Coming soon: Lunchtime workshop (9/24) on handling classroom disruptions (see below)
Faculty Spotlight: In our inaugural Faculty Spotlight, Dr. Richard Epstein (Associate Professor, English) shares his approach to overcoming students’ preconceived notions and prejudices when teaching linguistics.
From the Bookshelf: Reconnecting Reading and Writing is a new collection of essays edited by Alice S. Horning and Elizabeth W. Kraemer that focuses on the role of reading in teaching students to write. Chapters include an overview of writing and reading programs internationally as well as writing in the digital age.
Conversation starters: At Inside Higher Ed, the question is raised as to what international learning really means.
On the Chronicle of Higher Education Blog, Judith Brown gives her thoughts on the merits and deficits of President Obama’s plan for higher education.
From the Assessment Desk: As TMAC accelerates assessment efforts for the academic year, we’ve posted a new set of resources on our site to assist both individual instructors and departments in their assessment efforts.
Featured Peer Teaching Center: In keeping with our focus on assessment, the University of Oregon Teaching Effectiveness Program features resources on assessing student learning through the use of effective learning goals and both tests and writing assignments.
Research Opportunity: Elon University is pleased to announce the 2014-2016 Center for Engaged Learning Seminar on Mentoring Undergraduate Research, a two-year research seminar that supports individuals interested in pursuing research that advances excellence in mentoring undergraduate research. We invite interested scholars from across the disciplines to submit applications to join a cohort of researchers collaborating on the study of evidenced-based, high-quality undergraduate research mentoring practices in diverse academic ecologies
Upcoming TMAC Events:
“Handling Challenging Classroom Situations” (Thursday, October 24, 12:20 – 1:20 p.m., ATG-Faculty Lounge; pizza will be served)
Join TMAC Director Bill FitzGerald and Associate Chancellor for Student Affairs Mary Beth Daisey for a workshop to discuss best practices in classroom management and how to handle challenging situations. We will review available resources and consider a range of common scenarios, e.g., students using cell-phones, arriving late or acting confrontational. We invite additional scenarios in advance you wish to see addressed. (Walk-ins welcome, but if you know you are planning come, RSVP to teaching.matters@camden.rutgers.edu for a head count.)
“Articulating Learning Goals for Your Course or Program” (Monday, November 4, 12:15 – 1:15 p.m., ATG-Faculty Lounge; pizza will be served)
Specific learning goals help students and teachers understand the purpose of a course in relation to broader departmental or program objectives. As we inch closer to meeting a University-wide expectation that all courses identify learning goals on syllabi, we will workshop how to formulate learning goals that foster student success.
“Assessing Your Assessment Plan: A Workshop for Departments and Programs” (Friday, November 15, noon – 2 p.m., ATG-Faculty Lounge; lunch will be served)
Many departments and programs have developed an assessment plan that has yet to be implemented through a full assessment cycle. But perhaps the plan itself merits revisiting in light of changed expectations and needs? This hands-on workshop allows chairs, program directors and others to take a fresh look at their present assessment plan (or refine a plan in progress).
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If you’re interested in writing or being interviewed for the Faculty Spotlight or have a link or topic you’d like to share, please email us at teaching.matters@camden.rutgers.edu.