These grants provide funds for faculty to develop or apply an innovative mode or model of teaching and learning that directly supports an RIT priority. The focus area for 2012-14 academic years is applying a flipped classroom model to (re)designing all or part of a course. 

A flipped classroom (sometimes called the inverted classroom) is one in which students view a pre-recorded lecture (and related content, such as from websites) online before the scheduled class meeting and classroom time is used for discussion, problem solving, and other such activities that allow them to engage in the content at a deeper level.

These are funds for the development, adaptation, or application of a new or different teaching approach, practice, or procedure in the priority area of focus. Focus grants may range from $1,000-$5,000. 

Examples of the use for Focus grant funds include:

• Course release (reasonable, actual replacement costs for faculty members removed from teaching)
• Travel directly related to the project design and/or implementation
• Purchase of resources for project not normally provided by the department/college

Applications will be evaluated according the following criteria:

• Utility (solves a defined problem, has potential to benefit many courses/faculty)
• Creativity (is a novel approach or application, represents a new paradigm)
• Efficacy (uses an evidence-based approach, impact to student learning and/or the student experience can be demonstrated)

For more information, refer to the definition of and rubric for evaluating innovative teaching and learning.

Special consideration will be given for applications that:

• Demonstrate a new use or application of a model, system, or technology already in use at RIT

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