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WELCOME TO THE TEACHING-LEARNING ACADEMY
TLAExploring multiple views of teaching and learning at Western Washington
University
Since 2001
HISTORY & BACKGROUND1998 : Carnegie Academy for the Scholarship of
Teaching & Learning (CASTL)Campus Conversations Program
1999: “Sounds good, but where are the students?
2001: Teaching-Learning Academy launched“Learning Reconsidered” course
2005-Present: “Civil Discourse as Interactive Learning” course & “Applied Practicum in Comm.”
OBJECTIVES Civil discourse including disagreement
Deeper understanding of teacher-learner relationships
Best individual & institutional teaching & learning practices
Enhanced learning environment at WWU
Celebrating contributions to teaching and learning
PARTICIPATION
Why participate?
STRUCTURE One of a kind
structure for staff, students, faculty, administrators, community
Equal playing field – flattened hierarchy
ACTIVITIES Every-other-week
dialogue groups
Forums on teaching & learning
Campus partnerships
An international interest group on Students as Co-inquirers
Presentations & publications
TLA RESEARCH AGENDADevelop the BIG question for the year.
Explore and gather data to address the question. Draft action proposals.
Refine action proposals and celebrate the year’s accomplishments.
DIALOGUE GROUP SCHEDULE Every OTHER week in the Learning Commons,WL
270
Four meeting options:
Wednesdays 12-1:20 & 2-3:20
Thursdays 12-1:20 & 2-3:20
Expectations for Comm 339 students, for volunteers
Need to miss your regular group? Attend another.
DIALOGUE: DIVERGENT CONVERSATION
From G. Gerard, “What is Dialogue?” in Rediscover the Transformative Power of Dialogue, Dominick Abel Literary Agency, 1998.
DIALOGUE FACILITATIONFacilitate: to make easy
Student facilitators –
Comm 339
Use Agreements to
ensure air time for all
AGREEMENTSBe respectful.
Be open.
Be direct.
Be present.
Be ethical.
RESULTSMore positive individual attitudes
Better informed individual teaching & learning practices
Actual institutional change
ATTITUDINAL SHIFTSI can’t believe how much students care
about their own learning. ~ many faculty & staff
I can’t believe how much faculty & staff & community members care about my learning. ~many students
Sometimes, it’s really hard to get to TLA, but I’m always glad I did because I leave feeling inspired and refreshed. ~ many faculty, students, staff, community
NEW PRACTICESAfter participating in TLA, I now go to office
hours sometimes just to talk to a teacher. ~ many students
After talking in TLA, I ask questions in class and feel less intimidated by my instructors. ~ many students
Often, I’ll hear students say something in TLA that helps them learn, and I’ll go right to my class and try it out. ~ many faculty
INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE2006: What keeps us from genuine dialogue
across differences? Online dialogue forum idea (Viking Village)
2009: What do we mean by reflective learning and how might we strengthen reflective learning practices at WWU?
Reflective Garden
2010: What if we envisioned the most creative WWU we could imagine. What would it look like?
Improving general ed. programs, Learning Commons, Viking Landing
LAST YEAR’S BIG QUESTION
How can we engage and connect multiple voices to strengthen WWU as a 21st-
century liberal arts university?
2011-12 PROPOSALS Communication TLA-sponsored focus groups with various audiences on a
liberal arts education Create a TLA document compiling our findings on the liberal
arts at WWU for Special Collections
Curriculum * Increase service-learning/community-based/ practicum
experiences, especially in general education program. Mark some existing upper-level courses for general ed credit
to signal that liberal arts extend throughout the undergraduate career.
Professional Development * Promote engaging & reflective practices to faculty teaching
general education courses. Recognize the work of faculty exemplifying the liberal arts
especially faculty teaching in the all-important foundational general education courses.
*UNDER REVIEW BY CUE
TLA CONTACT INFOWebsite: http://library.wwu.edu/tla
Facebook: Search for WWU Teaching-Learning Academy
Contact info: Carmen.Werder@wwu.edu 650-7329 Shevell.Thibou@wwu.edu 650-7368 TLA@wwu.edu 650-2329
Program Offices WL 265 A & B, Carmen’s Office WL 462
Dialogue Location: Meeting Space WL 270
INDIVIDUAL/COLLECTIVE CHANGEAnyone have an example of
howa TLA conversation may haveinfluenced some change in yourown context?
INTRODUCTIONSName?
What is one word or phrase about you that will help us enter into dialogue with you?
TODAY’S DIALOGUE STARTER
On a post-it:
What is one thing connected to teaching and learning at WWU that you wish TLA would explore this year?
2012-2013 BIG QUESTION
What will we decide?
DIALOGUE GROUP PROMPT
What are at least four things your group would like to see TLA study this
year?
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