Welcome back to the spring semester at MSU! I have always wondered why we call it spring semester since it is winter for the first three months. One of those unanswered questions I guess.
We have gotten off to a fast start at CETL. Our new, Faculty Resource Guide is now on this website under "Teaching Resources." You will also find a complete list of new books purchased by the Center in the past year, also found in "Teaching Resources" under "Lending Library." These books will soon be available in the library for check-out. For now, scan through the list which includes an annotated bibliography to help you decide if it is something you are interested in checking out.
The big news for CETL is over the break we were selected to present our "success story" at the Higher Learning Commission meeting in Chicago in early April. This is a real honor as only three universities were selected. We knew we had dedicated faculty that were waiting for opportunities to develop teaching skills and we have supportive upper administration that has made work here so enjoyable.
The Certificate Program continues on this semester with 60 faculty and teaching assistants working in teaching/learning areas. This semester they will meet in small groups to discuss D2L, Classroom Assessment Techniques, Course Revision, and Portfolios for faculty and students.
In addition to the Certificate Program, the Center also sponsors the Feminist Issues Learning Community, the Service-Learning Community and the Senior Faculty Learning Community.
We are excited to announce elsewhere on this website our second, "Talking About Teaching and Learning Conference" on February 11, 2005. Featuring Dr. Dee Fink, the all-day event will present important ideas on course revision, one of the most important areas in improving college teaching. Don't miss this helpful workshop.
That is all for now. We hope all of you have a great semester of teaching and learning at Minnesota State University!
Sincerely,
Stewart Ross,
Director
Dawn Ellen Kirkland,
Graduate Assistant
Dr. Stewart L. Ross
Coordinator for the Center for
Excellence in Teaching and Learning
And Active Learning Advocate
Minnesota State University, Mankato
MH 267
507-389-1098 (office)
or
507-381-7515 (cell phone)
