{"id":406,"date":"2015-07-12T14:10:06","date_gmt":"2015-07-12T19:10:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/?p=406"},"modified":"2016-03-04T14:10:44","modified_gmt":"2016-03-04T20:10:44","slug":"maryville-invests-in-professional-development-for-faculty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/maryville-invests-in-professional-development-for-faculty\/","title":{"rendered":"Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Invests in Professional Development for Faculty"},"content":{"rendered":"

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As part of an ongoing commitment to embrace emerging technologies and new ways of student learning, Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ will provide faculty with two weeks of paid professional development, beginning this academic year. The training is organized by Ä¢¹½´«Ã½\u2019s Finch Center for Teaching and Learning<\/a>.<\/p>\n

One week of interactive learning sessions will be held in August, and a second week will be held in May. Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ faculty members from across academic disciplines facilitate the program.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a significant investment in faculty teaching and student learning. Our commitment to innovative pedagogy and facilitating multiple student learning styles is a strategic priority at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½,\u201d said President Mark Lombardi, PhD. \u201cThe initial cost of the commitment is $450,000 and it will grow over time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Along with a focus on integrating technology in the classroom, sessions will include an emphasis on teaching innovation and creating engaging learning environments. Beginning this year, all incoming traditional freshman will receive a fully loaded, customizable iPad through Ä¢¹½´«Ã½’s Digital World program<\/a>, designed to align students and teachers technologically.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are no longer keepers of content in our classrooms,\u201d Lombardi said. \u201cOur role is to facilitate the student\u2019s journey and their application of the knowledge they gain. Our commitment to professional development means our faculty are well prepared to meet the challenge of this shifting role and provide students with exactly what they need in order to achieve academic and ultimately professional success.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jesse Kavadlo, PhD, professor of English and director of the Finch Center for Teaching and Learning, developed the professional development program with Laura Ross, assistant director of the Center and adjunct music instructor.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is an opportunity for faculty to refresh their teaching strategies, build community and be inspired by each other\u2019s work,\u201d Kavadlo said.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor educators, these two weeks of development each academic year provide the opportunity for a constant dialogue about teaching strategies, application techniques and what’s new in education,\u201d Ross said.<\/p>\n

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