No matter how long you’ve taught, there is always something you can learn from your colleagues. And if you generally prepare and teach your classes in isolation, you may wish you had more opportunities to have the kinds of conversations with colleagues from across the disciplines that would enrich your teaching practice, help you improve student engagement, and deepen your sense of belonging to a community of scholars. Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs) at UMBC fill this niche. The Faculty Development Center is pleased to announce five new proposed topics for Faculty Learning Communities for AY 2021-22:

• Faculty Mentoring Faculty and Graduate Students (proposed by Suzanne Braunschweig, GES)
• Teaching Creativity Across Disciplines (proposed by FDC staff)
• Inclusive Teaching (proposed by FDC staff)
• Fostering Pedagogies that Engage and Support Transfer Students (proposed by Sarah Jewett, Provost's Office)
• SoTL Writing Accountability (proposed by Liz Stanwyck, MATH & STAT)
  

What are FLCs? Faculty Learning Communities are groups of 6-12 self-selected faculty who are co-learners, joining together across disciplines for a year-long exploration of specific evidence-based teaching practices. FLCs support faculty in developing a new pedagogical approach, new kinds of assignments, and/or new ways to assess student learning. Participants who meet the attendance requirements (missing no more than 3 meetings over the academic year) receive a professional development award.

Who is eligible? All current faculty, as well as staff who teach, are encouraged to participate.

To apply: The application form contains descriptions of each of the proposed FLCs. Please submit your application to fdc@umbc.edu by Monday, June 21. Although you can only participate in one FLC, you may apply to more than one, ranking your choices on the application form. The FLCs that receive the greatest numbers of applicants will go forward as FDC-sponsored FLCs for 2021-22.

To learn more about the FLC program: Please visit the FLC 2020-21 ThreadBox where you can check out and comment on the current year’s FLCs’ presentations of findings and takeaways. Further general information about the FLC program is available on our website.