CTLT-Sponsored Teaching-Learning Communities Provide Support and Learning
Fall 2009
- Who:
- Faculty members committed to a collaborative model of professional growth
- What:
- Teaching-Learning Communities (TLCs) of 5-12 faculty members who read, write, and
talk about teaching-related topics of mutual interest and benefit
- When:
- 1 hour every other week during the semester
- Where:
- A location decided upon by the TLC members
- Why:
- Research on teacher cognition indicates that teachers can be energized by this kind
of interaction to refine their thinking and instructional choices
Join an Existing TLC… (click on TLC name for topic descriptions)
Blank reflective teaching journals and/or TLC selected books on pedagogy available.
Under the CTLT Teaching Community Enhancement Grant program up
to $200 is available to groups of 5 – 12 faculty members who wish to strengthen
a community of teachers by starting a TLC. The funds can be used for books or other
materials related to the topic of the TLC. Several departments have already started
Teaching-Learning Communities. If you or your department would like to join them, contact Cyndy
Ruszkowski.
Registration for this semester’s Teaching-Learning Communities are now closed.
TLCs Designed to Meet the Needs of Specific GROUPS
- Professional Development Circle for Early Career
Faculty (Claire Lamonica)
No Pre-Registration Required for this Circle
- This Circle is designed to offer faculty in their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year of teaching
at Illinois State University a combination of professional development and peer support
in the hope that those who participate will feel better prepared to meet the teaching
challenges faced by faculty early in their careers. Identify a network of supportive
peers with whom you can candidly discuss both the challenges and rewards of teaching.
For more information, including a complete list of meeting dates and topics for Fall
2009, go to http://www.teachtech.ilstu.edu/programs/pdCir.php
TLCs Based on TOPICS
- Using LiveText as a Course Management and Assessment
Tool (Melissa Christofero)
-
Are you looking for an alternative to Blackboard for course management? Already
using LiveText and you want to learn more about the tools and improve your skills?
These workshops are for instructors who are looking for a flexible and versatile
course management and assessment system or for those who are already using LiveText
to expand and develop their knowledge. LiveText's tools also provide an excellent
way for you to create and maintain your own professional and academic development
portfolio online. Here are a few of the tools we will explore:
- Workflow and document editor features
- A Personal File Manager to manage multiple external files, such as Word, Excel,
PDF, PowerPoint, audio and video files.
- Flexible student-learning data collection methods: including assessment rubrics,
forms, standards, and student-progress reporting capabilities which allow you
to compare trends and program/course effectiveness
- Course-embedded assessments and a Grade-book feature
- Discussion group and course announcement capabilities
- Using LiveText as a collaborative tool
- Effective Use of Clickers in classrooms (Cyndy
Ruszkowski)
- How do you know that your classroom clicker use is promoting effective learning?
Learn what others are doing that’s receiving praise from students, as well
as put together your own plan with information on Best Practices, a copy of “Clickers
in the Classroom” by Douglas Duncan, which we will read throughout the semester,
and a prepared worksheet. All levels of clicker users are welcome.
- Universal Design in Instructional Planning (Cyndy
Ruszkowski)
- “Diversity” is a highly relevant topic these days, and teaching effectively
to a variety of learning styles and abilities is no easy task. “Universal
Design” is a growing method used to design your teaching to include variety
and options so that students can find their own style of learning within your teaching
activities. Find out for yourself if you’ve got the “bases covered”,
or if you’re only teaching to your “typical” students who share
your personal style. We’ll include discussions on the variety of needs of students
and possibly include guest speakers. You will also receive a copy of the book Universal
Design in Higher Education, which we will read and discuss throughout
the semester.
- Reflection on Teaching (TBA)
- Discuss and reflect with colleagues what is working and not working for you in facilitating
learning for your students. This group meets informally to share and compare what
is going on with their students and in their classrooms. No teaching topic is off-limits.
Start your own group and invite your colleagues.
- Community-Engaged Classrooms (Cyndy
Ruszkowski)
- Have you considered engaging students in the community to enhance learning goals,
but were unsure how to get started? You could be impacting student education
through curriculum-based service learning, and developing students who are socially
aware and involved in the community. This TLC encourages and supports intentional
curricular activities that engage students in projects addressing human and community
needs. We will identify community agencies and organizations that have projects
suitable for student involvement. Samples of reflection assignments, planning
worksheets, community organization names and contacts, and other resources will be
provided. We also will be reading and discussing the book Partnerships
for Service-Learning: Impacts on Communities and Students throughout
the semester, which is provided at no charge for all participants.
