Teaching Council Meeting
September 19, 2001
Attending: Berry, Breinig, Coddington, Combs, Cook, F.Davis, Heller, Julian, Lynch, Maden, Martin, Myers, Rechkmmer, Smith, Spicuzza (chair), Strange, Toney, Younger.
Spicuzza opened the meeting with a welcome and a review of the mission and bylaws of the Teaching Council. He stated the purpose of the Teaching Council is to advance excellence in teaching and advising and identified the three standing subcommittees; student assessment, professional awards, and professional development. The chair distributed some suggested goals for the Council as a springboard for discussion. Members were in agreement with these goals (see below). Some members wished to develop additional goals. They will be presented at the next meeting.
Smith added she has been the representative from the Teaching Council on the Part-time Faculty Task Force. As Smith is unable to serve this year in this capacity, Frank Davis will represent the Teaching Council.
Combs, chair, reported for the student assessment committee. He explained that the committee has met for the past three years and it has dealt with the name and process changes in student assessment.
Cook, chair of the awards committee, explained that the committee solicits nominations for outstanding leading and advising. This year the committee will review the nomination and selection criteria. Heller chaired the committee last year and said it is a great opportunity to observe superior teaching on campus.
Julian, chair of the professional development committee, stated that the definition of the committee is very broad, so it is free to develop the direction in which it would like to go. Julian also announced the Center for Undergraduate Excellence (CUE) awards grants for creative and exceptional teaching.
Spicuzza would like the subcommittees to meet before the next Council meeting so that they can report on the goals they have set.
Teaching Council Goals:
- review the process and revise the criteria for the professional awards in outstanding teaching and advising
- oversee the process for nomination and selection of recipients for the outstanding teaching and advising awards
- conduct a series of programs aimed at enhancing faculty and graduate teaching assistants professional development in teaching and advising related issues
- facilitate the implementation of the Student Assessment of Instruction System (SAIS)
Other possible considerations for the Teaching Council were identified:
- staffing of courses (There is a concern about the "last minute" assignment of teachers.)
- broadening the discussions of the Graduate and Undergraduate Councils to include teaching and learning
- rewarding colleges for providing service courses
- providing student photos on class rolls
Teaching Council Meeting
October 17, 2001
Call to Order:
Frank Spicuzza called the meeting to order at 8:30. The minutes from the September 19 meeting were approved.
Subcommittee Reports:
- Professional Awards: Norma Cook discussed a recent subcommittee meeting. Cook described the two major objectives identified by the subcommittee: 1) refine the nomination process by a) advertising earlier and b) widen publicity in order to increase the number of nominations, and 2) set criteria for the awards by a) differentiating from alumni association awards and b) enhancing the screening process. There was recognition that the subcommittee will need assistance from other Council members in the screening and evaluation process that will take place in January and February.
- Professional Development: Faye Julian distributed a list of goals set forth by the subcommittee (see attached). The goals include 1) providing opportunities for improvement/enhancement of teaching skills, 2) exploring ways of creating desirable learning environments, 3) investigating techniques of award-winning teachers, and 4) holding book discussions on teaching/learning topics. Julian presented possible activities and topics related to each of the aforementioned goals (see attached). Julian distributed a recent copy of The Teaching Professor. Given the increased cost, this publication will not be renewed. This is the final copy that will be distributed to the Council membership.
- Student Assessment: This subcommittee has not met. Members of the subcommittee reported that Mike Combs (chair) is working in collaboration with OIT to set up a demonstration of an on-line assessment of instruction. A discussion regarding the current student assessment format (SAIS) raised issues regarding process, evaluation, and prior studies conducted. There was a specific inquiry regarding the adding of questions to the present instrument. The question was addressed by Jo Lynch.
Teaching Council Goals:
A motion was made to approve the four original goals proposed in the Sept 19 meeting (see below). It was seconded and approved.
- review the process and revise the criteria for the professional awards in outstanding teaching and advising
- oversee the process for nomination and selection of recipients for the outstanding teaching and advising awards
- conduct a series of programs aimed at enhancing faculty ( tenure-line and contingent) and graduate teaching assistants professional development in teaching and advising related issues.
- facilitate the implementation of the Student Assessment of Instruction System (SAIS)
There as a discussion led by Chad Toney regarding additional goals for the Council. Emanating from this discussion additional goals were identified. (see below)
- integrate the work and results of the Teaching Council's subcommittees to enhance teaching and advising
- enhance the perception of the teaching and advising awards
- promote student and faculty interaction
Spicuzza suggested these goals be added to the original goals and be forwarded to the Senate. The membership agreed.
Other Business
- Spicuzza will alert the Senate of the Council's interest in including a student photo ID on class rolls ( This issues was identified at the faculty retreatUndergraduate Education Focus Area)
- A proposal to display the professional award winners in teaching and advising at a centralized location on campus was made and approved.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:50. Next meeting: Nov. 14, 2001, 8:30, 420 Communications Bldg.
Professional Development Committee
Teaching Council
GOALS:
Provide opportunities for improvement/enhancement of teaching skills
Brown-bag lunches for all instructional staff
Possible discussion topics: test and syllabi construction
Explore ways of creating desirable learning environments
Presentations or discussions on engaging students in the learning process
Possible topics: active learning, creating a positive learning environment, gender differences in the classroom, learning styles, developing web-based learners
Investigate techniques of award-winning Teachers
Round-table discussions with outstanding teachers
Use critiques and knowledge of teaching methods by the winners in an inter-view/discussion format
Hold book discussions on teaching/learning topic
Additional ideas for consideration:
Case studies as teaching tools
Grade inflation
Interdisciplinary study
Integration of the three subcommittees' charges
Teaching Council Meeting
November 14, 2001
Members In attendance:
Efthymi Angelakis--GSA rep.
Teresa Berry--Libraries
Jon Coddington--Architecture and Design
Norma Cook--Special Programs
Christen Fox--UG rep.
Rob Heller--Journalism |
Faye Julian--UAA
Jo Lynch--Institutional Research and Assessment
Molly Rechkemmer---UAA
Frank Spicuzza--Social Work
Chad Toney---GSA rep.
Jared Younger--GSA rep. |
Visitors
Richard Bayer--Dean of Admissions and Records
Tim Rogers--Vice Provost of Student Affairs
Call to order:
Frank Spicuzza called the meeting to order at 8:30 A.M
Spicuzza handed out the meeting agenda. Minutes from Oct. 17, 2001 were approved.
New Business:
- Goals and Progress
Spicuzza distributed the Teaching Council Goals (2001-2002) and Progress Report (see attached). This report had been provided to the Faculty Senate President.
- Discussion regarding photo ID on class rolls
A major discussion item at the Faculty Senate Retreat was faculty/student interaction and how to enhance it. One idea proposed was the inclusion of photo IDs on class rolls. To gain more information about this possibility, Richard Bayer, Dean of Admissions and Records and Tim Rogers, Vice Provost of Student Affairs, were invited to this meeting.
Tim Rogers and Richard Bayer discussed the possibilities of including photo IDs on class rolls. The capability exists technologically. However, there are issues to consider. The 3 main issues are confidentiality, cost, and sensitivity. Current policy would have to change upon approval of the Provost. The Council discussed the importance of including the student voice as part of the conversation regarding the photos. Richard Bayer discussed electronic transfer of the data. If done electronically, cost would be less. However, unauthorized uses of the photos would be a concern. The Council raised the question as to whether faculty could have the capability only to view the photos, without the ability to copy or transmit. Bayer referred the Council to Bill Strickland for answers to these types of technological questions. Coddington suggested that the Council look at precedence for guidance. Bayer agreed to look into what precedence exists at other universities and colleges. He would report his findings to the chair.
After discussing the possible downsides to attaching photos, the Council highlighted the importance of instructors knowing their students. Having photos on class rolls would be a significant assistance to professors who teach large classes. Bayer's findings will be discussed at the next meeting.
- Other Business
- On-line SAIS
Jo Lynch discussed a meeting at the College of Communications where she gave a demonstration of the on-line SAIS. A current directive from the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment is that the Student Assessment of Instruction system must go on-line to reduce cost. According to Lynch, there is no deadline for this action. The College of Communications had volunteered to be a test College. However, there appears to be some concerns about the on-line procedure within this college. Coddington recommended the College of Architecture and Design for a pilot study.
Lynch discussed the current concerns of the on-line system, including the significantly lower response rate as compared to the paper-and-pencil version. Another concern is that strongly opinionated students are more likely to use the on-line system. Yet another concern is related to security. While it is highly unlikely to occur, student responses can be traced back to the individual.
The Council discussed what is possible to combat the problem of low response rates. One suggestion was to link evaluations with the release of grades, by requiring that students at least visit the site.
Spicuzza recommended that the sub-committee on student assessment meet. It was suggested that a report from the committee was needed to bring the Council up-to-date and to provide guidance for further action.
- Brown bag lunch
The Council approved Faye Julian's Professional Development subcommittee recommendation for brown bag workshops that focus on the enhancement of teaching.
- Exhibition of Award Recipients
Berry reserved the display case outside the Auditorium in Hodges Library to exhibit the photographs of the recipients of teaching and advising awards. Their photographs will be exhibited from May 1st to 15th 2002. The Council approved this action.
- Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for February 13, 2002 at 8:30 A.M.
420 Communications Bldg.
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