Book Discussions sponsored by the Center for Faculty Innovation are intended to provide an opportunity for faculty from across campus to read and discuss a book related to higher education teaching or scholarship. An announcement is distributed in late Fall and after participants are selected, books are distributed prior to the semester break. Book discussion times are scheduled during the Spring semester and participants are provided with a series of questions for exploration and/or reflection. Discussions stimulate a lively cross-disciplinary interchange of ideas and an opportunity to get to know JMU colleagues.
Thank you for your interest in the Faculty Book Discussion
but the program is now full.
Click here to view pictures from last year's Faculty Book Discussion
Learner-Centered Teaching: Five Key Changes to Practice by Maryellen Weimer
A book focused on ways to re-vision and improve our teaching, a relaxing conversation with colleagues -- add wine and cheese and you have just the right mix for the Spring 2008 Faculty Book Discussion sponsored by the JMU Center for Faculty Innovation. Teaching faculty are invited to apply now. The program is limited to the first 30 applicants.
This year’s book is Learner-Centered Teaching: Five Key Changes to Practice by Maryellen Weimer. It raises important questions about the act of teaching and challenges our understandings of what forms “learning” can take. What, for example does “Learner-Centered” mean? Is that the same as “Student Centered”? Or “Learning-Centered”? The discussions will investigate and interrogate Weimer’s numerous and practical pedagogical strategies in an effort to invigorate (and better understand) our own teaching. To that end, participants will have an opportunity to consider how the instructional strategies might be incorporated into their own teaching.
WHEN & WHERE: 3:30-5 p.m. on three Fridays (January 18, February 1, and February 15) in Allegheny Room of Festival Conference Center. Participants should be available for and commit to attending all three sessions.
FACILITATORS:
Traci Pipkins (Writing and Rhetoric Studies, College of Arts and Letters)
Brenda Fogus (Exceptional Education, College of Education)
HOW IT WORKS: 30 participants will receive a complimentary copy of the book in early December for reading prior to the first meeting on January 18th.
Apply here: The Faculty Book Discussion but the program is now full.
For questions, contact the Center for Faculty Innovation (littledl@jmu.edu or 568-4846).
PREVIOUS BOOKS:
> Spring 2007: "The Missing Professor" by Thomas D. Jones.
> Spring 2006: "What the Best College Teachers Do" by Ken Bain.
> Spring 2005: "The Courage to Teach" by Parker J. Palmer.