B4A: Useful models for collaborative faculty development

Abstract

Professional development is essential for faculty to stay current with rapidly evolving statistics/data science skills and pedagogy. However, many obstacles can stand in the way of faculty pursuing development individually -- heavy workloads, limited funding, mixed availability of resources, and isolation. Collaborative faculty development groups address these barriers by fostering a supportive environment where instructors can share resources and benefit from each other’s expertise. These groups can not only enhance participants’ teaching effectiveness but also build professional networks and promote collective problem-solving. In this breakout session, participants will explore different models of collaborative faculty development, each of which might be appropriate for different goals or environments. The presenters will provide resources and examples based on their own experiences leading and participating in past groups, along with research on best practices for organizing and sustaining these groups. Through discussions and problem-solving sessions, participants will explore both benefits and challenges of collaborative faculty development. This session is open to any statistics educators interested in collaborative professional development; prior experience with learning communities is welcome but not expected. This session is aimed at helping everyone—whether potential organizers or potential community members-- get the most out of faculty development groups, without being overwhelmed by workload or frustrated by mismatched goals. Participants will leave the session with a concise planning guide, tips for joining or leading a group, and connections with colleagues interested in launching post-conference collaborations. No technology required.