Teaching Academy

About Teaching Academy

Teaching Academy is an integral part of the first-year faculty experience, designed to support new educators in their journey towards excellence in teaching. Our mission is to assist faculty members in implementing best teaching practices and to provide a wealth of resources that enhance their professional development.

Purpose and Offerings

Supporting Excellence: The primary purpose of Teaching Academy is to ensure that new faculty members are equipped with the latest and most effective teaching strategies. We offer a comprehensive range of resources, workshops, and mentorship opportunities to help faculty members succeed in their roles.

Campus Cohorts: Meets on the last Friday of each month. We will have three groups/cohorts of new faculty based on your location: NCAT, South, and City Center. NICHE faculty will meet with the City Center cohort. You may also select the time that fits your schedule (see below).

Meeting Dates:

NCAT: Room G107 from 8:30 am - 10:00 am

South: Room Colab from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

City Center: Room A06 from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Session Information and Recordings: For those who are unable to attend the live sessions or who wish to revisit the material covered, session information and recordings are made available. These resources can be accessed below, offering a convenient way for faculty members to stay up-to-date and continuously improve their teaching practices.

At teaching Academy, we are committed to fostering a supportive and collaborative environment where new faculty can thrive. Join us in our mission to elevate the standards of education and create impactful learning experiences for all students.

Teacher's Resource at WSU Tech

The AY24-25 Teaching Academy Tech Deck booklet is your comprehensive guide to the essential resources, tools, and support systems available at WSU Tech for enhancing your teaching experience. This booklet is designed to provide faculty with everything they need to succeed, from instructional design support to educational technology and professional development opportunities.

Inside, you'll find detailed information about the services offered by the Instructional Technology and Academic Support (ITAS) team, including how to request instructional design projects, utilize media services, and access helpdesk support for any technical issues. The booklet also includes a calendar for the Teaching Academy's monthly cohorts, ensuring you stay connected and engaged throughout the academic year.

Additionally, you'll discover a wealth of professional resources, including links to the Innovation Café, Online Learning Consortium, and Quality Matters Program, all aimed at maintaining high-quality teaching standards. Whether you're managing your courses through Canvas, utilizing the latest educational technology tools, or seeking innovative strategies to engage your students, this booklet serves as your go-to reference for achieving teaching excellence at WSU Tech.

AY24 25 Teaching Academy Tech Deck Booklet.pdf

Working With Adult Learners

Adult learners possess distinct needs and expectations that set them apart from younger students. They seek instruction that offers practical benefits, aiming to enhance both their personal lives and professional careers. This demographic values education that is directly applicable and can lead to tangible improvements in their livelihoods. Furthermore, adult learners are keen to integrate their prior experiences and knowledge into the learning environment, enriching the classroom with their divers backgrounds and perspectives.

Adult Learners - Engaging-and-Supporting-Adult-Learners-in-Higher-Education.pdf

To better understand and effectively engage with adult learners, it is essential to consider these unique characteristics. They appreciate a learning experience that acknowledges and builds upon their existing skills and life experiences. By doing so, educators can create a more inclusive and relevant educational environment that resonates with adult learners.

For those looking to delve deeper into strategies for working with adult learners, session materials have been provided below. These resources offer valuable insights and practical approaches to enhance your teaching methods, ensuring a more effective and fulfilling learning experience for adult students. Explore the materials to gain a comprehensive understanding of how to meet the needs of adult learners in your classroom.

Kagan Strategies

Kagan strategies foster a supportive classroom environment by promoting interactive learning. The core idea behind these strategies is to enhance student interaction. Developed by Dr. Spencer Kagan, an expert in cooperative learning, these methods emphasize the use of learning groups and games as teaching tools. The benefits of Kagan strategies arise from engaging students early in the learning process, blending application with instruction for an active and engaging experience. This approach builds a sense of community and collaboration between instructors and students.

Kagan Structures Example

Find Someone Who

Students move around the classroom, seeking classmates who can answer questions on a teacher-created "Find Someone Who" form. They must find a different classmate for each question, encouraging communication with everyone in the class.

Mix-Pair-Share

Students move around the room to music or their own rhythm. When the music stops or the teacher calls "pair," they team up with the nearest classmate. The teacher then assigns a discussion topic for the pairs. This activity can be repeated multiple times with the same or different questions, ensuring students pair with a different classmate each round.

Corners

Students select one of four designated corners of the room and discuss a topic with others in their chosen corner. Each corner represents a different answer to a question or opinion on a topic, fostering diverse interactions.

RoundRobin

After grouping students into teams, each student shares something with their teammates. The RoundRobin activity can involve a single turn or multiple turns for each student. Everyone takes turns listening to each teammate, ensuring that everyone has a chance to share.

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