The FLOSS program is an opportunity to become a member of a supportive community of peers with a shared interest in teaching and learning, and to receive guidance, training, and experience with research-based approaches for active learning and inclusion.

Additionally, FLOSS participants will receive stipends of $500-$1000 (depending on participation) for completing the Fall 2021 workshop series.

Participants in our Spring 2021 program unanimously agreed that FLOSS achieved our goals of:

1. Building a community of faculty

2. Introducing skills/techniques that you can apply in your classroom

3. Understanding of students' academic and/or social barriers to learning

4. Engaging with critical pedagogical theory (how students learn)

Spring participants were also unanimous in recommending the program for other faculty, noting the helpfulness of inter-campus community-building, the usefulness of specific tools/strategies for classroom use, and the excellence of the guest speakers/facilitators.

Participants will be asked to:

1. Actively prepare for, attend, and participate in online workshops

2. Thoughtfully engage with asynchronous activities

3. Complete before/after surveys to provide feedback on program experience and success

There will be eight 2-hour workshops spread over Fall 2021. These workshops will primarily be online and synchronous, but we may hold one or two in-person sessions if COVID and wildfire-season conditions permit. Between each workshop, participants will engage in asynchronous assignments, reflections, readings, and/or feedback sessions. The exact number of hours spent on FLOSS activities will vary between participants.

Workshops will be primarily held online in Fall 2021, however 1-2 in-person sessions may be held later in the semester if COVID and wildfire-seasons conditions permit. Meetings will include a combination of short talks from expert guest speakers, small group discussions, and interactive workshop activities to encourage active engagement and deeper understanding.

Workshops descriptions from our Spring 2021 program are listed on the Workshops page. The Fall 2021 program will be similar, subject to change based on participant feedback and interest. Sample topics from the workshops include:

Recognizing and Combating Unconscious Bias

Using Inclusive Language

Student Metacognition and Self-directed Learning

Course Design

Active Learning Strategies

1. To foster, in faculty participants, a deeper understanding of the academic and social barriers to learning in their students.

2. To provide faculty participants with critical pedagogical theory (how students learn) and with practices to promote deeper learning and greater engagement in diverse student learners.

3. To improve the classroom experience and increase student achievement while reducing existing equity gaps.

By the end of the FLOSS program, participants will:

1. Be able to incorporate research-based and inclusive pedagogical practices into their teaching.

2. Develop new, learner-centered course materials.

3. Become a part of a community with shared interests in teaching and learning, with the ability to share resources, support, and feedback. These collaborations may lead to opportunities to engage in or collaborate on pedagogical research leading to presentations and publications.

Participation in FLOSS can also be included in retention/tenure/promotion materials, both as professional development for teaching and as an activity promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom.

We'd love to hear from you!

Contact us at floss@berkeley.edu