The Faculty Institute of Teaching (FIT) provides the opportunity for instructors to enhance their teaching to support student learning. The intent is to make a real difference in how faculty approach teaching, to save time in teaching preparations, to achieve learning outcomes, and above all to put faculty in a position to assume their UVic teaching responsibilities with increased competence and confidence.
About the program
This program is accredited through the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
FIT is composed of three separate but linked components that must be taken in the following sequence (does not need to be taken in the same year):
- Faculty Institute of Teaching (FIT 1) – Summer and/or Fall
- Faculty Institute of Teaching (FIT 2) – Spring
- Faculty Institute of Teaching (FIT 3) – December
About FIT 1
- The first component focuses on learning-centred course design that adheres the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), beginning with writing strong achievable intended learning outcomes (ILOs), then developing authentic assessments that align with ILOs, and finally designing appropriate instructional strategies that are active, varied, and student-centred.
- Offered for 3-hours per week for ten weeks (30 hours) from September to November. There is an also a summer Intensive offering in August.
- All faculty are welcome, but priority will be given to research and teaching stream faculty who are new to the university and/or to teaching.
- Other UVic instructors may also attend including limited term lecturers and continuing and term sessionals as space permits.
- The waiting list will be opened up at least two weeks prior to the start of the program if space is available.
- FIT is not open to graduate students, if interested consider taking the LATHE program.
About FIT 2
- The second component addresses the question: how do we know and show that our teaching is helping students learn?
- Concentrates on scholarly research, teaching observations, and a teaching dossier that promotes an evidence-based approach.
- FIT 2 Spring will be offered for ten weeks (also 30 hours), three hours per week, from January to March.
About FIT 3
- The third component investigates educational leadership. What is it, what does it look like, and how does one engage in educational leadership at the local, national, and international level?
- Through readings, guest speakers, a project, and presentation, participants will engage fully with the many facets of educational leadership in post-secondary education.
- FIT 3 is offered as an intensive week-long program in December each year.
When you complete FIT 1, you receive a letter from the Director of Teaching Excellence from the Division of Learning and Teaching Support and Innovation confirming completion. Upon completion of FIT 2, you receive a certificate. When FIT 3 is complete, you receive a letter of acknowledgement from the Executive Director of the Division of Learning and Teaching Support and Innovation and recognition on our website.
How will this help me
This institute positions you to assume your UVic responsibilities with increased competence and confidence. It will save you time in your teaching preparations and improve your satisfaction with the intended learning outcomes of your students. Throughout the program, you will contribute to colleagues’ teaching through an interdisciplinary community of practice.
From left: Terry Poucette, Public Administration; Sara Humphreys, English; Yakine Bahri, Mathematics and Statistics; Muhammad Awais, Mathematics and Statistics; Ilamparithi Thirumarai Chelvan, Electrical & Computer Engineering; Deniz Unsal, Anthropology; and Christopher Eagle, Mathematics and Statistics. Not in photo: Nadia Kulikova, Educational Psychology and Leadership.
Future offerings
This program is under review.
