The Mission of the CTLA
The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment cultivates communities of inquiry and practice to promote excellent teaching, learning, and scholarship in the liberal arts. We nurture the learning environment of ƽ by fostering conversation and reflection at the intersection of pedagogy, the scholarship of teaching and learning, instructional design, and academic technologies. We advance practices of teaching and learning that are accessible, inclusive, and grounded in the best available evidence.
Community Friday, Sept. 5: “Peer Observation of Teaching,” with Paul Hutchinson, Nicole Eikmeier, Liz Queatham, and Susan Ferguson, members of the Presidential Task Force on Evaluating Teaching Excellence
HSSC A1231
Noon–1 p.m.
Lunch buffet will open at 11:45 a.m.
Please RSVP by Aug. 26:
On Friday, Sept. 5, we welcome members from the Presidential Task Force on Evaluating Teaching Excellence who will discuss the new ƽ protocols on Peer Observation of Teaching. After providing some background on the mission and work completed by this Presidential Task Force, Paul Hutchison, Nicole Eikmeier, Liz Queathem, and Susan Ferguson will discuss the process, research, and findings about the important roles peer observation can have in a reflective and evaluative teaching practice. In addition to some group activities at the tables, we invite our audience to think about how we can change ƽ’s teaching culture to be more mutual and thoughtful in developing and evaluating teaching at all stages of an academic career.
Note the following:
- Please arrive early if possible. The lunch buffet will open at 11:45 a.m. in the multipurpose room.
- Remember to bring and use your reusable flatware to cut down on plastic waste. If you do not have a set, the CTLA will have extras available to distribute at this event.
For information about future Community Fridays, please visit the CLTA website at Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment.
New Definition of Teaching Excellence Approved by Faculty
The Presidential Task Force on Evaluating Teaching Excellence proposed that the faculty endorse a new definition of teaching excellence and recommended that the Dean of the College use this definition in faculty reviews. The following definition was approved in the spring of 2024.
| Expertise | They build, maintain, and effectively apply expertise for the courses they teach; |
|---|---|
| Inclusive Teaching | They foster inclusive and engaging learning environments; |
| Learning Goals | They clearly and effectively communicate to students learning goals and expectations that align with relevant departmental, disciplinary, or institutional learning outcomes; |
| Pedagogy | They use pedagogies that are appropriate for the learning goals and context; |
| Feedback to Students | They respond to student work in a substantive, timely, and individualized way for the purposes of information and improving the learning experiences of students; and |
| Reflection | They engage in a reflective process to enhance their teaching practices. |
