Northern Arizona University

The NAU Teaching Seminar 2010
Creating Significant Learning Experiences for Students in Gateway Classes
May 12-14, 2010
Applications due March 26

Sponsored by the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Faculty Development Program

Background:
The recommendations of the Task Force on the Freshman Year included (1) a recognition of the significant role that key university courses play in fostering student success in their initial years at NAU and (2) a commitment to support faculty working to enhance their teaching: “Programs are needed that better acquaint faculty with the characteristics of contemporary traditional-age college students and freshman at NAU and a range of pedagogical practices that can effectively engage freshman learners.” The NAU Teaching Seminar 2010 responds to the recommendations of this Task Force and continues the work begun during Seminar 2008. The seminar is sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and the Faculty Development Program.

Focus:
The 2010 NAU Teaching Seminar will give 30 selected faculty the opportunity to participate in a focused examination of teaching and learning within the context of gateway classes. Students’ active learning can have a positive impact on their engagement, persistence and success in gateway classes. One effective way to increase active student learning is by incorporating Writing to Learn (WTL) strategies into courses. This seminar is designed to help participants learn and integrate an array of WTL tools for student learning. Worksessions are planned throughout the three days so participants can address their own classroom applications. The goal of this seminar is to increase student engagement, persistence, and success without increasing faculty workload. Session convener is Linda Shadiow, Professor of Educational Foundations and Director of the university’s Faculty Development Program; consultants are Duane Roen, Head, Interdisciplinary and Liberal Studies,
School of Letters and Sciences, ASU; and Greg Glau, Director of the University Writing Program, NAU.   (Consultants’ biographical information available here.)

Faculty Participants:
Faculty who teach "gateway" classes, those classes characterized by

high aggregate enrollments of lower division students,

a concern about the percentage of students who do not achieve C or higher,

prerequisite status -- successful course-taking leads to admission into subsequent courses or programs.

Teaching Seminar 2010 Program Components:
The 30 faculty selected for this program will

inaugurate the seminar activities by attending an orientation lunch either April 22 or April 23;

participate in a three-day workshop, Wednesday, May 12 through Friday, May 14.  Guest work session leaders will be Duane Roen, and Greg Glau, consultants on writing-to-learn;

undertake a classroom-based project in 2010-2011 to assess impact of a class-specific innovation on some aspect of student performance;

attend a fall semester and a spring semester work session;

have the option of presenting project results at Seminar 2011.

Teaching Seminar 2010 Program Features:
Seminar participants will

receive $1000 stipend for Seminar 2010 participation,

have the option of receiving an additional $500 stipend if classroom-based project findings are presented during Seminar 2011,

receive and work with resource books and materials,

work in an interdisciplinary setting,

gain insights into applicability of research-based teaching and assessment strategies,

engage in critical discussions about student learning.

“I wish teachers talked more about their teaching…Teaching is a profession that requires passion, strength, and ability. Conversing with other [university] teachers can help develop all three areas” (p. 109).

From “Reconfiguring the Privacy of Teaching,” in The Best of the Teaching Professor,
Madison, WI: Magna Publications, 2005.

Seminar application form is available here. Applications are due March 26.

Contact Linda Shadiow, Director of Faculty Development at linda.shadiow@nau.edu or 523-7121 for more information.

List of 2008 and 2009 Participants