Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI)

Deadline for Formal Proposals: June 7, 1999
(annual June deadlines are anticipated)
Electronic submission via FastLane is required for CCLI National Dissemination proposals.

A. Purpose

The goal of the Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) program is to revitalize and improve the quality of undergraduate science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (SMET) education obtained by all students at all types of institutions.

CCLI supports projects at all levels of undergraduate education, with emphasis on introductory-level courses, curricula, and laboratories. The development and implementation of materials and approaches for multi- and interdisciplinary courses, curricula, and laboratories are especially encouraged. Such efforts should reflect collaboration among faculty members in the relevant disciplines.

B. Program Design

The CCLI program has three tracks which emphasize, respectively, the development of new educational materials and practices, the adaptation and implementation of previously developed exemplary materials and practices, and the national dissemination of exemplary materials and practices. Proposals may contain features appropriate for more than one track. However, applicants must identify on the Cover Sheet and on the Project Data Form (Form 1295) the track in which they wish their project to be reviewed.

The cross-cutting themes of teacher preparation, diversity, faculty development, and integration of technology (see page 4) should be incorporated into CCLI projects as appropriate. See page 12 for additional information for projects that place a primary emphasis on the preparation of future teachers.

In CCLI, "laboratory" includes experiences ranging from those fully integrated into teaching and learning within a course to a separate component in the curriculum. The setting may involve, for example, a field site, an observatory, a computer room, or an integrated laboratory/classroom, as well as the traditional laboratory.

Note: The "Systemic Changes in the Undergraduate Chemistry Curriculum-Adapt and Adopt" (CCLI-AA) emphasis no longer exists as a unique competition. Proposals should now be submitted through the CCLI-A&I track.

This track supports course, curriculum, and laboratory development projects that will result in innovative educational materials (e.g., electronic, print, multi-media) or equipment incorporating effective educational practices for improved student learning. Although perhaps initially conceived in local course or laboratory development, these projects are expected to address national needs in undergraduate SMET education. In particular, projects are expected to produce innovative materials of a quality and significance appropriate for national distribution, adaptation, and implementation. NSF funding provides support for the development, widespread site testing and evaluation of these materials and methods, and efforts to promote their effective implementation. The project scope may be, for example, a set of modules, a course, a series of courses, or an entire curriculum. Projects may involve a single discipline or may cut across disciplinary boundaries.

Expected outcomes of funded projects include:

• innovative materials for national distribution that have been evaluated and site-tested;
• teaching and learning strategies that have been demonstrated to be effective at diverse sites;
• effective national dissemination and faculty professional development in the use of materials and pedagogies; and
• commercial or other self-sustaining distribution of materials.

The Project Description should describe the expected outcomes and the plan to achieve them.

In addition to the projects described above, "proof-of-concept" proposals may also be submitted to the EMD track. The "proof-of-concept" will vary with projects but, in general, is expected to demonstrate the scientific, educational, and commercial merit and feasibility of an idea. The results could serve as the basis for a full development proposal and might, for example, provide a prototype product (e.g., module, video). It is also expected that results from proof-of-concept grants may attract support from funding sources other than NSF.

Expected outcomes of proof-of-concept grants are, for example:

• a prototype product or other information establishing a "proof of concept";
• a plan for full development;
• a project team/partners for full development;
• identification of test sites; and
• plans for self-sustained distribution of products, such as identification of a potential commercial publisher.

Note: Projects for adaptation and implementation of materials relating to advanced technological education should now be submitted to the ATE program (see page 16).

This track promotes the improvement of SMET education through adaptation and implementation of exemplary materials, laboratory experiences, and educational practices, in such a way that further curricular change will be catalyzed at the institution. CCLI-A&I projects should effect change within or across departments or other institutional units, by having broad faculty and administrative support.

Projects to adapt and implement high quality curricula, materials, and/or techniques might include, for example:

• the incorporation of laboratory experiments or field experiences that effectively engage students in scientific processes and exploration of scientific concepts;
• the adaptation and testing of exemplary materials for use by a student audience significantly different from the one for which they were originally developed;
• the enhancement of teaching and learning through the use of resources, particularly instructional and information technologies, demonstrated to be of high quality;
• a faculty development program in support of the curricular adaptation and implementation;
• the promotion of critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity;
• the development and use of collaborative learning, student teaching, learning communities, and other innovations that aim to improve pedagogy in courses;
• the integration of the study of pedagogy and content in core courses for prospective preK-12 teachers; or
• the improvement of the way in which postdoctoral students, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates contribute to undergraduate education, as well as their development as possible future faculty.

Project scope may range from an individual course or laboratory to a more comprehensive effort that impacts entire curricula or programs. The table on page 9 indicates the budget range based on the scope of the project. As in the former Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement (ILI) program, the requested funds may be entirely for laboratory equipment or instrumentation. However, funding requests may also include all items normally supported by NSF (see page 23).

Adaptation and effective implementation require creative efforts, and provide opportunities for evaluation of exemplary materials in alternative settings. Proposers of CCLI-A&I projects are encouraged to adapt and implement high-quality educational materials and effective educational practices developed elsewhere through NSF-funded projects or other efforts. Materials for adaptation may be drawn from more than one project.

Information about curriculum and laboratory development projects funded through DUE programs can be obtained via the DUE Project Information Resource System (see page 29). Many of these previously funded projects are in progress, and proposers may wish to contact the project PIs for further information.

For example, Systemic Changes in the Undergraduate Chemistry Curriculum and Mathematical Sciences and Their Applications Throughout the Curriculum are two NSF Initiatives that have funded large-scale, multi-year projects which are still underway. All projects involve collaborations of several institutions. Information on these projects can also be obtained through the DUE Web site or Information Center.

Expected outcomes of funded projects include:

• adaptation and implementation of innovative practices and materials for course, curriculum, or laboratory improvements;
• faculty professional development in support of educational improvements;
• initiation of efforts to build on the project, to broaden its impact, and effect continuing change at the institution within the discipline or across disciplines;
• an evaluation that informs the institution and others of the effectiveness of the implemented materials and practices, as well as informs development of the project; and
• a national model exemplifying effective implementation of practices to improve student learning and effective dissemination to the broader community.

Proposals must describe the materials and practices being adapted and the innovations required to effect the desired improvements.

An outcome of CCLI-A&I projects should be implementation that impacts the funded institution(s). Critical consideration in the review of CCLI-A&I proposals are the institutional commitment and plans to build on the project. Proposals must describe in specific terms the extent of faculty and administration support. Furthermore, the proposal must clearly describe how the project fits into departmental and institutional goals and plans.

The CCLI program discourages proposals that:

• are justified solely on the basis of financial need or increased enrollments;
• seek replacement equipment without a well-conceived plan for enhancing learning;
• provide only the basic level of support for SMET instruction needed to maintain a viable program;
• replicate an existing program without adaptation needed for the implementation site and student audience; or
• describe a project that will not serve as a basis for further change at the institution.

Special Note on CCLI-A&I Matching Requirements: In all DUE programs, requests for equipment must be matched by funds or equipment from non-Federal sources equal to or greater in value than the funds requested from NSF. In the Adaptation and Implementation track of CCLI, in recognition of the institutional commitment required to conduct successful projects and the particular benefit to the funded institution of A&I projects, the entire budget request must be matched by non-Federal resources equal to or greater in value than the funds requested of NSF. The match on the entire budget is a requirement only for CCLI-A&I projects. (See page 23 for more information on Institutional Matching Requirements.)

This track supports the national dissemination of exemplary materials and practices through the provision of opportunities for faculty professional development. Such opportunities should be designed to enable current faculty, as well as prepare future faculty, to introduce new content into undergraduate courses, to investigate effective educational practices, and to interact meaningfully with experts in the field. Funded projects could also serve to catalyze the transfer of new scientific information obtained from research projects into the undergraduate curriculum, a process that enhances the integration of research and education.

Awards will be made to organizations that are capable of providing a large-scale, national faculty development effort in a variety of disciplines and topical areas. While it is expected that the primary mechanism for such efforts will be faculty workshops and short courses, distance learning opportunities (e.g., via the Internet) and other means of dissemination are encouraged. Eligible activities are not restricted to the dissemination of results from NSF-funded projects.

It is anticipated that only a few awards will be made in CCLI-ND. Organizations considering submission of a proposal within this track should contact a DUE Program Director at (703) 306-1668. Following this initial discussion, a preliminary project description should be submitted for comment, no later than six weeks before the formal deadline of June 7, 1999. This preliminary project description of not more than 3 single-spaced pages should include a project outline, a description of personnel involved, and an approximate budget.

C. Preparation and Submission of Proposals

Please refer to Preparation and Submission of Preliminary and Formal Proposals and Proposal Review Information.

The number and size of awards will depend on the quality of the proposals received and the availability of funds. Grant duration is typically 2-3 years but may be requested for up to five years. The table below indicates an expected range of total NSF/DUE support for CCLI projects. The minimum budget request is $5,000.