Welcome to the Welcome to the Teaching-Learning Teaching-Learning

AcademyAcademy

2010: CELEBRATING 2010: CELEBRATING 11 YEARS 11 YEARS OF OF STUDENT VOICES STUDENT VOICES AT AT

WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITYWESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

TLA in Canada House and TLA in Canada House and Beyond…Beyond…

Teaching-Learning Teaching-Learning AcademyAcademy

“Students as Co-Inquirers” Interest

Group in the International Society for

the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

(ISSOTL)

A.S. Student Voices Club

Courses, e.g.Comm 339, Educ 109, Psych 210

Courses, e.g.Comm 339, Educ 109, Psych 210

Conferences and forums,

e.g. Scholars

Week

OverviewOverview

A Community of Scholars Studying and Enhancing

Western’s Learning Culture

ParticipantsParticipants

AdministratorsFaculty StaffStudentsCommunity

Members

StaffStaff

Carmen Werder

Michael Murphy

Megan OtisCameron Schmidt

Ashley Gardella

ObjectivesObjectives

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

ActivitiesActivitiesMeet 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)

ProcessProcessTogether 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.

AgreementsAgreements

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.

FacilitationFacilitation

Facilitate: to make easy

Use Agreements to ensure air time for all

Student facilitators – Comm 339 (Applied Practicum)

Overall ResultsOverall ResultsParticipants report:

more positive attitudes toward students/faculty/staff

new insights into teaching & learning

more informed teaching & learning practices

advancement of institutional change initiatives

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 Hallmarks of a Reflective Learning CultureCulture

More time and slowed pace

Inspiring, natural places

Encouragement of new, creative and innovative ways to learn and teach

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

Time to work both alone and with groups

Increased sense of interconnectedness and understanding of common ground and differences

Winter Winter 20102010Reflective

LearningSpaces Book

TLA: Practice and PraxisTLA: Practice and PraxisDuring Winter 2010 the Anth. 303 Qualitative

Methods class examined the dynamics of TLA through observation, interviews, and focus groups.

The primary research question: Is the guiding philosophy of TLA of equal voice for all stakeholders in teaching and learning at Western (the praxis) actually realized in TLA sessions (the practice)?

Resoundingly, analysis of the data confirmed that TLA practice and the praxis work in tandem. Students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community members freely engage with each other in common purpose to improve teaching and learning.

Spring 2010Spring 2010

Spring into Action…

Meeting Dates: April 7/8, April 21/22, May 5/6 and May 19/20

Academy Awards – June 2nd - 4:30-6pm - VU 565

TodayTodayOpening Surveys

Reflective Exercise

Introductions

Small group dialogue

Whole group convening

Where Does the Sun Shine Where Does the Sun Shine on You?on You?