Caltech's third annual TeachWeek—a campus-wide celebration of teaching and learning hosted by the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Outreach (CTLO)—concluded last Friday, April 27. Events included a photographic exhibit of teaching and writing at Caltech, short talks by faculty and others on cutting-edge teaching methods, and a workshop about small changes in teaching that make a big difference for students.
"This year's TeachWeek drew participants from all divisions and gave everyone a chance to explore innovative methods for use in their classes," says Cassandra Horii, director of the CTLO. "Events were very well attended by enthusiastic faculty, teaching assistants, students, postdocs, and staff across the week—a clear demonstration of Caltech's commitment to learning about evidence-based teaching."
Caltech trustee Shirley Malcom delivered TeachWeek's keynote address with a talk titled "We Were Never Taught to Teach: Knowing Better and Doing Better." President Thomas F. Rosenbaum, Sonja and William Davidow Presidential Chair and professor of physics, described Malcom in his opening remarks as "an expert, generous with resource and wit" and emphasized how teaching and education are part of Caltech's mission.
Malcom, who grew up attending segregated schools in Birmingham, Alabama, is now the director of education and human resources programs at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, where she leads efforts to improve the quality of STEM education and career programs, to increase access for underrepresented groups such as women and minorities, and to enhance public understanding of science and technology.
Malcom has been a member of the Caltech Board of Trustees since 1999. Watch her TeachWeek lecture above.
Written by Lorinda Dajose