LVAIC Teagle Hybrid Learning Grant Presentation Offers Expertise at Blended Learning Conference

June 18, 2018, @ 8:00 AM

Representatives from the LVAIC community recently presented “LVAIC-Teagle: Hybrid Learning and the Residential Liberal Arts Experience” at the Bryn Mawr Blended Learning Conference on May 24th, 2018. The focus of the presentation was to highlight lessons learned about successful collaboration during the four year LVAIC-Teagle Hybrid Learning project. The talk allowed the audience to hear from two of the project faculty (Keri Colabroy from Muhlenberg and Chris Ruebeck from Lafayette), the project manager (Jennifer Rao from LVAIC) and the project Co-PIs (Diane Dimitroff from LVAIC and Chawne Kimber from Lafayette).

“There seemed to be a lot of interest during the Q&A around how to incorporate Project Management into faculty projects,” explained Jennifer Rao, LVAIC Teagle Project Manager. “We see this as an opportunity for growth in future projects, as the LVAIC staff uses several project management tools when undertaking both new and on-going tasks. Members of the LVAIC community also commented that formal project management processes may have assisted in overcoming some of the roadblocks that this program faced. As we continue to find new ways to aid members of the LVAIC community with faculty and professional development programming, we will certainly be keeping this in mind.”

LVAIC has taken the lead on implementing and managing the Teagle Hybrid Learning project, which is funded by a grant from the Teagle foundation, whose mission is “to support and strengthen liberal arts education, which we see as fundamental to meaningful work, effective citizenship, and a fulfilling life.” This specific grant was in support of consortial efforts in hybrid learning and flipped classrooms. Over the course of the project there were a total of 12 collaboration projects involving 40 faculty from all 6 Institutions, impacting almost 500 students. This year was the final year of this grant program, and LVAIC is currently exploring next steps to continue this work with faculty and staff of the LVAIC community.

The findings of this process truly showcase the collaborative efforts of the LVAIC faculty and staff. Participants in this program over the past 4 years have gained new tools and knowledge to carry forward in their teachings, but also gained new cross-institutional and cross-functional relationships. While there were challenges throughout the process, the LVAIC community thrived while innovating and changing the learning environment for several hundred students and dozens of faculty. The full presentation and materials from this conference are available electronically here.