The CTL is Relaunching the Reading Group!

 

This semester, we are reading Geeky Pedagogy : A Guide for Intellectuals, Introverts, and Nerds Who Want to Be Effective Teachers by Jessamyn Neuhas.

Geeky Pedagogy is a funny, highly readable guide to the process of learning and relearning how to be an effective college teacher. It encourages faculty to embrace their inner nerd, celebrates increasingly diverse geek culture, and explores stereotypes about super-smart introverts. Neuhaus invites readers to join her in an engaging, critically reflective conversation about teaching and learning in higher education as a geek, introvert, or nerd. Written for the wonks and eggheads who want to translate their vast scholarly expertise into authentic student learning, Geeky Pedagogy is packed with practical advice and encouragement for increasing readers' pedagogical knowledge.

Schedule

• Meeting 1: Introduction and Chapter 1
  • Monday, September 27, 7-8 pm: Zoom
  • Tuesday, September 28, 3:30-4:30 pm: UCE 116
  • Wednesday, September 29, 3-4 pm: UCE 116
• Meeting 2: Chapters 2 and 3​​​​​​​
  • ​​​​​​​Monday, October 25, 7-8 pm: Zoom
  • Tuesday, October 26, 3:30-4:30 pm: UCE 116
  • Wednesday, October 27, 3-4 pm: UCE 116​​​​​​​
• Meeting 3: Chapters 4 and 5​​​​​​​
  • ​​​​​​​Monday, November 15, 7-8 pm: Zoom
  • Tuesday, November 16, 3:30-4:30 pm: UCE 116
  • Wednesday, November 17, 3-4 pm: UCE 116

CTL Reading Group

Hi folks, we are pleased to announce that the CTL reading group’s book is now available.  We will be reading Maryellen Weimer’s Inspired College Teaching:  A Career-Long Resource for Professional Growth.  Times that the reading group will meet are listed below.  New for this year, we will focus on Weimer’s book both Fall and Spring semester (it’s that good!), reading chapters 1-6 during the fall, and chapters 7-10 in the spring.

Dr. Weimer examines faculty life and teaching from beginning to end, and shows how a career-long quest for great teaching can be exciting and fulfilling.  As always, books are free.  The chapters in this book are fairly self-contained, so faculty may sign up to participate both fall and spring semesters or just one or the other.  When you respond to sign up, please let us know if you prefer the Tuesday, 3:30-4:30 time or the Wednesday, 9:00-10:00 time (dates are below).  Participants may switch back and forth as needed to accommodate their schedules.  You can sign up by emailing us at CTL@usd.edu or by calling 605-677-5411

CTL Reading Group dates and times:

First Fall meeting (Chapters 1-2)

Tues, Sept 16, 3:30-4:30                  MUC East Lounge (227)

Wed, Sept 17, 9:00-10:00                MUC 216

Second Fall meeting (Chapters 3-4)

Tues, Oct 14, 3:30-4:30pm              MUC 216

Wed, Oct 15, 9:00-10:00                  MUC 216

Third Fall Meeting (Chapters 5-6)

Tues, Nov 4, 3:30-4:30                     MUC 216

Wed, Nov 5, 9:00-10:00                   MUC 216

First Spring meeting (Chapters 7-8)

Tues, Jan 27, 3:30-4:30                    MUC 216

Wed, Jan 28, 9:00-10:00                  MUC 216

Second Spring meeting (Chapters 9-10)

Tues, Feb 24, 3:30-4:30                   MUC 216

Wed, Feb 25, 9:00-10:00                 MUC 216

   

Flip Wilson, the amygdala, the CTL and YOU

Hi folks,

Do you know what 70’s comic Flip Wilson’s routine has in common with the amygdala?

If you don’t, aren’t sure what the amygdala is, and are wondering how this all fits with learning, please join the CTL’s Spring Reading Group!

This coming semester we will be reading James Zull's From Brain To Mind.  This book presents cognitive development as a journey taken by the brain, from an organ of cells, blood vessels, and chemicals at birth, through its shaping by experience and environment into potentially the most powerful and exquisite force in the universe:  the human mind.  James Zull is a Professor of Biology, Biochemistry, and Cognitive Science at Case Western Reserve University.  He offers readers an introduction to what neuroscience can tell us about cognitive development through experience, and its implications for education.  If you do not have a background in anatomy, never fear!  (That’s where the amygdala comes in :-).  The book is accessible for biological expert and novice alike.

The reading group meets three times a semester, with two meeting options.  Please note that the sections meet in different locations this semester:

“Section 1”:

Wednesday, January 22, 9:00-10:00, Old Main 118

Wednesday, February 19, 9:00-10:00, Old Main 118

Wednesday, March 26, 9:00-10:00, Old Main 118

“Section 2”:

Thursday, January 23, 10:00-11:00, UED (Delzell) 105

Thursday, February 20, 10:00-11:00, UED (Delzell) 105

Thursday, March 27, 10:00-11:00, UED (Delzell) 105

We will also form a Collaborate section of this group for online/distance faculty, if enough interest exists.

And as a special treat, plan on meeting the author, James Zull, who is one of the keynote speakers for IdeaFest 2014!  He will be speaking April 8, 7:00pm in the MUC Ballroom.  

As always, the CTL provides the book for free!  All you have to do is tell us which “section” (although you may always switch as your schedule mandates) you prefer.  Email us at CTL@usd.edu to register, and we’ll send you your book through campus mail.

As this semester draws to a close, the CTL wishes you and your loved ones peace and restoration during this often busy and hectic time of the year.

Sincerely,

Bruce

Follow up to "What the Best College Students Do" Discussion

Dear all,
Hope you have enjoyed our book club discussion "What the Best College Students Do" yesterday.
Here is the article from "Psychology Today" that Dr. Barb Goodman shared with us:

The Science of Success  How we can all achieve our goals

by Heidi Grant Halvorson, Ph.D.

The Trouble With Bright Girls

For women, ability doesn’t always lead to confidence. Here’s why.

Feel free to share your comments here.

CTL Fall Reading Group: What the Best College Students Do

This semester we'll be reading Ken Bain's What the Best College Students Do.  Bain, who also wrote What the Best College Teachers Do, focuses this time on the students themselves.  He combines research with personal interviews to identify the key attitudes that distinguish the best college students from their peers.  The question, then, is what we can do as educators to encourage and develop those key attitudes.  Come and join us for an exciting discussion about the lifeblood of our institution:  our students!

Books are provided to you for free, simply sign up for either the Tuesday or Wednesday section of the group.  You can switch back and forth between them if needed, so you won't be locked into a specific time.  The groups this year will all meet in MUC 216A:

Session 1 (Chapters 1-3):

Tuesday, September 10, 2:00-3:00pm

Wednesday, September 11, 12:00-1:00pm

Session 2 (Chapters 4-6):

Tuesday, October 8, 2:00-3:00pm

Wednesday, October 9, 12:00-1:00pm

Session 3 (Chapter 7-Epilogue):

Tuesday, November 12, 2:00-3:00pm

Wednesday, November 13, 12:00-1:00pm

You can sign up by emailing us at CTL@usd.edu or by calling 605-677-5411

Question of the Month

How do you communicate appropriate flexibility and maintain clear expectations in your class?

Please leave a comment and share your thoughts.

The Spring13 Reading Group

Hi folks,

Registration is open for the SP 13 CTL reading group!  This semester's book is The Missing Professor, by Thomas Jones.  This "Academic Mystery" (yes, really) takes place at Higher State U.--a small university with a dubious past located in the middle of the Midwest.  On her second day of classes as a new assistant professor of philosophy, the protagonist Nicole is plunged into a campus-wide mystery.  Someone has ransacked the office of one of her colleagues, and he has disappeared.  It's mystery, mayhem, and possibly murder!  And hanging over it all is the most important question of all:  Who will get tenure?

All characters in this book are fictional, and any resemblance between them and people you actually know is purely coincidental.  Really.

Despite the simple and fun presentation, the book opens up an avenue for faculty, staff and administrators to talk about the things that really matter in higher education—teaching, research, workload, time management, faculty governance, peer evaluation, testing and grading and more!

All faculty and staff are welcome to join us. Books will be provided free of charge to anyone who registers for the reading group.  Please register by calling 605-677-5411 or by emailing the CTL at CTL@usd.edu. The reading group will meet at the following times Spring semester, room is TBA. 

Fall 2012 Book Club: Further Discussion

During the Fall 2012 semester, we have been exploring the wonderful book American Indian Higher Educational Experiences:  Cultural Visions and Personal Journeys, by Terry Huffman. What's more exciting, for the "Best Practices in Serving Native American Students" event on Jan 7th, 2013, we're going to bring the author of the book to campus!

Do you have any questions that you would like to ask the author?
Or maybe you have some comments that you would like to share with him?

Please feel free to scroll down and post a comment!