The remotely delivered MiamiConnects Faculty Development Institute, facilitated by Miami University’s Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE), immerses university faculty in intensive modules incorporating synchronous and asynchronous activities. The modules are based upon the best practices for multiple modes of instructional delivery (face-to-face, hybrid, and online). Focusing primarily on core learning principles such as engagement and assessment, faculty will experience learning techniques and tools as their students would, employing multiple technology platforms available at their campuses. Faculty work closely with CTE staff (see bios below) in ways that maximize instructional improvement to advance student learning in their courses. Each MiamiConnects Faculty Development Institute consists of 3 or more remotely delivered workshop modules (with topical customization available) and an optional consulting package.

Modules and Consulting Services

Workshops are designed for 12-40 faculty participants

Price information available upon request

Base Workshop Modules

• Improving Student Engagement
• Classroom Assessment Techniques
• Critical Thinking and Metacognition

Optional Additional Modules

• Neuromyths
• Growth Mindset
• Midcourse Evaluation
• Replacing Lecture with Student-Centered Activities
• Exam Wrappers
• Item Writing Flaws in Multiple-Choice Assessments
• Scholarly Teaching

Consulting Package (optional)

A consulting package is available to provide customized mentoring on the application of techniques taught in the MiamiConnects Faculty Development Institute. These remote meetings often include troubleshooting student learning difficulties, instructional planning, and planning for constructive use of formative assessment and midcourse evaluation data. Longer-duration consultations may include Drs. Yezierski and Wentzell reviewing classroom videos, documents, or other teaching artifacts prior to virtual meetings with faculty to further customize the experience to individual instructional needs. These hours can be distributed across participants as needed to provide one-on-one support for faculty engaged in the Institute. Typically consults are 30-60 minutes each and can be scheduled so that they are interspersed with modules to promote application of module learning outcomes or after the Institute to support implementation of module content in courses.

Institute Facilitators/Consultants

Dr. Ellen Yezierski is a Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. As Miami University Center for Teaching Excellence Director, Ellen networks with faculty and programs across campus to fulfill the Center’s mission and support student learning through faculty development and innovation in teaching. She has been recognized with a Distinguished Teaching Award for Excellence in Graduate Instruction and Mentoring (2018) and a Distinguished Teaching Award (2015) and has taught large undergraduate courses as well as graduate courses. Her research group focuses on improving conceptual understanding of chemistry by examining the dynamics of teaching and teacher change. The goal of their work is to markedly reform instruction and improve chemistry learning across a variety of grade levels (high school and college). Projects employ quasi-experimental designs as well as phenomenological methods to explore teacher beliefs and change, assessment, use of animations, and characterizing teaching and learning in chemistry outreach. Visit the Yezierski Research Group to learn more about their activities and outcomes.

Dr. Gregg Wentzell is Assistant Director of the CTE. He earned his Ph.D. in English at Miami in 1993 and was awarded the Sinclair Fellowship. He has over 20 years of college teaching and faculty development experience and co-facilitates the New Faculty Teaching Enhancement Program (NFTEP). In addition to being Director of the Original Lilly Conference on College Teaching, Gregg does faculty consulting on teaching and coordinates the CTE’s seminar programming and administration of Midcourse Evaluation. He is Editor-in Chief of the Journal on Excellence in College Teaching and the Learning Communities Journal. He presents faculty development seminars on-campus and at teaching and learning conferences and provides support for faculty learning communities.