Richland College Green Commons

The Teaching and Learning Blog (T&L) is set for a formal launch sometime in February, 2010. I’ve been busy finding some folks who will commit to write from time to time. I’ve asked people who are good writers and have something to say.

Teaching and learning is a big tent — so there’s lots of room for creativity.

And don’t forget. Every employee at Richland is an educator and hence, a potential blogger.

Fancy messages with pictures, videos, sound files are possible and I’ll explain those at the Conference Day program. Or maybe you can figure them out on your own.:)

turning to one another
a poem by Margaret Wheatley

There is no power greater than a community discovering
what it cares about

Ask “What’s possible?” not “What’s wrong?”  Keep asking.

Notice what you care about.
Assume that many others share your dreams.

Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters.
Talk to people you know.
Talk to people you don’t know.
Talk to people you never talk to.

Be intrigued by the differences you hear.
Expect to be surprised.
Treasure curiosity more than certainty.

The Association for the Contemplative Mind in Higher Education.

Dear Lee,We’re very pleased to inform you about two upcoming events on Contemplative Environmental Studies. Both are led by Paul Wapner, Director of the Global Environmental Politics Program at American University and author of Environmental Activism and World Civic Politics and Living Through the End of Nature: The Future of American Environmentalism. Paul is also a Contemplative Practice Fellow.

If you have an interest in education and sustainable development, environmental ethics, and environmental justice, we encourage you to attend!

Best wishes,

Beth Wadham
Academic Program Coordinator

I’m wondering if we have any card carrying “constructivists” on our campus.  Of course, I understand that you may not be willing to reveal yourself. But here I am peeking out behind a rock making this unabashed confession.

Are there any other examples of this strange species in the area?

PS. If you’re foolish to respond, you could do it with a comment. And if you’re not logged into Google, we won’t even know who you are. Which is a little wierd for a confession.

Howard Zinn, Historian, Is Dead at 87 – Obituary Obit – NYTimes.com.

Whether you love him or hate him, there can be no doubt that this firebrand’s  passing represents the loss of an important figure.  Wouldn’t it be interesting for someone to analyze him “as a educator.” Here’s a couple of analytical categories: Style and Effectiveness. Add your own ingredients, stir, and serve. And do let the rest of us know what you discovered.

Using Music to Build Community and Promote Student Success
by Michael Iachetta, Government
2009 Student Engagement Award Winner

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Michael Iachetta has discovered how greatly music can contribute to creating a positive learning environment in his government classes. Through trial and error, he has developed a strategy to use music to build community, prepare students to engage in the work of learning, and simply make the class more engaging, unpredictable, and fun. From jazz to pop or hip hop to heavy metal, music energizes his students and sets the tone for his class.

by Mary Osentowski, Humanities
2009 Student Engagement Award Winner

The Getting Acquainted activity begins at the start of the first or second day of class with 20 minutes to learn students’ names.  The room is arranged in a circle so students can see one another. They select an adjective that begins with the same letter or sound as their first name. The first student says his adjective plus name, and it continues around the room. Help is given if names cannot be recalled and the professor participates as well.

by Celeste Hernandez, Math
2009 Student Engagement Award Winner

For some students, confronting their negative self-talk about math is a huge awakening that makes it possible for them to quiet their fears and do what they need to do to succeed in the course. And Celeste Hernandez has found a way to engage her students in online discussion forums on eCampus to combat math anxiety, which significantly lessens their fears and panic about her course.

In an effort to connect librarians and instructors, the librarians have began a Library Liaison Program. Librarians hope to “Put a FACE on the Library” for all of Richland’s full-time and adjunct faculty members.

Our Purpose:
To encourage and facilitate personal connections between librarians and instructors
To create a principal point of contact between the program or discipline and the library

Our Strategy:
We will publish the framework for the Library Liaison Program on the web for all to see.
We will seek out problem areas and collaborate with instructors in finding solutions.
We will advertise new and little used library services in a personal way.

Have you ever wanted to browse through the library’s New Book Shelf without leaving the comfort of your home or office? Now you can.