News, Events, Annual Report

VITAL Minigrant Program 2025-2026: Call for Proposals by 2/14

VITAL invites faculty to submit proposals in support of engaged, inclusive, technology-enhanced student learning. The internal grant program’s purpose is to enrich undergraduate and graduate learning and teaching at Villanova. The Call for Proposals (CFP) provides grant criteria, offers educational areas of interest, and outlines the application process in detail.

Faculty are encouraged to contact Gabriele Bauer with proposal ideas before submitting a full proposal. Projects that focus on the enrichment of graduate courses/programs are particularly invited.
Program details, past grant recipients, and CFP

Faculty Sponsorship to Attend Conference on Teaching Excellence at Temple University, January 8-9, 2025 

The in-person conference will explore new and tried-and-true approaches to sustaining student engagement in today’s evolving educational landscape. Focus areas: (1) Application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and integrative course design with Dr. Thomas Tobin; and (2) Effective use of A.I. tools in teaching with Dr. José Antonio Bowen. 

VITAL will support up to eight faculty colleagues across disciplines to attend the conference. Sponsored faculty are asked to (1) join a VITAL virtual post-conference discussion; and (2) share with Villanova teaching community a conference take-away, i.e., a teaching practice that supports student learning; this may occur as part of a VITAL and/or department program during spring 2025. Please note. Sponsorship applies to both days. Faculty who were sponsored in the past two years are not eligible to apply.

If you are interested in attending this conference, please complete the online interest form by Thu., 11/21.

Link to conference site
Link to conference program
Link to sponsored Villanova faculty

Election Week Resources

VITALITY: Connecting with Students During Election Week, 10/30/2024

Sr. Vice Provost, Strategies for Managing Discussion of Current Events, 10/28/2024
Sr. Vice Provost, Communication Regarding Election Resources, 10/28/2024

Update on A.I. at Villanova University   

Updates on A.I. at Villanova, R. Weinstein, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning (VPTL), 5/22/2024
Update on A.I. at Villanova, R. Weinstein, VPTL, 1/3/2024

Teaching in the Age of A.I. Selected general and Villanova University resources
VITALITY: Strategies to consider if you suspect A.I. misuse in your course 2/2024
                The State-of-the-Discussion on A.I. and Teaching at Villanova 9/2024

Faculty Focus Live: Offers research-based teaching tips to boost your creativity and motivation hosted by Magna Publications. Current episode: Streamline Your Teaching and Workload with A.I.

Villanova's Next Generation Learning Management System  

Introducing Villanova's next generation learning management system (LMS), D2L Brightspace, a mobile-friendly LMS that supports modern pedagogical practices and teaching innovation. Please consult this website for timelines and pertinent updates. 

The VPTL in partnership with UNIT-IT and VITAL constituted a Brightspace Faculty Early Adopter Advisory Group that built elements of one of their courses in Brightspace this summer. The eleven faculty represented all colleges and served in an advisory capacity to UNIT-IT, VITAL, and VPTL in preparation for university-wide LMS implementation, summer 2026. Dr. Maria L. Lenardon, Associate Teaching Professor, Spanish, serves as VITAL Brightspace for Learning Fellow this fall. 

LMS Selection Update, R. Weinstein, VPTL, 10/2023

Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning Academic Updates

Fall 2024 Academic Updates, R. Weinstein, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning (VPTL), 8/5/2024

Book and Course Material Adoptions for Spring 2025, R. Weinstein, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning (VPTL), 10/07/2024

Test Proctoring and Testing Accommodations

Consult this recorded session (9/5/24) to learn how to better support your students with test proctoring needs and become familiar with the Villanova Test Centers. Facilitated by Learning Support Services (LSS) and The Office for Access & Disability Services (ADS).

All Required Course Materials: Villanova Textbook Access Program  

All required course materials must be entered into the Follett Discover tool in Blackboard (login, select tools in the left menu, and select Follett Discover). Students in the textbook access program receive required texts/access codes as part of a fixed fee. Do not have students purchase materials on their own if they are part of this program. Direct them to the bookstore for assistance if they have issues and make sure your materials are in the online system.

Details and FAQs for students and faculty
Resource to help students make informed decisions about whether participation in the Textbook Access Program is the best choice for their circumstances.
Communication from Craig Wheeland, Senior Vice Provost for Academics, 2/19/24

VITALITY: VITAL Teaching Ideas with Focus on Mental Health

This two-part series highlights the importance of making mental health visible in their teaching and the steps faculty can take to make this a reality in their courses. It also offers sample dialogue that faculty might use to support students' mental well-being.

Part I: Making Mental Health Visible in Class
Part II: Talking with Students About Mental Health in Class

Access past VITALITY issues

Teaching Podcasts

Social Learning Amplified: Brings candid conversations with educators who are finding new ways to engage students inside and outside the class. Each episode will give you real-life examples and practical strategies you can put into practice in your own courses. Hosted by Eric Mazur, internationally recognized educational innovator in Social Learning and Peer Instruction.

Dead Ideas in Teaching and Learning: Guests share discoveries of “dead ideas”—ideas that are not true but that are often widely believed and embedded in the pedagogical choices we make. Hosted by Catherine Ross, CTL, Columbia University

Faculty Focus Live: Offers research-based teaching tips to boost your creativity and motivation hosted by Magna Publications. Current episode: Unlocking Teaching Excellence: Strategies for Growth

Intentional Teaching with Derek Bruff: Aimed at faculty to help them develop foundational teaching skills and explore new ideas in teaching.

Tea for Teaching: Series of discussions of innovative and effective practices in teaching and learning. Hosted by State University of New York at Oswego.

Teaching in Higher Ed: Explores the art and science of being more effective at facilitating learning. Hosted by B. Stachowiak, Vangard University, CA.

On Cultivating Student Engagement in Higher Ed: Features faculty and course designers using creative approaches to enhance students' learning experiences and turn engagement "ON".  Hosted by Dr. Kathryn Berkow, University of Delaware.

Student Support Services

Faculty can now find all student support services on our campus unified on one website focused on supporting and elevating students, and assisting them in applying their learning through a multitude of academic services to support students in their academic success, wellbeing, and post-graduate careers. 

How to Make Your Teaching More Inclusive, Chronicle of Higher Education

Want to reach all of your students? This guide considers how faculty can provide a learning environment and engage in communication that reaches all of their students. The teaching resource introduces key principles of Inclusive Teaching, offers ways to interact inclusively with students, provides approaches to Inclusive Course Design, and suggests ways to evaluate your inclusive teaching methods. Link to article.

Self-Paced, Online Program: Making Your Course Accessible in LMS

As you are aware, accessibility is a critical factor in students' success. How can you check and ensure that your course materials are accessible? What do you need to consider? We invite you to take this online self-paced program, Making Your Course Accessible in LMS. Co-developed by VITAL and LSS, the program establishes the legal framework for accessibility in education, articulates why we need to address accessibility issues proactively in our courses, and demonstrates how to create ADA-compliant courses in LMS. Please click on course enrollment to enroll in this online program offered in Bridge. 
Link to more details

Villanova Policy Library

The Villanova Policy Library (VPL) assists faculty, staff and students in better understanding the many University policies and procedures. The University Compliance Office continues to feature compliance-related policies. For example, the Academic Integrity Policy sets expectations for honest academic work and provides for equitable administrative procedures to address suspected violations of Villanova’s Code of Academic Integrity. Access VPL through MyNova.

Innovative Teaching at Villanova 

Link to Innovative Teaching site