Topics and activities
Initiated in 2018 by Noah Pickus, Dean of Academic Strategy and Learning Innovation, the Learning Innovation Fellowship (LIF) is designed, implemented, and continuously refined by the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL).
The program aims to prepare new faculty for successful teaching at DKU by deepening their understanding of the university’s liberal arts curriculum, teaching culture, and student body. It also fosters meaningful connections among participants and with experienced faculty mentors. Through the program, faculty (re)design their syllabi using backward course design principles, integrating insights gained about DKU’s unique educational context.
Since its inception, 87% of the DKU faculty members (this program is eligible for faculty from three UG divisions) have completed the LIF program, with support from over 65 faculty mentors.
The LIF program includes two months of online modules, virtual sessions, and self-paced work, followed by intensive in-person workshops in August. Throughout the program, participants engage in discussions with peers, mentors, and students, and receive constructive feedback on their course syllabi. A number of faculty, students, and offices have contributed to the content and community-building activities.
This university news recognized the sixth iteration of the LIF in 2023.
Module Topics:
- DKU liberal arts context & overall curriculum
- Characteristics and growth of DKU Students
- DKU’s unique teaching environment
- Positioning your course in the DKU context
- Backward course design and learning objectives
- Assessment design
- Course activities
- Inclusive course design
- Integrating AI & technologies in teaching
Intensive in-person workshops before semester starts
- Technology-enhanced teaching
- Assessment design and refinement
- Learning activities
- Feedback sessions with peers and faculty mentors
What LIF participants say about this program
“My overall feeling is that LIF program contributes a lot to my understanding about teaching at DKU. Data on class size and grade distribution may further help my understanding about teaching at DKU.”
“Through this program, I have learned many methodologies and concepts that were novel to me. In particular, I am really glad to have learned about the backward design approach.”
“The LIF program, especially the live sessions and feedback help tremendously to my development of course syllabus.”
“I think Student Panel and Workshop on Active Learning Techniques and Inclusive Syllabi, co-facilitated by three DKU faculty mentors are the most helpful live sessions. Through Student Panel, I have much better understanding of the students at DKU from those representatives, while the workshop has better prepared me for teaching at DKU. Generally, I have learnt a lot from both LIF peers and mentors, such as active learning techniques/skills/tricks, and how to prepare more inclusive syllabi to serve more and wider students community.”
Photos of previous LIF sessions
