Colleagues,

PROGRAM FROM THE CENTER FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE

The Center is presently underwriting the cost of having speakers come to campus to work with individual departments or clusters of departments that are interested in reviewing and (perhaps) modifying their teaching strategies. The first of these "teaching in the disciplines" seminars was held on January 11 when the three departments of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Nursing welcomed Kelly Sass of the University of Iowa for a seminar on teaching using the case method, especially in health-related fields. The program was a great success with faculty from the nursing, OT and PT as well as several faculty from other areas.

The second presenter on teaching in the disciplines was Dr. Bill Warren, Ambrose alumnus and professor of history who spoke at several venues on campus recently, met with the members of the History Department, presented a brown bag in the Library, consulted on the teaching of history and met with history education majors as well as history majors. From all I have heard so far his visit was very valuable to the history department and very interesting for SAU students.

The advisory board wants every department to be aware of this program being undertaken by the Center. Consider how your department or program might best make use of this opportunity to invite a presenter to campus to work with your faculty on alternatives to your current teaching styles and approaches.

Talk to any member of the advisory committee about your questions, ideas and suggestions for this program. The Center is planning to commit between $500 and $1,000 to each presentation or consultancy co-sponsored by the CTE.

TEACHING CIRCLES

The Strongest Link teaching circle will meet for the last time this year on Monday, April 16, 2007 at NOON – Faculty Dining Room

The Teaching Circle, “Alternatives to Lecturing,” will meet on Wednesday, April 18th from 3:15 to 4:45 in Cosgrove 24 (Computer Lab). At the request of the members of our circle Donnie Ingram, of the Instructional Technology Department, will present and demonstrate the latest updates on Blackboard and new technologies for the classroom. Please put this on your calendar. I will send out more information at a later date. Please Contact Jessica Gosnell or Carol Lyon for more information. Thanks so much.

PUBLICATIONS RECENTLY RECEIVED

The National Teaching and Learning Forum, vol. 16:2.

The Teaching Professor (21:2) for March 2007.

The Professor in the Classroom, 13:14 entitled "Six Powerful Behaviors Practiced by Master Teachers."

CTE periodical publications are available in the College of Business (with Allison Ambrose) and in the ACCEL program through Neala McCarthy as well as in the three wall pocket locations.

LAST MIDWEST FACULTY SEMINAR OF THE YEAR

The Midwest Faculty Seminar at the University of Chicago has announced the fourth seminar of the year for faculty at member institutions. The topic of the seminar is "Epidemics in an Era of Globalization." The seminar will be held at the University of Chicago on May 3-5. A detailed description follows. Please note that registration deadline is April 10. I've heard very good things about the most recent seminar from two of the Ambrose faculty who attended. More about that in forthcoming posts from the CTE. The CTE covers just about all costs associated with SAU faculty participation in these seminars. If you are thinking of attending, speak with someone who has attended recently. These include: Stephen Alagaratnam, Patrick O'Leary, Barbara Pitz, Jessica Gosnell, Sandy Quinn and Keri Manning. One SAU faculty member has already registered for this seminar and we can nominate one more to attend.