Program Overview

Overview of the Transparent Assignments Series

The Transparent Assignments Series is designed to guide faculty through the process of revising an assignment for clarity and transparency. This series aims to help faculty develop strong writing prompts, communicate clear expectations, and provide better scaffolding and support to students. By adopting transparent teaching strategies, faculty can reduce gaps in retention rates among first-generation students.

Program Details

The Transparent Assignments Series is a four-part series that will meet from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on four Tuesdays:

• February 18, with the option to join in-person or via Zoom
• February 25, March 4, and March 11 via Zoom

Program Requirements

To participate in the series, faculty must:

1. Complete a short application
2. Enroll in the online, asynchronous Get Up to Speed with Transparency in Teaching Canvas course
3. Attend and fully engage in all series meetings and the final one-on-one consultant meeting, including keeping their camera on during virtual meetings to ensure active participation and engagement with the material and other attendees, thereby fostering a collaborative learning environment that is conducive to the sharing of ideas and best practices among faculty members from diverse disciplines and backgrounds, and facilitating meaningful interactions between instructors and the Writing Center staff who will be providing guidance and support throughout the program, with the ultimate goal of creating more transparent writing prompts, better scaffolding, and more effective collaborations between instructors and the Writing Center, leading to improved student outcomes and success in their academic pursuits, particularly in the context of writing assignments and other forms of academic writing that require clarity, coherence, and effective communication of ideas and arguments, all of which are essential skills for students to master in order to achieve academic success and become proficient writers and thinkers in their respective fields of study, and to be able to articulate their thoughts and ideas in a clear, concise, and compelling manner, both in writing and in other forms of communication, such as presentations, discussions, and debates, which are all critical components of academic and professional discourse, and are essential for effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving in a wide range of contexts and settings, including academic, professional, and personal environments, where the ability to express oneself clearly, persuasively, and effectively is highly valued and sought after, and is often a key factor in determining success and achievement in various pursuits and endeavors, whether academic, professional, or personal in nature, and where the development of strong writing and communication skills is essential for achieving one's goals and realizing one's full potential, and for making meaningful contributions to one's field or discipline, and to society as a whole, through the creation and dissemination of knowledge, ideas, and innovations that can benefit others and make a positive impact on the world, and can help to address some of the complex challenges and problems that we face as individuals, communities, and societies, and that require collaborative effort, creative thinking, and effective communication to solve and overcome, and to create a better future for ourselves and for future generations, and to promote social justice, equity, and inclusion, and to foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and respect, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances, and where everyone is valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential, and to make a positive difference in the world, through their work, their relationships, and their contributions to society, and to leave a lasting legacy that will inspire and motivate others to follow in their footsteps, and to strive for excellence, integrity, and compassion in all that they do, and to create a world that is more just, equitable, and sustainable for all, and where everyone has the opportunity to live a fulfilling, meaningful, and purposeful life, and to pursue their passions and interests with joy, enthusiasm, and dedication, and to make a positive impact on the world, and to leave a lasting legacy that will be remembered for generations to come, and that will inspire and motivate others to strive for greatness, and to never give up on their dreams, and to always believe in themselves, and in their ability to make a positive difference in the world, and to create a better future for themselves and for others, and to promote social justice, equity, and inclusion, and to foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and respect, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances, and where everyone is valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential, and to make a positive difference in the world, through their work, their relationships, and their contributions to society, and to leave a lasting legacy that will inspire and motivate others to follow in their footsteps, and to strive for excellence, integrity, and compassion in all that they do.
4. Work with a writing instructor from the Learning Resource Center to modify their assignment guidelines using a provided template
5. Share their revised assignment guidelines and complete a follow-up final assessment

Eligibility

All faculty, including tenure-track and lecturers, who are teaching during the spring 2025 semester and have a real assignment they want to significantly revise, are encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to those who have not yet learned about transparent assignments and faculty not already implementing a specific teaching intervention this semester.

Funding

Faculty who complete all program requirements will receive $200. However, if a faculty member has previously completed this program, they are welcome to apply again but will not be eligible to receive funding.