Reimagining Faculty Development: Enhancing the FEP online experience
The Faculty Development team at AO Foundation has refreshed the online component of the AO Faculty Education Program (FEP), making it more interactive, learner centered, and practice oriented, while keeping the highly valued face to face faculty workshop exactly as it is.
The FEP has always been a blended program, combining online preparation with in person training. What is new is the redesigned online experience, which now plays an even stronger role in preparing faculty for meaningful, hands on learning during the workshop.
What has changed—and what has not
The in person FEP faculty workshop has not changed. It remains a highly effective, practice focused experience that consistently receives excellent feedback. Its strength lies in giving faculty the time and space to apply skills, practice teaching, and learn from peers and facilitators.
What has evolved is the pre learning component, which has been fully updated to better support participants before they arrive at the face to face event. The new online modules are more engaging, interactive, and scenario based, allowing participants to explore core concepts at their own pace and arrive better prepared to make the most of the workshop.
Pilot event: strengthening preparation through interactive pre learning
The refreshed FEP online modules were piloted on April 7–8, 2026 in Pacengo, Italy. Over a six week period, participants completed five structured online modules designed to build foundational faculty development skills ahead of the in person workshop.
This approach allowed valuable face to face time to focus almost entirely on practice and application, including delivering lectures, facilitating small group learning, and leading practical exercises—rather than introducing theory.
Participant feedback
“A big thanks to the faculty and all the lovely participants. It was truly a great experience.”
“Many thanks to everybody! Not only to the teachers but also to my classmates. It has been a wonderful experience.”
“Scenarios felt very realistic.”
“Brilliant explanation of 7 principles of education.”
“Kept the trick of learning process well.”
“The graphics used were exceptionally well-designed and greatly enhanced the learning experience.”
About the updated FEP online modules
The enhanced FEP online package is designed to prepare learners to get the most out of the faculty workshop by introducing core concepts through interactive learning steps, realistic scenarios, reflection, and practical tools.
The updated modules include:
Principles of Teaching and Learning Essentials*
Explores how and why adults learn, linking educational theory to real teaching situations and emphasizing learner centered approaches.
Feedback Essentials*
Provides practical strategies and tools for delivering effective, constructive feedback in clinical and educational settings.
Assessment and Evaluation Essentials*
Introduces key frameworks for assessing learner progress, evaluating teaching effectiveness, and supporting continuous improvement.
Teaching for AO
Explores the role and responsibilities of AO faculty, connecting personal commitment with AO values, ethics, and educational standards.
FEP Preparation Package
Supports faculty in connecting online learning with the face to face workshop, focusing on collaborative teaching, reflective practice, and continuous development across teaching formats.
The * symbol indicates Faculty Development Essentials modules.
Faculty Development Essentials: part of the FEP—and beyond
The three Faculty Development Essentials modules* play a central role in the new FEP design, but they are not limited to FEP participants.
To expand access to high quality faculty development, these modules are also available as standalone learning opportunities for AO members who:
- are unable to commit to a full FEP due to time constraints, or
- cannot secure a place on an FEP due to limited capacity.
Any AO member can register for the Faculty Development Essentials modules and benefit from structured, high quality learning in core teaching skills—regardless of participation in an FEP.
However, completion of the Essentials modules alone does not constitute FEP completion. To be formally considered FEP trained, faculty must complete the entire program, including both the online modules and the in person faculty workshop.
A flexible and future ready faculty development model
By enhancing the online component of an already successful blended program, the Faculty Development team is strengthening the impact, reach, and flexibility of the FEP, while preserving the face to face workshop that faculty value so highly.
Additional regional pilots will run throughout the year, supporting continuous improvement and global relevance. From 2027 onwards, all FEPs will incorporate the new online modules as a standard component of the program, ensuring consistent, high quality faculty preparation across the AO community.
This approach ensures that AO faculty can access meaningful development opportunities in different ways, at different stages of their teaching journey, without compromising educational quality.