Role reversal: Faculty become students through unique fellowship

Change is hard. So, faculty must become learners in the new active-learning methods before they can effectively teach them. Five faculty from the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis serve as active-learning fellows. The program, funded by a grant from the Song-Brown Health Care Workforce Training Act, provides instructors with tablets and support in developing active-learning lessons, ultimately sharing their knowledge throughout the school.

“This fellowship aims to support our faculty to break out of their comfort zones to design lessons that engage in new and innovative ways,” explains Elizabeth Rice, associate dean for clinical education and practice.

Leadership and curriculum staff members lead faculty in specialized targeted training through workshops on designing lesson plans for active learning and working out logistical challenges in the space. The goal is to create experiences in which students are engaged and leave the classroom feeling they’ve learned something and are part of the process.