TLA dialogue groups set to begin 14th year

The Teaching-Learning Academy started in 2000 as a temporary structure primarily for bringing in student voices and ideas on the learning environment at Western Washington University. But it has stuck. After 14 years, it’s become a mainstay with an opportunity for faculty and staff across campus to enter into dialogue with students as well as with interested community members.

During fall quarter, the TLA collectively develops a BIG question to study for the rest of the academic year so if you join this quarter, you will have a chance to influence that question. 

Dialogue groups meet every other week in the Learning Commons (Wilson Library 270) with four different options: Noon to 1:20 p.m. on Wednesdays, 2 to 3:20 p.m. on Wednesdays, Noon to 1:20 p.m. on Thursdays and 2 to 3:20 p.m. on Thursdays. Groups begin meeting Oct. 1 and 2 and continue every other week after that (Oct. 15 and 16, Oct. 29 and 30, Nov. 12 and 13 and Dec. 3 and 4) for a total of five sessions for the quarter.

While the sessions last officially for 80 minutes, faculty and staff can come and participate for whatever time they have.

TLA participants say it’s a great place to interact with students and colleagues outside their programs/Departments and hear what they really think. Many also say that they enjoy the interaction and appreciate the chance to take action and make good differences in the way we teach and learn at WWU.

To find out more, see http://library.wwu.edu/tla. To sign up for a dialogue group and get on the list serve, email Shevell Thibou shevell.thibou@wwu.edu Or just stop by the Learning Commons on Oct. 1 or 2 at noon or at 2 p.m. and try it out.

If you know of any students who might be interested in participating in TLA including the opportunity to earn a Communication practicum credit, please refer them to Carmen Werder, carmen.werder@wwu.edu.