2022-23 ACUE Application FAQ
What instructors can apply?
The ACUE course is open to all U of T continuing appointment faculty in both the Tenure Stream and the Teaching Stream. Priority will be given to pre-tenure and pre-promotion faculty. Anecdotal evidence suggests that instructors with at least two years’ experience teaching at U of T find significant benefit from taking the course.
Do instructors have to be teaching at the time of taking the course?
To be nominated, faculty must be teaching in the Fall 2022 and/or Winter 2023 term. The ACUE course is designed so that participants learn, implement, reflect upon, and refine their use of evidence-based teaching techniques and approaches as they work through the modules.
Is the instructor’s Department or Unit expected to contribute to the $800 cost of participating in the program?
The structure of the program was developed such that Units show their support for their participating faculty by contributing the $800 which partially covers the cost of the course.
Are instructors who have already participated in an ACUE course eligible to reapply to take part in the course again?
You are not eligible to reapply if you have already taken the course.
Who should submit the nomination if an instructor is cross appointed to two departments?
Instructors should request that both unit heads submit a separate nomination, which will be combined during the adjudication process.
Does the ACUE course address teaching across all disciplines?
The ACUE curriculum is appropriate for faculty who teach in any discipline.
What is a realistic expectation of a time commitment for the ACUE course?
To allow sufficient space in an instructor’s schedule for this course, it is recommended that faculty be able to commit up to 3 hours per week for module work. There are week-long breaks embedded in the course. Bi-monthly 90-minute webinars/workshops are also part of the course.
What type of coursework does the ACUE program involve?
Faculty will complete mandatory modules and have numerous opportunities to receive support from U of T facilitators and build community with colleagues in their cohort. Here are some key tasks and activities:
- complete all required 25 modules in the ACUE course that are comprised of weekly readings, videos that provide examples of instructional practices in action, implementation resources, and reflections.
- implement teaching practices during the time of the course; in some cases, faculty may choose to ‘Plan to Implement’ in a future course.
- participate in bi-monthly webinars/workshops with course facilitators and cohort members focusing on courses modules (in-person and remote, dependent on U of T direction).
What topics do the ACUE Course Modules cover?
For more information see ACUE’s Effective Teaching Practices Framework.
How long will participants have access to ACUE course resources?
Course takers will have access to all ACUE modules and resources for at least 3 years.
Will the ACUE course be offered again next year?
The University of Toronto’s partnership with ACUE includes a plan to continue to be able to offer opportunities for instructors to earn the Certificate in Effective University Instruction, and we are quite confident that instructors will have the opportunity to participate in another cohort in 2023- 24.
“This was a great course. I have been teaching for over 20 years and still learned a ton – principles and practices that are not just relevant to online teaching but to teaching in-person as well. I have already recommended to my Dean that all junior faculty should be asked to take this course. I wish I had had it 20 years ago!”
(Faculty participant, 2021-22)
If you would like to discuss in more detail if now is the right time for you to participate in this professional development opportunity, please reach out to cora.mccloy@utoronto.ca.
For general information on the program or how to apply, please contact kelly.gordon@utoronto.ca.