CSI instructors, both new and returning, are without exception masters of subject matter, bringing deep expertise in their chosen fields. The CSI Teaching & Learning Center offers to enhance their teaching and learning experience through practical ideas and techniques related to pedagogy.
We believe pedagogy simply means the art and science of teaching. Others describe it as the theory and practice of education, but no matter how you describe it, we can help you to understand and to practice effective principles of pedagogy. This is crucial for both instructors and teachers because pedagogy promotes:
- Clear and Effective Communication - We can help to equip you with techniques to communicate complex ideas effectively, leading not only to short-term comprehension for students, but life-long learning.
- Engagement and Motivation - We work to understand your instructional goals and teaching style, and suggest pedagogical strategies to cultivate meaningful learning experiences, curiosity, and a spark for learning.
- Assessment and Feedback - Pedagogical techniques related to student mastery of outcomes highlight the potential to emphasis progress over perfection, empowering learners to embrace challenge, learn from imperfection, and to persist through difficulty. We can help you to provide feed forward - pedagogical techniques that emphasize student feedback that surpasses grades to nurture resilience and a growth mindset.
- Differentiation of Instruction - CSI welcomes a great diversity of learners, and we work with you to ensure that our education is accessible to all students.
- Reflective Practice - Learning about pedagogy encourages you to reflect, examining your teaching methods through observation and by seeking feedback. This is a hallmark of self-assessment and both personal and professional growth.
- Preparing Students for the Future - As a CSI instructor, you work to prepare students not only for their future work, but their future success, ensuring they are equipped with durable skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication. These skills transcend disciplines to empower students to navigate change, contend with ambiguity, and thrive in an ever-changing world.
Resources
Cult of Pedagogy: A great resource for teaching strategies to be used in the classroom. The website's original audience was the K-12 classroom, but often the activities can be used in the higher education classroom with only minor adjustments.
Patricia Cross Academy: This website includes a comprehensive video library of teaching strategies with a related book, "Engaged Teaching: A Handbook for College Faculty". These resources provide instructors with a deeper understanding of the foundations of college teaching, course design, the classroom learning environment, instructional methods, and teaching improvement.