Slide 1

Welcome to the Teaching-Learning Academy

1TLAExploring multiple views of teaching and learning at Western Washington University

Since 2001History & Background1998 : Carnegie Academy for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (CASTL)Campus Conversations Program

1999: Sounds good, but where are the students? 2001: Teaching-Learning Academy launchedLearning Reconsidered course

2005-Present: Civil Discourse as Interactive Learning course & Applied Practicum in Comm.

ObjectivesCivil discourse including disagreement

Deeper understanding of teacher-learner relationships

Best individual & institutional teaching & learning practices

Enhanced learning environment at WWU

Celebrating contributions to teaching and learning

Why participate?To make a difference in learning for everyone!

StructureDistinctive structure that works to be INCLUSIVE

Relies on the FLATTENED HIERARCHY

Highlights the role of STUDENTS AS CO-INQUIRERS

6TLA as a Glorious Spider Web TLA is the web that connects all areas of the campus and the Bellingham community and allow us to see beyond where we are presently to the many possibilities beyond.~June Fraser Thistle, photo by Masiyh Ford

TLA as a Space StationWe are all beautiful pieces of a larger puzzle (e.g. glorious satellites who are capable of coming together to create wonderful larger entities like space stations). At times, we seem to be so at a loss for accurate communication and disconnected that we "run into one another" and bang ourselves up and become like space junk.We have the potential in TLAtobuild an amazing space station amongst our planets and stars. ~L. Larrabee

ActivitiesEvery-other-week dialogue groups

Forums on teaching & learning

Campus partnerships

An international interest group on Students as Co-inquirers

Presentations & publications

TLA Research AgendaDevelop the BIG question for the year.

Explore and gather data to address the question. Draft action proposals.

Refine action proposals and celebrate the years accomplishments.Dialogue Group ScheduleEvery OTHER week in the Learning Commons,WL 270

Four meeting options:Wednesdays 12-1:20 & 2-3:20Thursdays 12-1:20 & 2-3:20

Expectations for Comm & FIG students, and volunteers

Need to miss your regular group? Attend another.

Dialogue: Divergent Conversation

From G. Gerard, What is Dialogue? in Rediscover the Transformative Power of Dialogue, Dominick Abel Literary Agency, 1998.A Dream About Dialogue on LearningA young man had never mastered the basic skill of catching a ball. A man was hired to teach him and I was invited to witness the successful transformation. The teacher threw the ball, yet the young man made no attempt to catch it. Instead he covered his mouth and then congratulated himself on that response. This happened again! The ball was thrown, instead of trying to catch it, he covered his mouth. I found this frustrating to observe; the lessons had been costly and they clearly had not produced results. Then I realized that this was about the distinction between teaching and instructing. When you teach someone, and learning occurs, they embody the knowledge, it becomes part of them. Though the young man had received instruction, there had been no absorption, no learning, and therefore no teaching. ~Cher Carnell

Dialogue FacilitationFacilitate: to make easy

Student facilitators Comm students

Use Agreements to ensure air time for all

AgreementsBe respectful.

Be open.

Be direct.

Be present.

Be ethical. ResultsMore positive individual attitudes

Better informed individual teaching & learning practices

Actual institutional change

Attitudinal ShiftsI cant believe how much students care about their own learning. ~ many faculty & staff

I cant believe how much faculty & staff & community members care about my learning. ~many students

Sometimes, its really hard to get to TLA, but Im always glad I did because I leave feeling inspired and refreshed. ~ many faculty, students, staff, community New PracticesAfter participating in TLA, I now go to office hours sometimes just to talk to a teacher. ~ many students

After talking in TLA, I ask questions in class and feel less intimidated by my instructors. ~ many students

Often, Ill hear students say something in TLA that helps them learn, and Ill go right to my class and try it out. ~ many facultyInstitutional Change2006: What keeps us from genuine dialogue across differences?Online dialogue forum idea (Viking Village)

2009: What do we mean by reflective learning and how might we strengthen reflective learning practices at WWU?Reflective Garden

2010: What if we envisioned the most creative WWU we could imagine. What would it look like?Improving general ed. programs, Learning Commons, Viking Landingis coming to our Reflective Garden!

The Running ManLast Years BIG QuestionHow can we cultivate and connect communities where the whole person grows and relationships flourish? 2012-13 Proposals Welcoming Center in Libraries Learning Commons

Connecting Communities Event

2012-13 Proposals Welcoming Center in Libraries Learning Commons

Connecting Communities Event

Positive Communities Principles & Practices

TLAs Positive Communities Principles & PracticesEncourage reaching out to individuals of the community.

Pay close attention to non-verbal communication cues and use those that invite interaction, openness, and risk-taking.

Make connections outside of the regular community gathering spaces.

Embrace, encourage, and recognize differences.

Recognize the individual and the collective.

Deliberately plan for fun and play.

Create spaces that encourage the strengthening of bonding and connectionsTLA Contact InfoWebsite: http://library.wwu.edu/tla

Facebook: Search for WWU Teaching-Learning Academy

Contact info: Carmen.Werder@wwu.edu 650-7329Shevell.Thibou@wwu.edu 650-7368 TLA@wwu.edu 650-2329Program Offices WL 265 A & B, Carmens Office WL 462

Dialogue Location: Learning Commons, WL 270Individual/Collective Change Anyone have an example of how a TLA conversation may have influenced some change in your own context?

IntroductionsName?

What is one word/phrase to describe a characteristic that is important to who you are that you want to share with us?

Dialogue Group PromptWhat is your response to the wordle?

2013-2014 BIG QuestionWhat will we decide?