KU teaching circles meeting in February

Ten teaching circles comprised of faculty members are meeting in February to discuss instructional issues.

The teaching circles were created after a series of meetings that the Center for Teaching Excellence facilitated last fall, when faculty met to discuss various instructional issues on campus.

"We're not trying to create more committee meetings for faculty," said Fred Rodriguez, director of the Center for Teaching Excellence. "Instead, each circle will focus on a specific instructional issue with a defined beginning and end.

"Groups may draft a statement to distribute, provide recommendations to consider or identify a specific action or strategy for the Center for Teaching Excellence to undertake," he said.

The five circle meetings yet to be held this month in the Kansas Union include

• "Fostering a Culture of Teaching and Learning," 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 10, Alcove F.

• "Instructional Needs of New Faculty," 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 11, Alcove F.

• "International Teaching Assistants," 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 18, Regionalist Room.

• "Teaching Large Classes," 1 to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 19, Regionalist Room.

• "Colleague to Colleague," 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 23, Alcove D.

These circles cover reasons students stay away from class, new ideas in teaching, students' expectations of teachers, models of technology and teaching, and interdisciplinary teaching.

For more information, contact the Center for Teaching Excellence at 864-4199 or cte@ukans.edu