There are two types of Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs), cohort-based and topic-based (explained below). In a 2004 survey of higher education institutions, there were 39 cohort-based FLCs and 106 topic-based FLCs in research universities.
Cox, M. & Richlin, L. (2004). New Directions for Teaching and Learning: Building Faculty Learning Communities. Vol. 97. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
- Cohort-based FLCs are composed of specific types of faculty groups, such as senior faculty, junior faculty, new faculty, mid-career faculty, future faculty, department chairs or new department chairs. Cohort-based FLCs address a broad range of teaching, learning, and/or developmental issues.
- Topic-based FLCs bring together faculty to address a specific teaching and learning issue or set of issues. Topics may be curriculum-oriented, method-oriented, or investigating student characteristics, goals, and skills.
- FLCs may invite in speakers, undertake activities, go through training together or a host of other approaches in order to learn together about a topic or cohort issue. Many topics and cohort issues have been developed across higher education. (Cox & Richlin, 2004)
Examples of Possible FLC Topics
- Ethics Across the Curriculum
- Globalizing the Curriculum
- Engaging Students in Large Classes
- Enhancing Learning with Technology
- Understanding Student Behavior to Harness Student Potential
- Enhancing Student Success with Service Learning
- Critical Thinking Skills and Academic Achievement
- Understanding and Developing an Inclusive Campus Climate
- Identifying Promising Learning-Centered Practices
- Balancing Teaching and Scholarship
- Information Literacy Within and Across Disciplines
- Engaging in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
- Mid-Career Faculty (Cohort-based FLC)
- Mentoring Undergraduate and Graduate Research
- Leading Seminars and Small Group Discussions