A Comprehensive Research Assessment to Examine the Utility of a Disciplinary Teaching and Learning Center

• In Event: Supporting Faculty Across Career Span and Discipline

Abstract

There is a growing recognition in higher education that teaching expertise is necessary to ensure that students develop a deep, lasting understanding. As a result, higher education institutions have increasingly emphasized professional development (PD) to help university faculty members compensate for their lack of specific training in teaching. Here we describe a PD effort -- a teaching and learning center (TLC) focused specifically on teaching within the disciplines of chemistry and biology. We incorporated comprehensive research assessment to examine the utility of the TLC. Using five levels of evaluation (Participation, Satisfaction, Learning, Application, and Impact), we were able to make recommendations for program improvement. This evaluation platform can serve as a model for other PD programs.

Authors

• Gili Marbach-Ad, University of Maryland

• Katerina Thompson, University of Maryland

• Laura Coward Egan, Westat