Committee on Teaching Development

From one of the Chronicle's Brainstorm blogs comes this list of summer reading that may improve your fall teaching. There's some good stuff here.

What are you reading this summer?

Moderator: Karen Leigh-Post
Panelists: Kathy Privatt, Ken Bozeman, and Matt Michelic

The sessions opened with a quick look at the evaluation forms now in use at Lawrence. A discussion of potential evaluation comments and how they may be used to improve teaching followed.

A bibliography of articles on current thinking about the effects of gender, race and nationality on coursework and as well the impact of required vs. elective coursework was distributed at the event.

The session was recorded and is available for listening on campus only.

The CTL is, of course, the Center for Teaching and Learning and Julie Haurykiewicz has created a terrific set of teaching-related resources. Of special interest is the extensive list of online teaching development resources, including information about learning styles, mentoring, professional organizations, and podcasts!

Are you looking for a place to share great ideas about teaching and learn from fellow faculty in the context of a community of teachers?

The Committee on Teaching Development would like to invite you to join one of the teaching circles that have formed this fall. Each group listed below represents a teaching circle of 5-8 LU faculty and staff members who have just begun meeting regularly (yet informally, often over lunch, etc.). If you are interested in joining any of the circles, please e-mail the contact person for that group for more information on times/dates/topics/etc. If you have general questions about the Teaching Circles Program, please contact Julie Haurykiewicz via e-mail or by phone at x7022.

Alternative Pedagogies
The Alternative Pedagogies Teaching Circle is interested in exploring issues such as: contemplative pedagogy (relating contemplative practices [e.g., meditation] to teaching and learning); feminist pedagogy; and other unique perspectives on the process of teaching and the place of a self-reflective teacher.
Contact: Ruth Lanouette and Gene Biringer

Effective Teaching
This group is comprised of faculty who wish to share strategies for developing and reflecting on their teaching techniques. The circle plans to discuss issues such as: learning and teaching styles; alternatives to lectures; getting the most out of small group work; teaching to varied abilities/interest levels; and how to create a classroom environment which promotes active learning and engaged discussions.
Contact: Julie Haurykiewicz

Emerging Technologies
This circle is interested in the multiple uses of technology in the classroom and how technology can be used to enhance student learning. New technologies may seem daunting at first, but in the supportive environment of this circle, you'll learn to use those technologies to expand your teaching repertoire.
Contact: Julie Fricke

Freshman Studies Teaching
This circle will focus on issues relating to the teaching of Freshman Studies--including assigning and grading papers, promoting active discussion, and brainstorming responses to challenges presented by the works. New and experienced Freshman Studies instructors are welcome.
Contact: Tim Spurgin

*"Joining the Conversation": Helping Students Transition to College Intellectual Life
*The "Joining the Conversation" circle will explore how faculty can assist students in joining the intellectual/academic conversation(s) we hope that they will grow to take part in as they progress through college. In other words, this circle will consider how best to support and instruct students as we ask them to engage scholarship, find their own academic voice, and take a stand in the intellectual debates essential to liberal education. The group has begun their exploration by reading and discussing selections from authors such as Gerald Graff (/Clueless in Academe/) and examining high school writing materials (syllabi, essay assignments, graded writing samples, etc.).
Contact Dominica Chang

What: Discussion with Beth DeStasio, Chair, Committee on Individualized Learning, and members of the Committee on Teaching Development
Where: Science Hall 102
When: 4:30pm, Thursday, April 26th
Why: To address questions and provide feedback about the Committee on Individualized Learning's report and for CTD to report out on its activities during this theme year.

The session was recorded and is available for listening on campus only.

A panel discussion on strategies for assessing and grading individualized learning took place in Harper Hall on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at 4:30 p.m.

Panelists Mark Frazier, Eilene Hoft-March, Julie McQuinn, and Nancy Wall (ably moderated by Tim Spurgin) shared their expertise on assessment and grading in the context of individualized learning (tutorials, independent study, internships, applied lessons, studio classes, etc.).

The panelists addressed issues such as:
* What expectations do students bring to individualized learning experiences? What exactly should we expect from the students?
* What's the best way to handle this sort of grading? Is it a good idea to give interim grades at midterm, for example?
* What can we do to assess and improve our own work in these areas? How can we make sure we're doing a good job?

The session was recorded and is available for listening on campus only.

You can also read a summary transcript of the event.

A buffet lunch and panel discussion on strategies for managing individualized learning highlighted this event on Tuesday, November 28th.

Panelists Janet Anthony, Jeff Clark, Beth Haines, and Karen Hoffmann (ably moderated by Tim Spurgin) shared their expertise on strategies to promote positive experiences for both faculty and students in the context of individualized learning (tutorials, independent study, internships, lessons, studio classes, etc.).

The panelists addressed issues such as:
* The practical concerns of establishing these types of courses (getting registered, # of units, etc.)
* Clarifying expectations on the part of both students and faculty
* Managing the workload associated with these courses
* Support systems to help you manage individualized learning successfully for both yourself and your students

The session was recorded and is available for listening on campus only.

You can also read a summary transcript of the event.

This conference, to be held in Northfield, Minnesota on February 16-18, 2007, will bring together faculty members from liberal arts colleges to share innovations in the scholarship of teaching and learning.

From the website: "The liberal arts colleges are widely recognized for excellence in teaching and learning. Yet, the specific instructional practices that contribute to such excellence are not frequently shared publicly, nor are they often well documented.

"We welcome participation by those who would simply like to learn how their colleagues at the liberal arts colleges are engaging in the scholarship of teaching and learning, as well as by those who would like to share their own work through a paper or poster presentation."

http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/cila/InnovateConf/Innovations.htm