Faculty emphasize improving teaching skills at open house

By Amy Fredette

Arizona Daily Wildcat

Some faculty members believe that teaching is not getting the recognition or attention it deserves at the UA.

There is very little emphasis placed on positive and constructive reinforcement and improvement, teaching standards are not clear and often, methods are not current, said Rocco Fazzolari, a nuclear and engineering professor.

This is why the UA Faculty Development Team is sponsoring an open house today called Speak Out for faculty to voice their concerns, needs and opinions regarding these topics.

The team has proposed a plan called "Faculty Development Initiative for the Continual Improvement of Instruction at the University of Arizona".

"The most successful programs are developed from within," said Terri Riffe, interim director at the University Teaching Center.

"In order to respond to the needs of the faculty, we want them to tell us what these needs are," Riffe said.

The team is mainly concerned with faculty development, faculty support, instructional improvement and teaching improvement and excellence.

The goal of the open house is to get faculty input to the proposal, summarize the feedback and modify planning accordingly, Riffe said.

"It's a more creative way to get people involved," she said.

Fazzolari said the whole object is to place teaching on a higher level.

"It's important (for faculty) to be exposed to improving yourself professionally and to be up-to-date regarding teaching," Fazzolari said.

The open house will be held today at the Student Union Rincon Room from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

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