Engaged Learning Resources

Engaged Learning Resources for UMSI Courses and Programs

This page contains information on:

• ELO In-Class Workshops

• Additional In-Class Workshop Resources:

• Industry and Community Contacts

• Boilerplate Syllabus Language for Engaged Learning Courses

• U-M Impact Area/Theme Year Course and Program Resources

• Funding for Student Project Costs

ELO In-Class Workshops

The Engaged Learning Office (ELO) offers in-class workshops to supplement subject matter course content. Faculty can request workshops around the topics of teamwork, client engagement, and project management, which are areas that have been prioritized by the ELO based on input from faculty, employers, and clients. These workshops are designed to develop students’ essential skill areas, such as communication, critical thinking, professionalism, teamwork, among others.

Multiple topics are offered (as modules) within each essential skill area, and modules are available at introductory, intermediate, and mastery levels. Content presented will align with the skill level of your class (ex: first-year, first-semester students will receive introductory content). Workshops can be between 20 minutes and 3 hours, depending on the number of modules selected. These workshops incorporate active learning components that engage students in practicing the concepts during the in-class sessions.

The ELO highly encourages faculty who teach introductory courses and mastery/capstone courses to build these sessions into their regular course schedule to ensure equitable training across the degree programs. 

Teamwork

• Module 1: Introduction to the fundamentals of teamwork

• Module 2: Team establishment

• Module 3: Team maintenance – Team roles and dynamics

• Module 4: Team maintenance – Conflict mitigation and resolution

• Module 5: Team maintenance – Feedback and review

• Module 6: Team closeout

Client Engagement

• Module 1: Introduction to the fundamentals of client engagement

• Module 2: Client relationship and project establishment

• Module 3: Client engagement maintenance

• Module 4: Client handoff and project closeout

Project Management

• Module 1: Introduction to the fundamentals of project management

• Module 2: Project initiation

• Module 3: Project planning

• Module 4: Project execution and monitoring

• Module 5: Project closeout

Request process

• Timeline: Faculty are encouraged to submit workshop requests at least two weeks before the start of the semester or academic year, whenever possible. Submissions during the academic year will be considered with one month's advance notice. 

• Process: Submit a request at umsi.info/elo-workshops

• For more information on content within each module, please contact alissat@umich.edu.  

Additional In-Class Workshop Resources:

The U-M Ginsberg Center accepts requests to prepare undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at U-M for community-engaged learning in both curricular and co-curricular settings. Interested faculty should fill out a support request form at least one month in advance. To learn more, visit https://ginsberg.umich.edu/article/prepare.  (Note that all first-year MSI/MHI students will participate in the foundational community engagement workshop in SI 500).

The U-M Center for Socially Engaged Engineering & Design offers different educational interventions on a variety of topics related to the socially engaged engineering and design, and the integration of sociotechnical content into course curriculum. These Design Skill Sessions focus on the development of skills and tools, highlighting a human(ity)-centered approach to the design of engineering solutions. Learn more at https://csed.engin.umich.edu/designsessions/.

The University of Michigan Library teaches a wide range of instructional sessions using interactive activities, directed research or lab time, library tours, and other techniques. Library instructors cover topics such as: finding, using, critically evaluating, and citing sources; accessing and using special library collections; creating posters, presentations, websites, data visualizations, zines, and more; and using graphics, audiovisual, and citation management tools. Submit a session request or learn more here: https://www.lib.umich.edu/research-and-scholarship/instruction-and-course-support/request-instruction.

Industry and Community Contacts

• Timeline: One month, preferably two to four months' advance notice.

• Services: Leverage industry and community contacts for research, course engagement, speakers, case studies, panels, and other short-term engaged learning experiences.

• More information on this topic is included on the Supplemental Course Expenses page.

Boilerplate Syllabus Language for Engaged Learning Courses

View this document for boilerplate language to add your syllabus for engaged learning courses. Text is provided on these topics:

• Share Your Work at Exposition

• Client-Based Course Representation Guidance on Resume and Professional Documents

• Funding Opportunities for Engaged Learning Course Projects

• Poster Printing Financial Support

U-M Impact Area/Theme Year Course and Program Resources

UMSI aligns with the University of Michigan's Impact Areas for a theme topic, to create a common, engaged learning experience that spans degree programs and provides access to and awareness of a social issue. Interested faculty can incorporate the following resources into their courses or projects that relate to the theme: 

• U-M Impact Area/Theme speakers

• Case studies and problem sets

• Data sets

• Theme-related course projects

• Problem statements for design and data sessions

• Subject matter experts or users 

Faculty interested in learning more or incorporating this year’s theme into their class (partially or wholly) can contact the ELO at umsi.engagement@umich.edu.

See previous theme year websites:

2024-2025 Theme Year: Future of Work

2023-2024: Water Conservation & Access

Funding for Student Project Costs

Regardless of citizenship, the Student Project Grant supports students and student groups enrolled in a degree program requiring funding for information-related work, community-based projects, or professional development. Student funding text to include in your syllabus.

Contact Information:

• ELO email: umsi.engagement@umich.edu

• Director: Kelly Kowatch (kkowatch@umich.edu)

• Senior Associate Director of Student Engagement: Alissa Talley-Pixley (alissat@umich.edu)

• ELO staff and lecturer listing

Updated July 10, 2025 - K.Kowatch