ACTL
Greetings from the Center for Teaching & Learning.
I hope that winter term has begun well for you.
Almost 23 years ago Arthur Chickering and Zelda Gamson proposed their Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education[1]. Good practice in undergraduate education:
- encourages contact between students and faculty,
- develops reciprocity and cooperation among students,
- encourages active learning,
- gives prompt feedback,
- emphasizes time on task,
- communicates high expectations, and
- respects diverse talents and ways of learning.
Obviously we have learned a lot about teaching and learning since the late 1980's, but I still find it valuable to reflect on what I do on a daily basis, out of habit, in my classroom in light of these recommendations.
Of course, perhaps because over two decades have passed, we understand the importance of some of these principles even better today. It is evident, for example, that we would like to incorporate more active learning pedagogies into our classrooms. Fortunately several of our colleagues are willing to share some of their techniques with us! On Wednesday 2 December (at 3:45 in the Wilson Center) and again on Thursday 3 December (at 10:30 in Evald 17) ACTL will be sponsoring an Active Learning Workshop. Amanda Baugous, Deb Bracke, Paul Croll, Kristin Douglas, Mike Schroeder, Lori Scott and Cyrus Zargar will be presenting a wide variety of active learning techniques they have been using in their classes. (We'll be repeating the session in order to accommodate as many people as we can.)
Check the ACTL website (http://moodle.augustana.edu/course/view.php?id=538#section-2) for more information. I'll be sure to send out a reminder at the beginning of week three, as the dates approach. You can always check the Calendar of Events for upcoming teaching-oriented and professional development offerings. In the meantime, have a great (short) week and a
Happy Thanksgiving!
[1] Available at http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/7princip.htm