CTP fellows work on the development of revised course goals and student learning outcomes at the September 2012 meeting.
The Course Transformation Project (CTP) is a Vision 2020 initiative to enhance student attainment of NIU baccalaureate student learning outcomes and to increase student opportunities for experiential learning through academic enrichment.
Faculty interested in finding ways to make large introductory classes more interactive and engaging are invited to attend one of two CTP informational sessions next week.
Sessions will be offered in Altgeld Hall 203 at:
- 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10
- 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16
- 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29
The sessions will be facilitated by CTP administrative team: Anne Birberick, vice provost; Julia Spears, director of the Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning (OSEEL); and Michaela Friedrichova, assistant to the director at OSEEL.
Faculty selected to participate could receive up to $12,000 in funding to transform large, lecture-based classes into more interactive experiences that incorporate things such as multimedia rich online learning, small group projects and experiential learning.
Beyond an overview of the project, facilitators will discuss the outline of the expectations, allowable uses for the funding for participants and the types of support that will be made available by the Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning, the Office of Assessment Services and others.
The CTP is a key part of the university’s efforts to meet its Vision 2020 goal that ensures that, by the year 2020, at least half of all students who graduate from NIU have some sort of engaged learning experience.
NIU’s CTP was modeled after the Next Generation Course Redesign Project at the University of North Texas.
That program has successfully demonstrated that these kinds of courses not only can be transformed but that their redesign promotes a learning environment in which students are cognitively engaged – developing critical thinking skills necessary to deepen learning – and socially engaged – developing relationships with faculty and peers.
For more information, contact Spears at (815) 753-8154 or jspears1@niu.edu or Friedrichova at (815) 753-8155 or mfriedrichova@niu.edu.
