Mediated Learning Newsletter

Vol. 5, Issue 6: April 2006, page 3

A Coming of Age in the Center for Teaching Excellence

Johnny Lott
Director, Center for Teaching Excellence

Johnny Lott

When I began as Director of the Center of Teaching Excellence in the fall, it was with a great deal of trepidation. And it has been a learning experience for me—a very good learning experience. With this issue of Mediated Learning, the publication year is ending and I felt a need to talk with you about the Center, what I have learned, what is in the works for the future, and to ask for feedback from you on what else you would like to see in the Center.

What I Have Learned

• Amazing teaching is occurring on this campus. Articles in Mediated Learning have contained small snippets of that teaching by award winners but they are not alone.
• Faculty members need and want professional development in teaching. As noted in this issue, the College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences is systematically working on this. Others could.
• Just as we pay attention to the research needs of new faculty hires here, we must pay attention to the teaching needs of those hires.
• Some departments do work with teaching assistants to instruct in teaching methodology; all should.

What Is Planned

• With the help of the Graduate Dean and the Provost, a teaching award will be given this year to the outstanding campus graduate teaching assistant for that teaching.
• A week long set of workshops of professional development on teaching issues is being planned for 2006-7.
• Continued service in working with individual faculty members on teaching issues is planned for next year.
• A request has been made for an intern to help in the office for next year to guarantee its being open even more than this year.
• A revamped Web site with more than the triage that has occurred this year is in the works for next year.

Thank you for your help and patience this year. Thanks to the members of the Advisory Board for the Center. They have met on a regular basis and have provided input for work that has been done and for planning. Thanks to Ralph Johnson and Melissa Holmes, Continuing Education for help with brown bags and other issues, and to Gregory Lee for designing the newsletter. All of this has been rewarding for me and I hope that it has helped faculty members and graduate teaching assistants in their work. If you have suggestions, email or call the center.