Upcoming Teaching. Writing. Learning: Conversation with James Fraser
Oct. 15, 2013—Sponsored by the Center for Teaching, the Writing Studio, and the Heard Library; “Teaching. Writing. Learning.” is a series of monthly lunchtime conversations for anyone who teaches writing at Vanderbilt to gather and discuss specific issues, hear an invited colleague briefly introduce a relevant best practice, hear a bit about other research-based practices, share one’s...
CFT Offers New Guide: Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)
Oct. 14, 2013—The scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL, pronounced “sō-tul” in the US) is a synthesis of teaching, learning, and research in higher education that aims to bring a scholarly lens—the curiosity, the inquiry, the rigor, the disciplinary variety—to what happens in the classroom (brick-and-mortar, virtual, co-curricular, et al.). SoTL involves asking meaningful questions about student...
Junior Faculty Teaching Fellow Spotlight: Bryan Lowe
Oct. 11, 2013—Each month, the CFT Newsletter highlights the work of our Junior Faculty Teaching Fellows. This month, Bryan D. Lowe, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, talks about his teaching philosophy and interests: My research and teaching address issues related to the religious traditions of Japan and theoretical and methodological problems in the study of religion more...
The Mindful PhD: Stories of the Slow Professor
Oct. 10, 2013—by Nancy Chick, CFT Assistant Director Last week, I attended my 10th consecutive conference of the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL)–in many ways, the highlight of my academic year, as it feels very much like ‘going home.’ After five days, though, it’s good to be back in my real home,...
Upcoming Faculty Teaching Visit with Doug Fisher on October 17th
Oct. 10, 2013—The Teaching Visits program is an important way by which the CFT promotes collaborative inquiry and reflection. Specifically, the Teaching Visits program provides case-based opportunities for Vanderbilt teachers to consider choices they have when constructing their classes. A small group of visitors observes a host’s class on a selected day and then engages in an...
Upcoming Teaching Worshop – Beyond the Five-Page Paper: Representing Student Learning Visually
Oct. 9, 2013—Date: Wednesday, October 16th Time: 3:10 – 4:30 Location: Center for Teaching Facilitators: Derek Bruff and Nancy Chick Audience: Faculty, Students (Undergraduate and Graduate), and Staff There’s no rule that says students must express what they’ve learned in a college course in the form of a paper, five pages long or otherwise. Sometimes a more...
The Mindful PhD: This Embodied PhD
Oct. 8, 2013—by Nancy Chick, CFT Assistant Director Two weeks ago today, I had a lumpectomy, and October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so I’m writing a bonus post this week to celebrate–and to stake a faculty claim in the land of women and men with bodies and emotions and cells. More…. Reposted from The Mindfulness PhD...
Upcoming Faculty Teaching Visit with Jay Clayton on October 15th
Oct. 8, 2013—The Teaching Visits program is an important way by which the CFT promotes collaborative inquiry and reflection. Specifically, the Teaching Visits program provides case-based opportunities for Vanderbilt teachers to consider choices they have when constructing their classes. A small group of visitors observes a host’s class on a selected day and then engages in an...
Students as Producers: Incorporating Research and Design in Science and Engineering Courses
Oct. 7, 2013—by Julie Lapidot, CFT Student Assistant, and Derek Bruff, CFT Director On September 25th, the Center for Teaching hosted a conversation on teaching on the theme of “Students as Producers” organized by CFT assistant director Cynthia Brame. The conversation centered around one idea: How can we help students in a science or engineering course engage...
Getting to Know Coursera: VIDL and Vital Questions
Oct. 2, 2013—by Kathryn McEwen, (former) CFT Graduate Assistant The new school year is underway, bringing with it some big changes for online learning at Vanderbilt. At the end of May, the new Vanderbilt Institute for Digital Learning debuted. Led by Douglas Fisher, associate professor of computer science and computer engineering, VIDL will not only manage Vanderbilt’s...