The complexity of change in our world, coupled with the sheer speed of that change, is a transformative force that is almost beyond comprehension in daily life. The new realities now emerging in society demand that we think differently, that we innovate in order to manage and adapt to change in our lives.
Course Description
The Innovation Academy is an 8-hour online hybrid course that will help instructors grow as teachers. The Academy introduces ideas, best practices and resources so that instructors can design and redesign courses for student engagement in different modalities using digital tools and Universal Design for Learning principles. The course consists of a combination of live sessions and asynchronous activities.
Note: this promotional video reflects Fall 2021 semester modalities.
Course Goals
In this journey “Back to the Future” you will learn what some of your peers are doing to shift their teaching practices. During our live sessions, you will be able to share and discuss your work in the classroom.
In addition to this, you will be able to explore successful strategies for student-centered design, classroom interaction, and pedagogically sound use of educational technologies through a series of video testimonials made by your colleagues.
After successfully completing the course, you will be able to:
- Create better course flow plans based on different modes of delivery
- Integrate digital tools to enhance teaching and learning practices
- Design multimodal content and opportunities for active learning
- Implement effective practices for curriculum design and course management
Faculty Testimony: Cindy Roberts in Creating a Blended Activity Digital Escape Room
Faculty Responses to the Innovation Academy
- “Highly recommend; engaging and informative facilitators; well organized; adult learn oriented, practical”
- “I appreciated the clarity in explaining and presenting the material over the course of the academy.”
- “Innovation Academy was very well-organized and the module videos extremely helpful. I wouldn't change anything!”
- “I liked using the tools within the context of a course. The course itself is a demonstration of the pedagogy and software so participants have a model for their own courses.”
Course Structure
Fasten your seat belts! The course is structured into six modules:
- Optimize Instruction for Different Modalities
- Design Student-Centered Learning Experiences
- Plan Your Instructor Presence
- Integrate Technology and Pedagogy Through Universal Design for Learning
- Combine Face-to-Face and Online Interactions
- Manage Your Course and Find a Balance in Your Workload
Each module includes handouts and templates, resources for deeper learning such as recent articles about instructional design, effective teaching and student success specifically focused on what you may be facing in your courses today. You will also participate in reflection activities with your cohort members to discuss concepts from each of the modules and share ideas, examples, and best practices for any instructional modality.
The Innovation Academy at the University of Texas at San Antonio is an opportunity for instructors to rethink teaching and learning within the new realities we face today. It is also an opportunity to explore new ideas about what is possible in education based on what is being implemented by innovative UTSA instructors.
Above all, it is an opportunity to be a part of a peer learning community that promotes instructor presence, engagement, and continuous improvement as a part of building the best learning experiences for students.
Cohorts
Academic Innovation will offer cohorts throughout the Summer semesters. Cohort G, starts July 18th.
Lead Facilitator: Jill Fleuriet, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Honors College and Associate Dean for Faculty Success, College of Liberal & Fine Arts. Also, a faculty member for Department of Anthropology.
Live Sessions will occur on:
- Monday, July 18 from 1-2pm
- Tuesday, July 19, from 1-2 pm
- Monday, July 25 from 2:30-3:30pm
- Tuesday, July 26, from 1-2 pm
Live sessions will explore best practices and include opportunities to network with colleagues within the UTSA community. They will also help to inform the "Plan to Implement" requirement. The content within each Academy is the same for every cohort.
Certificate of Completion and Incentive
For each cohort, there are 50 seats available. Participants are eligible to receive a Certificate of Completion and a one-time incentive of $1,000 upon successful completion of the three following requirements:
- Complete the six self-paced modules in Blackboard
- Submit a “Plan to Implement” describing three new instructional elements/practices in your work
- Meet with a member of the Teaching, Learning and Digital Transformation team to discuss your plan and to confirm implementation
The Teaching and Learning Consultant will work with you throughout the Spring semester to help develop and implement your plan. Confirmation of the “Plan to Implement” must be completed by August 21, 2022.