1. Supporting all faculty
  2. Professional Development
  3. Faculty Learning Communities (FLC)

Faculty Learning Communities (FLC)

Faculty Learning Communities, or FLCs, are small groups — typically 6-8 people — organized around a topic or cohort. These communities have been implemented at many higher education institutions to advance faculty development through peer-to-peer development activities.

Through this initiative, faculty facilitators lead topic-based learning communities dedicated to innovating hybrid and online teaching and learning through the application of a specific pedagogy, technique, or technology.

The purpose of this program is to:

  • Provide the opportunity for peer-to-peer professional development in online and hybrid teaching and learning.
  • Introduce more faculty to online and hybrid course design.
  • Innovate and explore new pedagogies, techniques, and technologies for enhancing online and hybrid teaching and learning.
  • Create a community of practice and research around online and hybrid teaching and learning.
  • Impact the broader campus community through research and writing, workshops, and other activities and deliverables.

Throughout the academic year, facilitators will lead individual, topic-based learning communities dedicated to innovating hybrid and online teaching and learning through the application of a specific pedagogy, technique, or technology.

Those interested in becoming facilitators must apply through the Distance Learning Proposal to Create and Facilitate a Faculty Learning Community. Applicants selected to be facilitators will complete facilitator orientation and participate in a facilitator cohort that meets on a monthly basis. Facilitators will be responsible for coordinating meetings and activities for their FLC and ensuring the completion of required core deliverables. 

FLC facilitators and members will receive stipends according to their roles.

FLC Program Timeline

Each FLC is led by a facilitator. Those interested in becoming facilitators must apply through the Distance Learning Proposal to Create and Facilitate a Faculty Learning Community, outlining their topic and its potential to enhance the design and delivery of hybrid and online courses. 

Applicants selected to be facilitators will complete facilitator orientation and participate in a monthly facilitator cohort. Facilitators will be responsible for coordinating meetings and activities for their FLC and ensuring the completion of required core deliverables.

Once facilitators are selected, the Office of Distance Learning will extend an invitation for faculty, staff, and graduate students across UL Lafayette to join and take an active role in one of the FLCs. Each community will recruit up to 8 members who will meet at least monthly over the course of the academic year, participate in FLC activities, and contribute to the completion of core deliverables.

There will be an in-person orientation for all FLC members in the Fall semester. 

FLC facilitators and members will receive stipends according to their roles.

FLCs are required to meet at least monthly (with a minimum of eight meetings during the academic year). FLCs are encouraged to meet more often if necessary to achieve the core deliverables outlined below. 

FLCs are required to complete three core deliverables by the conclusion of the Spring semester:

  • Achieve the goals and deliverables identified by the FLC. 
    • These may include (but are not limited to) seminars, retreats, conference presentations, teaching projects, applications for new course designs, white papers, resource pages, webinars, Moodle resource courses, surveys, videos, blogs, vlogs, podcasts, infographics, grant applications, and publications. 
  • Give a presentation on the FLC’s activities at the FLC Showcase in the Spring semester. 
  • Disseminate results by generating content to be shared via the DL website or other relevant means.

The Office of Distance Learning will lead an evaluation of the program. All FLC members are expected to participate in the evaluation.