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 to learn from each other: Talking about Teaching
(Brown Bag Luncheons), Panels, Satellite Downlinks or Web Conferences,
e-Newsletter, Teaching and Learning Communities (TLC), and Professional Trainer Program (PTP).  

Talking about Teaching: 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. Faculty and staff members from the four academic colleges have been actively participating in this program and have shared their experience with the FHSU community. Each semester the schedule is communicated to the community via Lotus Notes e-mail.

Panels: 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.  

Satellite Downlinks/Web Conferences: The 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. The schedule is posted to the community via Lotus Notes e-mail each semester.  

e-Newsletter: 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 even going to the CTELT, faculty can find opportunities to share with colleagues, locate the resources available at CTELT, and read about CTELT services and their colleagues’ sharing.

Teaching and Learning Communities (TLC): Initiated in 2000, Teaching and Learning Communities (TLC) are a risk-free faculty-lead community 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. The CTELT staff set up an interactive form at the web site so that interested faculty can register online. Based on the topic and schedule that works for the faculty members, different groups will be formed. It is an open sharing community owned and operated by the faculty. The faculty members should meet once a month. Through the registration form, CTELT staff will know faculty’s name, email address, department in which they are working, years of teaching experience, available meeting time and technology skill levels. Based on this information, different groups will be formed. The responsibility of the CTELT staff is to coordinate the program and provide the opportunity for peer sharing.

Professional Trainer Program (PTP) Upon request a CTELT trained person will meet with faculty in their office or a specialized lab, to develop and advance their skills for creating high level content.

Goal:
To provide faculty with on location instructional technology training. This CTELT program will provide in-office specialized training for faculty on software, technology, equipment, and other educational skills to assist in quality improvement of Fort Hays State University course material.

Procedure:
To receive this free service CTELT or faculty member will need to:
• Complete a request for services.
• CTELT will arrange an initial meeting at the faculty’s office or specialized lab.
• Identify training needs and develop a timeline for the PTP.
• CTELT will schedule meetings.
• CTELT will act as a supporting role in final project and future material creation.

Skills & Technology:
The Professional Trainer Program is designed to help faculty acquire developmental skills that are emerging in instructional technology or area of study. Areas of training they may choose are listed, but not limited to these choices.