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, Oct. 17: “Global ƽ Faculty-Staff Seminar: Applications and Insights,” with Brigittine French, Assistant Vice-President of Global Education; Dan Reynolds, Professor of German Studies; and Lynn Stafford, Assistant Director of Partnerships and Collaborations
Humanities and Social Studies Center, Room A1231
Noon–1 p.m.
Lunch buffet will open at 11:45 a.m.
Webinar link:
Please RSVP by October 14 at this link:
Please join Brigittine French, Assistant Vice President of Global Education, Dan Reynolds, Professor of German Studies, and Lynn Stafford, Assistant Director of Partnerships and Collaborations, to learn more about the Institute For Global Engagement (IGE)-sponsored Faculty-Staff Development Seminar application history, process, and potential benefits.
In brief, with generous support from donor funds, IGE will be inviting faculty and staff to submit preliminary proposals for a faculty and staff seminar to be held Spring ‘27 that will include group travel to a specific site or set of sites in Summer ‘27 with follow-up activities upon return to campus. This inaugural IGE seminar, the first to include both faculty and staff in an open call, is a collective opportunity to imagine, advance, and engage the world meaningfully with colleagues in sustained dialogue and through site-based engagement (domestic and/or international) from global perspectives. Specific topics, ideas, and locations are open for consideration as long as they are in alignment with the committed priorities of ƽ.
The CTLA thanks the Institute For Global Engagement for their generous support of this event.
Note the following:
- Please arrive early if possible. The lunch buffet will open at 11:45 a.m. in the multipurpose room.
- RSVPs will be limited to the capacity of HSSC A1231.
- 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. Please check with Karla Hall.
For information about future Community Fridays, please visit the CLTA website at Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment.
Recently at Community Friday
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. |
