Since Spring 1998, the Teaching-Learning Center at Durham Tech has offered countless professional development activities for the college’s faculty and instructional staff. 

Overview of Programs

TLC Sessions and Workshops

The TLC offers a variety of workshops that support faculty’s development as teachers, professionals, and individuals. All college employees are encouraged to share their expertise via these presentations; likewise, all college employees are invited to attend TLC activities. Most TLC activities take place in Phillips 3-125, but TLC technology trainings and some other TLC sessions occur in other locations, as noted on the Calendar of Events each semester. See the TLC Calendar of Events and Scheduling section below for more information.

Adjunct Teaching Institute

Adjunct faculty who attend two TLC activities in one semester are eligible to receive the $50 Adjunct Teaching Institute (ATI) stipend paid by the Durham Tech Foundation. Adjuncts must fill out the ATI form at the end of each session attended. Any sessions attended exceeding two per semester do not qualify for additional stipends. Adjuncts can receive the stipend once per semester. Attendees should keep in mind that only those activities listed on the fall and spring TLC Calendar of Events qualify for the ATI stipend. Please allow at least six weeks after the end of the semester for payment processing.

Additional TLC Programming

In addition to regular workshops and sessions, the TLC facilitates the following programming:

  • New Faculty Orientation (two in fall, one in spring) provides all new full-time and part-time faculty an opportunity to learn about Durham Tech students, meet key college personnel, and consider important policies and procedures.
  • Faculty/Staff Interest Groups (FIGs) bring together small groups of employees to address a teaching and learning problem that is of interest to them using a cycle of inquiry over two semesters. The TLC piloted FIGs in 2009 and has offered three cycles of FIGs since then.
  • Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) provides faculty the structure and flexibility to research a facet of teaching and learning that is important to them. Full-time faculty receive a mini-sabbatical to conduct their research; part-time faculty receive a stipend upon completion of their research.
  • The Teaching-Learning Academy (TLA) is a one-semester hybrid course that introduces new faculty to foundational teaching strategies, including active learning and meaningful assessment.
  • Faculty Partners Offering Wisdom (FPOW) is a mentoring program for new faculty. Experienced full-time faculty are matched with new full-time faculty and select part-time faculty (specifically, TLA participants) for their first year of employment.
  • The Teaching-Learning Conference is presented every other year and features a keynote speaker and concurrent sessions of the “best of the best” TLC presentations from recent semesters.
  • Learning Matters is the journal of the Teaching-Learning Center and is published every other year. Faculty and staff submit articles based on their research in FIGs, SoTL, or their professional reflections beyond these TLC programs.
     

TLC Calendar of Events and Scheduling

Rationale

TLC leadership publishes the TLC Calendar of Events before the start of classes in the fall and spring semesters (the TLC does not typically offer summer programming). The TLC Calendar of Events identifies the activities that adjuncts can participate in to qualify for the Adjunct Teaching Institute stipend of $50 paid by the Durham Tech Foundation.  

Scheduling a TLC Activity

If you would like to make a presentation in the TLC related to faculty professional development, please contact Marye Vance, Coordinator, Teaching Learning Center at tlc@durhamtech.edu the semester before you would like to present. The calendar is typically closed for submission before the last month of each semester. If planning to present in the fall, you will need to make contact no later than April. If planning for a spring presentation, November is typically the cutoff month. The TLC Coordinator will also send an email call for future presentations in the fall and spring semesters, including specific deadlines for submission.

Presenter Responsibilities and Commitment

Your presentation will be advertised to the Durham Tech community via the college’s online calendars and the TLC website before the start of the semester. Please prioritize the commitment you’ve made to the TLC to make your scheduled presentation on the day and time arranged. If for some unseen reason you cannot make your presentation as planned, please contact Marye Vance immediately to reschedule.

Other events in Phillips 3-125

Only activities submitted in advance for the fall or spring TLC Calendar of Events qualify as TLC activities. For all other activities, please use the room scheduler Astra, located via Durham Tech’s website. Since Phillips 3-125 is dedicated to the TLC and faculty professional development, event scheduling takes place as follows, in order of highest to lowest priority: TLC activities, employee events, and student activities.

TLC Physical Space and Technology Available

The TLC has 12 round tables with four chairs around each table. Including additional seating around the periphery of the room, the TLC can accommodate up to 50 people. TLC presenters can use the computer and projector, the 9 white dry erase “huddle boards,” and 10 Surface Pro computers. Please make use of these resources to create an active and engaging session.

Presentations can also be recorded for remote viewing at a later date. Only select TLC sessions coordinated with TLC leadership in advance will be recorded for distribution by the TLC. Those who wish to record other events that take place in Phillips 3-125 will need to contact Information Technology Services for retrieval and distribution instructions.

Presentations, Sign In, and Evaluations

On-campus presentations: The TLC asks that attendees sign in with the host for each session on the Surface Pro computer (or sign-in sheet) closest to the entrance. These records help plan for future sessions. Emailed evaluations are provided by the host immediately following the presentation. You are strongly encouraged to complete them as an informative practice and feedback for TLC leadership and committee members.

TEAMS: Attendance is tracked based on sign-in for each presentation. Adjuncts are encouraged to complete the Adjunct Teaching Institute Stipend form provided during the presentation. Emailed evaluations are provided by the host during the presentation. You are strongly encouraged to complete them as an informative practice and feedback for TLC leadership and committee members.

TLC leadership does not claim responsibility for tracking faculty professional development hours. TLC leadership will provide professional development reports to supervisors or others regarding individual faculty per semester. The TLC releases an annual report in May with general information and notable TLC events from the academic year.

Archived TLC calendars, video-recorded sessions, and handouts are available on the college's shared drive. These calendars include session descriptions along with presenter names, dates, and times for sessions since fall 2001.

Presentations

If you have an interest in sharing knowledge and best practices aligning with the college's strategic goals, you are encouraged to submit a presentation outline. Present and archived calendars will provide insight into present and past presentations offered through the TLC. The TLC Coordinator and committee members welcome your proposal and willingness to serve in the capacity of a presenter. Should you need guidance on a topic of interest, feel free to contact us. 

Submission of proposal timeline

For Fall semester: Submit by May, no later than June

For Spring semester: Submit by November, no later than December

The TLC Coordinator will make an announcement call for presenters at the beginning of April for Fall semester, and November for the Spring semester.

Presentation proposals are welcomed throughout the year, before the deadline. Presentations requested during the semester are tentative. A decision will be made by the TLC Coordinator and communicated to the presenter in the event the presentation can be added to the calendar.

Submission link: Fall 23 Call for Presenters Teaching and Learning Presentations.

TLC Leadership and Advisory Committee

The TLC leadership and advisory committee operate under the Teaching-Learning Council. Marye Vance currently serves as the TLC Coordinator under the leadership of Angela Davis, Chief Talent and Equity Officer. We carry out the TLC mission and goals while simultaneously fulfilling primary departmental job responsibilities.

The TLC Advisory Committee helps in the planning and execution of TLC business. The committee provides ideas and feedback to TLC leadership during advisory committee meetings in fall and spring semesters. The committee also helps coordinate the Teaching-Learning Conference, reviews articles for Learning Matters, considers SoTL applications, and provides other support as needed. If you are interested in serving in this capacity, you are welcomed to email Marye Vance, vancem@durhamtech.edu.