Faculty Learning Community for Spring 2025 on Rethinking Course Design using Active Learning Pedagogies with Ilene M. Dresner Presidential Distinguished Scholar Eric Mazur

The FLC will be led by UM’s Ilene M. Dresner Presidential Distinguished Scholar Eric Mazur.  Dr. Mazur is the Balkanski Professor of Physics and Applied Physics and Area Chair of Applied Physics at Harvard University, Member of the Faculty of Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Past President of the Optical Society. An internationally recognized scientist and researcher, he leads a vigorous research program in optical physics in the Physics Department at Harvard University. In addition to his work in optical physics, Mazur has been a pioneer in innovative education. He developed Peer Instruction, a method for teaching large lecture classes interactively, as well as other innovative methodologies. Dr. Mazur's teaching method has developed a large following, both nationally and internationally, and has been adopted across many disciplines. 

The theme for this Faculty Learning Community program is Rethinking Course Design Using Active Learning Pedagogies. Active Learning pedagogies involve students in the learning process in ways that go well beyond listening and memorizing. In Active Learning, students are engaged in their learning by investigating complex questions, solving problems, and practicing skills.   For example, Peer Instruction is a method for teaching lecture classes interactively. It’s an active learning technique that can greatly increase student engagement and understanding by allowing students to articulate learning in their own terms and check their understanding with other students. Other active learning pedagogies will also be explored.

Participants will meet approximately seven times beginning at the end of the Fall 2024 semester, and throughout the Spring 2025 semester to engage in facilitated sessions organized around important questions related to incorporating active pedagogies into their courses. Each participant will choose an undergraduate student partner to work with them on their course re-design as part of this FLC.

Participants who are selected for the FLC will receive a $5,000 stipend.

Criteria for selection include:

• support of department chair
• interest in exploring and integrating active learning methodologies into a new or existing course
• commitment to faculty development (particularly in regard to training other faculty in active learning methods) 
• openness to collegiality and exchange of new ideas, potential contributions to the community, high level of interest in developing, implementing, and sustaining innovative techniques to enhance teaching and learning 
• commitment to researching and evaluating the redesigned the course  
• willingness to partner with an undergraduate student (chosen by the faculty participant) as part of the course redesign process.

Apply here