Baker University and ACUE today announce a partnership to drive student success through effective instruction. The program launches in September when 40 educators begin a national certificate program in evidence-based teaching practices shown to increase student achievement and course completion.
Baker University is one of seven competitive grant winners selected by the Kauffman Foundation to receive support under the KC Scholars program to implement ACUE’s Course in Effective Teaching Practices. Faculty who complete the program are awarded a nationally recognized Certificate in Effective College Instruction that is co-endorsed by ACUE and the American Council on Education.
“At Baker’s School of Professional and Graduate Studies, we strive to hire adjunct instructors who have achieved professional success within their field, as well as have the necessary academic credentials needed for quality instruction,” said Dr. Emily Ford, Interim Dean of the School of Professional & Graduate Studies at Baker University. “The ACUE certification will further enhance the ability of our instructors to deliver dynamic and engaging instruction to our students that not only improves their ability to learn, but can be applied beyond the classroom.”
ACUE’s course is based on more than three decades of research that identifies specific teaching practices that improve learning for all students, with an especially strong impact among historically underrepresented students. Baker University will implement the course among faculty teaching in the School of Professional and Graduate Studies, which serves over 1,000 adult learners.
The initiative complements the work of the Baker Academy, a four-week professional development program required for all incoming faculty. Included in this semester’s faculty cohort are three BU administrative faculty and staff going through the training with the adjuncts who will enhance their work as faculty mentors by applying ACUE course knowledge in their many faculty support roles.
“We are excited to collaborate with Baker as they engage their faculty in this additional opportunity alongside the Baker Academy work designed to fully support instructors in learning and putting into practice the evidence-based teaching practices we know improve student motivation and engagement and increase student learning,” said Penny MacCormack, chief academic officer at ACUE.
ACUE’s Course in Effective Teaching Practices is aligned with the latest research in cognition and adult learning, and it exceeds online learning standards, as certified by Quality Matters. It consists of 25 learning modules that address more than 200 evidence-based teaching practices and are organized into five units of study:
- Designing an effective course and class
- Establishing a productive learning environment
- Using active learning techniques
- Promoting higher-order thinking
- Assessing to inform instruction and promote learning
