Faculty Mentors

Request for Proposals 2005 - 2006

With implementation of the Title III-A Strengthening Institutions grant, the Learning Enhancement Center (LEC) provides resources to faculty members who would like to expand their professional development in the area of instructional technology and instructional media.

The Technology Faculty Mentor Program is designed to encourage and support innovative projects that will enhance instruction through the use of technology and promote student learning. Full-time faculty who are selected for this program will work with the LEC staff to develop and implement a plan for mentoring other faculty members, and they will be recognized as “Faculty Mentors” at appropriate university functions and in university publications.  

Specifically, the LEC is looking for 10 qualified individuals who:

• want to accomplish their own instructional technology project(s) with assistance and participation of the LEC;
• are willing to assist other faculty who are integrating instructional technology into their curriculum; and
• are willing to be rewarded for their efforts, while sharing knowledge of their successful project with the university community.

As an enhancement to faculty who participate in the program, the Learning Enhancement Center is offering a $2,500 stipend that may assist the individual faculty member to accomplish his or her technology goals with software, additional hardware, travel, and other Title III-A allowable expenditures .

Recommended Focus for Proposals:

Successful proposals will include innovative approaches to teaching and learning, with a particular focus on integration of instructional technology strategies and student achievement.  Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that may include the following: 

• innovative approaches to curriculum design
• technology-based instructional approaches
• implementation of multiple teaching pedagogies that promote learning and recognize students’ multiple learning styles
• web-enhanced courses, multimedia enhancements to course materials, and innovative uses of the SMART classrooms (HVUC’s).

Qualifications:

In order to participate in the Technology Faculty Mentor Program, faculty who meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:

1. Applicants must be full-time permanent faculty members of Southern Miss.
2. Applicants must have an instructional technology project outlined that can be completed by August 11, 2006, or have substantial documentation of a completion deadline.
3. Applicants must have experience with instructional technology or online learning which should be documented in the applicant’s vita.
4. Applicants must meet the time and effort commitment to the grant, during which the following activities will be expected:
   1. meet with LEC staff after initial award to review expectations, timelines, and committment to the Technology Faculty Mentor program.
   2. modify the proposed course with an innovative approach to teaching and learning while integrating technology into the curriculum within the expected timeframe.
   3. mentor 2-3 other faculty members within their respective college, and as needed.
   4. participate in one (1) mentor meeting to share project proposal and ongoing activities with other Faculty Mentors and LEC staff (March).
   5. prepare and present one LEC “TecKnowledgy” Brown Bag within the established project timeframe to share project outcomes with the university community.
   6. prepare and present the ongoing project at University Letters Day: OR prepare and present the ongoing project at the University Technology Fair; OR prepare and present the ongoing project at the Creating Futures Conference sponsored by IHL and the SBCJC.
   7. provide communication and feedback to LEC staff on the mentoring process through the mentor listserv.
5. submit a final report of the project and budget expenditures to the LEC Director (cc to department chair and dean of their respective college) by September 1, 2006.  This evaluation report should represent an appropriate piece of scholarship that can be shared both inside and outside of the university community.

Application Process:

Interested faculty members should submit a brief vita (one page) and grant proposal based on the following criteria:

1. Submission of a proposal no longer than three (3) double-spaced pages, using 12 point Times New Roman font with a 1” margin that includes the following:
   1. Identification of applicant: applicant name, college and department affiliation, course name and number.
   2. Title and brief overview of project
   3. Purpose:  A clear explanation of the purpose and scope of the project, including expected outcomes.
   4. Procedure:   A detailed description of planned activities, both developmental and instructional.
   5. Mentoring Plan : a description of how results of the projects will be shared with colleagues, including department chair and college dean.
   6. Evaluation Plan : an explanation of how the project will be evaluated.
   7. Timeline : a brief description of when the project will begin, significant interim dates, and expected date of completion.  The project must be completed by August 11, 2006, with the final evaluation report submitted by September 1, 2006.
   8. Budget : An itemized summary of how the grant funds ($2500) will be spent, including the type and cost of any equipment, specialized software, licenses, materials, or other supporting expenses.
2. Letters of support from the department chair and college dean.
3. All proposals should be submitted by November 28,2005 to the Learning Enhancement Center (attn: Sheri Rawls, Director) Box 9649.

Proposal Evaluation:

Proposals will be evaluated by the Technology Faculty Mentor Award committee, which includes the Associate Provost, LEC staff, Title III-A project director, iTech representative, and one (1) Technology Faculty Mentor from each college.

Previous Technology Faculty Mentor award recipients are not eligible to apply

Application Deadline: November 28, 2005. Send proposals to: Sheri L. Rawls, Director, Learning Enhancement Center, Box 9649. Award announcements will be made by December 9, 2006.  Award recipients must abide by appropriate fair use laws, copyright laws, and the Southern Miss Intellectual Property Ownership Policy.

To review previous Technology Faculty Mentor awards please visit 2006 faculty mentors.

For additional information, please contact Sheri Rawls, Director, Learning Enhancement Center, at sheri.rawls@usm.edu or (601) 266-5518.

Last modified: May 19, 2009 2:52 PM | Questions or Comments?
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