This program is designed to enhance the teaching skills of the faculty of the Penn State College of Medicine, to promote excellence in teaching and assessment, and to stimulate learning.
Objectives: Through participation in these sessions, faculty members will be able to:
practice teaching strategies applicable in different contexts
incorporate feedback from direct observations to enhance teaching skills
demonstrate teaching strategies that effectively promote learning
employ appropriate tools to assess learner performance
Format: The program will consist of four modules covering the most common teaching formats in which faculty typically engage. Each module will cover teaching strategies and methodologies, assessment strategies, and a microteaching (skills practice) session with feedback. Participants will also receive peer observation and feedback during an actual teaching episode within 6 months after the module. See the tabs below for details about each module.
Modules will be offered individually; faculty must register and commit to the entire module (4 sessions). Each session will be 2 hours and will occur on Fridays at 1:00–3:00 pm. Classes will be limited to 16 faculty per module. Participants will receive a certificate of participation on completion of the module.
The first module (Large Group Teaching) will be offered in fall 2009, two modules in spring 2010, and one in summer 2010. To register for the modules and for more information, please contact the Office of Professional Development.
10 minute presentation, videotaped with facilitated feedback from classmates and faculty
Module 2: Small Group/Discussion-Based Teaching Spring 2010
Session 1. Case based teaching and learning 1-3 pm, January 22, 2010
Composing learning objectives for a small group teaching episode
Strategies for guiding discussion to achieve learning objectives
Designing a "case" for case-based discussion
Session 2. Using questions to promote discussion and to assess learning 1-3 pm, January 29, 2010
Learner assessment strategies in various group settings
Providing feedback
Session 3. Problem based learning and team based learning 1-3 pm, February 5, 2010
Principles of student-led discussions (problem based and team based learning)
Principles of teacher-led discussions (case based learning)
Facilitating and managing discussions with "problem" students
Session 4. Microteaching practice session 1-3 pm, February 19, 2010
10 minute facilitated discussions by each participant, followed by feedback from classmates and faculty.
Module 3: Research Advising and Mentoring
This module will address the skills, knowledge and resources required to guide the training of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in a research setting. The module has been developed by Drs. Michael Verderame and Robert Milner. As a follow-up assignment, participants will be expected to develop a mentoring & advising plan for their research group, including a statement of their mentoring philosophy, general expectations for their trainees, and individual development plans for each trainee.
Session 1. Advising and Mentoring (Keynote Speaker: Dr. Joan Lakoski, Univ. Pittsburgh) 1-3 pm, Friday, February 26, 2010
Roles & expectations of the thesis advisor and postdoctoral supervisor
Advising and laboratory leadership: styles & best practices
Session 2. Guiding the Growth of the Trainee 2-4 pm, Friday, March 19, 2010
Setting goals and expectations
Assessing progress: stages of growth
Mentoring for future careers
Session 3. Communication and Feedback 1-3 pm, Friday, March 26, 2010
