Buies Creek, N.C.—Some times even the most capable teachers need help in the classroom; different disciplines require different teaching strategies. Campbell University’s School of Education was asked by the university to develop a teaching resource where faculty members can pick up teaching enhancement literature; request individual guidance in the development of new teaching strategies, or just find a forum for open and on-going discussion. To facilitate continued education and promote excellence, the school has created the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning.
According to Dr. Karen Nery, dean of the School of Education, the concept really isn’t new. Approximately 500 schools across the nation have this kind of resource for their faculty.
“If we as educators don’t know how to teach, who does?” she said. “We want to be a resource right here on campus to support and help our professors be the most effective teachers they can be.”
Dr. Lorae Roukema, who received a master’s degree in Middle Grades Education and a doctorate in Administration and Supervision, is currently acting director of the center. Among her objectives for the project are to provide a forum for open dialogue on effective pedagogical strategies such as engaging instructional techniques and lesson planning; to provide guidance and instruction on the integration of educational and instructional technologies; and to offer individual consultation and guidance in regard to personal teaching styles and goal development.
“Effective teaching must first engage and motivate students to understand the importance of and need for information,” Roukema said. “It then facilitates the transfer of information beyond basic comprehension, challenging students to apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate content.”
Roukema is currently working with a class of first-time professors from the School of Pharmacy.
“Pharmacy had already identified some needs and was in the process of providing some training for their professors up-front,” said Nery. “The center is helping them make that transition into the classroom easier.”
The dry lecture style of teaching no longer works with today’s students,” Nery added. “These students have been exposed to so much technology, their expectations and learning styles are different. These are challenges teachers have to address,” she said.
The Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning is a natural extension of the School of Education. The Dean’s Council will assist in the identification of faculty needs and the Faculty Development and Research Committee will be used as an advising body to the director.Photo Copy: Dr. Lorae Roukema, left, consults with residents and faculty from the School of Pharmacy’s program, “Teaching New Teachers.” She has been consulting with them as a function of the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning. Dr. Ann Marie Nye, center, and Dr. Robert Cisneros, right, also work with Roukema.