Becoming leaders for innovation and change

A more complete report is available by contacting Cambridge by E-mail: bcambrid@iupui.edu or calling 317-278-2662.

Do you ever wish for more time to learn and work?

The 1996 Indiana University Summer Institute provided faculty participants eight full days for collaboration on campus projects, discussion of issues in higher education and learning from and with colleagues from other campuses. Faculty explored the theme "The Changing Paradigm: Teaching to Learning" through lecture, guided discussion, active learning and informal conversation.

Faculty teams defined their projects, considered impacts on students, made plans for assessment and did strategic planning for implementation. In addition, they composed music on computers, "visited" with Eleanor Roosevelt, debated tenure, competed in the "Faculty Olympics" and performed their project plans.

The mission of the institute was twofold: to provide IU faculty opportunities to become leaders for innovation and change in their own classrooms and on their campuses. Campus projects illustrate how closely the mission parts are linked through their primary focus on the first Strategic Directions initiative, The Community of Learning:

IU Bloomington -- Modeling the Creation of Freshman Topics Courses: Joan Middendorf, David Pace and Fran Stage created a process to identify student competencies, develop model courses in multiple disciplines and conduct summer faculty workshops.

IU East -- Linking Assessment, Student Learning and Instruction: Carol Browne and Walter Wagor concentrated on using new technologies to ensure students achieve eight core learning objectives established by the campus.

IU Kokomo -- A Systematic and Integrated Freshman Year Program: Stuart Green, Jon Kofas and Kathy Morical designed a connected campus system for creating community among students to reduce attrition.

IU Northwest -- Instilling Expectations of Excellence: Michael Certa, Mark Sheldon and Donald Szarkowicz identified ways to articulate high expectations for students among both students and faculty.

IUPUI -- Five-Year Plan for Supporting Student Learning: Barry Cournoyer, Stuart Hart, Pat McGeever and Rick Ward devised a plan to coordinate campus groups in implementing and assessing IUPUI's Principles of Undergraduate Learning.

IU Southeast -- Creating an Active Learning Environment: Rick French, James Kauffman and Diane Wille concentrated on identifying and implementing active learning strategies for students inside and outside the classroom.

IU South Bend -- Strategic Planning and Budgeting: De Bryant, Larry Garber, Raj Kohli and Fred Naffziger established a process to blend curricular and budgeting mechanisms to articulate campus goals and priorities.

IU Kokomo Chancellor Emita Hill, an invited guest the last two days of the institute, provided a significant observation:

"The energy of this group has astounded me. Instead of being exhausted or burned out -- the common problem -- they seem to be revived and exhilarated." Faculty evaluations were equally enthusiastic. One participant wrote: "Marvelous! The finest contribution to teaching and enlightened action that I have experienced in 25 years at IU!"

With time and collegial collaboration, IU faculty can invigorate teaching and learning in exciting ways. The institute provided the conditions: faculty provided the energy, intellect, commitment and action. Watch for the outcomes!

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