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Discusses how university presidents and provosts across America have been re-examining various aspects of the faculty reward system--from the obligations faculty are expected to perform, to the ways teaching and service are evaluated, to the bases for promotion and advancement. What set off this re-examination; Observations into changing expectations; Changes in how faculty are evaluated; Shifts in faculty incentives and rewards.

Common faculty concerns about implementing student-centered learning are discussed, and useful techniques for addressing them are offered. Issues include budgeting in-class activity time, losing control of the class, uncompleted assignments, student understanding of open-ended problems, student dislike or abuse of group work, and helping at-risk students become involved.

Identifies a teaching method which calls upon students to prepare and present lessons for most of the semester. Notes that the technique allows the instructor to derive more enjoyment from teaching and spend less time preparing lessons. Describes application of the method in a "Feminist Theory in the Humanities" course.

Focuses on the role of faculty members in the career of students. Anxieties expressed by deans and presidents of schools on how faculty members should be trained; How the popularity of religious studies reshaped the training of theological faculty; Capabilities of most theological faculty.

College faculty have a responsibility to help students unveil some of the mystery of professional judgment in student assessment, both to help explain instructional practices and to create a model for students' use when they become professional evaluators. Teachers can use a variety of methods to ensure that subjectivity in assessment is not perceived simply as unfairness.

Adjudicating

Wabash Center Staff Contact

Sarah Farmer, Ph.D
Associate Director
Wabash Center

farmers@wabash.edu