This Month at the CTL: September 2018
A Note from the Executive Director
Dear Colleagues,
Greetings as we begin a new semester! Last week, we met 52 new faculty and 424 new graduate students at our CTL teaching orientations, and now the start of the semester is upon us!
I am excited to introduce the CTL’s theme for the 2018-2019 academic year: metacognition. Metacognition is the practice of examining how we learn. Research has shown that metacognition is a powerful resource for maximizing students’ learning and creating equitable learning environments.
Not sure where to start? The CTL will host workshops and conversations throughout the fall semester focused on developing and integrating metacognitive practices to improve student learning, including the inaugural Science of Learning Symposium, “Metacognition: From Research to Classroom,” on Thursday, October 11, 2018. Read on for more details about these offerings. Best of luck with your upcoming semester!
Best wishes,
Catherine Ross
Events and Announcements
Science of Learning Symposium “Metacognition: From Research to Classroom”
To kick off the conversation about practicing metacognition in the classroom, the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Science Of LEarning Research (SOLER) initiative welcome you to the inaugural Science of Learning Symposium on Thursday, October 11, 2018. This year’s Symposium brings together Columbia faculty, staff, graduate students, and experts in the science of learning to share the research on metacognition in learning, and to translate it into strategies that maximize student learning.
Date: Thursday, October 11, 2018
Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Low Library & Butler Library
Fall 2018 Metacognition Events at the CTL for All Instructors
Metacognition as a Tool for Equity in the Classroom
In this workshop, participants will examine key research in cognitive development theory and learn how to intentionally use metacognitive strategies that help build students’ awareness of themselves as learners. Register for this workshop at:
Teachers’ Lounge on Metacognition
This fall, the CTL is hosting the first two sessions of a yearlong conversation on Metacognition: Cultivating Expert Learners to Maximize Equity in the Classroom. Register for:
Faculty Spotlight: Sharon Akabas
In our latest Faculty Spotlight story, Sharon Akabas, Associate Professor in Pediatrics and The Institute of Human Nutrition at CUIMC, and Eleanor Sterling, Adjunct Professor, share how they redesigned their Food, Ecology, and Globalization course by shifting away from lecture-based class sessions to a “flipped” structure that incorporated group and collaborative hands-on learning exercises.
Read more here.
Featured Resource: Metacognition
Metacognitive thinking skills are important for instructors and students alike. This resource provides instructors with an overview of the what and why of metacognition and general “getting started” strategies for teaching for and with metacognition.
Teaching Tip: When introducing the syllabus, explicitly teach students how to engage in meaningful reflection on their learning and demonstrate how this reflection connects to their success, their self-awareness, and their regulation of their future learning.
Read more here.
Offerings 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 CUIMC locations. Visit the CTL website to register for upcoming workshops and events, including:
Offerings 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. You can request a consultation via an online form.
Microteaching
Microteaching sessions can help you rehearse teaching practices and get direct feedback and support, whether or not you are currently teaching. You can register for a scheduled session or request one via an online form.
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: