2010
Exploring Signature Pedagogies: Approaches to Teaching Disciplinary Habits of Mind
May. 1, 2010—Exploring Signature Pedagogies: Approaches to Teaching Disciplinary Habits of Mind, by Regan A. R. Gurung, Nancy L. Chick, and Aeron Haynie, Stylus Publishing, 2009. From the foreword… How do individual disciplines foster deep learning, and get students to think like disciplinary experts? With contributions from the sciences, humanities, and the arts, this book critically explores...
The Teaching Portfolio: A practical guide to improved performance and promotion/tenure decisions, 3rd Edition
May. 1, 2010—The Teaching Portfolio: A practical guide to improved performance and promotion/tenure decisions, 3rd Edition, by Peter Seldin, Anker Publishing Co., 2004. From the foreword… Since the publication of the first edition of this best-selling guide, tens of thousands of faculty have used The Teaching Portfolio: A practical guide to improved performance and promotion/tenure decisions to prepare...
Sustainability Across the Curriculum
Apr. 30, 2010—On March 30, the CFT hosted a Conversation on Teaching on the topic of “Sustainability Across the Curriculum.” A diverse group of faculty panelists offered perspectives from across the disciplines. Jack Barkenbus, an Associate Director of the Climate Change Research Network and a researcher at the Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and Environment, began the conversation. ...
Expanded CFT Teaching Guide on Lecturing – Basics, Visuals, Interaction
Apr. 30, 2010—Leveraging resources collected for a spring 2010 workshop on engaging students in large lecture courses, the CFT has expanded its teaching guide on lecturing to include advice on the “basics” of effective learning, suggestions for PowerPoint slides and other visual elements of lectures, and strategies for fostering student engagement and interaction during lectures. Here’s an...
Better Course Evaluation Forms?
Apr. 29, 2010—This week’s Chronicle of Higher Education features an article on efforts around the country to improve the course evaluation forms students complete at the end of each semester. Ideas for improvement mentioned in the article inclue: Mechanisms by which departments and instructors can customized the standard forms used in their schools, such as those provided...
Celebration of Teaching Spotlight – Workshop Panelists
Apr. 28, 2010—As part of our efforts to cultivate dialog about teaching and learning at Vanderbilt, the CFT often features faculty and student panelists at our workshops. The 34 panelists featured at this year’s CFT workshops will be recognized at our Celebration of Teaching on May 6th. We’re grateful to these panelists for sharing their time and...
Highlights from “Teaching First-Year Students” Conversation – Unanswered Questions
Apr. 27, 2010—On April 1, the CFT held a conversation on teaching titled “Teaching First-Year Students: Cognitive Challenges of the First Year.” About twenty-five faculty, staff, and graduate students participated in the discussion. Panelists at the session were Doug Christiansen (Dean of Admissions), Susan Kevra (French, American Studies), and Adam List (Chemistry). The following questions were...
Celebration of Teaching Spotlight – Teaching Certificate Graduates
Apr. 26, 2010—This year’s graduates of the CFT’s Teaching Certificate program (co-sponsored by the Graduate School) will be recognized at our Celebration of Teaching on May 6th. We have eight graduate students finishing the program this year, including students from the Graduate Department of Religion, Peabody College, and the basic sciences at the Medical Center. These students...
Highlights from “Teaching First-Year Students” Conversation – Communicating Expectations to Students
Apr. 23, 2010—On April 1, the CFT held a conversation on teaching titled “Teaching First-Year Students: Cognitive Challenges of the First Year.” About twenty-five faculty, staff, and graduate students participated in the discussion. Panelists at the session were Doug Christiansen (Dean of Admissions), Susan Kevra (French, American Studies), and Adam List (Chemistry). One of the questions...
Announcing the 2010-11 Graduate Teaching Fellows and Teaching Affiliates
Apr. 22, 2010—The CFT is glad to announce our 2010-11 Graduate Teaching Fellows and Teaching Affiliates. Graduate Teaching Fellows (GTFs) are employed for the entire academic year and engage in a variety of CFT activities around training and supporting teaching assistants across the university. Teaching Affiliates prepare and lead sessions at our annual Teaching Assistant Orientation in...