Fall Quarter TLA Begins Oct. 3 & 4

How do we create a trusting learning environment? Is political correctness a form of censorship, or is it an ideal for creating fairness? Does the grading system and standardized testing help or hurt student learning? Join students, faculty, staff, and community members as they consider questions like these during this quarter’s Teaching-Learning Academy (TLA) dialogue sessions. 

TLA kicks off Oct. 3 and 4
The TLA meets from Noon-12:50 p.m. every other Wednesday and Thursday beginning Oct. 3 and 4. No registration is required, and participants are free to drop in and join the groups even if they cannot stay for the entire session.

The TLA’s primary objective is to create a community of scholars who work together to enhance teaching and learning by providing:

  • a cross-disciplinary space for dialogue which explores how teaching and learning can be enhanced throughout the University and beyond.
  • a forum for fostering collaboration and bridging the gaps between students, staff, faculty, and community members.
  • a space that values diverse perspectives and works towards creating active communities.  
  • professional development resources and workshops that support both scholarly teaching and the scholarship of teaching and learning.

 TLA participants consistently report that the TLA dialogue sessions provide a great way to connect with others outside of their disciplines and departments, and to learn more about Western’s teaching and learning culture. Many say it also gives them a chance to take a breath and just listen to what others, especially students, really think. The goals of each dialogue session are to share well-rounded views related to teaching and learning while encouraging the use of listening to understand and appreciate differences, and promoting open-mindedness and mutual respect for diverse perspectives.  

For more information, see http://library.wwu.edu/tla.  To sign up for the TLA listserv, email TLA@wwu.edu(Students: there is also an opportunity to participate in the TLA for LIBR 340 “Speaking and Listening” practicum credit. For more information, contact:  Shevell.Thibou@wwu.edu.)