Author
The Mindful PhD: A Room of One’s Own
Jun. 27, 2014—by Nancy Chick, CFT Assistant Director I have a new favorite place on campus. It may not look like much–small room with a recliner and a lamp, a desk with a computer and handbook, a tv screen with assorted DVDs–but it’s a little oasis tucked into a corner room at 2015 Terrace Place. More comfortable than...
The Mindful PhD: Homing In
Jun. 20, 2014—by Nancy Chick, CFT Assistant Director My post-semester sabbatical from blogging lasted a bit longer than I’d anticipated. Nothing bad happened: I simply devoted 100% of my writing efforts to a few manuscripts I wanted to get off of my desktop. There are more–there are always more–but I finished the third yesterday, so I feel caught...
‘Educationally Purposeful’ Thoughts about Race on Campus
Jun. 18, 2014—by Nancy Chick, CFT Assistant Director This week, Vanderbilt is hosting the fourth annual Institute on High-Impact Practices and Student Success, sponsored by the American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U). On the opening night, CFT Director Derek Bruff and I attended the plenary session, along with the 220 participants from as far away as the...
New CFT Guide on Syllabus Design
May. 15, 2014—Jessica Riviere, Senior Graduate Teaching Fellow has develeped a new online guide on the topic of syllabus design. The strongest syllabi are built on a solid foundation of course design. Therefore, you should start by developing learning goals that are appropriate for the level of the class and the students in it. These are goals...
From the Director: Celebration of Learning in Review
May. 12, 2014—By Derek Bruff, CFT Director Two weeks ago, the Center for Teaching held a Celebration of Learning, the final event in our “Students as Producers” theme year. Through a series of workshops, panels, teaching visits, teaching guides, and blog posts this year, we have explored ways to help students become not just consumers of information...
CFT Now Accepting Applications for the Certificate in College Teaching
May. 7, 2014—The Center for Teaching offers a variety of programs to meet the needs of instructors at every stage of their teaching career. From graduate students entering the teaching ranks to senior faculty fine-tuning their craft, all instructors will find participation in Center programs an avenue for exploration and discovery in a collegial setting. Certificate in...
The Mindful PhD: In Case of Emergency
May. 1, 2014—by Nancy Chick, CFT Assistant Director Before flying, we’re told to locate our nearest emergency exits. If we’re sitting in the emergency row, we must verbally agree to the responsibility of working the doors and helping our fellow passengers if necessary. Similarly, now that storm season has arrived in the South,* we’ve all prepared our “safe...
The Mindful PhD: On Another Planet
Apr. 25, 2014—by Nancy Chick, CFT Assistant Director Last year, Forbes declared university professor the Least Stressful Job of the Year (Adams). The response was so strong that the writer issued a corrective Addendum, and the magazine published a variety of rebuttals explaining the stresses of this seemingly cushy job (c.f., Kroll, Willingham). In the wake of this...
Biological Sciences Lab Poster Session Next Week
Apr. 24, 2014—The research-based section of the Intro to Biological Sciences lab (BSCI 111c) is having its poster session next week. The students in the class would appreciate you stopping by to see their work and to ask them questions about what they’ve done over the course of the semester. Please plan on stopping by! Wednesday, April...
The Mindful PhD: It’s About Our Students
Apr. 18, 2014—by Nancy Chick, CFT Assistant Director Today is my last day of class, and I feel a little antsy, even a little edgy. I already have a stack of materials to grade, and I’ll be getting another stack today, and then another during our final exam period. I have deadlines related to other work activities. And...