UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 1, Page 3
September 1, 1994
Sharing the best; Center focuses on innovative methodology

     Teaching is at the core of the University, and its commitment to
support and improve teaching is demonstrated in part by the Center for
Teaching Effectiveness (CTE), according to Judy Greene, who became
center director July 1.
     The center had its beginnings in the 1960s, when the University
was one of the first schools to have an instructional grants program
to enhance faculty teaching. In 1986, then provost L. Leon Campbell
was instrumental in establishing the center in its current form.
     Greene said the center's use has grown from approximately 90
faculty participants that first year to more than 400 last year. It
offers a variety of services-from brown-bag seminars to departmental
and individual consultations-to both faculty and graduate teaching
assistants.
     "Teaching is an ongoing and learning profession, and experienced
faculty members known for their teaching skills participate in our
programs as well as beginners," Greene pointed out. "One plus to our
programs is that the center is a focal point for faculty from across
campus and different disciplines to interact and get to know each
other. In many instances, CTE acts as a facilitator, connecting
faculty who have common interests in different aspects of teaching."
     A faculty advisory committee, chaired by Harold White, professor
of chemistry and biochemistry, gives the center input on faculty
interests and priorities.
     CTE begins the academic year with a two-day seminar for graduate
teaching assistants to help prepare them for the classroom, providing
them with helpful information on such topics as running lab sessions,
how to teach that important first class and balancing time. Individual
assistance also is available for them. The center publishes a
comprehensive handbook to accompany the seminar presentations.
     Lunchtime programs are held during the year. Some have attracted
as many as 150 people, Greene said. The topics range from teaching
large lecture classes to problem-based learning and incorporating
group learning into the classroom.
     Faculty members and teaching assistants can request individual
consultation on a confidential basis. A spectrum of services is
available, such as classroom observation, videotaping a class or
interviewing students about the course.
     The center also is available to departments across campus that
want to take advantage of the center's expertise.
     In addition, special events are arranged to promote teaching
through the sharing of experiences and ideas. Wakonse-East, an
informal teaching retreat modeled after a program in Wisconsin, was
held for the second year at Sandy Hill Conference Center on the Elk
River in Maryland in May. It featured workshops and opportunities for
faculty members to get to know each other and exchange views about
teaching and share effective teaching methods. A relatively new
program, it has been very successful, Greene said.
     The center has a resource library, publishes newsletters about
teaching and offers instructional grants for innovative instructional
projects.
     During the past two years, CTE has conducted several workshop on
problem-based learning, a teaching method which encourages students to
develop critical and life-long learning skills. As a result, the
National Science Foundation awarded a $240,000 grant to develop
problem-based learning in introductory science courses at the
University.
     The principal investigator is White with co-investigators,
Barbara Duch, teaching consultant with CTE; Deborah Allen, assistant
professor, and Sheella Mierson, associate professor both in life and
health sciences; Susan Groh, assistant professor in the Honors
Program; Barbara Williams, associate professor, and David Onn,
professor, both in physics and astronomy.
     "Problem-based learning, where students deal with real-life
problems in a group, has proved effective in the classroom.
Previously, it was mostly used in medical school, but is now more
widespread. We will be teaching classes using this method, honing the
technique, writing problems and a manual for teachers," Duch said.
     CTE services, funded by the Office of the Provost, are provided
at no charge to faculty, departments and other teaching units.
     "Our goal is to enhance teaching at the University at all levels.
We try to use our resources effectively, to be responsive to and to
assist faculty members. And the other side of the coin is keeping
current with new, as well as tried and true, methods of learning in
the classroom and encouraging innovative projects to further the cause
of excellence in teaching," Greene said.
     For more information, call 831-2027.
                                                   -Sue Swyers Moncure