A preliminary model for faculty workload for a highly integrated curriculum delivered by team-based learning

We detail the process of developing a workload calculation model (WCM) for a highly integrated curriculum delivered by team-based learning, rationale for workload multipliers, and preliminary results of our effort to implement the WCM.

Our WCM includes teaching, service, and scholarship, with a time buffer. The WCM utilizes multipliers for most work activities (teaching and service). For other activities, a fixed number of hours per year was used. The WCM was set up using Microsoft Excel. The development of the WCM was an iterative process in collaboration with the school's Faculty Affairs Committee, each department, and then individually with all faculty members.

The WCM had three sections. A section each for teaching and service workload calculations and a dashboard section to summarize workload calculations per department that added in time for scholarship and a buffer calculation (to allow flexibility for faculty). Teaching included classroom, experiential, and academic advising, all of which had unique multipliers. Service included committee work at all levels and student organization advising. A fourth section for time spent at individual faculty practice sites. Calculations were kept consistent between departments for most activities.

We developed a novel WCM to accommodate all of the major areas of workload for faculty at a private institution. The unique approach to building it included representing teaching in a highly integrated curriculum delivered via team-based learning and creating a buffer category to allow for workload individualization. The WCM is actively used in our school to proactively manage workload.