Effective Teaching October 2007 Workshop
Description
In October 2007, Brandeis faculty and administrators Susan Lanser, Elaine Wong, Robert Lange and Marya Levenson traveled to Al-Quds to co-lead a workshop on pedagogy, curriculum design and assessment for new faculty members, and to work with Al-Quds faculty and administrators to strengthen teaching and learning structures at each university. 70 veteran and beginning faculty at Al-Quds attended the workshop, many staying for the rich discussions during the afternoon break-out groups.
The workshop was split up into two sections: a morning session devoted to general teaching and course design strategies, and an afternoon session of discussion in break-out groups.
In the morning session, faculty discussed topics such as assessment, teaching and pedogogical techniques, and course design.
Discussions and challenges
During the afternoon break-out groups, the participants split up to discuss their specific discipline or profession. Here, particular challenge areas were highlighted and debated.
| “The more interesting part to me was the small group discussions in the afternoon,” said Prof. Marya Levenson (Education). “My group was the area of professional and pre-professional training…and that’s when many of the faculty members talked about the challenges facing them, and we had a good two-way discussion.” ~ excerpt from the November 2007 event "Conversations on Teaching, Learning and Exchange" |
Individual Meetings
Faculty members also met individually with department heads and faculty in their field to discuss mutual opportunities and challenges to strengthening teaching and learning.
| “There were some wonderful conversations with faculty about teaching, about curriculum, and some very exciting and spontaneous moments with students… I've also learned how to do better the things I do here. Teaching is really learning twice, so having to think about and converse about what we do has helped me to do that better as well,” ~ Prof. Susan Lanser (Women's and Gender Studies; English) at the November 2007 discussion. |
Outcomes and Next Steps
Both Brandeis and Al-Quds faculty recognized that the workshop must be part of a larger initiative if it is to succeed and be integrated into the culture of both institutions. A number of follow-up activities were suggested for Al-Quds, including:
- A mentoring program for new faculty members
- A committee for the support of teaching
- Focusing on improving English language programs through exchanges with Brandeis and other institutions
- Strengthening science programs
- Additional structural changes to course loads and faculty orientation
Brandeis and Al-Quds faculty will work together to establish next steps for the workshop, mentoring program, and exchanges.
