TYCA-PNW.ORG

Hello out there,

We're working on developing a mentoring program for all new full-time faculty here at the college, and I am hoping that someone in the wilderness might be able to provide some suggestions or even examples of successful models at their own college. Thanks!

Samm

Hey folks,

So, we're starting a new project here to further integrate our part-time faculty by putting together some sort of manual/web page/etc to convey what we see as the best way to teach composition. Of course, most colleges deal with the same dilemma of a consistently rotating part-time faculty, so I want to know how y'all handle getting all those contingent folks on the same pedagogical page. Do you even worry about it? Have meetings? Private mentoring? What?

Samm

Hey folks,

I've recently undertaken a new job coordinating our teacher's learning center (TLC) here at PCC. It's a very exciting job with lots of possibilities, and I'm happy to have it. However, I have found that everyone has an idea for the TLC coordinator, and that, for some reason, my knowledge about teaching and the faculty is in high demand for almost every committee that is formed on campus.

So, I've been feeling the pinch lately and that brings me to the subject here. I know it's one that faculty struggle with, so I'm looking for tips, tools, and techniques that might help us all to better manage the multiple demands on our life.

Samm

Hello folks,

One of our reference librarians here recently turned me on to this website. I don't know much about it, but I have found it useful for keeping the ever-burgeoning amount of web information corralled. Essentially, it's just a large system for organizing bookmarks through tags. It helps me keep both personal and private interests organized and is accessible through any computer I am logged in to (although I do think it doesn't quite work with Internet Explorer). Check it out at http://del.icio.us/.

Happy New Term!

Samm

Hello All,

Well, here's a little attempt to get a rousing discussion going; we'll see what happens.

I recently came across the concept of "inkshedding" as a teaching technique. It was something I'd not heard of before, but has been around for 20 years or so. The minimal information I've read is that inkshedding is meant to bridge a gap between freewriting (which is often not re-read or is simply discarded) and more polished essays submitted for feedback or grades. In short, people (students and professionals at conferences) write spontaneously for a short period of time with the idea that the material will be read and shared with everyone else. Advocates say it creates more polished and audience-centered work, which gets people thinking about fundamental things like organization and writing for a particular audience in ways they don't when freewriting.

I was wondering what other folks know about this concept, if anyone's tried it in classes, or if this is even a viable idea anymore.

Samm