Semester Support Groups (SSG)
The TRIAD Coalition facilitates Semester Support Groups (SSG).
Group descriptions, expectations, and outcomes are provided below.
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FACILITATORS
Dr. Mary Emenike, Dr. Marc Muñiz, and Dr. Chaz RuggieriDESCRIPTION
An interdisciplinary group focusing on peer observation feedback using existing validated protocols (e.g., COPUS or other published protocol) to conduct 2 to 3 peer observations, reflect on received observation feedback, discuss course changes to implement based on feedback, and use observation evidence to document teaching outcomes. A background in STEM Education Research is NOT needed; however, it is expected that you are actively teaching during the semester for which you participate in this group.This group is led by Dr. Mary Emenike, an Associate Professor of Professional Practice in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Dr. Marc Muniz, an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and Dr. Chaz Ruggieri, an Associate Professor of Professional Practice in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.The group will consist of 6 to 10 participants who will meet virtually (via Zoom) four to five times throughout the semester, for 60 minutes (potential meeting days and times are given later in this application form). Participants who join the group agree to be observed 2-3 times during the semester by a peer and conduct 2-3 observations of a peer. Participants will be invited to a Canvas site, that will include all relevant articles and forms, meeting schedules, and Zoom links.GOALS
This group has been designed to meet the following goals:- Provide multiple opportunities for instructors to be observed and to observe a peer using a published (valid and reliable) observation protocol
- Support faculty in the interpretation of observation feedback and identification of potential changes to their classes based on observation feedback
- Support faculty in documenting the effects and outcomes after making changes based on observation feedback.
- Support faculty in incorporating the observation feedback and outcomes into their teaching portfolios and other documentation relevant to reappointments and promotions
OUTCOMES
Participants in this group will have the following outcomes:
- be observed by a peer 2-3 times during the semester using COPUS (Classroom Observation Protocol for Undergraduate STEM) or other protocol (e.g., LOPUS, EQUIP, PAITE)
- observe a peer 2-3 times during the semester using COPUS or other protocol (e.g., LOPUS, EQUIP, PAITE) and sharing the completed template with the observed peer and the group facilitators
- reflect on teaching practices to make class changes addressing an area of interest from the observation report
After completing in the OPTIMAL group, instructors will:- receive 2-3 COPUS observation reports from peers
- incorporate visualizations from COPUS reports and document implemented changes and evidences of outcomes into their teaching portfolio
- document their experiences with and reflections on being observed and conducting observations within their teaching portfolio
SSGs FACILITATED
Fall 2024
- 5 participants
Spring 2025
- 7 participants
Fall 2025
- current semester
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FACILITATOR
Dr. Mary EmenikeDESCRIPTION
Are you interested in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) or STEM education research, but don’t know where to start? Are you unsure how to go about collecting, analyzing, or presenting data from students, teaching assistants, or instructors? Does the term “IRB” invoke fear and/or consternation? Have you started the IRB process, but given up because of how much work it seems to be? Are you asking yourself right now: “what’s an IRB?” If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, these SoTL groups have been designed with you in mind!
While this group is designed as a continuation of Fall 2023 PASSER group, faculty who have already completed CITI training and have outlined a research project are welcome to join the Spring 2024 iteration of this group without having participated in the Fall 2023 group. If you’re interested but in doubt, please submit an application and we will reach out to you to discuss.
GOALS
The group goals for the Spring SoTL group are the following:
- participants will write and be ready to submit an entire IRB protocol (eIRB system, project description, consent forms, recruitment scripts, surveys, etc.)
- participants will form a community around shared interests in SoTL, providing support and feedback to each other as they design their research study and plan for data collection the following year
- participants will identify their own needs and be directed to resources and networks around campus for additional support (financial, collaboration, consulting, etc.)
This group will meet approximately 6-8 times during the Spring semester for 60-90 minutes per session (consensus timings and durations will be discussed among group participants), hosted as a virtual Zoom meeting unless group consensus shows a preference to meet in-person.
SSGs FACILITATED
Fall 2023
- 11 participants
Spring 2024
- 6 participants
EXTENSION & EXPANSION
The PASSER SSG has been expanded to a Faculty Affinity Network (FAN) through Rutgers’ Faculty Diversity Collaborative.
Faculty can join the SoTL FAN by creating an account at: rutgers.chronus.edu
Facilitators: Mary Emenike, Christine Cahill, Crystal Quillen
