Teaching Circles

The goal of Teaching Circles is to create a collegial community of support and resources for faculty staff addressing classroom "knotty problems." Teaching Circles (4-5 biological faculty/staff) are held approximately biweekly, starting several weeks after the beginning of the semester and ending several weeks before the end of the semester. Initially, faculty/staff participants meet weekly as they describe to each other the particular situation, problem, and approach to solving a teaching/learning problem. The group makes suggestions, including possible ways they can help: i.e. try out an assignment, visit the class and observe, interview students in the last 10 minutes of class, and make comments on materials for class. Teaching Circle meetings include time for discussion of "immediate" teaching/learning issues.

Some Teaching Circles may be follow-up to workshops and therefore are "thematic." Others are "neighborhood" teaching circles to facilitate participation by minimizing travel-time.

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