Engaging Exploration
What is Engaging Exploration (EE)?
EE is a 4-day bootcamp designed for faculty who are new to active learning. It is held 3 times each summer.
- You'll dive in with a look at the benefits of student-centered learning, review several active learning techniques, demonstrates how to incorporate them into your classroom, and how to assess your teaching effectiveness.
- The capstone is a 20-minute teaching tidbit presentation which you prepare and present, and ends with a group discussion and feedback session.
Engaging Exploration is a deep dive into active learning that will keep you engaged from start to finish and leave you with a toolkit you can immediately apply to elevate your teaching.
Why Take EE?
The concept of this workshop was created by the Poorvu Center for Teaching & Learning at Yale University. This bootcamp is very hands-on, with student-centered learning techniques in action throughout the workshop. Our TLC team developed the curriculum for the Engaging Exploration workshop series, and focuses on:
- Outlining the importance & benefits of inclusive teaching
- Highlighting education research on active learning
- Introducing several active learning techniques
- Offering guidelines on integrating these techniques in the classroom
- Modeling effective assessment
The curriculum is delivered through activities such as
- reflective writing
- planning
- reading
- a discussion of teaching methods and philosophy, and
- interactive presentations.
How would I benefit from taking EE?
By the end of the 4-day Engaging Exploration workshop, you will observe, evaluate and collect a portfolio of innovative teaching approaches, instructional materials, and practical strategies for enhancing student learning you can immediately apply to your teaching environments. It's also an opportunity to share ideas and techniques with colleagues and network during the bootcamp.
Results for instructors who have completed EE show an improvement in mean IDEA student satisfaction scores of .18, and a decrease in their mean DFQ rates of 5.07%, clearly demonstrating a positive impact on both student success and student satisfaction.
A $500 stipend will be awarded to participants upon completion of the workshop. Refer to Sam Houston State University's stipend policy for eligibility requirements.
Facilitator Applications
Facilitator applications are currently closed.
Interested in attending?
Registration for the 2026 summer bootcamps are closed. Applications for summer 2027 will open in January, 2027.
Contact the TLC
Visit Us
The Teaching & Learning Center, 1901 Avenue I, The College of Humanities & Social Sciences (CHSS) Building, Suite C002, Huntsville, TX 77340
Mailing: The Teaching & Learning Center, Box 2390, Huntsville, TX 77341-2390