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 Silke Morin via smorin@austincc.edu.
Fall 2023 & Spring 2024 Program
The yearlong 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 2023-2024 Kick Off is scheduled for Friday, September 8th, 2023 from 9:00am to 2:00pm.
Please Note: The Cohort Meetings will be held synchronously online.
Fall 2023 Course Details
Teaching to the Brain
September 11th to October 6th, 2023
Cohort Meeting Date: October 13th, 2023 – 8:30am to 11:30am
Building a Community of Learners
October 16th to November 10th, 2023
Cohort Meeting Date: November 17th, 2023 – 8:30am to 11:30am
Spring 2024 Course Details
Engaging Students for Learning
January 29th to February 23rd, 2024
Cohort Meeting Date: March 1st, 2024 – 8:30am to 11:30am
Assessing Students’ Learning
March 18th to April 12th, 2024
Cohort Meeting Date: April 19th, 2024 – 8:30am to 11:30am
Fall 2023-Spring 2024 Completion & Stipend Information
Upon successful completion of the year-long version of the TLA, 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.
Scholarships 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. Participation in one of these conferences is optional.
Participants will be recognized by the Provost and by TLED as a Teaching & Learning Champion and will receive digital badges for each course completed.
The application deadline for the 2023-2024 Year-Long TLA is Friday, June 30, 2023.
If you have any questions about the Teaching and Learning Academy, please contact Silke Morin via smorin@austincc.edu.
TLA Course Descriptions
Teaching to the Brain
In this course, faculty members will examine innovative teaching strategies supported by research and evidence-based practices within the psychology and neuroscience of learning. Tools for improving students learning, whether in a face-to-face or distance education course, will be presented. Topics covered include the neuroscience of learning, how memory works, metacognition strategies that promote students’ reflection and persistence, and innovative techniques to foster a growth mindset. Faculty members will reflect on and share ideas with colleagues for implementing the strategies presented.
Building a Community of Learners
Learn to design a community of learners in the classroom, whether teaching face-to-face or a distance education course. In this course faculty members will examine approaches for constructing an inclusive, welcoming learning community for all students. Topics covered include setting the tone of the learning environment to foster interaction, communication, and inclusion; universal course design; culturally responsive teaching; applying an equity lens to examine power imbalances and conflicts in the learning environment. Faculty members will reflect on and share strategies with colleagues for creating inclusive classrooms.
Engaging Students for Learning
Find out how to engage students to become more active learners, whether in a face-to-face or distance education course. This course examines evidence-based teaching practices that engage students and deepen student’s understanding of course material. Topics covered include the impact of adult learning on curricular design, using active learning strategies in the classroom, interactive lectures and collaborative learning approaches Faculty members will reflect on and share with colleagues strategies and teaching practices to increase students’ learning.
Assessing Students’ Learning
Examine evidence-based practices in assessment to enhance student learning in face-to-face and distance learning courses. This course provides an overview of assessments and evaluation methods that enable robust and fair results about student performance. Topics covered include an overview of different approaches to effective instructional assessment, designing equitable assessments, tools to assess learning, and using course outcome data to enhance teaching practices. Faculty members will reflect on and share with colleagues assessment strategies to increase students’ learning and their professional development plans.
TLA Module Developers
Module 1: How students learn: Understanding the Brain and Learning
Module Developer
Dr. Richard Griffiths: Adjunct Professor, Psychology
Module 2: Getting Students to Remember Course Material: Using Memory Techniques that Work
Module Developers
Ray Sandoval: Associate Professor, Student Development
Tobin Quereau: Adjunct Professor, Student Development
Module 3: Deepening Students Learning: The Role of Metacognition
Module Developer
Tobin Quereau: Adjunct Professor, Student Development
Module 4: Students’ Mindsets and Learning: Innovative Classroom Techniques That Foster A Growth Mindset
Module Developer
Cheryl Thompson-Price: Assistant Adjunct Professor, Student Development
Module 1: Setting the Tone of the Classroom: Techniques that Promote an Inclusive Classroom
Module Developers
Mary Havens: Assistant Professor, Library Services
Dr. Ursula Parker: Associate Professor, Integrated Reading and Writing
Module 2: Developing Inclusive Course Materials: Using Universal Design Principles
Module Developer
Dr. Shih-Ting Lee: Adjunct Professor, Student Development
Module 3: Recognizing the Importance of Students’ Cultural References: Culturally Responsive Teaching
Module Developer
Charlotte Gullick: Associate Professor and Department Chair, Creative Writing
Module 4: Teaching with an Equity Lens: Examining Bias, Conflict and Micro-Aggressions in the Classroom
Module Developers
Dr. Shirin Catterson Khosropour: Department Chair, Interdisciplinary Studies; Director, Center for Peace & Conflict Studies; Professor, Psychology
Dr. Grant Potts: Department Chair, Philosophy, Religion, and Humanities; Associate Professor, Religion and Philosophy
Module 1: Using How Adults Learn to Deepen Student’s Learning
Module Developers:
Dr. Shelly Howell, Teaching and Learning Consultant, UTSA Teaching and Learning Services Rocio Chavez, Instructional Designer, UTSA Teaching and Learning Services
Module 2: Teaching to Engage Students
Faculty Developer:
Dr. Missi Patterson, Professor, Psychology
Module 3: Building a Repertoire of Teaching Strategies for Student Engagement: Interactive Lectures
Faculty Developers:
Dr. Mary Dixson, Associate Vice President, UTSA Teaching and Learning Services
Rocio Chavez, Instructional Designer, UTSA Teaching and Learning Services
Module 4: Building a Repertoire of Teaching Strategies for Student Engagement: Collaborative Work
Faculty Developers:
Ray Sandoval, Associate Professor, Student Development
Amy Velchoff, Assistant Adjunct Professor, Sociology and Student Development
Module 1: Are your students learning what you want them to be learning
Module Developer:
Dr. Ron Johns, Associate Dean, Assessment & Evaluation
Module 2: Tools to Assess Learning
Module Developer:
Dr. Herb Coleman, Adjunct Professor, Psychology.
Module 3: Designing Equitable Assessments
Module Developer:
Dr. Ron Johns, Associate Dean, Assessment & Evaluation
Maggi Miller, Adjunct Professor, Student Development
Module 4: Assessing Your Teaching and Designing Improvements Using Course Outcome Data
Module Developers:
Dr. Carleen Sanchez, Professor, Anthropology
Courtney Mlinar
Head Librarian/Associate Professor, Library Services
Michelle Costanzo CHT, MHM
Associate Dean of Faculty Recruitment,
Hospitality Professor
Program Alumni
Since 2019, over 100 faculty have graduated from the TLA.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
We hosted information sessions in 2020. Please view a recording here. Please direct any other questions to Silke Morin at smorin@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 Silke Morin via smorin@austincc.edu.