In case you don’t know them (yet)
8/26/2005
Every school creates lists of other schools to whom they compare themselves on various things. We do that, too. I was delighted this week to get the results of the Higher Education Research Institute 2004-2005 Faculty Survey, which compared our faculty's responses with faculty at a select list of a 'peer group' schools, as well as with faculty at all Catholic four-year schools, and finally, all private four-year schools in the country. For people who know our faculty, what I'm about to say won't be news. But in case you don't know my colleagues, here are a few tidbits from the survey. (In what follows, 'larger' or 'more' means at least 10-20 percent more than at other schools.)
In terms of teaching methods, more Dominican University faculty report using essay exams, reflective writing and student presentations, while fewer report extensive lecturing and multiple-choice exams, than faculty at our 'peer' institutions. This isn't to say lecturing is always bad and objective tests are never appropriate; rather, it says our faculty employ a healthy range of teaching approaches, intended to stimulate students and get them involved in their own learning process. When it comes to teaching and learning, one size most definitely does not fit all.
A few other items. Our faculty, more than at the other schools, report engaging in academic work that spans multiple disciplines, engaging in prayer or meditation, and (yes this was on the survey) eating a well-balanced diet. (I hope nobody saw me buying that bag of Doritos just before I wrote this!) A greater number of our faculty say their personal goals include helping to promote racial understanding, feel they are sufficiently involved in campus decision-making, and say there is adequate support for their professional development at their school, that faculty here respect each other, and that there is respect for the expression of diverse values and beliefs.
More faculty at Dominican say helping undergraduates develop personal values, enhancing students' self understanding, and facilitating students' search for meaning and purpose in life are important goals.
Like I said, if you know our faculty, you already know all this. But in case you don't—you should! My colleagues are gifted givers of their knowledge and expertise. They give you their best selves in order to help you find yours.
Every school creates lists of other schools to whom they compare themselves on various things. We do that, too. I was delighted this week to get the results of the Higher Education Research Institute 2004-2005 Faculty Survey, which compared our faculty's responses with faculty at a select list of a 'peer group' schools, as well as with faculty at all Catholic four-year schools, and finally, all private four-year schools in the country. For people who know our faculty, what I'm about to say won't be news. But in case you don't know my colleagues, here are a few tidbits from the survey. (In what follows, 'larger' or 'more' means at least 10-20 percent more than at other schools.)
In terms of teaching methods, more Dominican University faculty report using essay exams, reflective writing and student presentations, while fewer report extensive lecturing and multiple-choice exams, than faculty at our 'peer' institutions. This isn't to say lecturing is always bad and objective tests are never appropriate; rather, it says our faculty employ a healthy range of teaching approaches, intended to stimulate students and get them involved in their own learning process. When it comes to teaching and learning, one size most definitely does not fit all.
A few other items. Our faculty, more than at the other schools, report engaging in academic work that spans multiple disciplines, engaging in prayer or meditation, and (yes this was on the survey) eating a well-balanced diet. (I hope nobody saw me buying that bag of Doritos just before I wrote this!) A greater number of our faculty say their personal goals include helping to promote racial understanding, feel they are sufficiently involved in campus decision-making, and say there is adequate support for their professional development at their school, that faculty here respect each other, and that there is respect for the expression of diverse values and beliefs.
More faculty at Dominican say helping undergraduates develop personal values, enhancing students' self understanding, and facilitating students' search for meaning and purpose in life are important goals.
Like I said, if you know our faculty, you already know all this. But in case you don't—you should! My colleagues are gifted givers of their knowledge and expertise. They give you their best selves in order to help you find yours.
