Center for Teaching & LearningThe Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) serves the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College faculty and staff in the creation of vibrant learning environments. We are very proud of the many services and tools that we support, most of which have emerged from the creative ideas of ABAC faculty and staff. For more information contact: Dr. Thomas Chase Hagood, Director of the Center and Faculty Development Coordinator Dr. Hans Schmeisser, Director of the Center and Faculty Development Coordinator |
Missions & Goals
Mission Statement
The mission of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is to promote institutional effectiveness through professional development for faculty and staff. The Center strives to enhance student learning by encouraging innovative teaching, promoting instructional excellence, providing an environment for sharing talents throughout the college, and fostering professional growth for all employees.
Goals
The goals of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College are:
- to foster collaboration among faculty and staff to share talents and expertise in the areas of teaching, learning, and student success
- to provide training and support in the development and implementation of teaching methods, instructional technologies, assessment practices, and curricular innovations
- to maintain a library of teaching resources
- to share information about professional development opportunities, materials, and grants through email, mail, and website
- to administer a teaching excellence incentive program for faculty which will award stipends to faculty who develop and implement creative teaching strategies and/or who develop workshops for other faculty to employ such teaching strategies
- to coordinate new faculty orientation and mentorship
- to coordinate faculty and staff fall conference
Areas of Focus
- Colloquium Series will help to foster collaboration among faculty and staff to share talents and expertise.
- Provide training workshops on topics related to the development and implementation of teaching methods, instructional technologies, assessment practices, and curricular innovations.
- Maintain a repository of teaching resources including a website to share professional development opportunities.
- Administer teaching excellence incentive program.
- Conduct new faculty orientation and set up mentorship for new faculty.
- Provide enriching workshops for all faculty and staff during fall conference.
Leadership Team
Role of the CTL Leadership Team
The Center for Teaching and Learning Leadership team is made up of faculty and staff who are interested in developing and promoting professional development activities at ABAC. The roles of the CTL Leadership Team members are:
- To provide recommendations for professional development activities
- To initiate and implement professional development programs and activities
- To serve as a representative and advocate of the CTL’s programs and activities to their respective school/department
2012-2013 CTL Leadership Team Members
Ms. Lorie Felton, School of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Dr. Sandra Giles, School of Liberal Arts
Dr. Thomas Chase Hagood, School of Liberal Arts
Dr. Cyndy Hall, School of Liberal Arts
Dr. Maggie Martin, Director of Student Development
Ms. Katrina McCrae, School of Science and Math
Ms. Melanie Partlow, School of Science and Math
Dr. Jewrell Rivers, School of Human Sciences
Dr. Hans Schmeisser, School of Liberal Arts
Mr. Troy Spicer, School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Ms. Amy Warren, School of Human Sciences
Ms. Janet Weaver, OITS Client Support
Programs
The CTL offers its faculty participants a diversity of programming that can enhance their professional and personal lives.
Certificate Programs
In Fall 2012, the CTL created an Engaged Faculty Certificate to encourage both faculty involvement in the Center’s events and in building a greater faculty community at the College. Engaged Faculty are individuals whose participation reflects a serious involvement with the Center’s programming over the course of the academic year.
Colloquium and Seminar Series
Throughout the year, faculty and staff provide lectures on a variety of professional topics. Due to overwhelming interest, the series has expanded and will provide two lectures each month.
New Faculty Academy
The CTL offers an orientation for new faculty each fall as well as a variety of courses through out the year.
Technology Workshops
The CTL provides workshops through out the year on a variety of teaching and learning technologies. For a listing of current workshops and seminars visit the Technology Workshops pull-down.
Faculty Colloquium and Seminar Series
The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) hosts both a Faculty Research Colloquium and Teaching Seminar Series. Presentations are held the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 3:30pm in Carlton 202. Faculty and Staff present research-driven talks for the colloquia gatherings and teaching-related topics for seminars.
Spring 2013
Thursday, February 7, 2013 3:30-4:30 pm
“The Value of Reflection: Self-Assessment in the College Classroom.”
Jeff Newberry
Thursday, February 21, 2013 3:30-4:30 pm
“TEDtalks in the Classroom.”
Troy Spicer
Thursday, March 21, 2013 3:30-4:30 pm
“Distance Counseling.”
Maggie Martin
Thursday, April 4, 2013 3:30-4:30 pm
Topic: TBA
Cyndy Hall
Monday, April 22, 2013 3:30-4:30 pm
“Student Creativity.”
Sandra Giles
New Faculty Academy
The New Faculty Academy is designed to assist new faculty with teaching technologies and practices that may be unique to ABAC. An orientation is provided at the beginning of the academic year as well as a variety of workshops through out the year.
Workshops for New Faculty
Advising @ ABAC
Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 4pm
Rebecca Cofer and Nicholas Urquhart
Carlton 202
WebCT Assignments and Assessment
Date/Time: TBA
Janet Weaver
Carlton 202
Wimba
Date/Time: TBA
Janet Weaver
Carlton 202
Banner
Date/Time: TBA
Tarrah Mirus
Carlton 202
Open Topic Day
Date/Time: TBA
Janet Weaver
Conger 222
