Teaching and Learning Innovation (TLI)
BCC's Division of Teaching and Learning Innovation values active, engaging and equitable
teaching that supports students across the curriculum as they become critical and
creative thinkers. The Division curates resources that empower educators to be independent,
self-sufficient, risk-takers, reflective, and innovative. We facilitate professional
development programming that is equity-minded and promotes social justice and curiosity,
is research based, collaborative, action-oriented, and centers student experience.
Mission
To support BCC faculty in designing active, engaging, student-centered and innovative
teaching and learning practices that prepare students for robust careers, transfer
to another college, and become life-long learners.
Vision
To inspire a culture of community and peer exchange of ideas and practices that center
students' learning and experiences.
Values
We believe every student and faculty member should feel they belong. We believe learning
and education are transformative processes that empower learners not only to gain
additional skills and information, but also to challenge, clarify, and enrich ones鈥�
ideas and beliefs.
Programs and Services
The Division of Teaching and Learning Innovation is home to the following programs
and services. The Divisions provides coordination, administrative support; as well
as facilitates space for professional development and discussions for campus stakeholders
involved in the following BCC programs and initiatives.
-
Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation (CTLI)
The CTLI provides academic technology and instructional design support to all faculty
at BCC. Offering 1-1 and group professional development opportunities on how the use
of Moodle, we support teaching and learning and student success across BCC's modalities,
and in how technology can advance instruction and course structure. The CTLI welcomes
faculty curiosity and innovation. For more information, email Matt Martin at msmartin@berkshirecc.edu or Lori DuBois at ldubois@berkshirecc.edu.
-
Writing Across the Curriculum
The WAC program supports divisions, departments, and individual faculty with the integration
of and appreciation for meaningful reading and writing coursework. As an integral
aspect of the learning process, writing empowers students to engage with complexity,
reflect on significance, discover new avenues of agency, and communicate effectively.
For more information, please email writingcenter@berkshirecc.edu
-
Real Talk Program
The Faculty Academy: Real Talk program works with faculty to design classes that address
the learning needs of community college students that engage with all the students
from the place they start by hearing from them who they are. This approach allows
faculty to build a deeper understanding of the students in their class and to adapt,
as much as possible, to their academic needs rather than making assumptions based
on expected or typical characteristics. BCC Faculty make a three-year commitment to
join the Faculty Academy, where they learn Real Talk strategies and in a cohort model
work together each year to more deeply revise and apply Real Talk strategies within
their classes. For more information, email Stacy Evans at sevans@berkshirecc.edu.
-
New Faculty Seminar
The New Faculty Seminar provides newly hired full-time faculty the opportunity to
come together as a cohort in a year-long program. Meetings focus on exploring teaching
and learning strategies and the application of these ideas within the classroom and
course design, connecting faculty campus resources and services and building relationships
and making connections among the BCC community. For more information, email Meghan
Callaghan at mcallaghan@berkshirecc.edu.
-
Open Education Resources (OER)
BCC's OER program seeks to better support faculty in their use of no-cost and low-cost
($50 or less) instructional materials with students. In particular, the use of open
educational resources, or OER, helps to reduce costs and barriers to access for all
students, but is especially beneficial for historically underserved learners. Faculty
who utilize OER often find that freely licensed materials open new possibilities for
learning activities, allowing students to engage more authentically with the subject
matter, and to create, display and distribute their work more freely. To support instructors
in their use of OER and other no-cost and low-cost materials, the Division of Teaching
and Learning Innovation and the Jonathan Edwards Library created the OER Awards Program.
For more information, email Matt Martin at msmartin@berkshirecc.edu or Andrea Robare at arobare@berkshirecc.edu.
-
Learning Communities
BCC's Learning Communities' mission is to recruit and engage students with a collaborative
team of faculty, staff, and administrators related to their academic & career interests.
The Learning Community structure creates a safe and participatory environment where
students can celebrate a common purpose with equity, civility, and integrity across
both Academic and Student Affairs. Our Learning communities invoke a sense of inclusivity
and pride as a BCC Falcon! Learning Communities tie two courses together in a structured
cross disciplinary collaboration to address the annual theme. For more information,
email mcallaghan@berkshirecc.edu.
Division of Teaching and Learning Staff
For Faculty
