What will you do in your classroom next week? Have you thought about how to make small groups more effective? How will you assess the impact of a new assignment on your course goals? How can you advance such campus initiatives as assessing student learning across programs, teaching in the lower division, and integrating service learning, undergraduate research and disability studies into the curriculum?
Teaching circles are small cohorts of faculty and academic staff that meet at least four times during a quarter to discuss their teaching and learn more about each other's classroom strategies. Groups can choose a theme for a quarter or choose different themes. The goal is to think about teaching with your colleagues, learn about what they are doing in their classes, and perhaps try out something new. Participating in teaching circles can also provide evidence of peer review of teaching for promotion, tenure, and reappointment. Each participant should have several goals for his/her participation, so that outcomes of this activity can be assessed on completion.
Teaching Circles, together with faculty Research Circles, were initiated during the 2002-03 academic year, as an innovative means of helping faculty and academic staff to strengthen and expand their interdisciplinary teaching and scholarship. Participants agree to regularly attend circle meetings and contribute to a year-end report that specifically documents the circle's activities. Modest stipends of $300 are available to each participant for expenses incurred during the academic year related to teaching and/or research efforts.
Sponsored by the offices of the UW-Bothell Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, these teaching circles have proven to be highly successful. They have allowed an impressive number of faculty to engage in substantive conversations that stimulate pedagogical innovation and revitalize thinking, writing, and teaching. For more information, please contact Becky Reed Rosenberg, Interim Director of the Teaching and Learning Center - beckyr@u.washington.edu
2004-2005 Teaching Circle Reports
