Faculty Learning Community

Are you interested in participating in robust discussions about best practices for teaching and learning?

Would you like to get to know more of your NOVA colleagues?

How about an opportunity to take some dedicated time to talk about your role as a professor and how to engage your students in deeper and more meaningful learning?

If these appeal to you, then you’re a great candidate for the Faculty Learning Community. It’s free and it will make a difference in your teaching.

Faculty learning communities (FLCs) are facilitated by members of the CETL staff and start up at various times over the course of the academic year. Members meet monthly to share ideas and to discuss best practices. Some FLCs meet in person while others prefer to meet online (e.g., eMeeting). Join with colleagues to explore best practices in teaching and learning.

All NOVA faculty are welcome to apply to be a part of a faculty learning community. Apply online. For more information, contact a member of the CETL staff.

Mutual Mentoring Faculty Learning Communities for New Faculty

In conjunction with our formal new faculty orientation sessions, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) offers mutual mentoring faculty learning communities.   These, like other faculty learning communities (FLCs) are small, collaborative, cohort groups of approximately 10 faculty members who meet on a regular schedule, usually monthly, to share experiences, express concerns, ask questions, and explore teaching tips and tricks. Participation in an FLC results in lasting professional relationships that will serve you throughout your career.  

There is no requirement for you to be part of a mutual mentoring faculty learning community.  However, you are highly encouraged to join one.  Such membership will increase your  assimilation into the rest of your faculty and will reduce any feelings of fragmentation from your faculty.  Your particular interests will shape the work of the group and will personalize your community for you.  A mutual mentoring community will give you a way to have a positive impact on the culture of the institution for years to come.

Participation in any Faculty Learning Community, including the Mutual Mentoring Communities,  have no – repeat NO – implications for evaluation of your work performance at NVCC.  It is one place to share your successes and to mentor your peers.

Mutual mentoring communities usually meet for two hours once or twice a month.  However, your group and your facilitator are free to set up a mutually convenient meeting plan.  Some communities meet in person while others may prefer to meet online. CETL faculty advocates will be on hand to provide resources and information as requested.

Apply to join a Mutual Mentoring Community, http://tinyurl.com/newfacultymmc

Join a Technology in Pedagogy (TIP) Community

TIP is a community of practice dedicated to the use of technology as it specifically relates to pedagogy at NOVA. TIP is sponsored by the Center of Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL). Its mission is to share tips, tricks and best practices of technology applications of any kind that support best practices in undergraduate education. This community invites any participant involved in undergraduate education but is formed by a core group of undergraduate instructors at NOVA with an expressed interest in this topic. The community exists as a Facebook page where this technology can be explored in its native environment. To apply, go to http://tinyurl.com/4flljee.

For more information, contact Cindy Miller, lmiller@nvcc.edu.