SUMMER GRANTS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF INSTRUCTION
Request for Proposals
Description: The University of Southern Mississippi is committed to the ongoing development of new and innovative teaching techniques that ultimately result in the improvement and assessment of student learning. In an effort to support faculty and provide appropriate resources the Office of the Provost will award salary stipends to faculty who are dedicated to the development and delivery of academic programs through distance education methods. Such methods include online delivery through the university supported learning management system (WebCT), podcasting, video streaming, and other innovative ideas that strengthen the quality of undergraduate or graduate instruction at Southern Miss.
These projects must result in, but are not limited to the following:
- development of a plan to modify an existing traditional lecture (face to face) academic program for delivery as a full distance education program,
- deliverables timeline for program course modification materials requiring approval by university councils and SACS,
- identification of a series of courses to facilitate delivery of online degree programs included as part of the College's strategic plan,
- alternative and innovative assessment plans for evaluating student performances,
- assessment plan to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the curriculum as a distance education program
- new ways of delivering course content through distance education technologies,
- innovative techniques that improve students' learning outcomes,
- faculty development plan (training, instructional design assistance, etc.) for assurance of quality online programs,
- strategy to market distance program(s) to target audience(s), and
- mentor other faculty in the development and delivery of future distance education programs
Projects should involve instructional activities beyond those normally expected of faculty members at Southern Miss, and result in the development of a program that will be delivered through distance education technologies beginning Spring 2009. Recipients are expected to devote full time to their project during the summer term.
Eligibility:
Awards are open to full-time, permanent members of the faculty who are teaching at least six-hours of regularly scheduled courses during the current academic year in which application is made and in which Librarians hold faculty appointments. Award recipients must remain at USM for one academic year following the summer term for which the award is received. Previous recipients must wait three years before applying for a second award. Awards will be made only to individual faculty members and will be based on summer salary at the present professional rank. Acceptance of a Summer Grant for the Improvement of Instruction prohibits additional university employment during the term of the grant.
Guidelines for the Proposal:
The proposal should not exceed four pages in length and must include the following information:
Purpose.
Describe briefly the goal of your project and its importance. Include sufficient background information to define the problem for a general university audience.
Method.
Describe the steps you will take to implement the project. This may include assistance from Alternative Learning Coordinators, iTech, Office of Distance Education and Support, and the Learning Enhancement Center.
Anticipated impact.
Indicate the potential impact of the project on instruction through distance education. Identify the groups affected by the project (true distance learners, placebound students, working students, returning adult learners, etc.). In what ways will those groups benefit from the development and delivery of this program through distance education methods?
Evaluation and Assessment.
Tell how you intend to measure the effectiveness of your project and how you will assess student-learning outcomes in a distance education environment. These assessment methods may be part of the innovative design of the program providing alternative assessment strategies for distance learners.
Progress and time-line.
Outline any work already undertaken and provide a timetable for the anticipated completion of the project. The timeline should include deadlines for approval of program delivery modifications through Academic and Graduate Councils and SACS.
Funding for Grants.
The terms of the Summer Grant for the Improvement of Instruction grants coincide with the University’s summer semester faculty pay scale. The amounts awarded for the grants are based on the academic ranks of recipients and are equivalent to summer salaries for full-time teaching. Acceptance of the grant precludes all other employment during the term of the grant.
Additional funding (optional).
If your project requires funding beyond the salary stipend, indicate the source and status of the additional funds.
Other support (optional).
If you require instructional technology support or other academic support, indicate whether such support is available.
Supporting materials (optional).
You may attach one set of supporting materials to your original proposal, such as a text, articles, your curriculum vitae, etc.
Criteria for Selection:
- The clarity and comprehensiveness of the project description.
- The recommendation and comments from the department chair and the college dean.
- The degree to which the project meets a significant instructional need.
- The potential impact of the project on distance education at Southern Miss in terms of its general usefulness to the academic community.
- The potential impact of the project on a specific community need (Academic Service-Learning Proposals).
Application Procedure:
Applicants should submit their proposal to their department chair for endorsement. The chair will then forward the application to the dean for a recommendation. When all recommendations have been obtained, you may submit your recommendations and proposal by one of the following methods:
1. Applications can be hand-delivered to Room 201 of the Lucas Administration Building or mailed to:
Dr. Cynthia Easterling, Associate Provost
118 College Drive
Box 5002
Hattiesburg, MS 394062. Applications can be submitted electronically by completing the following form with your information, then click next at the bottom.
Please submit proposals by Wednesday, October 22, 2008.
If additional time is required to complete your proposal, please contact Cynthia Easterling, Associate provost at 266-6579.