Faculty Learning Communities
What is a Faculty Learning Community (FLC)?
A space? A place? A structured learning group? A respite from grading, responding to student and administrative needs, and a thousand other diversions? A sanctuary in which to engage in the joy of learning again?
According to Milton Cox (2004), “A faculty learning community is a cross-disciplinary faculty and staff group of 6 to 12 members who engage in an active, collaborative, yearlong program with a curriculum about enhancing teaching and learning and with frequent seminars and activities that provide learning, development, the scholarship of teaching, and community building.”
Faculty learning communities are supported by the Faculty Development Center with members receiving a $500 stipend/semester. The Center also helps identify potential members, provides a budget for the community to obtain collateral materials (e.g., books) or speakers, advises if needed, and generally facilitates the process.
Can I start a Faculty Learning Community?
Yes, any faculty member or instructor is invited to propose an FLC that addresses a special campus teaching and learning need, issue, or opportunity. Proposals should go to the Faculty Development Center Director who, if funding is available, will advertise a call for members across the campus. These are some examples:
Topic-Based
- On-line learning
- Teaching through Critical-Thinking
- Service-Learning
- Scholarship in Teaching and Learning
- Teaching Writing-Enriched Courses
- Teaching and Learning Ethics
- Digital images in teaching & learning
Cohort-Based
- Post PMYR faculty needs
- Preparing graduate students for the role of faculty member
- Pre-tenure faculty needs
Can you tell me anything else about FLCs?
FLCs are typically characterized by the following:
- voluntary membership
- meet at a designated time in an environment conducive to learning
- have both individual and group projects, group suggestions, and schedule to completion
- share empathy among the members
- operate by consensus, rather than majority vote
- develop their own culture, openness, and trust
- engage complex problems
- energize and empower participants
- have the potential of transforming institutions into learning organizations
- are holistic in nature
Are there any FLCs on campus now?
The Center sponsored the first faculty learning community in 2007. It was facilitated by Doug Roscoe (Political Science) and focused on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. The final report on the FLC will be on the web site soon. The Center also co-sponsored an FLC in 2007 on Book Publishing, which was led by Craig Seymour (English). Letters from participants can be found in the faculty development archives.
A new faculty learning community started in January 2008. The Teaching and Learning Community for Accomplished Faculty (TLC) has tenured faculty members who meet regularly to refresh, renew, and nurture their passion for teaching and leaning. The members of the TLC are: Rob Darst (Political Science); Nancy Dluhy (Nursing); John Fobanjong (Political Science); Susan Jennings (Campus and Community Sustainability); Fahri Karakaya (Management and Marketing); Susanne Scott (Management and Marketing); Tim Shea (Decision and Information Systems; Iren Valova (Computer and Information Science); and Janine Wong (CVPA).
Wait a minute: Isn't this just another name for a committee?
If it is, it’s not a learning community! Committees are formal entities charged with specific activities to get specific work done. They aren't generally about learning, development, or community (although some might be). Also, resources are specifically allocated to FLCs to support their development, and members are given a stipend to plan, coordinate, and nurture the effort.
How can I learn more?
Check out Miami University’s FLC web site.
Also, the following is available in the Resource Center:
Building Faculty Learning Communities, Milton D. Cox and Laurie Richlin.
2004. Publisher: Jossey-Bass.
