A Teaching Test Kitchen Lab (TTKL) cohort is a small group of up to 4 faculty with
a lab leader who have identified a need or issue in the classroom from the SLO assessment
process who collectively create an action plan. The action plan will explore and improve
teaching and/or student success including student learning outcomes and assessments.
TTKL cohorts can be made up of faculty from a single department or from faculty across
disciplines.
Examples:
Create or revise a class, curriculum, program sequence, etc. to meet needs identified
by the inquiry/assessment
Design or revise an online class with an emphasis on regular and meaningful communication
with students
Create a collection of model and non-model student work aligned with a rubric
Create a shared rubric/formative assessment project
Design and start using a process that better meets student needs in any student services
area
Explore and experiment with authentic assessment
Explore and implement evidence based pedagogy (study skills, mindsets, Brain-Targeted
Teaching, etc.)
What are the goals of the TTKL project?
Improve student learning, retention, and success
Increase collaboration
Increase involvement in and understanding of assessment processes
Share effective teaching practices with the cohort and college as a whole
Close the assessment loop by synthesizing information and putting recommendations
into action
What exactly do people do in a TTKL?
Look at previous findings and recommendations from SLO assessments
Find a few sources of other existing data relevant to your topic to establish a context/rationale
Plan and create or implement your product/action
Conduct a short evaluation of the product/action, or make a plan for doing so if you
need more time
Document product/action as:
Brief written report
Brief presentation to the College
What are the required activities for team members?
Submit a time sheet
Meet at least 4 times over TTKL project period to complete all parts of the project
together:
By week 4 of the semester schedule an initial meeting with a TLC co-facilitator where
you will refine your plan, develop a timeline, and take a look at previously published
research on the issue
Meet at least 2 other times between to complete, implement, and evaluate your work.
Plan project presentation to campus.
Presentation to campus (in coordination with TLC - Inservice, ISW, Professional Development
Day, etc.)
What does the lab leader do?
Ensure that the project is moving along on schedule
Ensure that all team members are included in the collaboration
Maintain contact with TLC committee and ask for support when needed
Respond in a timely manner to communications from TLC committee
Is this a paid activity?
Yes, there are stipend of $1,500 available for TTKL lab leaders and $1,000 for lab
participants paid upon completion of TTKL activities. TTKL cohorts will be asked to
present their work to the campus after receiving their stipends.
All full-time and part-time faculty are welcome and encouraged to participate.
Please note that you are welcome to run a TTKL even if we run out of stipend allocations.
Also, some projects might have a small core group of 2 or 3 people doing most of the
work who request stipends, but others may participate in a focus group, pass out surveys,
and collect student work, etc. without committing much time or requesting compensation.
Questions or Concerns? Contact a TLC committee member!
