Teaching Excellence Fair 2001
Friday, November 16, 2001

      Mark this date on your calendar to join Pitt colleagues as they highlight their Innovation in Education grant projects.  The Provost’s Advisory Council on Instructional Excellence will sponsor this University-wide event to showcase the 15 funded grant award winners from 2000-2001.

      Informative mini-sessions will be held throughout the day on teaching-related topics and demonstrations of new software and technical resources to support instruction. 

      Watch for more about the Teaching Excellence Fair and the other events listed below in the next Teaching Times.

Learning Opportunities for Faculty

       Professional development for faculty at the University of Pittsburgh extends throughout the academic year.  The following are examples of activities and services available to Pitt faculty.  

School and Department Assistance

      The Center for Instructional Development & Distance Education (CIDDE) assists individual departments and schools to design faculty workshops or discussion meetings on teaching-related topics.  These activities meet program, department or school needs and support teaching excellence at the University.  Examples of topics that have been requested include collaborative learning, syllabus design, service learning, Internet2 in teaching, and problem-based learning.

Course Development using CourseInfo/Blackboard

      Blackboard is course management software that enables faculty to create and manage Web pages for their courses.  The easy-to-use software provides access to instructors’ course materials, online quizzes, feedback to students, grading tools, as well as several communication options and group work tools.  Training is provided throughout the year.

Individual Course Development Assistance

      CIDDE provides individual design and technical assistance for small and large course development initiatives.  Instructional designers and other staff can help you to design a new course or revise an existing one.  They also assist faculty in implementing new teaching methods and technologies, analyzing and resolving problems encountered in teaching, and developing instructional grant proposals. 

For additional information on these and other teaching support services, please contact Dr. Joanne Nicoll at 412 624-7372 or by E-mail at nicoll@pitt.edu.