Focal point and teaching projects
Innovative pilot projects in teaching
Focal point projects
Focal point projects address issues covered in the focal point themes, apply them in example scenarios, and assess their feasibility and value in the ETH context.
Focal point themes to choose from:
- Digitalisation of Course Units
- Currently not available for selection
- AI in Teaching and Learning
- Competency-based Teaching
The following applies to focal point projects:
- Budget limit: kCHF 40
- Decision communicated after ca 1 1/2 months
- Maximum duration: 2 years
Teaching projects PAKETH-Edition
With a PAKETH teaching project, you pilot innovative solutions within degree programs that are adapted in the context of PAKETH. Compared to focus projects, PAKETH teaching projects involve more parties, are more closely coordinated between the course units, and create greater transferability for other degree programs or departments.
PAKETH teaching projects:
- are embedded in the developments of the overarching program adjustments.
- are oriented towards the development of competencies, coordinated with other learning units and can thus contribute to a better design of the workload for students.
- design the teaching and learning environment in such a way that students are actively involved in the learning process (active learning).
- establish regular and structured feedback mechanisms that support learning progress, provide orientation and contribute to the continuous improvement of learning outcomes.
- integrate performance assessments that are closely linked to the learning objectives and content of the course units and enable students to directly apply what they have learned.
- preferably work with larger course units (>=3 ECTS), focus on compulsory subjects (e.g. internships, excursions, laboratory) and involve several course units.
- include available expertise and contributions from the Teaching and Learning Office (UTL), such as advice on teaching and curriculum development, evaluation or project-based teaching.
- proactively participate in the exchange of experiences and dissemination.
Project Inspirations:
- "New guidelines for modular, project-based, and well-coordinated 'standard courses' at D-MAVT"
- "Empowering Practical Chemistry Learning with Virtual Labs towards PAKETH compliance"
- "Studio Foundations - an Integrated Design Course"
Examples of PAKETH teaching projects:
- Optimisation of the transfer of knowledge and acquisition of skills (e.g. for computational competencies) through coordination of content and methods between several courses that build on one another.
- Implementation of a project-based course unit over one semester that develops key subject-specific and transferable skills for the degree program as a whole.
- Supporting continuous learning with a distributed workload during the semester by offering extended practice sessions with automated feedback and integrated performance assessments at staggered intervals.
- Implementation of a learning and reflection program that supports the holistic development of students' skills over the course of their studies.
- Promoting activating teaching by redesigning suitable course units for block teaching with a distributed examination load.
- ...
The following applies to PAKETH-Edition teaching project applications:
- Budget limit: kCHF 90
- Decision communicated after about 3 months
- Maximum duration: 2 years
- Submission period from 1.10.2024 until 1.10.2026
IMP0RTANT
- The submission deadlines are 1 March and 1 October at 17:00 Swiss local time each year. (If a submission deadline falls on a weekend, it will be postponed to the following Monday, 17:00 Swiss local time). Therefore, the submission deadline for the Spring Semester 2025 is Monday, 3 March, at 17:00.
- Before submission please note the evaluation criteria of Focal point and Teaching projects.
- Please see the Innovedum project rights.
Workflow
Would you like a consultation?
We look forward to a personal discussion!
Departmental contact
Departmental contact person (Educational Developer)
Contact at UTL
Team Innovedum:
Completing and submitting the proposal form
- NOTE: ETH members who have at least a 50% post and a teaching assignment are eligible to apply.
- A Download preview of the required information (PDF, 148 KB) for submitting applications for Focus and Teaching Projects is available.
- The online submission of applications will be possible starting February 1, 2025, via the eResearch platform.
Please note: The submission deadlines are 1 March and 1 October at 17:00 Swiss local time each year. (If a submission deadline falls on a weekend, it will be postponed to the following Monday, 17:00 Swiss local time)
Evaluation of the proposal
1. Selection
- The formal criteria are examined.
- Referees (one from the Executive Board Teaching Commission and up to two external experts) are designated
2. Review
- Referees assess the project according to the evaluation criteria and writes a report.
- One referee prepares a report which comprises all referee assessments.
3. Executive Board Teaching Commission
- A referee presents the report and the referees’ recommendation.
- The Executive Board Teaching Commission discusses the recommendation.
- The Executive Board Teaching Commission prepares a recommendation for the Rector.
4. The Rector makes the decision.
5. The applicant is informed of the decision in writing.
Project implementation and completion
Requirements
- Interim discussion: Approximately in the middle of the project UTL will contact you for an interim discussion.
- Final report: At the project end a form for the final report must be filled in the submission system.
- You can apply to present your project at the Innovation in Learning and Teaching Fair, participation is optional.