Early-Career Professional Development Circles
CTLT’s Early-Career Faculty Circles offer faculty in their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year of service at ISU a combination of professional development and peer support. Join us for a series of lively conversations about surviving and thriving in the academy. “It would be easy not to do this,” commented one participant, “but if you make the time, you’ll be glad you did!”
TOPICS: Spring 2012
These topics are based on chapters in the award-winning book, What the Best College Teachers Do (Harvard UP, 2004). Early career faculty who attend the circles will be provided with copies the book, but there will NOT be “required” readings.
Choose EITHER Wednesday OR Thursday to attend. NO PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. All sessions are held in the CTLT Commons, 301 S. Main.
- Wednesday/Thursday, January 25/26; Noon-12:50pm
“What do the best college teachers know about student learning?”
- There are many ways to “teach,” but the best teachers take into account how students LEARN. In this session we will talk about teaching so students will learn.
- Wednesday/Thursday, February 8/9; Noon-12:50pm
“What do the best college teachers expect of their students?”
- Conventional wisdom says that teachers who “expect too much” get negative student evaluations, but research does not necessarily bear this out. In this session we will talk about what we can expect.
- Wednesday/Thursday, February 22/23; Noon-12:50pm
“How do the best college teachers conduct class?”
- To lecture or not to lecture? That is the question many new instructors wrestle with. But it may not be the right question. In this session we will talk about what successful lectures—and successful labs—have in common.
- Wednesday/Thursday, March 7/8; Noon-12:50pm
“How do the best college teachers treat their students?”
- Deciding “where to draw the line” … between friendliness and “being friends”; between accommodating legitimate needs and “bending over backwards” … can be a struggle. In this session we’ll talk about key concepts in interacting with students.
- Wednesday/Thursday, March 28/29; Noon-12:50pm
“How do the best college teachers evaluate their students and themselves?”
- Did you know that “Final Exam Week” is actually called the “Evaluation Period”? In this session we’ll talk about “examinations” and “evaluations.” There may be a difference!
- Friday, May 4, Noon-1:30 pm
END-OF-SEMESTER LUNCHEON for FIRST YEAR FACULTY
- First year faculty, join us for a free lunch and a chance to reflect on your first year of teaching at ISU.
QUESTIONS? Call or email Dr. Claire Lamonica, 438-7695 or cclamon@ilstu.edu.
