ACUE Focus: Kelley Cowley

More than 153 UA - Pulaski Technical College faculty have improved their teaching practices through a program with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). This rigorous, evidence based, 25-week course engages instructors with independently validated research to improve student achievement and close equity gaps. ACUE Focus is a question and answer series where faculty share their experiences with ACUE.

Kelley Cowley
Assistant Teaching Professor of Education, Physical Education and Foundations of Literacy at UA-PTC

1. Which ACUE course did you complete?

I have completed the Effective Teaching Practice course and the micro courses: Promoting Active Learning Online and Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Online Learning Environment.

2. Why did you initially enroll in the ACUE course? And what was your experience completing the course?

I enrolled in the first ACUE course to continue improving my skills as a college instructor. A few of my colleagues were in the cohort with me, and we enjoyed discussing what we were learning and what new strategies we were implementing in our classes. It was a good accountability group! The modules were well designed and easy to maneuver through.

3. Can you describe a specific teaching practice you implemented or positive interaction you had with students as a result of your learning in the ACUE course? What did the student(s) say or do?

There were so many! I learned that it is okay to try different approaches to deliver the same message. Having student participation was a great asset from this program. ACUE offered me many ways to engage my students. I especially loved the" Parking Lot" activity. The "Parking Lot" was my office door and the students would put their sticky note in the Parking Lot. At the end of each theory, I would have my students give me feedback on what they learned or wanted to learn from the lesson. It gave them the opportunity to ask questions they may not have asked in the classroom or lab as asking questions in the classroom is sometimes very intimidating. This gave them the opportunity to ask me any questions they had. I would either answer the questions in a blackboard announcement or in the next theory class.

4. What’s one word you would use to describe your experience in the ACUE course and why?

One word I would use to describe my experience with ACUE courses is informative. Even though I am a trained educator and licensed teacher there is always something new to learn. I teach my students to have a growth mindset and I have to model this for them as well.