Happy Holidays!
It is with great pleasure that the Committee on Teaching (COT) announces EVC Galloway’s commitment to fund a new Center for Innovations in Teaching and Learning at UCSC to provide resources for campus-wide instructional support.
This is quite an accomplishment, considering it was just over a year ago that we stood before the Senate advocating for such support. The collective voice of the senators pressed this issue, and the administration listened. Although the details are still being worked out, our vision for the Center is that it will assist UCSC instructors – ladder-rank faculty, lecturers, and graduate teaching assistants and instructors – across the disciplines in their efforts to improve teaching and bolster the student learning experience. We hope to be able to provide readily accessible instructional resources through the website; support innovative teaching and inquiry through individualized confidential consultation, networking opportunities and grants; and develop communities of practice dedicated to excellence in teaching through peer-to-peer interactions, organizing workshops and other events.
The Center will have a part-time Faculty Director (to be hired in Winter), a full-time Professional Development Coordinator (to be hired in Spring), a part-time Instructional Designer and continued support from undergraduate and graduate interns. The Faculty Director (a three year position with two course releases per year) will work closely with the COT to articulate and communicate a vision for the Center, develop strategic plans for development and provide administrative oversight for the Center. If you or any of your colleagues might be interested, please look for the job announcement in January.
SAVE THE DATE: On Wednesday January 13, COT is hosting a Forum on Innovations in Teaching with Technology at the Stevenson Event Center from 3-5pm. Come join us to learn how your colleagues are using technology in their classrooms and to discover campus resources available to hone your teaching. Nandini Bhattacharya (Mathematics) and Jenny Lynn (Classical Studies) will discuss their recent experience integrating technology into their courses. Leslie Kern (FITC Operations Manager) and Aaron Zachmeier (Academic Affairs Instructional Designer) will discuss how the instructional design process can be facilitated, highlighting new advancements in available technologies (e.g., Learning Glass and the Media Editing studio) and how and why to access Lynda.com as a professional development resource.
In 2016, we will be posting monthly COT Blogs to keep you informed of new developments as they occur. We encourage you to visit us often, as we will be adding resources throughout the year. Please also provide feedback to us on our website about the types of support and resources you’d like to see offered.
Best Wishes for a Restful Holiday and a Happy New Year.
Judith A. Scott
Chair, Committee on Teaching