Innovation in Teaching and Learning

Isenberg Teaching Fellows Program

The Isenberg Teaching Fellows Program recognizes outstanding faculty for their creative and effective use of educational technologies in course design and delivery. Recipients of this recognition possess a demonstrated record of creatively employing pedagogically appropriate solutions to the opportunities created by as well as the challenges posed when incorporating educational technologies into all types of courses, whether delivered face-to-face, online, or in some hybrid combination. The ultimate goal of the program is to improve student engagement, academic performance, and retention.

I am very pleased to announce the inaugural cohort of Isenberg Teaching Fellows, whose work will be particularly important as we navigate the nearer term challenges posed by COVID-19. Please congratulate this group of outstanding instructors:

• Melissa Baker, HTM                                                                                           
• Susan Boyer, TSS
• Robert Nakosteen, OIM
• Shirley Schmerling, OIM
• Pam Trafford, Accounting

Duration of Fellowship:  June 1 – May 31

Selection Process:  1^st Year – Selected by Dean; Thereafter – Nomination or Self-Nomination

Teaching with Digital Technology Award

Student-nominated awards for instructors who have used digital technology to improve teaching and learning at Isenberg. The goal is to recognize instructors for their innovations and give the Isenberg community the opportunity to further learn from their practices.

Selection Process: Student-Nominated – 2 Undergraduate and 2 Graduate Level Recipients

Selection Committee: 6 students (2 undergraduate, 2 graduate, 2 online) plus Senior Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Dean

Evaluative Criteria:

• Imaginative Approach: The nominee has implemented a creative approach to one or more emerging instructional challenges.
• Quality of Course Materials and Instructional Strategies: The nominee has created well-designed course materials and utilized appropriate instructional strategies.
• Learner Satisfaction: The nominee has demonstrated rapport with learners as well as other course participants.
• Effective Learning Outcomes: The nominee has demonstrated effectiveness in achieving desired learning outcomes in the online course.

Contact Gina Kevane (gkevane@isenberg.umass.edu) for more details about eligibility and the application process.