This Month at the CTL: March 2018

by | Mar 1, 2018

This Month at the CTL is a monthly newsletter from the Center for Teaching and Learning featuring innovative faculty and instructors at Columbia, teaching tips and strategies, and other programs, resources and support for the University’s teaching community. Email our staff at ColumbiaCTL@columbia.edu with questions, feedback, ideas, or inquiries.

A Note from the Executive Director

 

Dear Colleagues,

I want to thank everyone who attended our third annual Celebration of Teaching and Learning Symposium. We had a wonderful day of engaging conversations and community building and collected over 300 responses in the How I Learn Best student campaign. This is quite an achievement!

This month we are highlighting opportunities for faculty and graduate students. Faculty who are looking to integrate new educational methods and technologies into their classrooms and learning environments can apply for grants through the Office of the Provost’s Request for Proposals (RFPs). We’re also inviting graduate students are invited to apply for the 2018-19 cohort of Lead Teaching Fellows (LTFs). You can find more details about the grants and fellowship programs below.

We hope you will take advantage of these exciting initiatives!

Catherine Ross

Events and Announcements

 

Resources for Faculty Applying for the Provost’s Request for Proposals

The Office of the Provost has launched four Request for Proposals (RFPs) for funding opportunities for faculty who are looking to integrate new educational methods and technologies into their classrooms and learning environments.

The CTL offers several ways for faculty to learn more information and receive support for designing their proposal through consultations, office hours, a new on-demand resource on blended learning, and the following programs:

Course Redesign Workshop: Looking to get hands-on instruction designing your course for a Hybrid Learning Grant proposal? Register for our half-day Course Design Essentials for RFPs workshop on Friday, March 2 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM in Butler Library 212.

Proposal Tune-Up Sessions: Need help tightening up your proposal draft, especially building out the assessment plan? Register for one of our Proposal Tune-Up Sessions on the Morningside campus (March 23) and at CUMC (March 27), where you’ll get an overview of assessment techniques and feedback what might work best for you.

Learn more here.

Call for Applications: Lead Teaching Fellowship for Graduate Students

Applications for the 2018-19 cohort of Lead Teaching Fellows (LTFs) are being accepted now through Monday, March 19. The LTF program is a professional development opportunity for doctoral students who are committed to promoting pedagogical practices and conversations among their peers.

LTFs participate in a series of meetings at the CTL and organize teaching-related workshops and events in their home departments. LTFs earn a $2,000 stipend for the academic year. Full details and the 2018-19 LTF application are available online. Applicants must be in years 2-7 of their doctoral program in Fall 2018. If you are interested, please apply by the March 19 deadline. Email CTLgrads@columbia.edu with any questions you have about the program.

Learn more here.

Strategies and Tips: Blended Learning

 

What is Blended Learning?

Blended learning is a pedagogical approach that integrates complementary face-to-face (synchronous) and online learning (asynchronous) experiences in service of intended learning objectives.

What is not Blended Learning?

Blended learning is not about “adding on” online learning experiences to a traditional face-to-face course (this is known as the “course-and-a-half phenomenon,” and it adds workload for both the instructor and the student) but rather the careful consideration of what parts of learning should occur in person / in community with the guidance of the instructor, and which can occur online on the learner’s own time.

Do you know the elements of an effective, learner-centered “blend”?

Visit the CTL website to learn the four elements and view the full list of references.

Learn more here.

Faculty Spotlight: Mary Ann Price

 

Mary Ann Price, a lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences, worked with the CTL to incorporate the case study method into her General Physiology course. The case studies encouraged her pre-med students to apply concepts they learned in class to real-world situations that were relevant to their career goals. In our latest Faculty Spotlight, watch a video and read a short Q&A to hear Price reflect on the teaching challenges she faced and the lessons faculty can take away from her experience.

Learn more here.

Student Spotlight: Braden Czapla

 

“The CTL and the Lead Teaching Fellowship program provided me an outlet to further my education in teaching. But maybe more importantly, they gave me a platform and the training to look back at my own field and share my interest in teaching with my peers, creating a small community of our own within mechanical engineering.”

braden czapla pic

In this Spotlight story, Braden Czapla, Ph.D. candidate in mechanical engineering, shares how facilitating learning communities and other professional development opportunities for his peers has strengthened his own teaching practice, and offers tips for being a good mentor to undergraduate students.

Learn more here.

Programs and Services for Faculty

 

Consultations
Request an in-person consultation to get support for your teaching and learning needs throughout the year. Email CTLfaculty@columbia.edu to set up an appointment with a trained teaching consultant.

Teaching Observations
Faculty, staff, and postdocs can request confidential teaching observations to receive individualized feedback on their teaching.

Workshops 
CTL workshops offer opportunities for Columbia faculty to explore teaching tools and approaches with the support of CTL staff and colleagues. Workshops are held at Butler Library and CUMC locations. Visit the CTL website to register for upcoming workshops and events including:

Course Design Essentials for Hybrid Learning RFP Applicants
Friday, March 2 from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM, Butler Library 212 | Register

Course Management: Introduction to CourseWorks (Canvas)
Wednesday, March 14 from 12:00 PM–1:30 PM, Butler Library 204 | Register

Learning through Discussion: Three Steps to Effective Facilitation
Morningside: Tuesday, March 20 from 2:00 PM–3:30 PM, Butler Library 212 | Register
CUMC: Friday, March 23 from 12:00 PM–1:30 PM, Armory Track and Field Center | Register

Hybrid Learning Award Proposal Tune-Up
Morningside: Friday, March 23 from 12:00 PM–1:30 PM, Butler Library 212 | Register
CUMC: Tuesday, March 27 from 12:00 PM–1:30 PM, Armory Track and Field Center | Register

Programs and Services for Graduate Students

 

Consultations
Request an in-person teaching consultation to receive individualized advice on your teaching, integrating your teaching and research, or developing teaching materials for the job market. Email CTLgrads@columbia.edu to set up an appointment with a trained teaching consultant.

Teaching Observations
Graduate students can request confidential teaching observations to receive individualized feedback on their teaching.

Workshops 
CTL workshops offer opportunities for Columbia graduate students to explore teaching tools and approaches with the support of CTL staff and colleagues. Workshops are held in Butler Library unless otherwise indicated. Visit the CTL website to register for upcoming workshops and events including:

CTLgrads Learning Community: Provocative Teaching and Social Media
Monday, March 5 from 2:00 PM–3:30 PM, Butler Library 212 | Register

Teachers’ Space @ SEL
March 12 & 26 from 3:00 PM–5:00 PM, Science and Engineering Library | Drop by!

Teachers’ Lounge: Instructor Self-care, Full Presence, and Pleasure
Wednesday, March 21 from 12:00 PM–1:15 PM, Butler Library 212 | Register

Preparing your Teaching Statement and Teaching Portfolio for the Academic Job Market
Thursday, March 22 from 12:00 PM–2:00 PM, Butler Library 212 | Register

Microteaching Practice for Graduate Students
Thursday, March 29 from 11:00 AM–1:00 PM, Butler Library 204 | Register