University of Windsor COED 2009 Update

From OUCEL Wiki

The University of Windsor's 2009 COED Update

2009 was an exciting year for the Centre for Teaching and Learning, as we continued to explore new ways of facilitating the development of the University of Windsor into a learning-centred university. Here are some highlights . . .

1) Accreditation and Piloting of the University Teaching Certificate (UTC) Program

After a flurry of research, collaboration, drafting, re-drafting, discussion, debate, strategizing, a lot of writing, and some mentoring from across the pond, the CTL completed plans for a three-level certificate program for faculty, sessional instructors, graduate students, and staff. The first two certificates of the UTC were submitted to the Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA) for accreditation/recognition in the late spring, and both were officially recognized early in the fall. The first certificate, Fundamentals of University Teaching (containing two graduate credit courses, a six-week practical course, and completion of a learning plan and summative dossier with help from mentors), was piloted in September. Nine people are currently acting as our guinea pigs, with several more on the waiting list to start as a second cohort in January.

With the UTC, the University of Windsor became the first university in all of North America to have a SEDA-recognized certificate program. Next steps: full roll-out of the first certificate for 2010-11, piloting the second certificate (Theory and Practice of Scholarly Teaching), sending the third certificate (Leadership in University Teaching) to SEDA for recognition, and turning all three certificates into provincially-recognized graduate diplomas as well as SEDA-recognized certificate programs.

2) The Celebration of Teaching Excellence

In its third year the CTE attracted more than 200 attendees. In addition to honouring the winners of local, provincial and national teaching awards, this year's CTE featured a poster display showcasing SoTL projects funded by our centred on Learning Innovation Fund (CLIF) grants.

3) An Expanding Program for Graduate Assistants and Teaching Assistants

Our program for GAs and TAs continued to expand. In 2009-10 it included two introductory professional development events (GATAcademies), classroom observations, learning communities, graduate credit courses, 6-week half-courses, Instructional Skills Workshops (ISWs) and GATA teaching awards (including awards for educational leadership).

4) The Learning Technology Trainer

The CTL added a new position to its Teaching and Learning Development team: the Learning Technology Trainer. The trainer, Lorie Stolarchuk, is focused on encouraging the development of learning-centred approaches to the use of pedagogical technologies, both in the classroom and online (using the LMS and other online education tools).

5) Collaboration and Networking

In 2009-10 the CTL welcomed several new Visiting Fellows in Educational Development: Kathryn Sutherland, Stephen Bostock, Mark Schofield, Dorothy Spiller and Gordon Joughin. These visiting fellows not only help the CTL staff learn and explore new ideas, they are also having an impact on the university culture. Administration has come to realize now that educational development is not a foul plot cooked up locally in Windsor, but rather an international profession and even, perhaps, a movement. Nonetheless, CTL staff mostly appreciate the visiting fellows for their insight, advice, collaborations, and good company.

In addition, we continue to collaborate with colleagues at neighbouring universities in the United States. In May we held our third annual international teaching and learning conference with Oakland University. And this year we joined the SoTL Academy, composed of universities primarily based in Michigan and Wisconsin, which held its first conference in June.

6) Expanded Offerings

Finally, the CTL continues to expand its more traditional educational development initiatives, such as themed workshops series (particularly a well-attended summer series and a new fall break, called UWin Week), departmental curriculum retreats, a Facilitator`s Development Workshop that will enable us to offer more ISWs per year, and a very well-received week-long Teaching Dossier Academy.