CTL announces new microteaching opportunity for graduate and postdoctoral students

The Center for Teaching and Learning is introducing a new microteaching opportunity for graduate students and postdoctoral students in 2016-17. Microteaching sessions are gatherings of 3-4 participants and a facilitator. Participants take turns delivering short samples of instruction to each other, and offering each other structured feedback.

This feedback focuses on organization, clarity, engagement of learners, and any other specific aspect of teaching that the instructor would like feedback on. These sessions are a good way to rehearse teaching practices and get direct feedback and support, whether or not one is currently teaching.

This service launches at Columbia with support from the Teagle Foundation, as part of a Preparing Doctoral Students for 21st Century College and University Classrooms grant awarded to GSAS. Doctoral students who have completed CTL training to be Microteaching Facilitators are now available to run sessions.

Full microteaching sessions run for 120 minutes and incorporate video analysis; typically they run in the CTL’s Learning Commons (204 Butler Library). Shorter 90-minute microteaching sessions are running in various locations on campus.

Current graduate students and postdocs are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity by filling out a Microteaching Request form. We invite people interested in microteaching to register individually or with a small group of peers who wish to do a session together. The CTL will respond to requests and work with facilitators to schedule sessions.

Related Links 

Learn more about the microteaching process and guidelines for giving and receiving feedback.

Discover more opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral students.