Syllabus Preparation & Team Building Workshop
Meeting Summary

Agenda

1. Welcome and Overview
   
   
2. Successful Team Teaching Strategies
   
   
3. Getting to Know Your Team-Teaching Partner
   
   
4. Strategies for Achieving the University 101 Learning Outcomes
   
   
5. Next Steps

Welcome and Overview

In an effort to offer a framework for the importance of the work that is ahead of us for fall 2009, highlights from the First-Year Initiative (FYI) survey were shared (fall 2008 data collection). The FYI is a national benchmarking survey that measures the effectiveness of a first-year seminar on fifteen factors, such as knowledge of campus policies, knowledge of wellness, engaging pedagogies, ability to manage time, critical thinking, and overall course effectiveness.

The survey was administered in late November through early December to all students enrolled in U101. We had a response rate of 70%.

Instructors received individualized reports comparing the scores of their specific section to the means of all sections offered in fall 2008. We learned a great deal about the course as a whole through this survey. For students enrolled in University 101 at the University of South Carolina, we learned that the two biggest predictors of “Overall Course Effectiveness” were: 1. Engaging Pedagogies; and 2. Usefulness of Course Readings. Based on these findings, the University 101 staff will be providing opportunities for all instructors to improve in these areas for the fall 2009 semester.

Engaging Pedagogies

The processes that we use to engage students make a significant impact on their learning as well as their perception of the course. Due to the seminar-style of the UNIV101 course, instructors are less responsible for delivering material to students through regular lectures, but rather responsible for “creating a safe learning environment; where students feel free to learn from and teach their peers. To do this effectively, we recommend using a mix of instructional strategies, including small group discussions, active learning, and “role playing or skits” (Faculty Resource Manual, Teaching and Learning, pg. 2). Efforts to develop the skill of using engaging pedagogies will be made at the Building Connections Conference through multiple concurrent sessions as well as a keynote address from Brad Garner, a national expert on teaching with active learning strategies.

Additionally, a chapter on Teaching and Learning has been included in the Faculty Resource Manual. This chapter includes information regarding how to build an engaging class environment as well as activities and processes that instructors can employ to enhance their teaching strategies.

Usefulness of Course Readings

From the FYI data we learned that there is a correlation between students’ perception of the value of course readings and their perception of the course. Instructors who assist students in seeing the relevance of their readings will be more likely to have students apply what they learned through the readings to class discussions and assignments.

Students who indicated that their course texts were utilized were more likely to report that they saw value in the course readings. In an effort to increase usage of course texts, and therefore value, new course requirements have been developed to help instructors better balance the required readings for UNIV101. All courses will be required to use Transitions + 1 additional reading. The 2nd reading can be a novel, a selection of articles, components of the GamecockConnection.org library, a daily newspaper, the First-Year Reading Experience selection, etc. By allowing more flexibility in instructors’ selection of a supplemental text, we expect that instructors, and therefore students, will be more enthusiastic about the text used in their course.

During the Building Connections Conference, instructors who want to learn strategies for incorporating Transitions into their course will have the option of attending a concurrent session addressing this topic.

Course Updates Regarding Campus Partner Presentations

As a result of the Program Review process, there will not be any required presentations for the fall 2009 semester. University 101 instructors will be able to achieve the course learning outcomes through whatever methods they feel best fit their own preferences as well as the needs of the students in their section.

There will still be presentation offerings, as we recognize that utilizing our campus partners to help facilitate our course outcomes is an important strategy. Campus agencies were invited to submit a proposal for a UNIV101 presentation that aligned with the learning outcomes. Information about these presentations (outline of the presentation, follow up activities/assignments) will be posted on the University 101 website by the end of April. ;

We will not pre-schedule any presentations for classes. If you are interested in adding a presentation to your course schedule, you can sign up beginning at the Building Connections Conference on May 20th continuing throughout the summer.

Successful Team Teaching Strategies
For the second portion of the Syllabus Preparation and Team-Building Workshop, teaching partners were introduced to strategies for building an effective teaching team. A discussion of best practices for team teaching focused on important steps for building a new teaching partnership.

Building a Successful Teaching Team
Regular communication throughout the semester
Ongoing communication between teaching partners is key to a successful relationship! We encourage you to find a standing time that you will meet- each week-to discuss any issues you have seen with students, to discuss class logistics and to prepare accordingly for upcoming class sessions. With regular communication, all of the other components of a successful team are much easier!

Clarity of roles and responsibilities
The responsibility for regular classroom tasks can easily be shared by teaching team members. By understanding who is going to take the lead in various areas, you can rest assured that all of the various components are taken care of

Goal Setting
The peer and graduate leaders have taken on this volunteer opportunity not only as a way of serving others but to enhance their own skills and abilities. Understanding the goals that each of you have set for yourself and assist one another in achieving these goals by taking advantage of opportunities in and out of the classroom. Additionally, hold one another accountable for your goals-revisit your goals throughout the semester.

Expect to see displays of high levels of professionalism and leadership behaviors The University 101 classroom is the prefect environment for all of us to improve our leadership skills! The classroom environment is the perfect space to develop communication, practice appropriate professional behaviors, and encourage students to succeed while providing appropriate challenge to motivate them to achieve.

Following a discussion of best practices for team teaching, partnerships were invited to participate in an introductory interview with one another and begin to recognize how individual strengths could be translated into classroom responsibilities using the Roles and Responsibilities worksheet

Strategies for Achieving the University 101 Learning Outcomes

Following the discussions about the course goals and outcomes and the team development interviews, teaching teams were given the opportunity to begin developing strategies for how they can reach these outcomes using a variety of methods and assignments. A course-planning document was introduced to aid in course development. Using this form as a planning tool, instructors can visualize the topics they will cover in an effort to meet each of the outcomes. It is also helpful to view the columns of the matrix to ensure that a variety of teaching methods, readings, and assignment types are being employed during the semester. You can see how most topics and assignments will touch on multiple learning outcomes. By using a comprehensive planning tool like the matrix provided, instructors can ensure that they are meeting all of the learning outcomes for the students enrolled in their course.

Announcements and Upcoming Deadlines and Events

Instructors were reminded of important upcoming dates. Please visit the Instructor page of the University 101 website regularly for important announcements and upcoming events.