The Faculty-led Inquiry into Reflective and Scholarly Teaching Project (formerly known as the Peer Review of Teaching Project) is currently recruiting faculty for its fall 2021 project.

FIRST is a faculty-led professional development program that aims to engage faculty in documenting, assessing and improving student learning and performance via extensive analysis and reflection on course development, instructional strategies, classroom activities and students’ work. Over the past 25 years, more than 500 UNL faculty from at least 53 different department and 8 different colleges have participated. A unique aspect of the project is that participants are engaged in numerous cross–disciplinary conversations. Whether y teaching a large introductory course or a senior capstone design, faculty often will have many of the same issues in common. Many former participants have commented that these conversations are one of the more memorable experiences out of the project.

An overview of the project goals and what is expected of a participant is available here. To be considered for the project, please complete the survey about why you wish to participate in the program by Aug. 2. These surveys to determine program participation, which has been increasingly in demand the last few years, so please be specific in responses. Participants will be selected to represent a broad spectrum of disciplines across the campus which will have the largest impact on student learning.

Participants receive a $500 stipend for their participation and completion of the project. The focus of the project is to write a course portfolio on a Spring 2021 course.

Past participants in the first-year program are asked to contact Eve Brank and complete the survey (linked on the website) if interested in participating in the advanced project.