The Penn State Course in College Teaching

Description

This highly successful 8-week course combines the best elements of a collaborative learning environment with those of a seminar on pedagogy. Discussion of the current literature on teaching and learning, as well as facilitation by instructors from the Schreyer Institute’s experienced staff, help prepare participants to design and implement both practical and reflective instructional activities. The impact of the course is evident in the number of participants who intend to implement new teaching practices as a result of taking the course.

For the required Course Assignments, participants do the following:

Revise an existing syllabus from their disciplines and explain the rationale behind the changes they made;
lead a short “micro-teaching” in which they help other CCT participants learn an introductory concept from their disciplines; and
write a statement explaining their philosophy of teaching. Detailed instructor feedback is provided for each Course Assignment, including information about any areas in need of revision.

Course objectives

Upon successfully completing the course, participants should be able to:

apply effective principles of course design and planning
integrate teaching and assessment strategies to enhance student learning
reflect on personal beliefs and practices about teaching and learning
locate resources on teaching and learning available at Penn State

Requirements

The Course in College Teaching is a free, non-credit course and is open to anyone who teaches at Penn State, from TAs to senior faculty.

Schedule

Schedule for Summer CCT : The Summer 2013 Course in College Teaching is a 6 week blended course. Three online meetings and three face-to-face meetings will be held on Wednesdays. Meeting dates, times and location will be determined.

Schedule for University Park Campus: The Fall 2013 Course in College Teaching at University Park will be held Tuesdays from 1:30 - 3:30, in 315 Rider Building, beginning September 17. Additional details and registration information will be posted soon.

Required Text

How Learning Works (2010) by Susan Ambrose, Michael Bridges, Michele DiPietro, Marsha Lovett, and Marie Norman. Jossey Bass, San Francisco. Copies available at the Penn State Bookstore in the HUB-Robeson Center.