Inquiry Group Overview

Summary:

The TLC is excited to host inquiry groups for faculty, staff, and students at Swarthmore. Inquiry groups are semester-long cohorts that meet to discuss a shared topic of interest throughout the semester. With the support of the TLC, groups share the results of their inquiry with the campus community by leading a pedagogy lunch, developing a resource or document, or another format. Inquiry groups provide an opportunity for the Swarthmore community to explore important topics related to teaching and learning with colleagues and students with whom they might otherwise not have the chance to collaborate.

Structure:

• 1-2 inquiry group leaders
  • Leaders do not need prior expertise in the chosen inquiry area or topic, as these groups are designed for collaborative inquiry and discussion
  • Leaders will be responsible for guiding the group (if needed) in initial discussion topics and questions in addition to sending reminders to the group about meeting times, locations, and agenda items
• Horizontal and collaborative
  • Inquiry groups are designed to be collaborative and as horizontal as possible in which all members are encouraged to bring suggested discussion topics, readings, etc. to the meetings
    • If you need any materials for your group, let the TLC know
  • Groups can also discuss the possibilities of changing facilitators each meeting. The structure and methods of the group can be discussed and decided by members together - likely at the first meeting

Time and Work Commitments:

• 1 kick-off meeting with the TLC and all inquiry groups present at the beginning of the semester and 1 wrap-up meeting with everyone present at the end of the semester
• Each inquiry group will meet at least 3 times during the semester
• Planning an additional meeting or format to share the result of the inquiry group’s discussions (likely sometime in the following semester)

Funding and Support:

• Inquiry group participants can apply for funds (up to $750) to support academic year teaching and learning innovations/projects/events. Inquiry group leaders will have priority access to these funds to support projects related to their inquiry group topics.
• TLC will cover materials for all the inquiry groups.
• TLC will cover lunch at the DCC (or equivalent) for all inquiry group participants.
• The TLC Program Coordinator will attend at least one of the inquiry group’s meetings throughout the semester to check-in, contribute, and learn what everyone’s doing.