Academic developers are often positioned as intermediaries who wield value-neutral tools--languages, models, and techniques--in service of decidedly non-neutral institutional goals. We challenge the value of perpetuating the ideal of the neutrality of academic developers and their tools by examining the ways in which our resources and approaches…

This research study describes the experiences and perceptions of an instructor and an instructional design specialist who collaborated on the design and implementation of a university course using a new course design process. Findings uncovered differences between an informal collaboration process and the adaptation of that process for…

A personal approach to instructional development that uses teaching consultants is described and illustrated with anecdotes from the first year of one such service at a large midwestern university. This individualized approach emphasizes the particular needs, interests, and limitations of each teacher-client on a case-by-case basis. (JMD)

Discusses the role of educational development units (EDUs), which support improvement of teaching in Australian universities, focusing on the tension between the individual faculty consultation function and the unit's role at an institutional level. Suggests these two levels of action should be considered complementary and necessary. Describes…

In higher education, there is an increasing emphasis on development of discipline-specific pedagogical knowledge among faculty, whose central precept is the interconnectedness of content and teaching method. Some college and university faculty development centers have begun providing services in this area. The University of Washington's Center for…

Research on the effectiveness of specific strategies for faculty and instructional development at the college level is reviewedd, focusing on five delivery strategies: (1) workshops; (2) instructional consultation; (3) grants for instructional improvement; (4) colleague collaboration; and (5) print resources. In each case, the strategy is…

Faculty development is considered in relation to student needs through instructional development, faculty needs through personal and professional development, and the needs of the institution through a focus on organizational development. Faculty development strategies implemented at California State University, Long Beach, have addressed the need…

The development of resources for improved instruction and professional development of University of North Dakota faculty members, which was funded by the Bush Foundation, is reviewed. The primary grant activity was the creation of an Office of Instructional Development and the expansion of existing efforts to enhance the quality of instruction at…