Welcome to the Teaching-Learning Academy

Overview

A Community of Scholars Studying and Enhancing

Western’s Learning Culture

Participants

Administrators Faculty Staff Students Community

Members

How do students participate in TLA?

The majority of students participate as part of their coursework in one of several courses:

Educ 109 Comm 322 Comm 339 (Applied Practicum in

Communication)Other students participate on a

volunteer basis.

2010: Celebrating 11 Years of STUDENT VOICES at Western Washington

University

TLA at Canada House and Beyond…

Teaching-Learning Academy

“Students as Co-Inquirers” Interest

Group in the International Society for

the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

(ISSOTL)

A.S. Student Voices Club

Conferences and

forums, e.g.

Scholars Week

Center for Education,

Equity and

Diversity

Objectives A deeper understanding of teaching and learning Multiple perspectives to enhance learning Action projects to enhance Western’s learning

culture Student voices in learning initiatives Celebrating contributions to teaching and learning

Activities Meet bimonthly in dialogue groups Sponsor all-campus forums on

teaching and learning Create campus partnerships Share findings locally, nationally

and internationally Lead special interest group on

“Students as Co-Inquirers” within the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL)

Process Together develop a BIG

question on T&L to study for the year.

Use question to survey ourselves.

Invite others into the study.

Analyze the results.

Share findings and translate into action.

Overall Results

Participants report:

more positive attitudes toward students/faculty/staff

new insights into teaching & learning

more informed teaching & learning practices

advancement of institutional change initiatives

Agreements Be respectful.Listen patiently with the primary goal of understanding. Give everyone

adequate air time & work to create a safe space for taking risks.Be open.Work to understand differences, not to erase them. Try out new ideas &

be open to disagreeing, making new connections, & challenging old views.

Be direct.Say clearly what you expect from others. Ask questions when you don’t

understand. Avoid presumptions; ask others what they think & why.Be present.Engage actively, but know that silence sometimes is ok. Try to be

prompt. Resist technological distractions. Come ready to contribute & listen.

 Be ethical.Honor rights of others. Be honest in asking for & giving feedback; be

fair in evaluating others and their ideas.

Facilitation

Facilitate: to make easy

Use Agreements to ensure air time for all

Student facilitators – Comm 322 & Comm 339 students

TLA BIG Question for 2009-2010 What do WE mean by a sustainable,

reflective learning culture? And how might we use that shared understanding to strengthen connections:

between existing resources and members of the campus community to provide individualized guidance and co-mentoring?

between the lived experiences of teachers and learners outside of the classroom and what is happening in the classroom to provide engaging learning experiences?

across borders within WWU and between WWU and external communities to provide interdisciplinary/community-based learning experiences?

Hallmarks of a Reflective Learning Culture

More time and slowed pace

Inspiring, natural places

Encouragement of creative & innovative ways to learn and teach

Exploratory activities such as writing, drawing/ painting, creative movement

Time to work both alone and with groups

Moving from Talk to Action 09-10New insights and 5 reflective learning

proposals: 1) Campus Commons2) Promising Practices3) Common Interest

Groups4) Community Welcome

Days5) Reflective Garden

Next Steps…

Developing a BIG question together~

So what’s on your mind?

Developing a BIG question together~

So what’s on your mind?