I am Yale Faculty

A yearlong opportunity for a small group of faculty from across disciplines to foster discussions around teaching and learning, while promoting equitable teaching practices.  Faculty fellows complement the Center’s existing educational development offerings by facilitating sessions for their colleagues that engage in conversations related to accessible or equiteable pedagogies.  As ambassadors, the faculty fellows also inform the Center’s future priorities and offerings for faculty, departments, and schools.

A program that provides faculty within their first three years of teaching at Yale with opportunities to advance their knowledge of scholarly approaches to inclusive teaching and practice foundational skills.  Participants must complete six components to receive a $3,000 contribution to their research or professional development accounts:  

• two (2) teaching focused events, 
• two (2) individual teaching consultations, 
• one (1) Poorvu Teaching-intensive Summer Institute or approved alternative,
• (1) six-session learning community, 
• (2) two peer classroom observations, 
• and (1) final program portfolio.

This intensive 3-day teaching program helps instructors design or re-design specific units within a new or existing course.  Through the institute, participants will:

• Join a community of Yale instructors and Poorvu Center staff for interactive workshops and structured work time
• Explore pedagogical approaches aligned with teaching values and course goals
• Become aware of university and Poorvu-specific resources to support instructors and students

The syllabus is a foundational document that is typically the first form of interaction that instructors have with their students.  This interactive workshop provides faculty the opportunity to consider the overall course design process through the lens of your syllabus:  backward design, learning outcomes, assessments, and activities in and beyond class.

Any instructor at Yale may request a confidential individual consultation from a member of the Poorvu Center staff.  Consultations begin with a discussion, in which the instructor describes course goals, plans for the semester, and any issues or teaching practices that are of primary concern.  A librarian may also be included in the process to advise on appropriate resources.

During these sessions, a trained observer conducts a group discussion alone with students during the last twenty minutes of class.  The observer then discusses the feedback with the instructor, and may provide a non-evaluative summary of the feedback (upon request).

Through this process, instructors and students gather evidence of student learning to make decisions about further instruction and grading.  Varied classroom assessment techniques and activities are used to help students develop a deeper understanding of classroom materials and practice applying course concepts.  Classroom assessment also invites students to reflect on their learning and provide feedback on instruction, allowing for an iterative process.  

An opportunity to open your classroom to fellow instructors across disciplines so they may explore new disciplines and consider adapting methods of their own teaching.

“Faculty Bulldog Days is a celebration of what a university should be. Visiting my colleagues’ classes makes me feel like a student again. And I have opened up my classroom for the same reason: I love to share what I do with others.”

- Professor Eduardo Fernandez-Duque

This platform supports a wide variety of external and internal applications that integrate into Canvas to support teaching and learning for faculty and students.