In developing a climate of teaching scholarship it is important to recognize the prevalence of a climate of 'pedagogical solitude'. For some the transition from teaching as a solitary activity to teaching as a cooperative and collaborative activity will be difficult and complex. To ensure that our 'conversations' as part of this discourse be challenging and rigorous we will all need to clearly demonstrate our trust and our respect for each other. In some instances it will be useful to spend some thought on how to learn to work together. This may be assisted by distributing some materials along the following lines, edited to suit the local climate.
Guidelines for productive working groups
Recognition that the diversity of a group is one of its strengths, a mix of experience and enthusiasm levels is positive, not every one is a workaholic, not everyone is a slacker, and no one is one of these all the time. This personality mixture is as useful as is a mix of writing, organizational, communicating skills. Different abilities and interests create a diverse and interesting learning environment.
Establish a clear and documented outcome for the groups activity.
Establish a time line for the project. It is important for the success of the group that there be some identifiable achievements along the time line.
Plan for meetings, record decisions and keep records of progress. This group will become an important contributor to the life and health of the scholarly department. Documenting the deliberations of the group and evaluating the outcome will provide evidence of achievement and create a useful reference for other work in the future.
Celebrate achievements.
Confront difficulties in the same spirit in which new ideas in the discipline are challenged. Respond laterally, collaborate to find solutions.
Share successes. Increase the scope of scholarship in teaching within the total institution or community through organizing workshops and seminars about your achievements. See Preparing and Presenting a Seminar.
Groups, like people, have their ups and downs; their productive days and their difficult days.
It is possible to help the group be productive most of the time by paying attention to the climate of the group and taking personal responsibility for helping it to improve. If every group member pays attention to the climate it will become a very effective working and learning group. At the beginning of the group you can expect some anxious moments and people will respond to that in different ways.
Like all scholarly work the progress and outcomes of the Teaching Circle should be subject to monitoring and evaluation. The group should regularly take time to
Attention to these details will ensure that the group remains focused and relevant to the work of the department.