New Faculty Programs

Dartmouth's Course Design Institute (CDI) introduces an integrated course design process that promotes student-centered teaching and learning. This process can be used to develop a new course or redesign an existing course. While CDI may be most valuable for faculty who are new to Dartmouth, it is suitable for anyone interested in course design.

Self-Paced Course

CDI content (short videos, readings, additional resources) is freely available on Canvas to all Dartmouth users for asynchronous self-study, and includes modules on:

• How Learning Works
• Course Design Foundations & Learning Outcomes
• Assessment
• Assignments & Activities

Enroll in Self-Paced CDI Canvas Course

Live Institute

DCAL offers a live, facilitated Course Design Institute using a flipped format three times per year–in July, December, and March. Participants work through the self-study Canvas content independently before attending the live sessions. With support from a cohort of peers and guidance from CDI facilitators, participants practice applying the concepts from the asynchronous content to their own course designs during the live sessions.

During the live sessions, participants:

• Apply evidence-based principles of learning to the design of a course
• Write course learning outcomes and learning outcomes for at least one course unit
• Create an assessment plan for formative and summative aspects of the course
• Consider learning activities and assignments that address the course objectives.

The total estimated time required to participate in the live institute, including completing the asynchronous content and attending synchronous sessions, is 10-12 hours. Participants must apply to attend a particular offering of the live institute. Participation is limited to instructors teaching curricular academic courses at Dartmouth. Instructors of non-academic courses are encouraged to enroll in the CDI self-study option above. Each live institute is limited to 15 participants. Priority consideration will be given to applicants whose courses will run soonest.

The next live institute will take place in December 2022. Details and application coming soon. 

Participants have described their CDI experiences this way:      

"It's a great way to make substantive progress on your course, be introduced to best practices, and build relationships with other faculty on campus.  DO IT!"

"It was fantastic – a great opportunity to think carefully about teaching with caring experts on teaching."

"It may seem like a lot of time, but it's way better than learning everything we covered the hard way through three months (or three years!) of trial and error!"

Dartmouth's New Faculty Orientation to Teaching aims to provide useful information and introductions to help you get started successfully in your teaching role at Dartmouth. Facilitated by the Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning (DCAL), the Orientation to Teaching is designed to complement other welcome and orientation sessions (with your department, the Dean of the Faculty, and Office of Human Resources) that you might attend as you begin your work at the College. 

At Dartmouth's New Faculty Orientation to Teaching, participants will:

• Discover resources and support for teaching
• Hear from faculty colleagues about teaching at Dartmouth
• Meet people who can support your teaching
• Meet other new faculty 
• Get excited and more relaxed about teaching at Dartmouth

This event is intended for faculty new to Dartmouth each year, or who will begin teaching at Dartmouth in the academic year. If you are unsure whether this event is suitable for you, please contact us to inquire at dcal@dartmouth.edu.

The 2022 Orientation to Teaching took place on August 2. View materials and recordings here.

Inclusive Pathways for Advancement in the Academy (IPAA) is a faculty development, onboarding, and retention initiative that invites Dartmouth's newest scholars into a space that allows them to deepen their sense of community as they explore and enrich their identities as teachers and scholars.

Designed and led by a cohort of colleagues in DCAL, IDE, ITC, and GrantGPS, IPAA has worked with new faculty members (defined as people who have joined Dartmouth in the last three years) since 2018.

Program Overview

Throughout the program, IPAA participants:

• Explore the intersections of identity, community, teaching, and scholarship
• Engage in community with peers and institutional leaders
• Develop a research timeline and grant map
• Identify relevant internal and external funding sources
• Articulate their teaching philosophies and beliefs
• Establish a plan to integrate evidence-based practices into their teaching
• Connect with Dartmouth resources and services available to support them

Program Dates

IPPA is held during the winter each year. The next program dates will be announced in fall 2022.

Campus Partners

Office of Institutional Diversity & Equity (IDE); Campus Climate and Culture Initiative (C3I); GrantGPS; Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning (DCAL); and Information, Technology, & Consulting (ITC)