Experimental Teaching Program
The Experimental Teaching Program is designed as a collaborative space for the development of innovative courses with a transdisciplinary scope and with subjects of interest for specialized and/or general audiences. The program seeks to provide junior scholars from underrepresented backgrounds in academia with the necessary support to conduct a virtual learning environment and to experiment with non traditional pedagogical methodologies.
We are specially interested in submissions with more than one designated lead/researcher/facilitator from either two different disciplines or areas of expertise. For example, one researcher and one community organizer, or two researchers from different disciplines, or two scholars from the same discipline but with distinct areas of expertise are all great fits for this program.
Through this program leads are invited to think about the attendees beyond the prevalent notions of studenthood. Instead, we invite applicants to think about their attendees as members of a working group, through which all participants will learn and grow together following the educational proposals provided by the applicants.
Given the scope and profile of this program, lead applicants are also encouraged to think about the learning outcomes using the Experimental Assessment Model. This model is designed to evaluate how a learning experience prepares its participants to continue developing their knowledge by themselves.
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a. Rising AWARENESS of a topic or issue.
b. Sparking CURIOSITY to keep learning .
c. The human CONNECTIONS that they will develop.
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Before You Apply
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The topics or issues to be discussed during the Experimental Teaching Program are open. The applicants' teaching interest does not necessarily have to be aligned with their academic research agendas in a traditional sense. Applicants are invited to use their expertise, interest or knowledge of the issue to be discussed beyond their publication record and academic coursework.
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For example: The applicants' proposal may be on the same topic of their current dissertation project while utilizing sources of knowledge not traditionally sanctioned by academic tradition, such as biographic experience, oral histories, journalistic sources, wikis, online resources, etc. It will be the responsibility of the applicants, in collaboration with the designated experts from OLA Colorado to evaluate the resources to be used for suitability and credibility -once the proposal has been accepted.
Applicants interested in participating in this program, are invited to think about:
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1. How the subject to be discussed advances the knowledge related to race, indigeniety and feminist or queer studies.
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2.How the proposed manner of delivery advances the inclusion of underserved groups.
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3. How their own personal experiences/identities/histories allows the applicants to facilitate the proposed learning environment.
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Eligibility
This program is open to any junior scholar, broadly defined, with a clear interest in developing and testing experimental approaches to education. Applicants must also have a demonstrated interest and experience with initiatives to expand the representation and participation of scholars from underprivileged backgrounds or groups in academia.
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The Experimental Teaching Program is also open to any community educator that wants to explore new ways to engage and conduct community coursework, particularly those who have demonstrated experience working with underrepresented groups and underserved populations.
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Applicants should have some experience teaching in a traditional setting. Applications will be evaluated based using the following criteria:
a. The program overall quality, using the instruments requested as part of the application process.
b. The alignment of the application with the stated objectives of this program.
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c. Applicants will be informed one to two weeks after the close date.
How to Apply
Interested applicants must complete the form available here. The materials to be submitted include:
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1. Abstract of the course of no more than 2 pages including:
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a. Name of lead or leads:
b. Institutional Affiliations, if any
c. Preferred contact information
d. Course title and description
e. Learning outcomes
f. Required materials or bibliography
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2. Detailed activities calendar for one hour of discussion with the work group and one hour of recommended individual work per week. (3 pages max.)
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3. Brief narrative of teaching experience and personal or professional goals for participating in this project. (One page)
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4. Complete questionnaire (included in the application link).
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Once you have these materials ready, please use the link below to submit your application. All documents must be combined in a single PDF file no larger than 10MB in size.