What is AAD?
AAD is an open-access educational resource (OER) of peer reviewed assignments and a related community of practice created by Professor Andrea Williams of the University of Toronto. AAD is a searchable database of exemplary assignments and related teaching materials (syllabi, rubrics, and teaching activities) from across the disciplines. Thanks to support from assignment contributors, reviewers, and an advisory group that includes faculty, librarians, educational developers, students, and an evolving project team, AAD is becoming a valuable resource for instructors at the University of Toronto and beyond.
Project Rationale
Because assignments play a key role in student learning, AAD aims to inspire and support instructors in creating effective assignments by providing exemplars that they can use or adapt in their courses. AAD recognizes the work that goes into designing assignments, so contributions are credited to instructor-authors willing to share their assignments. To ensure that the databse includes high quality assignments and to build a commnuity of practice around assignment design, contributions are peer-reviewed: instructors have a virtual conversation with reviewers to discuss possible ways they can improve their assignment submissions.
Funding
The AAD project is funded by a University of Toronto Learning & Education Advancement Fund (LEAF) grant. LEAF grants aim to enhance the undergraduate learning experience through ongoing recognition, development, and implementation of high-impact teaching practices, including innovation in assignment design.
How can you contribute?
Students may nominate assignments from any university or college courses they've taken and instructors, librarians, educational developers, and learning strategists may nominate colleagues' assignments.
Instructors and librarians, including graduate students, please submit one or more of your assignments that you think would be a good contribution.
All current and former University of Toronto instructors (including graduate students), libarians, and educational developers may serve as reviewers.
Please contact al.williams@utoronto.ca for questions or more information.
About the Database
AAD is housed on T-Space, a University of Toronto Libraries platform.
Click below to visit the AAD repository.
The Peer Review Process
Assignment submissions are reviewed by a multi-disciplinary committee of faculty, librarians, educational developers, and graduate students. Click below to see the peer review criteria.
News and Resources
News
Coming soon!
Resources
CMU Eberly Center - Common Assessment Terms
WAC Clearinghouse - Faculty Tip Sheets
FLIP Curric - Powerful Assessment Exemplars
TILT Higher Ed - Examples and Resources
Project Team
Andrea Williams
Dr. Andrea L. Williams, the creator of AAD, is Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, at the University of Toronto. Professor Williams directs Writing-Integrated Teaching (WIT) in the Faculty of Arts & Science and is a faculty member in Writing & Rhetoric at Innis College. She is a writing and rhetoric researcher who has published on writing assignments in chemistry, economics, and biology and is committed to promoting equity in higher education through accessible and transparent assignments.
Erin Vearncombe
Dr. Erin K. Vearncombe is an Assistant Professor in Writing-Integrated Teaching (WIT) in the Faculty of Arts & Science at the University of Toronto. Erin has worked to enhance the first-year learning experience specifically, designing and leading the Faculty's ArriveReady to Write initiative and providing disciplinary writing support for the First-Year Learning Communities (FLC) program. Her particular interest is in course and assignment design that centres learners as active, equal participants in the creation of meaning and knowledge.
Hujma Chowdhury
Hujma Chowdhury is currently doing her Masters of Information concentrating in Library Information Science, Archives and Records Management at the University of Toronto. After stumbling upon the AAD project as a work-study position she quickly fell in love with its mission of maximizing student learning experiences and academic success. As a fellow student who has completed her fair share of uninspiring assignments, she hopes to grow the AAD goals and repository for future generations to come.
Vivien Pham
Vivien Pham is a work-study student for this project. She is also a graduate student in the Master of Information program concentrating her studies in Knowledge Management and Information Management, as well as Library and Information Science. She is excited to be a part of AAD because she believes it would be worthwhile to have open digital access to meaningful past assignments that will enhance students' learning. She is specifically interested in widening access to resources that will help the U of T community meet their information needs.
Phoebe Uguy
Phoebe Uguy is also a work-study student for this project and is currently studying Physics and Philosophy. She has a broad interest in the mechanics and structures of education and learning at all levels, which was the initial reason she became interested in the AAD project. She would love to see AAD become an important and worthwhile resource in aiding the betterment of student learning experiences.