We need better data describing what’s happening in classrooms. Faculty’s and students’ descriptions aren’t always that accurate. End-of-course rating data is highly judgmental. Classroom observation by outsiders happens irregularly, is
There’s a folksy saying that people sometimes cite when they want to talk about the merits of active learning: Tellin’ ain’t teachin’. The idea is that if a teacher simply
Reviewing and updating some of her previous writings, Diane Halpern suggests the list of factors important in program assessment have not changed but merit regular review. Here’s a summary of
In order to manage resources effectively, it’s important to know how much it costs to teach students in your programs. Instructional costs vary from program to program based on class
Being a department chair did not come easily to me. Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about my experience of working with my department chair, because it is the time
While most academic leaders are aware that the academy is in a time of significant changes, most also know that their units are difficult to reshape and lead in new
When I began my career in higher education as an adjunct faculty member more than 18 years ago, there was very little adjunct faculty support, guidance, or evaluation, even though
The impression one might receive from reading many of the most popular books on leadership or management is that these activities take place in a vacuum. “When situation X occurs,
Being in charge of assessment within one’s unit involves more than measuring student learning outcomes. It’s about leading cultural change, a process that is best undertaken in collaboration with those
Deans and department chairs are constantly challenged by the need to engender greater civility in their professional environments. Academic disciplines thrive when diverse perspectives can be shared without differences of
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