The Center for Excellence provides a number of services for faculty. Below please find a list and description of the services available to you throughout the year. If you would like to suggest a new service, please contact Dr. Hella Jacob.
Sometimes called Small Group Instructional Diagnosis (SGID), these facilitated and anonymous mid-semester interventions provide a valuable insight into what is happening in your classroom. Sessions typically take 20 or 30 minutes for an average class. Faculty members meet with a GIFT Giver prior to the class meeting to review the questions and process. During the class, professors are excused from attending these sessions, while a trained GIFT Giver gathers information from students in an anonymous and safe environment for feedback. Within 24 hours, the professor and GIFT Giver meet to discuss the results and review professional development resources which might assist in making continual improvement to the teaching practice of the faculty member. The concerned faculty member is encouraged to share the results with their students within the next few classes. To receive a GIFT for your classroom teaching, please contact any of the listed trained facilitators below.
This service is anonymous and meant to provide validated but formative feedback to faculty. Results are not shared with departments, divisions, or the institution provided the information is not in violation of the faculty or student handbook.
Trained Facilitators
Please contact any of the facilitators directly by following their email addresses below. Sessions are confidential and not shared with your department chairs, divisional deans, or institutional leadership.
- Dr. Robert Gunther, Natural Sciences Department
- Dr. Vicki Madaus Knapp, Education Department
- Dr. Sally Ann Smesko, Natural Sciences Department
- Dr. Matthew Ward, Natural Sciences Department
- Dr. Hella Jacob - Interim Director, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
The Center for Excellence for Teaching and Learning administers the end of course Student Ratings of Instruction (SRI) surveys sometimes called Course Evaluations. This process is administered through via IDEA powered by Campus Labs and takes place throughout the year. Surveys are delivered in class via a specialized student link at the faculty member's discretion. Results are made available after final grading is collected for the semester to all faculty members. The Center provides consultation for individual faculty or departments on interpreting results or putting results into action. For questions about the SRI process please contact Cheryl Littlejohn.
If you are experiencing trouble administering the surveys in class, please submit a Helpdesk request.
Departmental assessment is a critical responsibility for academic and administrative departments. The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning can provide assessment support when you get stuck and need help. Please contact Dr. Hella Jacob for support.
In addition to professional development events for all faculty and supporting administrators, departments can request specific development events for any or all of their faculty. These events might stem from an emerging trend in the department, SRI results, assessment-driven needs, or at the request of faculty. The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning can provide or arrange for your departmental professional development needs. Contact Dr. Hella Jacob to arrange a planning meeting.