Deadline for pre-proposals of 2014 Transformation Grants is March 1

2:46 p.m., Feb. 6, 2014--University of Delaware faculty members are encouraged to apply for 2014 Transformation Grants to transform education with the support of innovative uses of technology. Pre-proposals are due March 1.

This year's grant program combines resources from the Center for Teaching and Assessment of Learning (CTAL) and IT Academic Technology Services (IT-ATS) to accommodate funding requests for faculty time, graduate or undergraduate student time, software and equipment.

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Applicants are encouraged to think big, add new instructional models that are not currently available, eliminate barriers they have identified in their teaching and help define the next generation of education and technology. Suggested themes for are provided below for guidance.

Funding will be awarded on a competitive basis for proposals that best fit the goals and criteria for transforming teaching and learning through the innovative use of technology. Successful proposals will test and assess instructional techniques and technologies that have the potential to establish new practices and resources on campus, and beyond.

Grant timeline

• Jan. 9: Program was announced at Winter Faculty Institute.
• March 1: Pre-proposals are due. Use this web form to submit a pre-proposal.
• March 21: Pre-proposals will be responded to.
• April 15: Full proposals are due. Before submitting a full proposal, an approved pre-proposal is required.
• May 7: Awards will be announced.
• June 2: Project development and funding will begin.
• May 29, 2015: Project completion deadline.

Pre-proposal submission guidelines

A successful pre-proposal will convey the strength of an idea to the review committee in summary form. It’s understood that details will have to be developed for those encouraged to submit a full proposal.

For this pre-proposal stage, concisely explain the idea and emphasize its potential to be transformative. The following prompts may be helpful.

• How is the idea innovative (in the department, on campus, etc.)?
• Why is the idea important (in the department, on campus, etc.)?
• How is the idea adaptable for wider application beyond the first year of the transformation grant?
• Are there limitations or challenges that are inherent in taking on the project?

Suggested themes

Specifically welcomed are proposals that address the following themes, although proposals are not constrained to these topics.

• Advisement and first-year experience. Possibilities include developing learning analytics for an “early warning system” to provide formative feedback for students, faculty and advisers, or designing and piloting a scalable first-year seminar course in which students explicitly document their learning using e-portfolios.
• Alternative learning materials. Applications are encouraged from faculty interested in finding, vetting, remixing or designing open learning materials to replace or supplement their current textbooks (for quality, customization and affordability). Multiple alternatives can be proposed in this area such as adopting an open textbook or open educational resources (OER), replacing a textbook with a collection of materials available in University Library databases, developing an original open digital case study or getting students involved in designing a textbook alternative.
• Writing to trigger student engagement. Proposals are encouraged from faculty interested in the alignment of writing activities with increased student engagement. Possibilities include -- but are not limited to -- structuring social media to circulate and respond to student writings; creating opportunities for students to be involved in writing projects for clients outside the classroom (e.g., local non-profits); or creating a program for students to document faculty research projects.
• General education. Possibilities include creating new courses or approaches in which students demonstrate their technological competencies while fulfilling general education goals.
• Other issues and themes. Faculty are welcome to submit proposals that advance teaching in other ways.

For more detailed information, visit the 2014 Transformation Grant website.