What is a Faculty Learning Community?
A Faculty Learning Community (FLC) is a peer-led group of faculty members (8-12) who engage in an active, collaborative, year–long program, structured to provide encouragement, support, and reflection. Each FLC focuses on a question, a set of problems, or a passion about a topic, as members deepen their knowledge and expertise in the chosen area by interacting on an ongoing basis. In addition to the shared learning about the topic, all FLC members will work on a personal project that uses what they have learned to improve a specific course or program, and the group members collectively will share their knowledge and accomplishments with the wider university community.
FLCs have multiple goals. First, faculty members have tended to work in isolation -- in silos, to use the popular metaphor -- especially where teaching is concerned. Research on FLCs shows that they are very effective at promoting collegiality and collaboration both within and between academic units. Second, FLCs encourage innovation by creating a safe environment in which faculty can investigate, question, explore, and apply new or different classroom techniques. Third, FLCs improve teaching and learning across campus, both in the group members' individual classes and as the groups' insights spread to colleagues inside and outside the department.
Learn More about FLCs
To learn more and download Application Forms, click on the the links below:
2013-14
Intrinsic Motivation and Play for Learning FLC
2012-13
Teaching with Technology FLC
Rethinking the Writing Assignment FLC