Programs
Because our focus at Â鶹ӳ»Ó°Òô is both on student learning and creating an environment that stimulates the development of excellent teaching, our approach is multifaceted. Through a range of programs, we support all aspects of faculty development. Part of the assistance is offered through the following programs:
The Mentoring Program for New Faculty
The goals of the new faculty mentoring program are to support new faculty members (experienced and inexperienced) at Â鶹ӳ»Ó°Òô; familiarize them with university expectations, practices, and resources; maximize satisfaction, productivity, and retention; and increase motivation and collegiality across campus. Faculty Success facilitates this by matching mentors and mentees based on compatibility and interests.
Participation in the Mentoring Program is entirely optional.
Coming Soon: Faculty Success Snapshot Reports
The Faculty Success Snapshot Program is a new service that offers faculty an easy way to document their professional growth and engagement. By requesting a personalized Snapshot Report, faculty receive a summary of their involvement with the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL). It covers their engagement with supported programs, services, and professional development activities, helping them tell the story of their ongoing learning, contributions, and accomplishments.
Reports may include a wide range of activities, including workshop attendance, participation in the Mentoring Program, QM Course Developments, consultations, and other interactions with the CITL team. The goal is to provide meaningful recognition for the work faculty invest in enhancing their teaching, contributing to the campus community, and pursuing continuous improvement.
Snapshot Reports can serve as valuable supporting documentation for annual faculty reviews (F2.08), Promotion and Tenure submissions, and other professional portfolios. The program is currently under development, and additional details regarding eligibility and request procedures will be announced soon.
Evaluation and Assessment
We are here to help! The Faculty Success team will provide feedback on individual instructor’s classroom performance. The evaluation methods involve one-on-one meetings, classroom observations, and confidential counseling.
Our team will provide feedback on individual instructor’s classroom performance. The evaluation methods involve one-on-one meetings, classroom observations, and confidential counseling. All of the consultation process will be held confidentially. Faculty interested in pursuing this opportunity are encouraged to contact us at CITL@lamar.edu with the subject line "Feedback Requested."
Services include:
Syllabus and Course Design Consultation
Instructors can work with a CITL consultant at any stage of designing a course, from defining the topic for a course to putting the finishing touches on the syllabus. Consultants help instructors identify learning goals for their students, develop meaningful, well-timed assignments, and determine ways of assessing whether and how students have achieved those goals.
Teaching Observation
A CITL consultant can visit any teaching setting to observe instructional practices. After the visit, the consultant discusses with the instructor what she or he has observed; together, they develop strategies for further experimentation and refinement, and identify areas for ongoing reflection. A teaching observation works particularly well for instructors who have engaged already in some analysis of their own teaching, but would like another perspective.
Small Group Analysis
A CITL consultant meets with students in a class to collect their thoughts about the class, and then meets with the instructor to discuss student responses. An student member can provide valuable insight into what students think is working well in the classroom.
Student Evaluations Consultation
A CITL consultant can help instructors interpret both the numerical ratings and the comments on student evaluations. This type of consultation shifts the focus from viewing evaluations as judgment or critique to recognizing them as a rich source of information about student learning in our disciplines.
Teaching Documentation
Our team consults on the preparation of teaching statements, course portfolios, teaching portfolios, and other forms of documentation. Preparing such materials helps instructors to reflect deliberately on their teaching practice--deepening their understanding of pedagogical goals and methods, and linking those goals and methods to student learning.
Technology Consultation
The CITL can arrange for a technology specialist to work with instructors to explore potential technologies to support student learning and for successful integration of technology into their teaching. This may include assistance with your course learning management site, electronic communication tools, course presentation technologies, and a range of other issues geared to the needs and expertise of the instructor.
Have Questions?
Faculty Success support is available 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. We are committed to the highest ideals of confidentiality in all matters.
Casey Ford | Assistant Director of Faculty Success
For questions about the CITL: CITL@lamar.edu
For questions about Blackboard: blackboard@lamar.edu