DRAFT MATERIALS -- NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION
REQUEST for APPLICATIONS for the
Active Learning Initiative at South Alabama (ALISA)
The Divisions of Academic Affairs and Health Sciences are pleased to announce a Request for
Applications (RFA) for the Active Learning Initiative of South Alabama (ALISA) to support the
advancement of quality education at the University of South Alabama (USA).
What is ALISA?
ALISA is a university-wide initiative to promote active, student-centered learning. In addition to
participating University Colleges and Academic Departments, the initiative is directly supported by the
Departments within the Divisions of Academic Affairs and Health Sciences. This includes the Innovation
in Learning Center (ILC), the Offices of Institutional Effectiveness (OIE) and Institutional Research (OIR),
Student Academic Success (SAS), and the University Libraries.
How will ALISA benefit USA students?
The mission of the ALISA project is to improve course content mastery, academic success, and retention
through faculty-led course redesign. Our approach engages campus-wide resources to support researchbased best practices that emphasize active learning strategies in all course components. This includes
integrating online technologies and exemplary media where appropriate. ALISA courses are expected to
impact a majority of students as they progress toward their degrees. This will result from scalable and
sustainable course redesigns and evaluation processes aimed at continuous improvement. The Project
Description is viewable at www.southalabama.edu/ilc/alisaproject .
How will faculty benefit?
Benefits to faculty selected to participate include the following:
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A $10,000 award to the academic department to support faculty in redesigning courses
Best-practice faculty development opportunities and related ALISA cohort activities
Intensive course design and development assistance to improve course quality
High-quality media production and state-of-the-art technology to support instruction
Research and publication options to further Scholarship of Teaching and Learning at USA
University recognition of superior instructional practice that can enrich faculty dossiers
What are the advantages to participating departments?
The ALISA project positions departments to both drive and demonstrate progress toward the following:
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The 2016-20 Strategic Plan for USA and its imperative for improved student outcomes
Division strategic plans as articulated by Academic Affairs and Health Sciences
Goals identified by USA for substantive improvement in general education courses
OIE’s alignment initiatives including curriculum mapping and as measured in TracDat
The priorities of SAS including First Year Experience and other success and retention programs
Improved student outcomes supporting active learning that add capacity to the existing QEP
Who is eligible to apply?
All faculty members, including those in the Division of Health Sciences, are eligible to submit
applications for ALISA 2016. Faculty members are encouraged to work with the ILC to provide course
information as specified in the application. Applications must be approved by the appropriate
Department Chairperson and College Dean prior to submission. For more information, or to download an
application, please visit: http://www.southalabama.edu/ilc/alisa
What does the ALISA 2016 application process entail?
 Contact Dr. Sue Mattson, ALISA project manager, by March 25 to indicate interest:
smattson@southalabama.edu
 Schedule an informational meeting to include your department chair by April 1.
 Schedule a typical class session for videotaping by April 6.
 Submit this application form no later than April 8.
What are the preferred characteristics of a candidate course?
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High impact – large-enrollment, foundational or gateway courses and those with growth potential
Stable – well-established, sections share core elements, course administration smooth
Traditional – on-campus courses historically offered in lecture format
Technology in use – using USAonline in some way or a publisher system or online apps
Faculty values – innovative, collaborative, coachable, systematic, open to course-wide change
Commitment – up to 4 hrs. weekly from Summer 2016 through Spring 2017
Department collaboration – department chair will lead dissemination, co-faculty interested
Timeline
RFA released
Deadline for application submission
Review of applications
Awards announced
Number of awards available
Award amounts
Bootcamp at CoTL
Project Phases
Phase I: Foundations
Phase II: Redesign
Phase III: Redevelopment
Phase IV: Pilot (limited sections)
Phase V: Dissemination (addl. sections)
March 7, 2016
April 8, 2016
April 11 – April 29, 2016
May 2, 2016
8
$10,000
½ day May 9 or 10 (TBD)
Estimated Completion
Jun -July 2016 (online)
Aug 2016
Jan 2017
May 2017
Fall 2017 – Spring 2018
Spring 2018 – Spring 2018
Ongoing ALISA
participation and funds
dispersal will be based
on satisfactory
completion of
deliverables associated
with each phase.
Funds Dispersed
$500
$1500
$2000
$2000
$2000
$2000