ERIC Number: EJ1133605
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Jan
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2153-1900
EISSN: N/A
Assessing a Faculty Development Program for the Adoption of Brain-Based Learning Strategies
Lavis, Catherine C.; Williams, Kimberly A.; Fallin, Jana; Barnes, Pamela K.; Fishback, Sarah J.; Thien, Stephen
Journal of Faculty Development, v30 n1 p57-69 Jan 2016
Kansas State University designed a 20-month faculty development program with the goal of fostering broad, institution-wide adoption of teaching practices that focus on brain-based learning. Components of the program included annual teaching and learning workshops, reading and discussion groups based on content of a book about how the brain learns that underpinned the programming, and standalone events such as an all-day workshop by the book author and other related presentations by on-campus content experts. Over 500 faculty and instructors from all colleges participated in some of the events. The integrated programming was assessed using individual program satisfaction surveys, pre/post surveys administered near the beginning and end of the integrated programming, and a qualitative culmination survey of a subset of participants. Program assessment is discussed within the context of Kirkpatrick's four levels of participation: reaction, learning, behavior and results. We found that while program participants benefitted from the experience with improved learning and made changes that impacted their classroom teaching, an underlying theme was that more direction was needed to specifically apply the program's content. Although institution-wide impact was significant, it was less than anticipated, because broad and deep buy-in across the institution was not accomplished. Ways to strengthen faculty development programs consisting of a series of integrated activities over a period of time are discussed.
Descriptors: Brain, Learning Strategies, Faculty Development, College Faculty, Qualitative Research, Program Descriptions, Teaching Methods, Workshops, Books, Content Analysis, Authors, Teacher Surveys, Teacher Attitudes, Program Evaluation, Program Improvement, Statistical Analysis, Neurosciences
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Kansas
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A