Customized Institute
2-4 days

Minimum: 24 participants from host school

This type of event allows an institution to customize the agenda to meet its specific needs. Progress can be made on specific issues related to assessment, core curriculum and curricular design, educational technology, learning to learn, enhancing the teaching process, retention, and academic strategic planning.

Topics: context-specific issues, institutional advancement, teaching strategies, strategic planning, cultural change, General Education, grant writing

Program Assessment Institute
2 days

This event supports departments and programs in their efforts to create a quality assessment system. Participants will leave with a draft of an assessment system which includes and incorporates a quality measuring system, an assessment component, and an evaluation system. Participants should work in a team (of 2-4 persons) with others from their particular program or department.

Topics:

The measuring system: assess current effectiveness, program goals, clear performance criteria for the program, identify key processes

The evaluation component: creating an annual program evaluation process and plan, set standards and accountability, reporting systems

The assessment component: identify strengths of a program and areas for improvement, identify assessors for each performance area

Teaching Institute
3 days

Minimum: 24 participants from host school
Maximum: 50 participants from all schools

This institute is the most common form of institute. Participants from different institutions and discipline backgrounds make for a rich and dynamic learning environment. In addition to the main topics covered, a great deal of flexibility exists to address specific issues important to participants.

Topics: Process Education overview, classroom facilitation, assessment techniques, curriculum design, learning tools, teaching tools, self-assessment

Curriculum Design Institute
4 days

This institute is for those who want to design and create course curricula to support active-learning and cooperative teams, strengthen critical thinking skills, and enhance students’ learning skills. Participants will develop and assess activities for use with students.

Topics: Learning outcomes, performance criteria, long-term behaviors, course assessment system, creating methodologies, creating an effective syllabus, integrating learning skills into the curriculum, designing activities (active learning)

Interactive Learning System Institute
4 days

This institute involves integrating learning theory, curriculum design concepts, and the use of current technologies. Participants explore how to effectively use technological tools to enhance the quality of teaching and learning processes. Faculty involved with Web-based courses and distance learning will find this Institute especially valuable.

Topics:

Content design: Learning Process Methodology, knowledge maps, syllabi

Activity design: activity setup, creating methodologies, writing quality critical thinking questions, designing a classroom activity

Assessment: designing course assessment and evaluation systems, designing performance criteria, the Assessment Methodology

Tools/resources: Web design, course management systems, authoring shells, etc.

Discipline-specific Institute
2-4 days

Faculty from around the country within a certain discipline area are brought together to address Process Education issues relevant to that discipline area. Examples of past discipline-specific institutes include: chemistry, nursing, developmental mathematics, and engineering.

Topics: Process Education issues relevant to a specific discipline

 Advanced Teaching Institute
4 days

Each year Pacific Crest schedules at least one Advanced Teaching Institute. Participants must have attended a three-day Teaching Institute as a prerequisite for registering for this event. 

Topics: various aspects of assessment, supporting an educational change process, facilitation, research, personal growth, levels of knowledge