1. Terry Mouchayleh, Ph.D. Tarrant County College District
Supporting a Culture of Research Among Two-Year College Faculty: the Mastery of Teaching Institute
Terry Mouchayleh, Ph.D.
Tarrant County College District

3. Faculty Development
Workshops Technology Training Conference Travel Teaching Retreats Mentoring

4. But What If ?

6. The Myths
Community college faculty cannot or will not do substantive research. If these faculty could do that kind of research, they would be at a university where such activities are required and financially rewarded. Community college faculty could do research but would not do it unless they were paid to do so.

7. Myth Busting
Five faculty from across the district meet to design the TCC Mastery of Teaching Institute (MTI).

8. Resulting Proposal
The MTI is an opportunity for faculty to spend a year to research, analyze, and implement results of a new pedagogical technique or student success strategy.* Faculty from across the district apply to participate. Seven to ten faculty participants are in each yearly cohort. Faculty participants research topics of their own choice. With the support of a TLA facilitator and a rep from the Institutional Research department, participants in this institute meet monthly for a year with their cohort.

9. Resulting Proposal Cont’d
They receive no compensation for their work, other than the promise of financial support for necessary software, journal subscriptions, and research-related travel.
At the end of the year, each participant writes up a report on the results, to be shared with the entire institution. The reports are internally published in the Mastery of Teaching Institute Journal of Research in Higher Education.

10. Cohort #1 Eleven participants Two dropped out
Total of $5000 was spent on software, travel, an editor, other materials

11. Cohort #1 Topics
Using Active Learning and Critical Thinking to Increase Retention in Biology
Effective Evaluation of Online Instructors Through the Use of an Operational Rubric
Study of Inappropriate Use of Technology in the Classroom
The Influence of Kinesiology Activity Classes on Academic Achievement
Using an Assessment Model in Computer Sciences Courses to Increase Student Success and Retention

12. Cohort #1 Topics Cont’d
Examining the Impact of Course Scheduling on Student Success and Retention Rates in Financial Accounting and Macroeconomics Courses
Learning Cultural Competency through Team-Teaching
Measuring Engagement Strategies to Determine What Works Best To Activate Success and Retention
Pretesting Anatomy and Physiology Students as an Indicator of Student Success

13. Cohort #2
Ten participants Two dropped out No funds spent so far

14. Cohort #2 Topics Art Courses as Therapy for Victims of Trauma/Stress
Effectiveness of Publishers' Online Resources Purchased by Students Compared to Open Educational Resources free to the Student
Mindfulness and its Effects on Learning and Productivity
Using Math Manipulatives with Adult Learners

15. Cohort #2 Topics Cont’d
The Socratic Questioning technique and its Effects on Critical Thinking Skills and Learning
The Effects of Student Contracts on Student Engagement
The Creation of a Biography-Based History Primers and their effect on Student Engagement

17. Lessons Learned
Don’t assume that faculty are policy and process experts.
Encourage faculty to meet with their administration to discuss research ideas.
Expect all levels of research and writing skills.
Provide strong structure and hard deadlines.
Coordinate with Institutional Research.
Hire an editor for the reports.
Plan for participants present at Academic events and to the Board of Trustees.

18. Best Surprise
MTI Fellows: Tier II

19. Questions?