STEM Faculty Development in an International Setting: Lessons Learned

In fall 2010, SUNY Empire State College was awarded an HP Catalyst grant. Through the grant, we were able to engage in joint faculty development with colleagues from St. Petersburg State Polytechnical University (SPbSPU). Twenty of our online faculty (selected from among full time STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) faculty and adjuncts) and 20 faculty from SPbSPU were each given an HP computer. Additionally, the 40 faculty participated in blended faculty development activities. Activities have included online discussion in a shared ANGEL space, face-to-face workshops on Process Education and small group projects. Faculty also completed a learning styles inventory and a self-efficacy scale for college teaching at the beginning of the project. These surveys will be given again at the end of the project in 2012. A primary advantage of the faculty development project includes potential collaboration with international STEM faculty. However, finding common interests among STEM faculty whose areas of expertise range from math education to biology to environmental studies to IS/IT, while maintaining interest in the project within and across institutions remains a challenge. In our poster, we will provide a summary of our activities, an update on the projects that are ongoing and recommendations for blended STEM faculty development.