Resources

Starting during the fall semester, 2000, the University is sponsoring a teaching mentoring program that will connect emeriti faculty with current faculty. Modeled after the highly successful program initiated by Harvey Brightman in the Robinson College of Business Administration, retired faculty who are highly successful teachers, will work for a semester with current faculty to develop strategies and procedures for teaching more effectively. Mentoring will include syllabus development, planning instructional activities, observing classroom instruction, and implementing appropriate evaluation procedures. Ideally, the mentoring process would be initiated prior to the beginning of a semester to permit planning and syllabus development. Department chairpersons, through their dean’s office, may nominate faculty members to receive mentoring.

Center for Teaching and Learning

Harry Dangel, Director - hdangel@gsu.edu (651-0126)

Advisory Committee 2000-2001

Barbara Baumstark	Biology
Harvey Brightman	Management
Nannette Commander	Counseling Center
Paul Farnham	Economics
Steve Harmon	MSIT
Carla Relaford	DDL
Lyn Thaxton	Library
Patrick Wiseman	Law
Bea Yorker	Nursing

Teaching Learning Technology Center

Provost Ron Henry has announced the establishment of the Teaching Learning Technology Center (TLTC). Dr. Faye Borthick, Professor of Accountancy, will head the Center. The TLTC’s role is to: (1) encourage and support faculty to improve their teaching and subsequent student learning through the use of appropriate instructional technology and pedagogy; (2) serve as a clearinghouse to assist faculty members to access and effectively use the University technology support resources; (3) provide mechanisms to illustrate and replicate the work of these faculty; (4) work with colleges, schools, and support units in redesigning courses and programs to use appropriate technology; and (5) assist in evaluating the impact of technology on student learning outcomes. The TLTC is not intended to replicate or replace existing resources or programs but to provide faculty with a common conduit to access and coordinate existing services. Look for more information during the spring semester and online at: http://education.gsu.edu/ctl/ tltc_concept _plan.htm

Online Journal on University Teaching and Learning

Faculty at Georgia State now have access to the online journal National Teaching and Learning Forum. This full-text journal is available at http://www.ntlf.com/restricted. Our subscription is set up to permit free access from computers on the GSU network.

Carnegie Academy Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (CASTL)

During the 1999-2000 academic year, Georgia State University participated in the Campus Conversation on Teaching and Learning Program sponsored by the American Association for Higher Education AAHE) and the Carnegie Academy for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (CASTL). The work on Part 1 of the Campus Conversations was done by the Associates of the Center for Teaching and Learning. The Associates are faculty representatives, one from each department, who work to provide information to the Center about issues of teaching and learning at Georgia State University (http://education.gsu.edu/ctl/Associates.htm).

As a result of the first year’s work on Campus Conversations (http://education.gsu.edu/ctl/Campus_ conversations/campus_conversations.htm), five areas listed below were identified for additional attention in Part 2. We are asking, all faculty, in addition to our Associates, to help identify which of these topics should be the focus for campus-wide activities Part 2 of Campus Conversations.

How does Georgia State University move from the teaching paradigm to the learning paradigm?

What are the factors that support/inhibit the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning at GSU: Should there be changes? What should be changed? How can these changes be instituted? This may include faculty recruitment practices, promotion, tenure, merit pay raises,

How do we best use teaching portfolios for evaluation and to enhance teaching and learning?

How can faculty be encouraged to examine their classroom practices to result in greater student learning? This could include provided faculty with research, information about other instructional models (e.g., active learning, problem-based learning, group/collaborative work) and applications of technology.

How can we create, support, and maintain a community of ongoing scholarly discussion about teaching and learning?

Your opinions regarding the priorities for our University are welcome. Send your comments to hdangel@gsu.edu.

Link your technology enhanced courses to the GSU master list

Many of our students (and faculty) regularly check the course listing schedule accessed from the GSU homepage -- http://webdb.gsu.edu/00-fa/courses/. Now, faculty can provide students and prospective students with information about their courses (e.g., course prerequisites, syllabus, and WebCT Welcome Page) with a link from the GSU page to their course site. WebExchange will add the necessary link from the course listing page to your course site. Simply email your request for the connection to WebExchange@gsu.edu.

Check the CTL website for current information on activities related to teaching and learning at GSU: http://education.gsu.edu/ctl

Teaching Grant Programs

Instructional Improvement Grant Program

The Instructional Improvement Grant (IIG) Program is to promote exemplary efforts by departments and groups of faculty members to collaboratively develop and implement creative approaches to teaching. We are especially interested in funding projects that will have a systemic impact on teaching and learning at Georgia State University, including: (a) Courses identified and supported by the college and the department and a commitment to use the material to enhance most or all sections of the course; (b) Courses with high enrollment in multiple sections; (c) Courses that are learner-centered, use standards-based or criterion-based assessment; (d) Courses that foster a learning community; and (e) Participating faculty committed to the concept and to research on teaching using the course and course revision based on the outcome. The request for proposals is distributed in January with proposal deadlines in March and funding awards announced in April for the coming year.

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Grant Program

The program is designed to expand the interest and commitment of faculty in enhancing teaching at Georgia State University and supports faculty team efforts to examine, apply, and extend nationally recognized initiatives in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. The funding cycle is the same as for Instructional Improvement Grants and gives priority to proposals that promote Campus Conversations about the Scholarship of Teaching with special consideration given to collaborative efforts among faculty.

Stay up to date about teaching and learning at GSU by checking the Center for Teaching and Learning Web Site. http://education.gsu.edu/ctl

Brown Bag Lunches

Wednesdays are scheduled as times for faculty members to participate in faculty development activities involving technology and issues of teaching and learning (http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwets/support/brownbag.htm). The first and third Wednesdays will focus on using technology to enhance teaching and learning (including a GSAMS session which connects institutions from around the state on the third Wednesday), while the second and fourth Wednesday will be a presentation or discussion on a topic identified by faculty as an issue of concern. Most sessions meet on Wednesday in COE 150 from 11:45am to 1:00pm.

Tentative Brown Bag Schedule for Fall Semester 2000

September 20 (GSAMS)--Building Online Learning Communities

What is an online learning community? Why are they so important in meeting the learner's needs in an asynchronous environment? What are the strategies needed to create a safe, secure, and active learning community for your students? Join us to discover the answers to these critical questions. This is encore presentation by Harold Powers from the "3rd Annual Make the Web Connection Faculty Workshop."

September 27—Classrooms from Hell--Professors Harvey Brightman
and Satish Nagundkar

The session will present a series of scenarios for discussion among participants. Each scenario presents a problem/opportunity to improve teaching and learning. We have used these "classroom from hell" scenarios in the Robinson College of Business’s very successful Seminar on University Teaching. Come join us and experience everything that can wrong in the classroom in virtual reality. It will be a fun and informative session.

October 4--Tips for Using WebCT 3.0

Stephen Rehberg will present tips on enhancing your WebCT 3.0 course!

October 11—Strategies for Teaching Large Classes

Learn from experienced faculty how to effectively handle large classes, including management strategies, presentation techniques, and evaluation procedures.

October 18 (GSAMS)--Your Online Course into ADA Compliance

Presented by Caroline Gergely (Director of Disability Services) and Stephen Rehberg (DDL)

November 1—The Evolution of an Online Course

Professor Patrick Wiseman, College of Law and winner of the first Tom Creed Compassionate Pioneer Award by the TLT Group, will describe the development of his online class, the tools that were needed to foster student learning and the evolution of modifications in technology and pedagogy.

November 8—Academic Misconduct

Professors Bea Yorker and Faye Borthick will examine how to deal with problems of plagiarism (especially in a technology enriched class) and civility in university classes.

November 15 (GSAMS)-- WebCT: A Pedagogical View at the Toolbox

Encore presentation by Paula Christopher and Harold Powers from Rock Eagle 2000.