CETL CoP
2013-2014 CETL COMMUNITIES of PRACTICE
DESIGNING ACTIVE LEARNING SPACES
Description, Schedule and Application Form
Facilitator(s) : Mark Kotcho, Information Technology Services, and Lalita Subrahmanyan,
Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, with Chris Stanley and Kelly
Larson.
Definition: A Community of Practice (CoP) is a group of people who share a common concern, a set of problems, or have some interest in a topic and who come together with a facilitator to fulfill both individual and group goals (Etienne Wenger, Richard McDermott, & William
Snyder, 2002). At SCSU, Communities of Practice are groups of faculty and staff who commit to regularly scheduled seminars on a focus area in teaching and learning followed by actions such as planning and trying out the techniques that are learned.
Purpose : Few classrooms and other campus spaces in higher education incorporate aspects of design and technology (computer technology as well as furniture technology) that maximize the potential for learning. However, many universities, including some in our region (University of
Minnesota; Minnesota State, Mankato; University of Iowa), have begun creating classrooms and other spaces to align with principles of learning, instead of trying to fit learning environments into existing spaces. And, in fact, some programs at SCSU have already begun to plan for this concept. The purpose of this CoP is to investigate the possibilities for designing and developing learning spaces that can help maximize the potential for teaching and learning and develop partnerships among disciplines in areas such as:

Increased need for collaboration-friendly spaces for flipping the classroom

Supporting the use of mobile devices in the classroom

Informal learning spaces and spaces “in between” classrooms

The future of ITV-Tele presence with a little “t” (and a lower price tag)

Large enrollment classes- making large classrooms feel small

Faculty engagement in learning space design and facilities planning
 New buildings? Designing tomorrow’s learning spaces from the ground up
Commitments of members :

Members will commit to meeting with the group regularly according to a mutually convenient schedule.

Members will commit to taking their knowledge of Active Learning Spaces back to their
Departments and/or Colleges, and sharing their knowledge and reflections.

Members will present their learning at the Fourth Teaching and Learning Fair during Fall
Convocation 2014.
Rewards:

A new energized sense of community with your peer group around work, learning and food !

A chance to remodel your teaching!
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CETL CoP

Recognition of your work as part of faculty evaluation, tenure, and promotion processes and staff professional development processes. For faculty, participation in a CoP counts in the “Professional Development/Continued Study” Area 3 of the IFO/MnSCU Contract.
If you make changes to your teaching based upon these discussions, it may count in
Teaching (Area 1) of the Contract.
Note: Application form and signature page follows.
Review of Applications begins on Friday, May 3, 2013. Applicants will be contacted soon thereafter to coordinate calendars and create a schedule for 2013-2014.
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CETL CoP
2013-2014 CETL COMMUNITIES of PRACTICE
DESIGNING ACTIVE LEARNING SPACES
APPLICATION FORM
Instructions: Applications may be filled out electronically and printed to obtain signatures. Applications should be delivered to the Center for Excellence in Teaching and
Learning Office in Miller Center 310. Review of Applications begins on Friday, May 3, 2013.
Name:
Department:
Campus Address:
College/School:
Email Address:
Position:

Faculty (Check one):
_____ Probationary
_____ Tenured and fully promoted
_____ Fixed Term in 2013-2014
_____ Tenured, not fully promoted
_____ Permanent, non-tenured
 Instructional Staff (Please fill in your title):
Title:
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
Explain why you would like to participate in the CoP Initiative by addressing all of the following questions. (Approximate word limit: 250 words per question.)

Explain your interest in this Community of Practice? How does that tie into your professional development plan?

What do you think you can contribute to the group?

Of the courses you teach, which ones would you be most interested in applying the knowledge and strategies from the CoP?
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CETL CoP
2013-2014 CETL COMMUNITIES of PRACTICE
DESIGNING ACTIVE LEARNING SPACES
SIGNATURE PAGE
Applicant Signature
If I am selected as a participant in the Community of Practice on Active Learning Spaces I agree to participate fully in the activities and fulfill all the commitments.
Applicant’s Signature Date
__________________________________________
Name
Department Chair/Director Signature
I endorse the above applicant’s participation in the Community of Practice on Active Learning
Spaces.
Signature of Applicant’s Department Chair/Director Date
__________________________________________
Name
Dean/Supervisor Signature
I endorse the above applicant’s participation in the Community of Practice on Active Learning
Spaces.
Signature of Applicant’s Dean/Supervisor Date
_______________________________________________
Name
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