full committee and then for submission to the provost by late spring. If anyone would like to join that subcommittee, please let Mike know.
Chris questioned the fully asynchronous format, as he feels that at least some of it should be live instruction. Bonnie agreed as she feels this format conflicts with the overarching objectives outlined by then-Provost Ann Cudd. Mike recommended that the committee provide suggestions when they see the draft proposal. Discussion ensued as to what format would work best for the target audience of this certification (our internal appointment stream faculty.)
Next Meeting
The next ACIE meeting, which will be virtual, is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 3 p.m. with no further business to discuss.