The Pedagogical Lab: Training Practitioners to Translate Their Industry Knowledge

Bringing the experience of C-suite executives alive in the classroom provides an invaluable opportunity for professional students. Translating this in the classroom for others to acquire tangible skills takes investment.

To ensure these insights are brought to life in the classroom, the Pedagogical Lab – a unique and immersive instructional development program for faculty at the School – was launched in Spring 2022. The Lab equips SPS faculty with classroom tools and skills that enable them to succeed as educators. 

For students, one of the unique benefits of an SPS education is being instructed by scholar-practitioners—faculty who are able to provide students with access and real-world insight into their fields. From Narrative Medicine to Construction Management, SPS faculty are the leading experts in the 18 disciplines represented by the school. The Pedagogical Lab provides comprehensive pedagogical training to help scholar-practitioners translate their industry expertise into classroom instruction.

The program was designed by Columbia’s Online Curriculum and Instruction Team (OCI). It equips faculty with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to design effective learning activities and deliver engaging courses that meet student needs.“Participants report that the keystone to the Lab is a profound gain in pedagogical strategies that can be applied immediately in the classroom, ultimately leading to confidence in their identity as SPS instructors,” said Phoebe Ballard, Assistant Dean of Academic Services and Innovation.

The Lab’s model is unique: each lecturer dedicates approximately four hours per week for 13 weeks, completing assignments designed to guide them on how they instruct. Because the Lab assignments and discussions are mostly virtual, lecturers can practice online learning tools. They also participate in live forums and workshops on topics like creating meaningful learning objectives,  facilitating engaging classroom discussions, and developing a positive classroom climate.  

Since its inception, the Lab has continued to evolve. “While the lab remains loyal to its original mission of helping SPS instructors hone their pedagogical skills, it has grown as a forum used to foster connections and create a vibrant sense of community of diverse educators within SPS. Lab participants come together and commit to challenging and encouraging one another,” says current program facilitator Betsy A. Keating. “Pragmatically, the instructional tools taught in the lab enrich both in-person and remote education: facilitating and designing learning activities; inclusive teaching and learning; assessment, rubrics, and feedback. The overall result is an inspiring and transformational atmosphere that inevitably enhances the SPS experience for students and faculty alike.”  

"The Pedagogical Lab not only provides faculty with a strong foundation in teaching pedagogy, but also facilitates the development of a community amongst the participants and their faculty instructors. Our hope is that these connections strengthen faculty's sense of belonging at the school and provide them with a network of supportive peers whom they can lean on throughout their tenure at SPS,” says Dr. Jalisha Jenifer, the Associate Director of Faculty Development at Columbia University School of Professional Studies.

Another aspect that distinguishes the Lab: How quickly feedback can be implemented in the classroom. For example, Dr. Ramone Segree, who teaches the Fundraising Fundamentals course for the M.S. in Nonprofit Management program, was able to turn one intensive final project into a series of assessments that enabled students to provide better feedback. Dr. Segree said, “I am able to guide students in developing smaller formative assessments, deconstructing summative assessments or a final project. The SPS Pedagogical Lab provided me with a line of sight and practical steps for achieving the shared student-instructor learning objectives of the final project.” 

The efficacy of the Pedagogical Lab speaks for itself: By the end of the Spring 2024 semester, over 100 faculty representing all 18 programs successfully completed the experience. Senior Director of Assessment and Faculty Development Dr. Zachary Kornhauser summarizes just how important the addition of the Lab is to SPS. “The SPS Pedagogical Lab is transforming education at the School. It offers a professional development experience tailored to the needs of our faculty ” he said. “The Pedagogical Lab has elevated the instruction provided by faculty who have engaged with the program, and has the firm potential to enrich student learning experiences across the institution and allow SPS to retain highly-qualified faculty instructors.”