UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 39, Page 7
August 20, 1992
Rustic retreat encourages educators to cooperate

     Wakonse is the Lakota Indian word for "teach" or "inspire." For
the past three years, a Wakonse Conference on College Teaching has
been held at a rustic setting on the wooded shores of Lake Michigan
for faculty from across the country, representing all disciplines.
     Judy Greene, associate director of the University's Center for
Teaching Effectiveness (CTE), first heard of the Wakonse Conference at
a professional meeting where the keynote speaker was Bill Bondeson, a
philosophy professor from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and a
founder of the conference. He and colleagues from the University of
Missouri, including Joe Johnston, who chairs the planning committee,
felt the need for a conference with an emphasis on teaching, where
faculty from several schools could gather together and learn from each
other.
     As CTE learned more about Wakonse, enthusiasm grew. With the
advisory board's approval, a nucleus of faculty members was selected
to attend the 1992 conference early this summer. University atttendees
were Araya Debessay, accounting; David R. Frey, plant and soil
science; Claire M. Nanis, music; James Soles, political science and
international relations; and Julie M. Wilgen, individual and family
studies. They, in turn, will share their experiences with other
University faculty, and the possibility of establishing a Wakonse
Conference East is under consideration, Greene said.
     The Wakonse founders chose a retreat setting for the conference,
with the goal of binding the participants together and also keeping
costs at a reasonable level. Participation went beyond discussion,
with everyone sharing their talents or helping out with chores, such
as gathering wood for the fireplace in the main lounge, a favorite
gathering place. Nanis, for example, played the piano and taught folk
dancing. She also played the organ for an outside interdenominational
church service. "It was beautiful," she recalled, "but so cold that I
played with gloves on."
     Soles was selected to help plan and officiate as master of
ceremonies at the closing exercises.
     The reaction of the University faculty who attended was
enthusiastic. All said the conference was worthwhile and gave them a
renewed dedication to teaching.
     Soles praised the format of the conference. Unlike academic
conferences with a program of presentations and papers, everyone
participated, sharing and demonstrating teaching methods and
approaches that they have found effective. They also critiqued each
other.
     "There is no such thing as a 'cookie cutter' good college
teacher. People adapt themselves to teaching in their own ways, but
good teachers have some traits in common. They want to share what they
have learned; they experiment, sometimes successfully, sometimes
unsuccessfully; and they learn from each other," Soles said.
     For Wilgin, the interaction with faculty from other schools and
other disciplines was energizing, and the surroundings were
regenerating. "We discussed how teaching and learning take place
outside as well as inside the classroom, and how effective teaching is
integrated into students' lives. Pedagogical issues, such as
incorporating internationalization and diversity into teaching, were
also topics," she said.
     Debessay said that he has been a teacher for several years and
yet learned teaching techniques that he intends to integrate into his
courses next semester, to more fully involve students and to encourage
critical thinking. He said he found it extremely beneficial to be with
other academics who were tuned into teaching and eager to exchange
viewpoints.
     For Frey, the fact that the whole focus of the conference was on
teaching was important. The group was fairly representative, with
those new to teaching and those who had been teaching for several
years. "I also learned that Delaware is in the forefront in offering
opportunities for improving teaching," Frey said.
     Nanis said the emphasis on teaching, and the bonding and sharing
that took place in the isolated and beautiful setting were wonderful.
People from large and small schools were represented. "Delaware is
fortunate because of the many excellent programs available about
teaching, through CTE, but the intensity of the Wakonse program
contributed to its effectiveness, and I hope Delaware can offer a
similar program," she said
     Meantime, next year's Wakonse program is in place, and in the
spirit of the conference, many of the changes are those proposed by
this year's participants.
                                        -Sue Swyers Moncure