Instructional Development Information

The Faculty Development Committee is soliciting Instructional Development Proposals for the period of January 1 through June 30, 2010 from tenured, tenure-track, adjunct, or visiting faculty who have been on contract at The University for two or more years and who anticipate being on contract during the project year. An individual (or individuals), program, department, or any other operating unit may apply.

Purpose

The purpose of the Instructional Development Program is to assist long-term faculty members in the improvement of their teaching skills.

Goals

1. Improve teaching by developing new pedagogical skills or incorporating new, innovative technologies into ones’ teaching.
2. Provide the maximum benefit to a large number of students.
3. Improve the curriculum through the development of new courses and areas of study.
4. Provide broad benefit to the campus community

Requirements

1. Each of the goals listed above must be addressed in the submission.
2. A detailed time schedule of the proposed activity must be provided.
3. A budget must be included. Please indicate requests for, or commitments of, any matching funds, since these are viewed as very meaningful by the Faculty Development Committee.
4. A letter of support from the Department Chair must be provided. Letters of support from other departments will also enhance the proposal.
5. Please prioritize applications if multiple proposals or proposals in more than one category of faculty development are submitted.
6. The recipient(s) of awards which result in presentations, seminars, performances, etc. which are of general interest to the UM community will be responsible for informing University Relations of these events so that they can be placed on the official university calendar.
7. The UM Faculty Development Program should be acknowledged as having supported any activities which may result from this funding. Examples would be if manuscripts are published, presentations or performances given, or so on.

Support

Successful proposals may receive support to a maximum of $1,500. Proposals may include travel to special seminars or workshops on instructional methods, sponsoring of a faculty development workshop or seminar series at UM, or bringing individuals to the campus. The committee will not consider funding the purchase of instructional equipment or supplies unless the critical importance of such with regard to improvement in faculty teaching is clearly detailed. Awards will not be given for salaries.

Other Information

UM faculty from outside the applicant's area of expertise will review the application. Avoid technical jargon and make certain the terminology and concepts are understandable to those who work outside the applicant's specialty field.

The original proposal shall be sent to the Office of the Provost, University Hall 126 (UH 126). No copies need be submitted, although applicants should keep a copy for their records. The proposal application form is accessible from the link at the top of the page and may be completed and printed or downloaded and saved. Please note that the application form requires a commitment from the department or academic unit granting the release time where applicable. Questions regarding the application may be directed to the Office of the Provost at (406) 243-4689.

Successful applicants are required to submit a brief report regarding their experience within one year of the date of the event. This report shall be addressed to the Provost, and sent to the Office of the Provost. The report shall include a brief description of the project, the applicable dates, and an assessment of the impact on the faculty member's development as a teacher. In addition, anyone applying for an award who was the recipient of a Faculty Development Award in the past three (3) years, shall attach a copy of that report(s) to the current application.