Chalk Talk: Teaching Tips from the UGA Teaching Academy

Abstract

Do you want to reinvigorate the conversation about teaching and learning on your campus? Do you want the campus to learn new and innovative teaching tips from colleagues while letting students get a glimpse into the instructional practices of leading teachers? Consider inviting faculty members on your campus to submit “tips on teaching.” That’s just what the Teaching Academy of the University of Georgia (UGA) did, and the buzz on campus is rather amazing. “Who is in the publication? What did they say?” One featured writer told me that her copy of the book is now missing, so perhaps I should write an editorial for a future issue on the ethics of “borrowing” and not returning books! In fall 2009, the UGATeaching Academy chose to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Academy with a publication on teaching. The Academy is an honorary group that selects its own members and promotes teaching and learning on campus through workshops; speakers; and, importantly, by featuring an annual 3-day symposium on a topic important to the University community. Approximately 10 members are selected annually, based on nominations from academy members and others committed to teaching and learning. (The url below provides information on the Academy.) This project was spearheaded by Loch Johnson, an inaugural member of the Academy and Regents Professor of Public and International Affairs, and Provost Jere Morehead, a Meigs teaching award winner and a member of the Teaching Academy. Provost Morehead provided the financial support for publishing the book. As a side note, the Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professorship is UGA’s highest award for teaching and carries a permanent salary increase, which is quite a nice benefit in these tight economic times! Professor Johnson invited the members of the Academy, which consists of over 100 faculty members, and the winners of the Russell and Meigs teaching awards to write essays of 1000 words or less explaining a particularly useful teaching practice. The deadline for submission was tight, less than 8 weeks. Amazingly, 69 faculty members accepted the invitation; and the result was Chalk Talk, a 192page publication of thoughtful and innovative approaches to instruction used by UGA faculty from a wide range of schools and colleges. Innov High Educ (2011) 36:1–2 DOI 10.1007/s10755-010-9172-6