Independent Center Research

The Experience of Faculty Development: Patterns of Variation in Conceptions of Teaching

This project explores how early career faculty experience change in their teaching approaches and conceptions.

Light, G., & Calkins, S. (2008). The experience of faculty development: Patterns of variation in conceptions of teaching. International Journal for Academic Development,13(1),17–30. (Link to publisher website)

Micari, M., Light, G., Calkins, S., & Streitwieser, B. (2007). Assessment beyond performance: Phenomenography in educational evaluation. American Journal of Evaluation,28(4),458-476. (PDF)

The Experience of Faculty Development: Patterns of Variation in Conceptions of Teaching

Drawing on interview transcripts from 25 early career faculty, this study

• adapts a phenomenographic model of faculty conceptions of teaching to a U.S. setting
• examines this conceptual frame as an evaluation tool
• maps the basic patterns of change over a year
• addresses the implications for faculty development