Instructional Technology in Teaching and Learning Grant

Grant Selection Process

The grant selection process undergoes several stages before the committee makes its final decisions.

Stage 1

Shortly after the deadline to submit proposals, the ITTL selection committee meets to review the proposal applications. The 2010-2011 committee consists of a broadly representative sample of faculty and staff from all four TCC campuses. (If you are interested in serving on the committee, please contact the ITTL Grant Selection Committee chair, Nancy Jolemore at njolemore@tcc.edu

After some discussion of the final proposals, each member of the committee provides a ranking of the proposals. Proposal are ranked according to a point system on the ITTL Grant proposal rubric. The rubric assesses proposals on a scale of one to three for four general characteristics:

1. Cost Effectiveness per Student Impact
2. Feasibility/Achievability
3. Creativity/Innovation
4. Clarity of Proposal’s Explanation

Applications that score low in all four areas and that fall into the bottom level are eliminated.The committee then moves on to the next stage.

Stage 2

No rubric is perfect. There are always subjective perceptions that allow for differing evaluations from individuals. While the rubric the committee uses is not an absolute, etched-in-stone, fool-proof formula, it does act as a set of guidelines that provide perspective for the committee members.

You can view the rubric that will be used to evaluate ITTL proposals at the following link: ITTL Proposal Rubric

Sometimes, a proposal will score low in one area and high in another area. Sometimes committee members will differ in their valuation of certain criteria. Sometimes the committee has questions regarding some aspect of the application. In such cases, the ITTL committee may ask some applicants to revise proposals that meet most of the criteria but fall short in one area. Usually this is done to ensure that certain aspects of the proposal benefit student outcomes more effectively.

Applicants will be allowed one week for their response. Revised applications will then be returned to the committee for a final review. If revisions are made to the committee's satisfaction, the process enters the next stage.

Stage 3

The remaining applications are then examined by executive administrators in the Office of Information Systems and the Office of Academic and Students Affairs. If necessary, applications are also reviewed by other appropriate offices.

Office of Information Systems Approval

All applications must meet approval by TCC's Vice-President for Information Systems. This is to verify that funded projects are achievable with the existing support services or that necessary support is included in the grant application. Applicants need not obtain this approval in advance The ITTL committee will seek it on their behalf once the initial application is submitted.

Office of Academic and Students Affairs Approval

All applications must meet approval by TCC's Vice-President for Academic and Student Affairs. This is to verify that funded projects are not being duplicated elsewhere. Applicants need not obtain this approval in advance The ITTL committee will seek it on their behalf once the initial application is submitted.

Audio Visual Approval for projects involving the purchase of a projector

For projects involving the purchase of a projector, purchases must be approved by TCC's Director of Audio Visual Services, John Morea ( jmorea@tcc.edu).  This office will use your ITTL funding to purchase a state-of-the-art projector with a bulb that is common to all of TCC's projectors. TCC will maintain the projector.  Mr. Morea will determine the cost of the projector to include in your ITTL budget request.

Human Subject Research

If the grant proposal involves human subject research, it will need to be vetted by the Institutional Review Board only after the ITTL committee has committed to funding the project. More information regarding studies and activities that require IRB approval can be found here:  http://www.tcc.edu/welcome/collegeadmin/grants/IRB/

Stage 4

After all appropriate offices have reviewed and approved the applications, the committee meets one last time to make its final decisions. Lead applicants for selected grant projects are notified and informed as to what will be expected of them throughout the year.

All applicants, whether funded or not, will be notified by email of the committees decision. Funded grant applications will be posted to the web for public viewing and reference by subsequent applicants.

All grant awardees will submit an End of Year Report in mid-April of the following year and be encouraged to present their finished project during convocation and at local, state and national conferences, i.e. New Horizons.