Reflections on GradSTEP 2011: Creating Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Classrooms
Feb. 2, 2011—Reflections from John Morrell, GradSTEP facilitator Interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning are increasingly popular in the academy, from programs in Environmental Studies and Women’s Studies to initiatives like Writing Across the Curriculum. In an afternoon workshop at GradSTEP 2011, a group of Vanderbilt graduate students from across the disciplines explored the benefits and challenges...
Accepting Applications for the Teaching Certificate Program
Feb. 1, 2011—The CFT Teaching Certificate Program is a self-guided program designed so that Vanderbilt graduate students, professional students, and post-doctoral fellows have an opportunity to develop and refine their teaching skills through three cycles of teaching activities, each consisting of inquiry, experimentation, and reflection phases. In the first cycle – which is accepting applications now –...
Reflections on GradSTEP 2011: Controversy & Critical Thinking
Jan. 31, 2011—Reflections on GradSTEP from Manya Whitaker, Facilitator of the Privilege and Power Session Teachers walk a fine line between inspiring students’ latent interests and inciting students’ rage at having to work hard. What I mean is, teachers have the power to motivate the next Shel Silverstein, Albert Einstein, or dare I say it: Barack Obama. On the...
Learning Styles: Fact and Fiction – A Conference Report
Jan. 28, 2011—by Derek Bruff, CFT Assistant Director Back in November I attended the 30th annual Lilly Conference on College Teaching at Miami University in Ohio. I thought I’d share some session highlights with my Vanderbilt colleagues. Here’s the third in a series of posts about the conference. This post is longer than the earlier posts in...
Grad Students, Come Work at the CFT!
Jan. 27, 2011—The Center for Teaching is now accepting applications for its 2011-12 Graduate Teaching Fellow and Teaching Affiliate positions. Graduate Teaching Fellows (GTFs) are employed for the entire academic year, engage in a variety of CFT activities around training and supporting teaching assistants across the university, and are paid $20,000 for the year. Teaching Affiliates prepare...
Revolution or Evolution? How Should Higher Ed Change in Response to Social Technologies?
Jan. 26, 2011—by Derek Bruff, CFT Assistant Director Back in November, Jim Julius of San Diego State University and Dwayne Harapnuik of Abilene Christian University and I presented a session titled “Revolution or Evolution? Social Technologies and Pedagogical Change” at the 2010 POD Network conference. We structured the session so that most of the time was spent...
Call for Proposals – International Institute for SoTL Scholars and Mentors – Due February 3rd
Jan. 25, 2011—From the International Institute for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Scholars and Mentors, a call for proposals for their June 1-4, 2011, conference in Omaha, Nebraska: You are invited to join our engaging and reflective conversations on “Transformational Learning” as part of the larger 2011 International Institute for SoTL Scholars and Mentors (formerly the...
Ideas for Using Visual Thinking in the Classroom from GradSTEP Participants
Jan. 24, 2011—by Derek Bruff, CFT Assistant Director At the end of my GradSTEP workshop Saturday, “Show and Tell: Using Visual Thinking in the Classroom,” I asked participants to doodle their ideas for incorporating visual thinking tools in their teaching on large Post-It notes. I then had a few helpers collect these Post-Its and place them on...
Developing Intercultural Competency through Blogging – A Conference Report
Jan. 24, 2011—by Derek Bruff, CFT Assistant Director Back in November I attended the 30th annual Lilly Conference on College Teaching at Miami University in Ohio. I thought I’d share some session highlights with my Vanderbilt colleagues. Here’s the second in a series of posts about the conference. Blogs as a Unique Environment for Critical Thinking and...
Show and Tell: Using Visual Thinking in the Classroom
Jan. 22, 2011—by Derek Bruff, CFT Assistant Director I’m leading a workshop titled “Show and Tell: Using Visual Thinking in the Classroom” at the CFT’s GradSTEP event this afternoon. Below you’ll find the visuals for my presentation, along with the workshop description for a bit of context. I like to post my slides before my workshops so...