Let's Talk Teaching

Like any successful public university, Illinois State relies on a corps of graduate teaching assistants as a part of its overall mission of teaching and learning.

In this episode, Jim is joined again by David Giovagnoli, the Center's Coordinator for Scholarly Teaching and Learning, to explore the many professional development opportunities available for both graduate students with teaching assignments and for those who aspire to teach in the academy. The also talk about the particular challenges that face both master's and doctoral-level GAs, and some strategies to help them connect with and support the undergraduates in their charge.

We often talk about respecting our diverse student population and creating a welcoming, inclusive learning environment. But sometimes, as instructors, our own fear of looking stupid or out-of-touch can cause us to stumble upon the path.

In this episode, Jim is joined by David Giovagnoli, the Center's new Coordinator for Scholarly Teaching and Learning, to talk about two opportunities for faculty and staff to become versed in LGBTQ+ terminology and perspectives. In fact, they start with a frank discussion about how the very term "LBGTQ+" and its many variations can pose a challenge. They also talk about the best ways to invite students to share their pronouns without making them feel like they have to come out unwillingly.

They then explore the new Safe Zone workshop developed by David, based in part on the national program but customized for university faculty and staff. And for those who wish a deeper dive into the topic, they preview the newly developed Queer Allyship learning community, which launches this fall.

We plunge into a new academic year, taking a deep dive through classroom climate and culture, one of the dimensions which makes up the Framework for Inclusive Teaching Excellence. A positive classroom culture isn't only about fostering respect in students for their peers' ideas-- it's about creating a balance of expectations and interactions which allows the instructor to apply their pedagogy in rewarding ways for both their students and themselves.

Jen and Jim explore these ideas in the context of both long-term, thoughtful approaches to our development as teachers (e.g., "How do I develop a truly useful, impactful teaching philosophy?") and through a more pragmatic lens which acknowledges the tyranny of the calendar (e.g., "Holy crap! The semester starts on Monday!").

The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology is transforming, and with its new mission comes a new name… and new opportunities for instructors at Illinois State University. CTLT is now the Center for Integrated Professional Development, a hub which combines transformative teaching practices, scholarship, and career advancement under one metaphorical roof.

These are changes a long-time in the planning. Dr. Aondover Tarhule, Illinois State’s vice president of academic affairs and provost, joins Jim and Yojanna to discuss the goals of the reimagined unit and his vision for the future of online education at Illinois State. They explore how many of the improvements planned for the Center are based on an in-depth study of both faculty and student needs. They unpack what the term “integrated” means when taking holistic approach to professional development for faculty, staff, and graduate students.

Dr. Jennifer Friberg and Dr. Dana Karraker join Jim to preview CTLT's Summer Institute 2022. They talk about design workshops, including some new opportunities centered on the scholarship of teaching and learning. They also discuss this year's Teaching Scholars-in-Residence and share ideas on how to approach professional development after a two summers' worth of pandemic.

A large group of faculty, staff, and students are picking Illinois State's next learning management system. In this episode, Dr. Yojanna Cuenca-Carlino and Dr. Rosie Hauck join Jim to talk about the process of replacing ReggieNet.

The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology is on a journey of change. It's been a long road, and there's still more road ahead, but soon, a lot of behind-the-scenes planning will come to the forefront for the entire Illinois State University campus. Dr. Yojanna Cuenca-Carlino is the Assistant Vice President for Faculty Development, Diversity, and Learning. She gives a preview of what a new CTLT will look like and how these changes will affect faculty, staff, and students.

Share your passion for teaching while learning the ins and outs of faculty professional development. Dr. Jen Friberg joins us to discuss CTLT's 2022 Teaching Scholar-in-Residence program. This unique opportunity will bring up to three Illinois State faculty members on board to deliver in-depth programming as a part of our Summer Institute. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage in scholarship about the teaching and learning topic of their choice.

Tenured and tenure-track faculty at Illinois State can take advantage of an exciting opportunity from the Office of the Provost and the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity. NCFDD's Faculty Success Program is an intensive, twelve-week online experience which helps faculty find new direction in their careers and strike a balance between their work-life, home-life, and overall wellbeing.

We dive in-depth with what the program can provide with two colleagues who experienced it firsthand, Dr. Susan Hildebrandt and Dr. Jeongae Kang, both of the Department of Special Education. Plus, Dr. Yojanna Cuenca-Carlino joins us to explain how faculty can apply for a special scholarship to pay for this workshop experience.

It's survey season... but if there's one survey you do take this spring, be sure to check out COACHE. Illinois State has partnered with the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education, based in the Harvard Graduate School of Education, to implement a comprehensive assessment of faculty work-lives. In this brief episode, Dr. Yojanna Cuenca-Carlino joins us to discuss how the survey works and what Illinois State plans to do with this important data.

Faculty members should keep an eye on their campus email for an announcement and an invitation to participate in the survey starting in February of 2022.