Overview for Faculty

The Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center sponsors programs that enable faculty to refine teaching skills, share insights, and implement pedagogical innovations. The PLTC also supports applied research projects designed to improve teaching at Wellesley.

Developmental Year for New Faculty

At the start of the fall term, faculty members new to Wellesley are invited to attend a three hour orientation which highlights programs and services of the PLTC and includes a working session on teaching. New faculty receive both the schedule of fall events and the New Faculty Handbook. The PLTC conducts seminars all year long which provide an opportunity for new faculty members to engage in serious, sustained conversation about teaching in an atmosphere free of evaluation.

Teaching Workshops Designed for All Faculty

Shop Talks given by Wellesley faculty provide a forum for sharing insights and experiences about specific pedagogical issues. Topics have included "Encouraging and Using Student Feedback During the Term," "Increasing Student Participation and Involvement in Your Lectures," "Teaching a Lecture Course Without the Lecture" and "Grades." (Check Videotapes for complete list of past Shop Talks.) In collaboration with Instructional Services, the PLTC co-sponsors workshops on advanced technology in the classroom. Each year the Distinguished Speaker series invites a nationally known authority on pedagogical theory and practice.

Class Videotaping and Analysis

At the Pforzheimer Teaching and Learning Center, we provide you with the opportunity to research your teaching by offering videotaping services as a way to visit and revisit your own classroom. A researcher from the PLTC can then transcribe linguistic and non-linguistic information on your video and/or audiotapes and analyze the data through a series of classroom discourse analysis investigative techniques. Discourse analysis is one of the most objective tools for reflecting on and improving your teaching.

Resources on Teaching

The Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center has an extensive library of books and journals on teaching and student learning. (See Resources.) In addition, videotapes on teaching are available for borrow. (See Videotapes.) Any member of the Wellesley College community may borrow from the PLTC collection of books and journals. Additional resources include the PLTC FirstClass Conference, Talk About Teaching.

Tutoring Resources

The PLTC hires APT advisors (Academic Peer Tutors), Department Tutors, Public Speaking Tutors and Reading Tutors, many of whom can be ‘attached to your class’. Click here for more information.

Forum Newsletter

The PLTC has purchased a Site License to the National Teaching & Learning Forum that now enables the entire faculty to enjoy an online version of the Forum’s newsletters, all year long.

Grants

The Committee on Education Research and Development (ER&D) awards a variety of grants supporting teaching and institutional research about teaching. Curricular development awards and travel for reasons related to pedagogy are two of the more popular programs. ER&D can help you develop your idea for a project.

Funding for Teaching Products

Money for teaching projects sits in various pockets, which are opened or kept buttoned shut by various people and various committees. Money is often available if you know which pocket holds the funds to support your particular kind of project.

Links to Other Teaching Centers