Experiences with the New Jersey Master Faculty Program

The New Jersey Master Faculty Program is a state-wide faculty-oriented program designed to increase teaching effectiveness and student learning. The participating faculty are grouped into pairs. One member assumes the role of observer and the other the role of observed. The roles of the members changes each semester. Six students taking an 'observed course' are selected at the beginning of the semester; three of these meet regularly with the observer and the other three with the course instructor, the 'observed'. The aim of these interviews is to investigate how students learn and what impediments they encounter in their learning process. The ultimate goal is to use the knowledge obtained from discussions with the paired faculty member and the students to enhance teaching effectiveness of the faculty involved. The author describes the Master Faculty Program, topics discussed with students, and how the program is implemented at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.<>