Online Faculty Development Modules

1
Online Faculty Development Modules
Introduction Utilizing student feedback on
effective instructional practices, Online Faculty
Development Modules are designed around the
principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
for the purpose of sharing effective teaching
methods. Electronic modules showcase effective
instructional practices of ECU faculty and
provide other instructors with new ideas for
enhancing the classroom experience for diverse
learners.

• Module Components
• Each module follows a common structure that
  includes information about the instructional
  practice, connections with UDL principles,
  previous research support, and an opportunity to
  provide feedback about the module. If desired,
  viewers may also print a certificate of module
  completion for their professional records. The 6
  components of each professional development
  module are
• Introduction Rationale for the module, photo of
  contributing faculty member(s), and graphic
  representation of module content
•  UDL Principle Description of the Universal
  Design for Learning principle(s) associated with
  the module content and how the instructional
  practice aligns with the UDL principles
•  Description Detailed description of the
  instructional practice highlighted in the module
  provided through the use of text, photos, videos,
  and charts
•  Literature Base Brief summary of research and
  professional literature that support the
  importance and effectiveness of the instructional
  practice
•  Learn More Bibliography of references cited in
  module and additional resources
•  Feedback Survey Certificate A brief survey
  about the effectiveness of module components and
  future interest in participating with College
  STAR followed by the options to print a
  certificate of completion

Pirate CREWS Team Sue Steinweg, Ph.D.
Instructional Consultant, College STAR Tanner
Jones, BFA Technology Specialist, College
STAR Samantha Canada, Graduate Assistant College
STAR Jessica Jones, Graduate Assistant College
STAR
Currently pilot modules are simply listed under
the Faculty tab of the College STAR website.
We have designed a system of organization based
on the principles of Universal Design for
Learning to use once the modules are refined
based on field testing feedback and the number
of modules begins to grow.

• Evaluation
• Two types of evaluation are incorporated in
  development and use of the modules.
• After a module is written, it goes through
  several levels of editing for clarity, grammar,
  content, and accuracy. This includes having the
  first drafts read by at least four individuals.
  Once corrections are made and the module content
  is placed online, the module is reread and edited
  by at least four individuals.
• External reviews are being conducted for the
  first 5 modules by individuals with expertise in
  UDL and pedagogy using a 13-page evaluation form,
  which includes Likert Scale and open response
  items. Feedback by these external reviewers will
  be used to refine these early modules as well as
  incorporated when developing future modules.
• Individuals who access the modules are asked to
  complete a survey upon completion of each module.
  Questions ask the viewer to evaluate the
  effectiveness of module elements and possible
  impact on their future instructional practice.

Background Information Online faculty
development modules provide information about
effective instructional practices for diverse
learners. The creation of these faculty
development modules relies on the student voice.
In short, students are asked to share about
instructional decisions that their instructors
use to effectively influence student learning,
and some of those student-nominated teaching
practices are used to create online professional
development modules. The use of student
nominations of effective instructional practices
has allowed us to hear student voices about
teaching practices that help them learn. Our
initial attempt to obtain nominations via paper
forms had limited success. During Spring 2012, we
began using an electronic nomination process.
The student electronic nomination form,
instituted March 26th, generated 66 nominations
overnight. By April 9th the nomination site had
received 518 visits by 480 people resulting in
121 nominations. On the electronic nomination
form, students write a description of the
teaching strategy, the name of their instructor,
and (if desired) their own name. Students who
choose to disclose their names are eligible to
win a 25.00 gift card to the student store and
may be invited to participate in a future focus
group.
References College STAR Faculty Development
Modules http//www.collegestar.ecu.edu/faculty
National Center on Universal Design for
Learning www.udlcenter.org
Screen capture of introductory page for online
professional development module about the use of
student response systems in large college
classrooms