Next Call for Proposals Spring 2017

Overview

The Center for Teaching Excellence and the Office of USC Connect invite proposals from full-time faculty members to develop, implement and assess instructional materials or practices designed to increase students’ capacity to integrate within and beyond the classroom experiences. Based on course or program learning outcomes, integrative learning experiences should support students in meaningfully connecting theory and practice.

Examples of course-based projects that integrate classroom and beyond-the-classroom experiences include:

• A geotechnical engineering course within which students observe a building construction site and then report on how it compares to principles of draining design theory they have studied in class.
• A capstone course in which students collect work samples related to their major area of study and articulate their significance.

Examples of program-based integrative learning projects include:

• Development of plans to encourage and support student participation in specific beyond-the-classroom experiences (e.g., study abroad, community service) that enhance their understanding of a major.
• Development of plans to help students articulate what they have learned from beyond-the-classroom experiences that have occurred throughout their program such as developing a plan for e-portfolios (this could also support students in earning Graduation with Leadership Distinction).

Successful Applicants Will…

• Attend the USC Connect conference
• Participate in a kickoff meeting and 2-3 grantee cohort meetings to share strategies, resources, and best practices. These meetings will occur on the Columbia campus; grantees from regional campuses may attend via technology.
• Teach the proposed course or implement the funded project and share grant-related activities and results either by providing materials for the USC Connect website, participating in a panel presentation at CTE, or otherwise supporting colleagues interested in learning from the grantee’s experience.
• Submit a brief final report to include copies of materials developed with the funding and data documenting project implementation.
• Support collection of data to assess student learning as requested and managed through the Office of USC Connect (e.g., student survey participation, completion of instructor reflection of students’ performance and overall experience, samples of student work).

Application Process

Applications/Proposals should include a Cover Sheet, a 2-4-page Project Description, a Budget with Justification and a brief resume or biographical sketch. 

Project Description

Please include the following sections:

• The Course or Program. Describe the learning outcomes for the targeted course or program. If an existing course/program, describe the instructional approach currently used. If a new course, provide the status of the new course approval process.
• Goals. Describe the goals of the project. What aspects of integrative learning will be explored? If the course/program already supports integrative learning, how will the grant enhance existing experiences?
• Proposed Activities. Describe the instructional development activities to be supported by the grant. What will be done and how? If you plan to hire people with grant funds, what will they do? Will you collaborate with groups beyond the classroom, and if so, how? If you are exploring methods for helping students to reflect on their learning beyond the classroom, what options will you consider (e.g, e-portfolios, reflective paper assignments)? How will these elements be integrated into the course or program?
• Sustainability. How do you intend to continue the course or program changes past the initial offering?

Budget Justification

Funds of up to $3,500 may be requested. Allowable budget items include personnel (including buyout and summer salary), materials, supplies and other items that support the development, implementation and assessment of instructional and program materials and methods. 

Proposal Evaluation

Proposals will be judged using the following criteria:

• Completion of the application and conformance to these guidelines.
• Budget rationale.
• Potential for the project to produce results that increase student learning and help make connections across experiences.
• Feasibility of project implementation and completion in the time proposed and with the funds available.
• Potential to sustain the integrative learning experiences beyond the grant period.

For more information, visit www.sc.edu/cte, contact Christy Friend at the Center for Teaching Excellence at 803-777-8322 or cte@sc.edu or contact Amber Fallucca, Associate Director, USC Connect at fallucca@mailbox.sc.edu