Welcome to the Teaching-Learning Academy
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Transcript of Welcome to the Teaching-Learning Academy
Welcome to the Welcome to the Teaching-Learning Teaching-Learning
AcademyAcademy
2010: CELEBRATING 2010: CELEBRATING 11 YEARS 11 YEARS OF OF STUDENT VOICES STUDENT VOICES AT AT
WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITYWESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
TLA in Canada House and TLA in Canada House and Beyond…Beyond…
Teaching-Learning Teaching-Learning AcademyAcademy
“Students as Co-Inquirers” Interest
Group in the International Society for
the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
(ISSOTL)
A.S. Student Voices Club
Courses, e.g.Comm 339, Educ 109, Psych 210
Courses, e.g.Comm 339, Educ 109, Psych 210
Conferences and forums,
e.g. Scholars
Week
OverviewOverview
A Community of Scholars Studying and Enhancing
Western’s Learning Culture
ParticipantsParticipants
AdministratorsFaculty StaffStudentsCommunity
Members
StaffStaff
Carmen Werder
Michael Murphy
Megan OtisCameron Schmidt
Ashley Gardella
ObjectivesObjectives
A deeper understanding of teaching and learning
Multiple perspectives to enhance learning
Action projects to enhance Western’s learning culture
Student voices in learning initiatives
Celebrating contributions to teaching and learning
ActivitiesActivitiesMeet bimonthly in dialogue groups
Sponsor all-campus forums on teaching and learning
Create campus partnerships
Share findings locally, nationally and internationally
Lead special interest group on “Students as Co-Inquirers” within the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL)
ProcessProcessTogether develop a BIG question on T&L to
study for the year.
Use question to survey ourselves.
Invite others into the study.
Analyze the results.
Share findings and translate into action.
AgreementsAgreements
Be respectful.Listen patiently with the primary goal of understanding. Give
everyone adequate air time & work to create a safe space for taking risks.
Be open.Work to understand differences, not to erase them. Try out new
ideas & be open to disagreeing, making new connections, & challenging old views.
Be direct.Say clearly what you expect from others. Ask questions when you
don’t understand. Avoid presumptions; ask others what they think & why.
Be present.Engage actively, but know that silence sometimes is ok. Try to be
prompt. Resist technological distractions. Come ready to contribute & listen.
Be ethical.Honor rights of others. Be honest in asking for & giving feedback;
be fair in evaluating others and their ideas.
FacilitationFacilitation
Facilitate: to make easy
Use Agreements to ensure air time for all
Student facilitators – Comm 339 (Applied Practicum)
Overall ResultsOverall ResultsParticipants report:
more positive attitudes toward students/faculty/staff
new insights into teaching & learning
more informed teaching & learning practices
advancement of institutional change initiatives
TLA BIG Question for 2009-2010
What do WE mean by a sustainable, reflective learning culture?
And how might we use that shared understanding to strengthen
connections: between existing resources and members of the
campus community to provide individualized guidance and co-mentoring?
between the lived experiences of teachers and learners outside of the classroom and what is happening in the classroom to provide engaging learning experiences?
across borders within WWU and between WWU and external communities to provide interdisciplinary/community-based learning experiences?
Hallmarks of a Reflective Learning Hallmarks of a Reflective Learning CultureCulture
More time and slowed pace
Inspiring, natural places
Encouragement of new, creative and innovative ways to learn and teach
Exploratory activities such as writing, drawing/painting, creative movement
Time to work both alone and with groups
Increased sense of interconnectedness and understanding of common ground and differences
Winter Winter 20102010Reflective
LearningSpaces Book
TLA: Practice and PraxisTLA: Practice and PraxisDuring Winter 2010 the Anth. 303 Qualitative
Methods class examined the dynamics of TLA through observation, interviews, and focus groups.
The primary research question: Is the guiding philosophy of TLA of equal voice for all stakeholders in teaching and learning at Western (the praxis) actually realized in TLA sessions (the practice)?
Resoundingly, analysis of the data confirmed that TLA practice and the praxis work in tandem. Students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community members freely engage with each other in common purpose to improve teaching and learning.
Spring 2010Spring 2010
Spring into Action…
Meeting Dates: April 7/8, April 21/22, May 5/6 and May 19/20
Academy Awards – June 2nd - 4:30-6pm - VU 565
TodayTodayOpening Surveys
Reflective Exercise
Introductions
Small group dialogue
Whole group convening
Where Does the Sun Shine Where Does the Sun Shine on You?on You?