TAMU CIRTL Network

Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL)

Provides resources and a national network of faculty and graduate students from seven institutions working on issues affecting the preparation of graduate students and post-doctoral researchers as future faculty.  They host a conference bringing together faculty and students from around the country and a summer conference for students to strengthen their preparation as college teachers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).  From their website, you may also access free material focusing on Teaching as Research, Learning through Diversity, and Learning Communities (the three pillars of CIRTL), find a speaker for a special event, or network with faculty who share an interest in these topics.  Member institutions are led by the University of Wisonson-Madison and include Howard University, Michigan State University, Texas A&M University, The Pennsylvania State University, University of Colorado at Boulder, and Vanderbilt University.

Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE)

Provides professional development for faculty who desire to expand their repertoire of teaching strategies and design courses that challenge and support the learning of all students.  The CTE hosts resources, learning communities, workshops, and seminars for faculty development.  In addition, CTE provides professional development for graduate students through sponsorship of the Graduate Teaching Academy and the university sanctioned Teaching Assistant Training Evaluation Program (TATEP).

Graduate Teaching Academy (GTA)  2007-08 Program Summary

Supported by CTE and the Office of Graduate Studies, the GTA is a student led organization providing seminar series during the fall semester. The GTA is a one-year voluntary program that can be entered at the beginning of the fall or spring semester.  Participants who complete a series of requirements set forth by the GTA are eligible to obtain a Certificate of Completion designating them as a “GTA Fellow”.

Information Technology in Sciences (ITS)

In its 7^th year of operation, the NSF-funded Information Technology in Science (ITS) Center for Teaching and Learning is an interdisciplinary graduate program that seeks to replenish the nation's supply of science and mathematics education specialists through team-led, learner-centered opportunities involving scientists, mathematicians, education researchers and education practitioners.

iTunes U

iTunes U is a service provided by Texas A&M University in cooperation with Apple, Inc. to provide pod casting content to TAMU and the general public.  Of the 250 participating US institutions, TAMU is one of only 16 schools featured in the Apple Showcase and the only public university from Texas.  TAMU iTunes U receives a weekly average 6,000 hits from US and abroad.  Of the STEM departments, the colleges of Agriculture and Engineering currently have content available on iTunes and the colleges of Science and Veterinarian Medicine have content in development.  In addition, TAMU offers “Research Quick Briefs” as a weekly podcast highlighting research of faculty and agencies of the Texas A&M University System. 

College Teaching Certificate (CTC)

Offered through the College of Education, the primary goal of this area of emphasis is to allow graduate students the opportunity to learn and intern about the theory, practice, and scholarship of college teaching and learning. Individuals are able to obtain the certificate while completing a degree in any department.

Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)

With the goal of improving the undergraduate experience, QEP focuses on embedding inquiry into undergraduate curriculum.  Each college has established a QEP committee composed of faculty from individual departments.  Monthly university-wide QEP meetings are held to facilitate further growth and the development of learning communities.  College and departments participate in these activities through their development and assessment of new inquiry-based courses being offered to our undergraduates.

University Writing Center (UWC)

Established in 2001 to support writing-intensive courses in all disciplines at TAMU, the UWC provides tutorial services to gradate and undergraduate students as well as faculty development in the teaching of writing. The UWC also consults with faculty who are developing writing-intensive courses, and encourages writing as an active learning technique in all disciplines.