Description
The IU Kokomo Experiential & Active Learning Award recognizes exceptional teaching that engages students with course material through methods such as discussion, case studies and problem solving, that place a greater degree of responsibility on the learner than passive approaches such as lectures. This instructional approach also emphasizes the application of academic content to real world concepts, problems, initiatives, etc., through simulations or direct engagement with experiences or activities that reflect the real work of individuals within a discipline or an enterprise. Experiential and active learning activities engage students in deep rather than surface learning and promote higher order thinking skills such as application, analysis, and synthesis. Experiential and active learning activities may range from a single lesson to a unit, or a topic/concept examined on multiple occasions during a course.
Eligibility
All IU Kokomo full-time and part-time faculty regardless of rank and including visiting faculty are eligible for the Experiential & Active Learning Award.
Faculty who receive this award must wait at least one year before applying again for the award and may not submit for consideration the same experiential and active learning activity recognized by an earlier award. Additionally, the experiential and active learning activity must have been implemented within a three-year period preceding an application for this award.
Many of IU Kokomo’s signature Kokomo Experience & You (KEY) events are, by definition, experiential and active learning experiences designed to engage students with academic content and disciplines in real world settings. Experiential and active learning activities created and implemented within the context of a KEY event are therefore eligible for this award.
Award Criteria
Experiential and active learning applications will be evaluated using four criteria:
Design & Implementation The experiential and active learning experience is innovative, well-organized, student-centered, rigorous, of high interest, and effectively implemented.
Outcomes The experiential and active learning experience is aligned with relevant and measurable learning outcomes and evidence is provided those outcomes were achieved.
Learning The experiential and active learning experience engages students in higher level thinking and understanding.
Impact The experiential and active learning experience impacts students’ skills, attitudes, and behaviors, as demonstrated by thoughtful and detailed reflections and observations, making connections to relevant theories and concepts, and applying learning to new situations and experiences.
Application Format
Applications should be in the form of a narrative not to exceed five pages which includes the following sections and information related to the Experiential & Active Learning experience submitted for award consideration:
- Course Title, Brief Description, Semester Taught, & Enrollment
- Brief but Complete Description of the Experiential & Active Learning Experience
- Alignment of Experiential & Active Learning Experience with Course Learning Outcomes
- Evidence of Impact on Student Learning
Evidence of impact on student learning may be in the form of a variety of quantitative and qualitative artifacts that demonstrate knowledge and understanding and higher-level thinking, including but not limited to, student course- and self-evaluations, case studies, presentations, journals and reports, lab notes and creative performance.
An Appendix of not more than five pages also may be included, which provides explanatory or supplemental materials such as resources used, student products, figures, tables, photos, illustrations, etc. The complete application of not more than 10 pages should be in PDF format.
Review & Selection Process
Applications for the Experiential & Active Learning Award should be submitted to the Office of Academic Affairs (koacadem@iu.edu) by October 15 of each year.
Applications are reviewed by the IU Kokomo Teaching Awards Committee, which no later than December 1 of each year makes recommendations to the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, who makes final award decisions and notifies recipients.
Award recipients are recognized at the annual campus Spring Convocation in January, at which time they receive $1,500 and a framed certificate.