Instructors can find teaching resources at new Web site

Faculty, instructional staff and teaching assistants can find help and support for their teaching at a new Web site, Teaching and Learning Excellence@UW-Madison, that is a gateway to information on teaching — everything from nuts and bolts to pedagogic philosophies.

The site provides connections among the many teaching and learning centers, and support groups on campus,” says Virginia Sapiro, associate vice chancellor for teaching and learning, who compiled much of the site’s content. “The Web site is a one-step shopping place with many kinds of information that faculty, instructional staff and teaching assistants might need.”

The Web site is one of many large projects underway to support teaching, Sapiro says. Another is the May 18-21 symposium on the literacies of teaching and learning.

The “TLE@UW-Madison” site directs faculty and staff involved in teaching to helpful information about course design and planning, methods of handling classroom time, teaching a diverse student body, assessment of students, evaluation of teaching, and many issues on ethics, rights and academic misconduct

The site also directs users to professional development opportunities, and information on campus governance and administration, grants and awards.

One page is a compendium of the six Teaching and Learning Centers on campus; another summarizes teaching support services. Both provide links to related Web sites and summaries of what the reader will encounter there. Another section addresses the makeup of the student body, student attitudes, diversity and resources for assisting those in crisis. The site also provides links to off-campus resources.

People at all stages of their careers will find something of interest, Sapiro says.

“Graduate students seeking employment can find tips on how to write philosophies of teaching. New faculty can find advice on writing syllabi and on dealing with students they suspect committed academic misconduct,” Sapiro says. “Experienced faculty wanting to change how they approach teaching can examine suggestions and examples from others on campus and from other institutions.”