California State University, Northridge’s Judge Julian Beck Learning-Centered Instructional Project grant award winners will be exploring topics ranging from how to “flip” biology classes to increase student learning to creating community engagement opportunities for Asian-American studies students during the 2013-14 academic year.

These topics and others will be researched by 22 recipients of the grant. The Beck Grant selection committee, which consists of CSUN faculty from each of the nine colleges and the Delmar T. Oviatt Library, chose 11 projects that seek to provide students with opportunities to actively engage in and ultimately become responsible for their own learning.

“The Beck winners this year are a creative, hardworking group of educators, “ said Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry associate professor Paula L. Fischhaber. “I hope the CSUN students come to realize how much energy these faculty members invest in creating new classes and revamping existing ones to keep improving the curriculum.”

The goal of these grants is to provide support for faculty who are interested in improving pedagogical practices and/or creating new experiences for students to learn. The projects involve student learning outcomes and are judged on the type of impact they will make on the student experience.

The grant was first established in 1976 with funds from the Judge Julian Beck Endowment. Beck was a San Fernando Valley legislator involved in founding the campus. The grants range from $3,000 per person to $6,000 per project. The awardees receive up to three units in reassigned time.

“The emphasis on funding and supporting these types of projects demonstrates the university’s commitment to its mission of fostering student success,” said Daisy Lemus, director of faculty and professional development. “Furthermore, the fact that on average 40 projects are submitted for consideration clearly indicates that faculty are eager to continue to find ways of innovating and updating their approach to student learning.”

The selected recipients and their respective projects are:

•  David Gray (Biology):  “Evolution Evolving: Flipping Biology 322 (Evolution) to Increase Student Learning”
• Sharon Hsu (Kinesiology):  “Integration of Dartfish Motion Analysis Software to Enhance Pre-Service APE Specialists’ Competencies in Conducting Reliable Motor Assessments on and Providing Effective Video Instructional Feedback to Students with Disabilities”
• Edward Jackiewicz and James Craine (Geography): “Developing Active and Experiential Learning Exercises for Geography of the U.S.”
• Sharlene Katz and James Flynn (Electrical and Computer Engineering):  “Video Reference Library of Electronic Test and Measurement Techniques for the Laboratory”
• John Kephart, Jeanine Minge, Jessica Baty McMillan and Randy Picarelli (Communication Studies): “Training Teachers to Improve Student Learning: The Associate Program”
• Clement Lai (Asian American Studies):  “Creating High-Impact Community Engagement Opportunities for Asian American Studies Students”
• David Leitch (Political Science):  “Digital Learning Object for Academic Integrity”
• April Taylor and Leslie Echols (Child & Adolescent Development): ”Engaged and Online: Course Redesign for Student Centered Learning”
• Virginia Vandergon (Biology) and Matthew d’Alessio (Geological Sciences):  “CSUN Science Capstone for Liberal Studies Majors”
• Theresa White (Pan African Studies):  “Developing Digital ‘Storytelling’ Peer Educators to Enhance Student Learning”
• Janice Woolsey, Sarah Cathcart, Marshall Fenig, Tonya Sevilla, and Sherry Foldvary (Communication Disorders & Sciences):  “Master Clinician Workshop”

Recipients will share their findings upon completion of their projects. For more information about faculty grants, visit the Office of Faculty Development webpage.

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