As a component of Eastern's faculty development activities, TCP provides a
consulting service to faculty who wish to analyze their teaching and implement
changes. Developed at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in the early
1970's and refined through application at many colleges and universities, TCP
has proven valuable for faculty ranging from those with little experience to
seasoned teachers who simply wish to "fine tune" their techniques.
TCP uses a systematic, highly supportive approach to teaching improvement based
on the needs of the individual faculty client. TCP does not use a "Master
Teacher" approach; it is essentially a consultation process--a confidential
and structured exchange of ideas, perceptions, and suggestions between a faculty
consultant and client. Faculty members who are recognized by their colleagues
as outstanding teachers and who have had training in the process serve as consultants.
Moreover, each consultant has gone through the process as a client. Click here for some commonly asked questions about TCP.
Key stages of the process are outlined below:
* INITIAL INTERVIEW - The consultant meets with a faculty
member, clarifies the confidential nature of their relationship, explains the
process, and identifies a specific class on which to concentrate. If the faculty
member agrees to participate, the consultant arranges to begin collecting data.
* DATA COLLECTION - The consultant interviews the faculty
member, observes him/her teaching the class, videotapes an instructional session
(optional), and administers a questionnaire to the students in the class to
obtain information about the instructor's teaching behaviors.
* DATA REVIEW AND ANALYSIS - The consultant and the faculty
member review the collected data. They identify strengths and areas that could
be improved.
* PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING CHANGES - The consultant and the
faculty member identify three or four teaching improvement goals. The consultant
helps the faculty member design and implement strategies to meet these objectives.
* EVALUATION - The consultant and instructor evaluate the
process's success.
EKU faculty who have participated in the TCP consistently give the process
high marks for being a positive and rewarding experience!
If you want to participate as a faculty client or desire more information
about TCP, please complete the online
form.
If you would prefer, you may download a Microsoft Word copy of the form
and mail to: Dr. Hal Blythe, Teaching & Learning Center, 2 Keen Johnson,
EKU.
If you have additional questions, you may e-mail: Dr. Hal Blythe at hal.blythe@eku.edu.
