Teaching Using Technology Institute, May 27-30th, 2008
Memorandum
To: Full-time faculty
From: Dr. Mark Stoner, Interim Director, Center for Teaching and Learning
Dr. Diego Bonilla, TuT Coordinator, Center for Teaching and Learning
Date: March 12, 2008
Subject: Teaching Using Technology (TuT) Summer Institute 2008
Theme: Universal Design and Accessibility
The Center for Teaching and Learning is pleased to announce the Teaching Using Technology Summer Institute, May 27-30, 2008.
The 2008 TuT Summer Institute goals and structure foreground teaching with technology serving as a tool to enhance teaching when and where it is appropriate. Therefore, we are very interested in working with participants who are interested in deeply developing their teaching; facility with technology is not a pre-requisite.
Institute structure
The institute will have a new shape designed to create a community of learners among faculty participants. Participants will have lots of opportunities to talk with colleagues and mentors about their teaching interests and concerns, learn new approaches that value their intellectual interests and draw from their deep content knowledge to design or re-design course units in ways that they and their students find engaging. Participants will examine some technological tools that will assist them in implementing universal design and accessibility decisions more easily or effectively.
In order to accomplish institute goals, participants will explore the concepts of universal design and accessibility through readings, discussions, presentations and practice. These activities will provide starting points for thinking in new ways about teaching and open opportunities for them to creatively develop new methods, tools and approaches with the unique contexts of their disciplines. As part of a community of learners, participation throughout the workshop is essential.
We wish all faculty could participate, but of course, resources are limited. If you participated in the 2004, 2005, 2006, or 2007 TuT institute, you are not eligible to receive incentives. However, if you are a recent TuT veteran (2004-2007) and you wish to participate for the entire four days as an auditor, please let us know so we can accommodate you by providing readings, and other materials.
Incentives
Depending on your existing resources, if accepted, you will receive either a laptop computer (PC or Mac) or funds for equipment or activities related to the institute’s goals. If you have a state issued laptop four years old or older, you may opt for a laptop. Otherwise, you will receive funds to purchase equipment, or software you need to teach all of your students; or you may use it for travel to conferences or present papers. The funds will extend through the 2008-2009 academic year.
Application
The application is available online at: http://ctl.csus.edu/tut
Key Dates:
April 9, 2008, applications are due by 5:00 PM, Wednesday. (If you choose to use hard copy, please make sure it is at the Center for Teaching and Learning, LIB 4026, by 5:00 PM, Wednesday, April 9, 2008.)
April 11, 2008, TuT Planning Committee reviews applications and makes selections. (The committee will select the final pool of participants in proportion to past patterns of participation among the colleges. The committee anticipates a class of about 28 participants.)
Participants will be notified during the week of April 14, 2008. We will forward a list of participants in your college to you and to the relevant department chairs.
Outcomes
• August 15, 2008—have created accessible syllabi for all courses you will be teaching in Fall 2008.
• August 30, 2008—with the help of a coach/mentor, have completed a plan for developing and installing specific universal design practices in your teaching during 2008-2009 academic year. The plan includes, at minimum, two specific development goals; a plan for achieving your goals; a timeline for achieving your goals, and a design for self-assessing your work.
• Write a 2-3 page reflection on achievement of your personal learning goals related to teaching. (Submit to the CTL by December 19, 2008)
• Organize or participate in a departmental or college-wide colloquium on universal design during the 2008-2009 academic year. (We encourage collaboration among you and with the CTL to accomplish this goal by May 8, 2009).
We are excited about the direction we are taking and we look forward to an energetic, enjoyable, participative and productive four days together. We encourage you to apply.
