The President's Initiative for Faculty Innovation in Teaching with Technology

Purpose

Faculty Innovations in Teaching with Technology (FITT) helps faculty to improve teaching and learning by incorporating technology in their work. FITT aims to promote new forms of interactivity among teachers, students, and content, and to foster a community of faculty interested in exploring the use of technology for teaching and learning. FITT supports faculty work that is conducted primarily during the summer months, and provides a forum for faculty to share their ideas and experiences with their colleagues. By fostering a culture of reflection on the impact of technology, FITT encourages faculty to contribute to the scholarship of teaching and learning.

For 2012, the FITT program will focus on four themes: ePortfolios, hybrid and online courses, mobile learning, and using technology to engage students in large classes. Innovative projects on other topics will also be considered.

What is offered?

• A $2,000 stipend, paid upon successful completion of the project.
• Assistance from members of Hunter's Technology Teaching and Learning Group, who will help you conceptualize and develop your project.
• Advice from faculty members who are previous FITT awardees.
• Additional help from ICIT technical staff.

What is expected in return?

• The development of an innovation that will employ technology to increase student engagement in your course or program.
• The implementation of that innovation during the 2012-2013 academic year.
• A willingness to share your innovation with faculty colleagues by:
• Participating in a kick-off meeting on May 16, 2012 and a wrap-up meeting on August 23, 2012.
• Collaborating with other faculty who are working on similar projects.
• Presenting your work at a Tech Thursday session in 2012-2013.
• Sharing your course or program web site and other materials created as part of FITT with other Hunter faculty members.

Who is eligible?

Full-time faculty from all schools and part-time faculty with at least three years of service at Hunter are eligible to receive FITT grants.  If you have an idea about how to make your classes more engaging for students, we encourage you to apply.  Please note the following:

• We encourage joint proposals by two or more faculty; grant amounts may be adjusted for larger-scale projects.
• Part-time faculty must submit a written endorsement from their department chair or program head.
• Previous FITT awardees may apply if they did not receive an award in the previous year (i.e, FITT 2011).

How will the award recipients be selected?

Proposals will be reviewed by a screening committee consisting of Frank Steen (CIO), Jim Lengel (Provost's Office), and faculty members appointed by the Provost.

Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Innovation in teaching and learning with technology.
• The likelihood that your innovation will lead to an increase in student engagement.
• The number of students involved.

How do I submit a proposal?

Your proposal should address each of the following questions in 100 words or less:

1. What are your pedagogical goals for the project?
2. What are some concrete things you plan to accomplish this summer?
3. How will your innovation increase student learning and engagement?
4. What help will you need to complete your project?

Proposals must be submitted online through this form by February 17, 2012.

For help developing your proposal, please contact the Technology Teaching and Learning Group at edtech@hunter.cuny.edu. Alternatively, you may directly contact  Gina Cherry, Nancy Guerrero,  Shiao-Chuan Kung, or Jim Lengel. You might also consult the FITT web site to get a better idea of what kind of projects have been funded in previous years.

Timeline