Center for Teaching and Learning

Program Description

[ Purpose] [ Vision] [ Mission] [ Goals] [Roles/Responsibilitie]

Purpose

The Center for Teaching and Learning, established in April 2001, supports the University Mission. Western Oregon University is a comprehensive university that creates personalized learning opportunities, supports the advancement of knowledge for the public good and maximizes individual and professional development. Our environment is open to the exchange of ideas, where discovery, creativity and critical thinking flourish, and students succeed.

The Center's Vision

The Center for Teaching and Learning is a welcoming and easily accessible facility where faculty can meet to get to know each other, discuss issues of mutual concern, explore alternative teaching strategies, discover faculty development resources, and experiment with instructional technology.

The Center for Teaching and Learning is dedicated to building a learning-centered community, and to improving student learning by supporting faculty in ways that make teaching a more satisfying, and productive activity. The Center is committed to helping students and faculty achieve the Institutional Aspirations for Learning.

The Center's Mission

The primary mission of the Center for Teaching and Learning is to support faculty in their roles as teachers, learners, scholars, and members of the university and wider community as a means of enhancing student learning. Enhancement of faculty skills, professional fulfillment, and promotion of collegiality and a sense of campus community are integral to this mission. The Center for Teaching and Learning promotes innovation and collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and administrators at Western Oregon University. The Center for teaching and learning provides opportunities and resources for faculty to enhance their professional lives and promote student learning. The Center for Teaching and Learning seeks to achieve this mission through one-on-one consultation with faculty members, workshop presentations and seminars, publications, resources and a reference library on teaching and learning, and referral to and partnering with other support offices for assistance outside the Center’s area of service. The Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning also consults with division chairs and committees and college and campus administrators on faculty development issues. The services of the Center for Teaching and Learning are available to all university faculty at all stages of their professional careers.

Goals

Dedicated to building a learning-centered community, and to improving student learning by supporting faculty in ways that make teaching a more satisfying, and productive activity, the Center for Teaching and Learning coordinates, consolidates, enhances, and expands existing faculty development services at Western Oregon University. The Center offers:

• Individual assistance and confidential consultation to faculty.
• Campus discussion groups and workshops to promote a multidisciplinary exchange of insight.
• Practical advice on the integration of innovative pedagogies designed to improve instruction.
• Support for research, scholarship, and creative activities, as well as other related professional development activities.
• Support for joint student-faculty research and the scholarship of teaching.
• Assistance in integrating instructional technology to improve teaching.
• A collegial environment of shared purpose and mutual support to cultivate a conversation about teaching and learning on campus.

Roles/Responsibilities

The Center for Teaching and Learning offers a variety of professional development opportunities for faculty including:

• Orientation.
• Workshops and seminars.
• Learning Communities.
• Class observations and feedback on teaching effectiveness.
• Individual or group consultations on instructional design and pedagogy.

Through the Technology Resource Center, the Center for Teaching and Learning assists faculty interested in integrating instructional technology to improve their teaching and enhance student learning through the following services:

• Consultation on instructional technology and information resources.
• Individual tutoring or small group classes on various software packages.
• Assistance in developing web pages and online classes.
• Collaboration in the production of multimedia solutions.

Ethical Responsibilities

The Center operates in accordance with the Ethical Guidelines for Educational Developers published by the Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education (POD), which include evincing a high level of responsibility to clients, operating with competence and integrity, and maintaining confidentiality.

Contact

Center for Teaching and Learning  503-838-8965 | or e-mail: carters@wou.edu