Teaching Centers That Thrive: Aspiring to Move From Knowledge to Action

• In Event: 16.061 - Roundtable Session 4
  In Roundtable Session: 16.061-13 - Partnerships, Mentorships, and Other Faculty Development

Abstract

This developmental phenomenographic (Bowden, 2005) study focused on teaching unit leaders and their experiences revolving around creating effective units. This multi-year study was international in scope and included participants from Canada, the United States, Britain, Scotland, Australia, Sweden, Finland, and Norway (n=38). Results revealed there are two important aspects to effective and sustainable teaching centers: (1) cornerstones for effective development and (2) teaching center leadership. The results of this study also reveal when the goal is to support effective pedagogical practices in the classroom, activities should be guided by what we know from the research. When classroom instruction is based on evidence-based effective pedagogical practices, an avenue can open by which to increase equitable opportunities for students.

Authors

• Heather A. Kanuka, University of Alberta

• Jason Holmes, University of Alberta

• Summer Juliet Cowley, University of Alberta