The experiences of a chemistry professor and a physics professor at a regional branch campus of Penn State University are described. In both instances, the faculty members had previously served as teaching assistants at a research intensive institution, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The unique pedagogical struggles involved in…

Describes the Ferris State University (Michigan) New Faculty Transition Program, in which incoming faculty members meet every two weeks during the fall and winter semesters and attend an academic retreat. Reports that the program is in its fourth year and has been recognized as an important part of first-year faculty members' transition into the…

Using a review of current literature, this article discusses faculty preparation and higher education's commitment to pedagogical instruction and skill development. Identifies 19 institutions that offer graduate degree programs, exclusive of the Doctor of Arts, intended to prepare college faculty. Asserts that the teaching disciplines must…

Describes a faculty development program designed specifically for engineering faculty and implemented on an eight-campus coalition of engineering schools. Reports that, in the five years of the program's existence, a large percentage of the faculty has participated and adopted proven but nontraditional teaching practices. Offers suggestions to…

Defines problem-based learning (PBL) as an instructional method in which problems provide the context for students to develop skills and knowledge. Describes a study that examined whether students perceived that PBL courses were more effective than non-PBL courses at helping them develop specific outcomes. Reports that PBL students' perception of…

Reports on effects of educational interventions on faculty and administration knowledge of, and attitude toward, student course evaluations. Aims to assess whether attitudes can be changed through education. Results suggest that interventions were effective, and even moderate instruction had the effect of improving attitudes toward student…

Provides overview of process of switching from paper-based grade reporting to computer-based grading. Authors found that paperless grading decreased number of errors, made student access more immediate, and reduced costs incurred by purchasing and storing grade-scanning sheets. Authors also argue that direct entry grading encourages faculty to…

Describes the process by which one institution created a comprehensive faculty development program by systematically following general guidelines drawn from the literature. Makes recommendations for developing a task force and initiating a program. Design and development of program conforms to four generic characteristics of faculty development…

Uses quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze interview and survey data concerning best practices, goals, purposes, and influences among faculty developers in the U.S. and Canada. Presents the current state of the field, an interpretation of its meaning, and recommendations for future directions. Authors sent out 976 surveys; 249 were…

Attempts to identify the impact of one sabbatical recipient's leave on those around the faculty member, including fellow faculty, department chairs, deans, other administrators, and students. Examines outcomes in relation to teaching, campus citizenship, and research. Research instrument is appended. (Contains 15 references, two figures, and three…

Describes the results of two studies aimed at determining how experienced and inexperienced resident assistants (R.A.) respond to training that is both theoretical and practical in nature. Reports greater overall satisfaction with the practical content than with the theoretical. Contains17 references. (NB)

Presents the results of a study of a one-year campus-wide writing program designed to raise the confidence and productivity of campus faculty and professional staff members. Stresses the importance of senior faculty acting as mentors. Discusses benefits of a program that seeks to involve participants from all parts of campus. (Contains 24…

Describes the case study of a course that used a hybrid (face-to-face and online) technological format to illustrate a new model of reflective practice in professional development. Argues that faculty should consider where they are taking technology rather than vice versa. (Contains 21 references.) (NB)

Argues that, although student evaluation of instruction is ubiquitous at colleges and universities, evaluations are rarely used for formative evaluation. Offers a guide for faculty use of student evaluations for the improvement of teaching. Suggests ways of finding meaning in both the numbers and student comments. (Contains 14 references.) (NB)

Discusses the teaching perspective of Systemocentrism, or teacher/learner-centeredness, and two of its main elements: (1) attention to teachers' and learners' inner experience; and (2) attention to the intersubjective systems that develop among teachers and learners. Suggests that Systemocentrism provides faculty developers with a new tool for…