Centre for Learning and Teaching

Change One Thing Challenge

Winter 2023 Recipients

Instructional Podcasting in Introductory Biology

Jennifer VanDommelen, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology

Enhancing Affective Connections in Science Education: Bridging the Gap Between Laboratory and Classroom Learning Through Case Studies

Shawn Xiong, PhD, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine


Previous Grant Recipients

See information about previous grant recipients and the projects they implemented!

  • Submission Deadline
  • Focus of Grant
  • Eligibility
  • Amount of Award
  • Requirements
  • Submission Checklist
  • Submission Process
  • Selection Criteria
  • Contact

Submission Deadline

Submissions for this grant typically occur in the Winter (January-February).

Winter deadline to submit is January 20, 2025. 

Focus of Grant

The Change One Thing Challenge supports faculty who are interested in furthering their teaching and learning professional development.

This grant is an open invitation to the university teaching community to submit a description of a student engagement activity that has been developed within the last 24 months as part of their current teaching practice, and that they believe has a positive impact on student learning.

The grant recipient will receive up to $1000 to support attendance at a teaching and learning conference.

Examples of Activities

  • Collaborative assignments and projects
  • Undergraduate research experiences
  • Service learning
  • Community- or land-based learning
  • Capstone courses and projects
  • Experiential learning
  • Using technology to enhance student engagement
  • Anything that works!

Preference will be given to activities that support Dalhousie’s teaching and learning strategic priorities, including, but not limited to:

  • Advances Dalhousie’s Diversity and Inclusiveness Strategy, Indigenous Strategy, and/or African Nova Scotian Strategy
  • Incorporates Indigenous and anti-colonial approaches to learning, and/or develops deep and meaningful relationships with the people of the Mi’kmaw Nation
  • First-year undergraduate education
  • Undergraduate research
  • Experiential and work-integrated learning (including field work and community engaged learning)
  • Active learning
  • Expands global reach
  • Interdisciplinary approach

Eligibility

Full-time faculty are eligible to apply for this award. Limited term faculty and part-time academics are eligible to apply for this award if they are travelling during their dates of employment at Dalhousie.  

Preference will be given to those who have no alternative sources of funding beyond their Professional Development Allowance.  Each applicant may hold one travel grant in a single fiscal year. New applicants will be given priority over recipients of a previous Change one Thing Challenge grant.

Please note that to be eligible for this round of funding travel must be started and completed between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026. 

Amount of Award

One recipient, as determined by a review panel, will receive a Change One Thing Challenge Grant for up to $1000 to support attendance at a teaching and learning conference.

Submission Checklist

To be submitted as part of the grant application, using the Change One Thing Challenge Grant Application form. 

  • Title, name, department, contact information
  • Short 75 word biography
  • Short 150 word abstract
  • A clear goal for the activity
  • Why you developed your activity
  • Describe the impact on student learning
  • Include a short literature review on the topic (what readings inspired, informed and/or guided your decision in creating and running your activity)
  • Written submissions should be less than 2000 words

Submission Process

Grant applications must be submitted as one full package, using the Change One Thing Challenge Grant Application form. 

Electronic submission applications can be emailed to: clt@dal.ca. Unless given permission, applications must be in a single .pdf formatted document. Specifics for electronic submissions include:

  • Emails subject should be: “Change One Thing Challenge Submission [YEAR]”.
  • File name must follow the format [LAST NAME OF APPLICANT, CHANGE ONE THING CHALLENGE, YEAR].
  • Co-applicants: Indicate if you are submitting on behalf of the project lead in the email body.

If you encounter technical issues or have any questions, please contact the Centre for Learning & Teaching at clt@dal.ca or by phone at (902) 494-1622.

Selection Criteria

  • Rationalization for the activity within your teaching context
  • Clear connections in the design between student engagement and learning
  • Evidence of impact 
  • Makes clear the connection between the engagement activity and an aspect of Dalhousie's teaching and learning strategic priorities, including, but not limited to:
    • Advances Dalhousie’s Diversity and Inclusiveness Strategy, Indigenous Strategy, and/or African Nova Scotian Strategy
    • Incorporates Indigenous and anti-colonial approaches to learning, and/or develops deep and meaningful relationships with the people of the Mi’kmaw Nation
    • First-year undergraduate education
    • Undergraduate research
    • Experiential and work-integrated learning (including field work and community engaged learning)
    • Active learning
    • Expands global reach
    • Interdisciplinary approach

Contact

Any questions or requests for feedback on proposals in development may be directed to Kate Thompson (thompskm@dal.ca).