CTLE Tactical Plan 2012-2014
Mission:
The University of Scranton’s Center for Teaching & Learning Excellence (CTLE) encourages and supports a strong culture of teaching, learning, and scholarship in the Ignatian Tradition for a diverse university community. In collaboration with the Library, the CTLE works with faculty and students to help create an environment that encourages and supports student learning, faculty enrichment, instructional design, and the pedagogical application of technology. The CTLE provides opportunities for faculty and students to work together to achieve academic success and have a positive learning experience at the University. The Mission of the CTLE is continuously advanced by the following tactical goals.
A. Provide a Comprehensive Resource Center to Support Teaching and Learning.
Tactical Goals:
1. The CTLE will provide a comprehensive resource center to support innovative teaching informed by the scholarship of teaching and learning, best practices in curriculum design and delivery, faculty enrichment, instructional design, and the pedagogical use of technology.
Actions:
- Sustain a university-wide conversation on teaching.*
- Support programs that foster community and conversations among faculty around teaching.
- Encourage and support interdisciplinary conversations and collegial exchanges about teaching and learning among all members of the University community.
- Promote new theories and methods of teaching and learning.
- Consult with faculty members and departments to improve teaching and student learning outcomes.
- Design, develop, and facilitate programs/workshops for faculty development and as new curricular developments occur on campus.
- Hire a faculty development specialist.
- Provide support for faculty teaching and learning through mentoring, individual consultations, pedagogical workshops, seminars, and CTLE Resource Library.
- Provide mentoring of first year faculty through formal and informal programs.
- Assess CTLE faculty offerings via surveys and focus groups and adjust programs/workshops as suggested.
- Communicate and promote the CTLE mission, programs, and services to academic departments.
- Explore innovative ways to provide online pedagogical resources for faculty advancement.
- Offer instructional technology support for faculty.
- Collaborate with faculty in the development and implementation of online/distance education courses and programs.
- Promote services of instructional curriculum design to faculty.
- Collaborate with the Weinberg Memorial Library to provide support to faculty to help them integrate Information Literacy into their teaching.
- Work with the CTLE Faculty Liaisons and Advisory Group to expand the role of the CTLE as the resource center for the University in the area of teaching and learning excellence.
- Promote the value of Writing Center services to faculty.
- Acquire pedagogical resources for CTLE library for faculty.
- Assist faculty with the development of tools to assess student learning.
- Support the Online Course Evaluation System and train appropriate backup staff.
2. The CTLE will provide a comprehensive resource center to support student learning.
Actions:
- Provide services to support traditional and non-traditional learners.
- Develop, implement, and assess new programs and services for peer tutoring, reading enrichment, and writing consultation for traditional and non-traditional students.
- Promote students’ academic progress and achievements through the CTLE Peer-Tutoring Program, Reading Enrichment Services, and Writing Center.
- Broaden Writing Center services to increase online writing consultations.
- Assess Reading Services for students through a self-study and external appraisal and implement suggested changes.
- Assess services for students admitted under the Academic Development Program and implement suggested changes.
- Expand online tutorials offered on the CTLE website for students to enhance their study skills.
- Promote Writing Center services to students.
- Work with the International Students Office to assess English as a Second Language (ESL) student needs and develop an action plan.
B. Promote Teaching and Learning Excellence and Innovation.
Tactical Goal:
1. The CTLE will advocate, recognize, and enable teaching excellence and innovation.
Actions:
- Provide support for the Teacher of the Year Award, the Provost’s Part-time Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence, and the CASE Professor of the Year Award.
- Promote excellence in teaching and learning through Teaching Enhancement Grants and Online Course Development Stipends.
- Provide support for the writing, development, and implementation of the Teaching Enhancement Grants and Online Course Development Stipends.
- Provide opportunities for our faculty to share best practices in teaching effectiveness and pedagogy.
- Host outside experts to provide opportunities to explore learning theories, best practices, and their effective application through workshops and presentations.
2. The CTLE will advocate, recognize, and promote learning excellence.
Actions:
- Plan, promote, and recognize Frank O’Hara and Rose Kelly Student Awards.
- Provide support for students engaged in Faculty-Student Teaching Mentorships.
C. Support Faculty in the Use of Instructional Technology to Enhance Student Learning.
Tactical Goals:
1. The CTLE will raise awareness of instructional technology among faculty and highlight best practices.
Actions:
- Promote instructional technologies by showcasing the pedagogical uses of technology in teaching and learning.
- Increase awareness of instructional technologies by attending departmental meetings and sponsoring faculty demonstrations of the use of technology in the classroom.
- Acquire new and innovative technologies to provide faculty opportunities for exploration and use in instruction.
2. The CTLE will showcase to faculty novel uses of technology in instruction.
Actions:
- Offer training, workshops, and one-on-one consultations to assist faculty with the use and implementation of learning technologies.
- Host outside experts to conduct workshops and presentations on effective uses of learning technologies.
D. Provide Academic and Support Services for Students with Disabilities.
Tactical Goal:
1. The CTLE will provide academic services for students with disabilities.
Actions:
- Coordinate with the University’s Americans with Disabilities Act Committee to provide services for students with disabilities including referral for assessment and the implementation of accommodations.
- Expand services for students with disabilities including coaching and tutorials on learning strategies and study skills development.
- Obtain new assistive technology to assist students with disabilities when appropriate.
- Collaborate with all appropriate University offices and departments to coordinate services for students with disabilities.
- Educate the University community about students with disabilities needs/concerns.
E. Ensure Organizational Excellence of the CTLE.
Tactical Goal:
1. The CTLE will operate effectively, efficiently, and creatively to accomplish its mission.
Actions:
- Hire a faculty development specialist.
- Engage in grant writing and other forms of resource management to initiate new CTLE programs.
- Provide professional development opportunities for staff to stay current with latest advancements in their respective fields.
- Ensure proper staffing of the CTLE.
*Actions in bold are new.