Empowering Culture Change: Integrating Faculty Development and Assessment Through Active Learning Course Redesign

Abstract

This article explores the University of Georgia's journey towards fostering a culture of assessment by integrating educational development and assessment practices within a university-wide initiative focused on active learning. The authors discuss the challenges of shifting faculty mindsets and the importance of faculty engagement in assessment for informed curricular changes and improved educational outcomes. The manuscript presents the evolution of the University's approach, including organizational restructuring, educational development programs, and the establishment of an Active Learning Initiative. The authors delve into the impact of the initiative, particularly through the Active Learning Summer Institute and change grants, emphasizing the alignment between educational development and assessment-driven pedagogy. Highlighting the collaboration between the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Office of Assessment, we showcase the integration of assessment practices at course, program, and institutional levels. The article concludes by emphasizing the ongoing efforts to cultivate a culture of assessment and the potential for collaboration between assessment and educational development in other institutions.