Teaching Squares

Coming again in Winter 2017!

Teaching Squares Flyer

Would you like to:

• Re-energize your teaching?
• Talk with colleagues about best practices for teaching?
• Ignite your passion for teaching?
• Reflect on your own teaching practices?
• Observe other instructors in the classroom?
• Create collaborative connections with other faculty members?

Participate in the Teaching Squares Program Winter term!

Teaching Squares will be offered in two formats this year! One is for classroom-based (face-to-face) faculty while the other is for online faculty and is a collaborative project between Faculty Professional Development and Academic Technology.

Teaching Squares (face-to-face instructors)

The purpose of the Teaching Squares program is to improve teaching skills and build community through a non-threatening process of classroom observation and shared reflection. The process involves the best aspects of peer evaluation — observation and discussion — while excluding judgment and evaluation. "Squares" are usually comprised of four faculty members from diverse disciplines who observe each others' classes. Participants in a square learn about the best practices of other faculty in order to improve their own teaching.

By participating in Teaching Squares you will have an opportunity to:

• Observe, analyze, and celebrate good teaching,
• Increase your understanding of and appreciation for the work of your colleagues, and
• Enhance your own teaching based on the shared observations and reflections of your Square partners.

Participants typically spend ten hours during one term in Teaching Squares activities, which includes: initial meeting, three Classroom visits, Square share session with your peers, and a Wrap-Up meeting. Participants will receive a $300 stipend upon completion of the prgram.

If you are interested in participating in the Teaching Squares program during Winter term, please email the following information to the Faculty Professional Development Coordinator (mitchella@lanecc.edu) by November 29, 2016:

• Name
• Department/Division
• Discipline
• Class schedule for Spring
• Any additional limitations on your availability
• Number of years teaching and number of years at Lane
• Any additional comments

Consult the Teaching Squares and Teaching Pairs  for more information.

Teaching "Pairs" (online instructors)

Teaching Squares for online instructors is actually a teaching pair! The pair consists of faculty participants (ideally from different disciplines) who:

• Teach online
• Will conduct a structured review of sections of one class taught by an online partner
• Reflect on the class review experience
• Share reflections with partner
• Share observations with project participants as a whole

 You will have an opportunity to:

• Observe, analyze, and celebrate good teaching,
• Increase your understanding of and appreciation for the work of colleagues,
• Formulate ideas for enhancing your own teaching based on your observations and reflections and the shared reflections of your Teaching Pair partner, and
• Receive a $300 stipend for full participation.

If you are interested in participating in the Teaching Pairs program during Spring term, please contact Meredith Keene-Wilson, keene-wilsonm@lanecc.edu  (x.3022).

Reimbursement Form 

Participants should print the reimbursement form, fill it out, and turn it in with itemized receipt(s) to Tami Hill (2nd floor, building 3) for dinner reimbursement. Please note: reimbursements cannot be made for alcohol or amounts that exceed per diem rates.

For additional information, please contact the FPD Coordinator, Adrienne Mitchell, (541) 463-5871, mitchella@lanecc.edu.