Applying for the Design-Based Research Peer Clusters Project.

This is the initial implementation of small, shared interest collaboration groups within the new Regis Teaching Excellence Network (RTEN). These groups can be interdisciplinary or within a specific unit. Members of a Peer Cluster (PC) will collaborate within their cluster to design for the implementation of a new teaching strategy or learning experience. Each member will identify a teaching/learning goal for a course. They collaborate to achieve the goal of the Peer Cluster (e.g., course revisions, new course creation, teaching practice implementation, professional learning) with the focus always on inclusive excellence in teaching, course design, and learning.

• Advancement in the teaching practices of the participants as evidence in reflections and student data.
• One improved course per participant as evidenced by student data.
• New design principles and/or activities that can be shared across the Regis Teaching Excellence Network.
• A publication submitted to either a scholarship of teaching and learning (SOTL) journal or a discipline-specific journal.
• Collaborate on an article about the Peer Cluster process and experience.

Design-based Research (DBR) will provide the structure for designing, implementing, and evaluating new teaching and learning interventions. Several iterations of this cycle will be implemented.

• Turchi et al. (2018) states that DBR “offers a framework that yields empirical data to measure instructional effectiveness and to drive decision making in course design to structure the cycles of needs-based professional learning, course design, teaching, and evaluation (p.2)
• Wang and Hannafin (2005) captures DBR’s critical characteristics, “a systematic but flexible methodology aimed to improve educational practices through iterative analysis, design, development, and implementation, based on collaboration among researchers and practitioners in real-world settings, and leading to contextually-sensitive design principles and theories” (p. 6)

• Choosing a course to revise in totality or a certain aspect of it (e.g., assignment, learning activity) or to implement a new teaching practice in. This course will be the focus of several cycles of a three-step process: 1) design, 2) implement, and 3) evaluate.
• Participating in need-based professional learning and leading it if one’s experience allows them to.
• Share leadership of the Peer Cluster with other members and the Program Coordinator.
• Identify a Course Lab Section and secure endorsement for Program Leader and Academic Dean. This will provide a professionally low risk environment for implementing new strategies and learning designs.
• Participate in a monthly meeting through the 2021-2022 academic year beginning in October 2021.
• Actively engage in the Regis Teaching Excellence Network Yammer Group to continue conversations between synchronous meetings.
• Submit a journal article (SOTL or discipline-based) at the end of at least two cycles of DBR.
• Collaborate with the PC to write a journal article regarding their experience in the Design-Based Research Peer Cluster Project.
• Optional: Serve as a mentor for future Peer Clusters.

• Enhance your teaching practice.
• Improve the student experience in your course.
• Establish a new professional network.
• Recognition as a Charter Member of the new Regis Teaching Excellence Network.
• Receive a LinkedIn Recommendation from the Provost.
• Receive a badge for use in email signatures, LinkedIn and other outlets.
• Experience personalized professional development.
• Add a publication to your vita.
• Membership in a community of faculty interested in improving teaching and learning at Regis University.

In this first round, any faculty member with the abilty to make changes to a course and/or how it is taught is eligible. A broad mix of faculty experience will make this a more impactful experience

1. Secure the endorsement of your Academic Dean in an email. This email will be a part of your application.
2. Write a Letter of Application and send it to provost@regis.edu that includes the following:
• Full Name
• Role in the University
• College and Program
• Explanation of why you would like to participate.
• Statement of commitment to the activities identified in the section above, As a Member, What Activities Am I Committing to by Applying to the Project?
• A preliminary description of the goal you wish to achieve by participating (e.g., implement a new teaching strategy, redesign a module, redesign a learning activity, redesign an assessment). There will be an opportunity to change this in the first meeting of your Peer Cluster.
• If you are applying with a group of colleagues, please note their names.
3. Submit your letter by 11:59pm on Thursday, October 14th, 2021.
4. Charter Members will be notified no later than Friday, October 15, 2021. Note: There are a limited number of memberships available for these RTEN Charter Peer Clusters.

Please contact Heidi Blair at hblair02@regis.edu