Active Learning Institute for Community College Faculty

For general information, including when the next offering will be, please see the general Active Learning Institute webpage.

The Active Learning Institute (ALI) is an immersive 3-session professional development offering designed to help faculty enhance their courses with engaging, evidence-based active learning strategies. The ALI offers participants the chance to dive deep into key topics such as aligning course goals with active learning activities, designing impactful assignments, effectively incorporating technology into lesson plans, and more.

Through interactive sessions, faculty will gain practical tips and experience in applying active learning strategies that address the needs of their courses. This will also be a unique opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from diverse disciplines, share insights, and become part of a vibrant pedagogical learning community that is committed to continuous improvement and student success. Please note that the ALI is currently open to faculty only.

By participating, faculty will:

• Refine their teaching with active learning techniques that foster deeper student engagement and retention.

• Design innovative, student-centered courses that align with both educational goals and evidence-based teaching practices.

• Gain hands-on experience with integrating technology and tools that can enhance classroom interaction and student success.

• Collaborate across disciplines to gain fresh perspectives and innovative ideas for teaching, while being part of a supportive learning community.

Passing the optional classroom observation earns faculty the Certificate of Engaged Instruction. Interested faculty can inquire about sending in a classroom recording for observation. Successful completion of the ALI also earns faculty the Certificate in Course Design.

Whether you’re new to active learning or looking to refine your strategies, the ALI is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to create more dynamic, student-centered courses. Plus, there will be food!

For community college faculty interested in participating, we offer 3 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) as well as transcription services! The course will be listed as EDUC 800.3: Active Learning Institute. We also offer discounted pricing for groups of 6 visiting faculty. In addition, each faculty member can access up to 5 consultation hours with our staff, focused on:

• Syllabus review
• Workshop/professional development brainstorming
• Instructional design
• Teaching/pedagogy
• Artificial intelligence
• Pedagogical wellness
• Research on teaching and learning

These consultation hours expire one year after the conclusion of ALI.

Is your campus interested in personalized ALI for your faculty? If so, or if you have any additional questions, please contact Matthew Mahavongtrakul at mmahavon@uci.edu.