Teaching & Learning Academy
Anchored in the ACC Faculty Values, developed by twenty-five faculty for faculty, and supported by the resources of TLED with assistance from the Office of Distance & Alternative Education, the Teaching and Learning Academy (TLA) contributes to student success by expanding faculty teaching practices. The program is designed to support faculty based on evidence-based teaching strategies, reflective practice, and teaching innovation. Essential to the Teaching and Learning Academy is the creation of a cohort of faculty who will learn from each other by exploring the scholarship, art, and passion of teaching.
The Teaching and Learning Academy offers faculty 4 courses. Each course is 15 hours that includes 12 hours of asynchronous online coursework. The remaining 3 hours are completed in a Cohort Meeting the last Friday of each course from 8:30 to 11:30 am. The Cohort Meeting is dedicated to faculty sharing, learning, and collaborating with each other about the art and heart of teaching.
There are two ways faculty may complete the Teaching and Learning Academy. Most comprehensive is the option offered over fall and spring semesters. The other option, for those for whom a yearlong commitment is not possible, provides the faculty the option to complete the courses in one summer.
If you have any questions about the Teaching and Learning Academy, please contact Susan Diamond via sdiamond@austincc.edu.
Learn More About the TLA Experience
TLA Year-Long Cohort 2024-25
The year-long program begins with a synchronous, virtual meeting to establish a community of learners that explores the scholarship, art, and passion of teaching and continues over Fall and Spring semesters through hybrid coursework. The 2024-2025 Kick Off is scheduled for Friday, September 13th, 2024 from 9:00am to 2:00pm.
Fall 2024 Cohort
Completion & Stipend Information:
Upon successful completion of the year-long version of the TLA and participant agreement requirements (listed below), participants will receive 15 hours of professional development credit and a stipend of $1200. Faculty may choose to also receive 1.5 hours of Continuing Education credit for each completed course.
Registration fee to NISOD, the Lilly-Austin Conference, or SXSWedu will also be provided. If preferred, a scholarship to another local conference that strengthens teaching may be possible. Conferences are optional.
Participants will be recognized by the Chancellor and by TLED as a Teaching & Learning Champion and will receive digital badges for each course completed and for completing the entire TLA program.
Important Dates & Course Previews
Kick-Off
The 2024-2025 Kick Off is scheduled for Friday, September 13th, 2024 from 9:00am to 2:00pm.
Course & Cohort Meeting Dates
Title: Teaching to the Brain Course
Dates: 9/16/24-10/13/24 – View Preview
Teaching to the Brain Cohort Meeting
Date/Time: Friday 10/18/24, 8:30am-11:30am
Title: Building a Community of Learners Course
Dates: 10/21/24-11/16/24 – View Preview
Building a Community of Learners Cohort Meeting
Date/Time: Friday, 11/22/24, 8:30am-11:30am
Title: Engaging Students for Learning Course
Dates: 2/3/25-2/28/25 – View Preview
Engaging Students for Learning Cohort Meeting
Date/Time: 3/7/25, 8:30am-11:30am
Title: Assessing Students’ Learning Course
Dates: 3/24/25-4/18/25 – View Preview
Assessing Students’ Learning Cohort Meeting
Date/Time: Friday, 4/25/25, 8:30am-11:30am
The application deadline has passed.
Faculty Values
Anchored in the ACC Faculty Values and developed by faculty for faculty, the Teaching and Learning Academy (TLA) contributes to student success by supporting faculty through evidence-based teaching strategies, reflective practice, and teaching innovation.
Program Alumni
Since 2019, over 200 faculty have graduated from the TLA.
Frequently Asked Questions
We hosted information sessions in 2020. Please view a recording here. Please direct any other questions to Susan Diamond via sdiamond@austincc.edu.
The program is divided into four courses which are designed to take 15 hours each to complete (12 hours in instruction and 3 hours in a cohort meeting). We offer a yearlong program that covers each 15-hour course in 5 weeks or a summer program that condenses each 15-hour course into 5 days.
You have a blank slate to fill with research-based best practices that will enrich your teaching career.
The TLA is a great way to refresh and reinvigorate your courses with the latest research in the neuroscience of learning, and new techniques for inclusive and engaging teaching and assessment. Plus, you will get to share ideas and best practices with dozens of your faculty colleagues.
The assessment for each course includes weekly interaction on a discussion board and a reflective journal wherein you address the points from the course material that impacted you and how you will apply those to your teaching. The final course includes a professional development plan in lieu of the reflective journal. The goal of this program is to inspire you and hone your teaching skills. The assessment styles and grading reflect that motivation.
Besides the satisfaction of improved student learning and engagement in your classroom, upon completion of the four courses you will also be recognized by the Provost and TLED as an ACC Champion of Teaching, you will receive a stipend of $1200, a scholarship to the NISOD, Lily, or SXSW Edu Conferences, professional development credit, and optional continuing education credit.
Contact
For questions about the Teaching and Learning Academy, please contact Susan Diamond via sdiamond@austincc.edu.