Cutting Edge > Classroom Observation Project > Wider Supplement Participation Applicaton

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Certified observers can access the private workspace.

Observation and Travel Stipend Applications

Note: You must be a certified Cutting Edge RTOP observer to qualify for this grant.

Beginning in late 2012, the WIDER supplemental grant allows On the Cutting Edge to provide $200 observation stipends to certified RTOP observers. Stipends are available for observers who complete observations and submit all required data (including the pre-observation interview, a copy of the course syllabus, and an annotated score sheet with observer reflections; it also involves ensuring that the instructor who was observed completes the participant survey form). A limited number of travel stipends are also available to observers who are willing to travel to perform additional observations.

Please obtain approval before making the observations. Preference will be given to those observations that will help fill gaps in the demographic characteristics of our dataset. Fortunately for you, there are several eligible criteria that place a course or instructor on the preferred list, for example, we encourage you to consider:
  • Sophomore/Junior/Senior courses for geoscience majors such as structural geology, mineralogy, geophysics etc.
  • Courses taught by early- or mid-career faculty
  • Medium (31-79 students) or large (80+ students) classes
  • Courses taught at 2-year or primarily undergraduate institutions.


Cutting Edge staff are available to work with you to help set up the observations and to identify potential instructors for observations in your region. Please begin this process by filling out the form below. Once you have completed the form, we will first determine if the suggested observations fill gaps in the dataset.

For individual observations, we will work with you to schedule the observation. After all data, including the participant survey have been submitted, you will receive the $200 payment. There is no minimum or maximum number of observations for an individual observer, however, you must receive approval for each observation. You will not receive funds if you did not receive approval prior to making the observation.

Travel stipends are available for two to three day trips that will yield 10 observations. Please indicate below the area you would like to visit and the faculty there you think will be amenable to observation. We will then work with you to schedule these observations and to identify and schedule other observations bringing the total to 10. Once all 10 observations are scheduled we will make travel arrangements for you. Your 10 observations will also qualify for the individual stipends listed above, so upon completion of your ten observations, you will receive a $2000 stipend in addition to your travel stipend (up to $500 for car or $1200 for air).







Observation Details






Timing
When do you plan on making your observations (check all that apply)?










Special characteristics
In an effort to make our dataset more robust, we are particularly interested in collecting observations from a particular demograpic. Please select all of the attributes your observation plan may fulfill.










I acknowledge that: If I am chosen to receive supplemental funding from the WIDER grant, I agree to make all observations using the agreed upon schedule schedule. I understand that I will receive $200 payment upon receipt of complete data for the observation. I understand that for travel stipends, additional faculty observations will be scheduled to meet the 10 observation quota. I understand that I must complete at least 10 observations over the course of 2-3 days to receive my $2000 stipend and travel reimbursement.