Learning
Communities
In addition to traditional approaches to faculty development such as skills training, conveying information, and providing ideas, CTELT staff view learning as a social process and value peer sharing and peer learning. In order to promote a community of inquiry and practice, we coordinate several programs for faculty and staff to learn from each other: Talking about Teaching (Brown Bag Luncheons), Panels, Satellite Downlinks, Web Conferences, e-Newsletter, Teaching and Learning Communities (TLC), and Professional Trainer Program (PTP) .
 A bi-weekly Brown Bag Luncheon program through which faculty can share their best practices in teaching on a variety of topics in an informal way. With an initial focus on the mobile computing initiative, CTELT has set up its bi-weekly Brown Bag Luncheons as a cycle – Talking about Teaching.
A volunteer or invited faculty member shares his or her experiences with a group of interested faculty and staff. Topics are no longer limited to mobile computing but broadened to a variety of topics such as strategies to engage students in active learning, best practices in online teaching, teaching strategies and classroom management in a mobile learning environment, and strategies to develop students’ critical thinking skills.
A group of four faculty members, staff, or administrators are invited to share a specific topic with the community. The panel includes information presentations, examples from real-life practice, and time for questions and answers. Panels are coordinated based on the interest and the needs of the faculty. The schedule is not regular and it is posted to the community via Lotus Notes e-mail.
Peer sharing is not only limited to the institution. Through satellite downlinks and web conferences, FHSU faculty can learn the best practices shared by professionals from other institutions across the country. CTELT has the capabilities of recording satellite downlinks with permission from the downlink provider and play back at a later time. The satellite downlinks and web conferences include topics such as instructional blogging, classroom incivility, instructional technology, and mobile wireless technology.
To better communicate our services to the university community and increase peer sharing and peer coaching, the CTELT staff initiated an e-Newsletter in fall 2005, intending to publish one at the beginning of spring and fall semesters. Each issue of the newsletter will inform the community of the CTELT news and services, enrich faculty’s practice through Guest Writers and Featured Articles, and provide faculty ideas through CTELT Resources. Without going to the CTELT offices, faculty can find opportunities to share with colleagues, locate the resources available at CTELT, and read about CTELT services and their colleagues’ sharing.
Initiated in 2000, Teaching and Learning Communities (TLC) are risk-free faculty-lead communities developed with the purpose to discuss, develop, and test new ideas in teaching. Through these communities, faculty can network with their colleagues as well as share their experience and research. Click the HERE for more information about or application for TLC.
The Professional Trainer Program (PTP) is a chance for faculty and staff to receive one-on-one training from a CTELT professional staff member in a variety of pedagogical and technology based areas. The faculty and/or staff member has the opportunity to schedule training in their area or office and gain the knowledge to become proficient in the selected discipline.
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