2008 Summer Institute in College Instruction (May 12th – 23rd)
Institute for Teaching & Learning
University of Connecticut


The Institute for Teaching & Learning (ITL) and the Graduate School are pleased to announce the first annual Summer Institute in College Instruction. This Institute is intended to provide our graduate students with an initial course as a component of a significant credential on their transcripts in the area of instructional theory and practical competence. Upon completion, graduate students, across the campuses, will be able to:

It is intended primarily for graduate students who are in the early stages of their PhD program and who intend to take other courses to complete the 9-credit Graduate Certificate in College Instruction.*

The Institute will take place from May 12th to 23rd in the CUE building and has a capacity of 20 students. Acceptance is competitive. The course carries 3 credits and is graded. A stipend of  $750 will be paid to participants upon successful completion.

Application Procedure

To apply for the Summer Institute in College Learning, please complete and submit the application form below along with a current curriculum vitae and one-page statement that addresses the following:

Candidates must solicit one confidential letter of recommendation from a UConn faculty member who can attest to your interest in instruction and expected commitment to a future career in higher education. This letter of recommendation must be submitted by the faculty member under separate cover to the address below.

Submit application materials to:

Summer Institute in College Learning
Institute for Teaching & Learning
University of Connecticut
CUE, Unit 2142
268 Fairfield Road
Storrs, CT 06269-2142

Or Fax to (860) 486-5724 or email to itl@uconn.edu                            

Application Deadline: May 2nd, 2008 at 4:30 p.m.

 

2008 Summer Institute in College Instruction (May 12th – 23rd)

Name: _______________________________________________________________
(please print or type)           Last                         First                             M.I.

Mailing address: _______________________________________________________

Telephone: (       ) ___________________ Email: ____________________________

At what stage (% and years) are you into your PhD degree? ____________________

Members of the Summer Institute in College Learning are required to attend course sessions both morning and afternoon on all days.
Are you able to do this? ______________


Signature _____________________________  Date __________________________


For further information, please contact ITL at (860) 486-2686 or itl@uconn.edu.
Download the above form by selecting the following link to the .doc file: itl.uconn.edu/Application.doc
Email the form as an attachment to itl@uconn.edu

Draft course description:

The course will consist of 10 days of classes (morning and afternoon), seminars, and workshops over the 2 weeks from May 12th to 23rd. In some cases there may be alternative activities providing a choice for participants.

Typical sessions are as follows:

Morning

Afternoon

Many of the sessions will require the graduates to write short reflections on the topics.

*Graduate Certificate Program in College Instruction
Thursday, April 10, 2008

Educational Objectives of the Program

This certificate program is intended to provide graduate students with a significant credential on their transcripts in the area of instructional understanding and competence. This is an opportunity for graduate students across the campuses to gain teaching instruction, classroom management, techniques using technology, assessment and evaluation, and other pedagogical best-practice expertise in both general and discipline-oriented areas. The objectives of this program are to deliver and document such skills in both a theoretical and pragmatic manner.

In the process of compiling a total of 9 credits the graduate students will have completed a required 2-week, 3-credit Summer Institute (GRAD 5915) offered by the Institute for Teaching & Learning (ITL) followed by the submission of other credit-bearing educational courses offered throughout the University and approved by the Graduate School.

The Summer Institute will provide an overview of major issues in college teaching. It will be practice-oriented with an emphasis on the pragmatics of design, assessment, and improvement of courses. The graduate students will obtain a working knowledge of a process for designing college-level instruction, information and experiences which will help them to develop a solid understanding of college teaching and learning and a personal philosophy which will define their roles, responsibilities, and behaviors as a teacher. Intellectual and practical experiences will be created which will form a foundation upon which they can build a repertoire of college teaching skills and a useful array of teaching materials.

Course sequence of the Program

Common core course (required) GRAD 5915

It is expected that the initial 2-week, 3-credit course (known as the ITL Summer Institute) will take place in the latter 2 weeks of May each year subject to demand from the graduate student population. This will consist of lectures, seminars, and workshops with reflective documents reporting on learning acquired. The remaining 6 credits can be comprised of a number of courses offered through departments, schools, and colleges at the University and approved for the purpose of this certificate by the Graduate School.

For example, the Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers 2 courses (currently numbered EDCI 5830-02 and -03) that would provide a further 5 credits towards completion of the certificate. The 02 section is a seminar class that has had 4 offerings since 2006 under the course number EDCI 326-02. The 03 section is an independent study.

Further courses (examples)

History 401 and 402 (old numbers). This course will address the need to formally train our graduate students for careers as educators, communicating knowledge about the past to diverse audiences, both within and outside school.

EKIN 6505 provides students with a 'hands-on' approach to the translation of learning theories and styles and the principles of curriculum development, design and assessment into the practice of activities that enhance learning for health fitness and sport professionals.

GEOG 415 (old number) Guided development of college-level instruction. Drafting of course objectives, selection of texts, development of course and lecture outlines, selection of grading mechanisms, and incorporating feedback for improvement of instruction.

Math 360/5000. The theory and practice of teaching mathematics at the college level. Basic skills, grading methods, cooperative learning, active learning, use of technology, classroom problems, history of learning theory, reflective practice.

ROML 395 addresses learning to critique, and practice effective techniques for teaching and evaluating foreign language. Students sharpen their observation skills and reflect on their own teaching practice through self- and peer-observation. Students also learn from the creation of portfolio activities and other artifacts and their reflections about them.

ENGL 5100. This course provides insight and support for the day-to-day practice of the teaching of writing, and to encourage critical reflection on the history, values, principles and meaning of teaching writing in an academic context.

Such courses, once validated by the Graduate School, could provide the residue of the 6 credits.

Acceptance to the ITL Summer Institute will be competitive with selection being made by ITL and Graduate School staff. It is expected that it will be primarily limited to doctoral students who have completed at least 1 year of work (Preference will be given to those who will continue at the University for some time and thus will benefit the student and possibly the department).

Professor Keith Barker will be the coordinator of the program.