Fund for Innovation and Research into Learning and Teaching (Finlo)
In line with its
Learning and Teaching policy, Stellenbosch University established the Fund for Innovation and Research into Learning and Teaching (Finlo), hereafter referred to as Finlo, in 2005 in order to encourage a culture of innovation and reflection in learning, teaching and assessment at the University. The fund provides an opportunity for lecturers to innovate, evaluate effective practices and processes, and to investigate learning and teaching problems, solutions and trends. It also provides a mechanism for the dissemination of results designed to improve the quality of learning, teaching and assessment. Any lecturer, team of lecturers or Centre responsible for learning, teaching and assessment, may apply for an award.
In ooreenstemming met sy Onderrig-en-Leerbeleid, het die Universiteit Stellenbosch die Fonds vir Innovasie en Navorsing in Leer en Onderrig (Finlo) hierna verwys as Finlo, in 2005 opgestel ten einde 'n kultuur van innovering en besinning oor leer en onderrig by die Universiteit aan te moedig. Die Fonds verskaf 'n geleentheid vir dosente om te innoveer, doeltreffende praktyke en prosesse te evalueer, en leer, onderrig en assessering -probleme, oplossings en -prosesse te ondersoek. Dit bied ook 'n meganisme vir die beskikbaarstelling van resultate wat ontwerp is om die gehalte van leer, onderrig en assessering te verbeter. Enige dosent, dosentespan of sentrum verantwoordelik vir leer, onderrig en assessering kan vir 'n toekenning aansoek doen.
Ngokuhambelana
nomgaqo-nkqubo wayo wokuFundisa nokuFunda, iYunivesithi yaseStellenbosch yaye yamisela iNgxowa-mali yoBuchule noPhando ngokujoliswe ekuFundeni nasekuFundiseni (Finlo) ngo-2005 ukuze ikhuthaze inkcubeko yobuchule nembonakaliso ekufundeni nasekufundiseni kuyo iYunivesithi. Loo ngxowa-mali ibonelela ngethuba lokuba abahlohli basebenzise ubuchule, bavavanye imisebenzi neenkqubo ezisebenzayo, nokuba baphande iingxaki, izisombululo nokuxhaphakileyo ekufundeni nasekufundiseni. Ikwabonelela ngendlela yokuhanjiswa kweziphumo eyilelwe ukuphucula umgangatho wokufundisa nokufunda. Namphi na umhlohli, iqela labahlohli okanye iZiko elinoxanduva lokufunda nokufundisa, lingafaka isicelo sewonga.
Finlo awards are made twice a year by a subcommittee of the Committee for Learning and Teaching. Proposals are funded up to a maximum of R60 000.
See
here for the Regulations for the Management of the Fund for Innovation and Research in Learning and Teaching (Finlo) [
currently under review]. All applications are considered by the
Finlo Committee:
-
Dr Nicoline Herman, Deputy Director: Centre for Teaching and Learning, nherman@sun.ac.za
-
Dr Jean Farmer, Finlo Project Manager. Advisor: Centre for Teaching and Learning, finlo@sun.ac.za
-
Dr Faaiz Gierdien, Curriculum Studies, Faculty of Education, faaiz@sun.ac.za
-
Dr Taryn Bernard, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences,
tbernard@sun.ac.za
-
Dr JP Bosman, Director: Centre for Learning Technologies, jpbosman@sun.ac.za
-
Prof Ashraf Kagee, Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences,
skagee@sun.ac.za
- Dr Elize Archer, Head of Simulation and Clinical Skills Unit, Centre for Health Professions Education, elizea@sun.ac.za
How to Apply for Finlo Awards:
SU academic and support staff are invited to submit proposals for funding of research and innovation projects which
enhance learning, teaching and assessment at SU. Proposals highlighting, but not limited to, the following themes are invited:
-
Innovative assessment at SU. Assessment for learning is integral to enhancing student experience and engagement. How might you show that assessment is important to you and your students?
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Curriculum / Programme / Module renewal. Invigorating, investigating and interrogating efforts for renewal reflect your commitment and indicate that your teaching matters at SU.
-
Decolonisation and/or Social Justice in learning and teaching at SU. Ensuring that our graduates exit the institution as critical citizens and change agents means that our teaching must reflect the SU graduate attributes.
-
Augmented Remote Teaching Learning and Assessment (ARTLA), Hybrid and Blended Learning. Given the unique context of the pandemic, and other emergent factors contributing to electronic teaching, learning and assessment, proposals that explore aspects and dimensions of this context are encouraged.
-
Globally Networked Learning. Projects aligned to and emphasising the SU strategic vision of building effective collaborations through partnerships and networks with international institutions and contributing to excellence in learning, teaching and assessment. Examples include virtual exchanges or collaborative online international learning. Such projects may apply for additional funding and require additional consultations between the applicant and SU International.
-
Inter-/multi-/transdisciplinary research and innovation of T&L&A. Investigating and reimagining the intersection of disciplines through joint innovation or research projects. Sharing, integrating and building knowledge around teaching, learning and assessment practices leading to diverse lines of inquiry.
To apply, complete the 2023 application form electronically
here (will be available shortly). Only applications made on this electronic form will be considered. You can view an inactive pdf version of the application form
here.
You should pay special attention to the guidelines and criteria for the application for Finlo funding, available
here.
How to Report on Finlo Awards:
Use this
template to report on your Finlo project
How to get Support for Finlo Projects:
In support of Finlo projects, the university offers writing retreats. Writing retreats offer dedicated time, away from the office, for Finlo-related writing of proposals or publications. These retreats usually take place during May and November for both new and experienced teaching, learning and assessment researchers. For more information about about Writing retreats,
click here.
Academics can also contact the CTL advisor in their faculty for support with Finlo applications.
Click here for your advisor's contact details.
Some Finlo Successes:
Video streaming to aid neurology training 
Thanks to funding provided by Stellenbosch University's (SU) Fund for Innovation and Research into Learning and Teaching (Finlo), video-conferencing facilities and off-site neurology training can now be implemented at three clinical learning centres across the Western Cape.
For a list of previous Finlo-recipients and their contact details,
click here.
