Task Force on Teaching & Learning releases initial report

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November 21, 2008

The Task Force on Teaching & Learning has recently released an initial report containing observations and recommendations. Co-chaired by Professor Carolyn Eyles and University Librarian, Jeffrey Trzeciak, the task force was charged with four goals in November 2007:

  • examine the current state of teaching and learning at McMaster through data analysis and identification of best practices
  • identify the ideal future state for teaching and learning at McMaster
  • design strategies to realize the ideal future by enhancing teaching and learning at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and by developing a culture of scholarship and innovation around teaching and learning at McMaster
  • implement, evaluate and disseminate the findings

    • Nearly a year's worth of work has been undertaken by the task force, involving: quantitative data collection; study visits; a full day retreat; and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) interviews and analyses with representation from thirteen campus stakeholder groups (all Faculties, the Centre for Leadership in Learning, the Centre for Student Development, the libraries, undergraduate students and graduate students).

    The task force identified a strong desire in the McMaster community for reinforcement of the commitment of the institution to the enhancement of excellence and innovation in teaching and learning. Four key recommendations (the Four Rs) were synthesized from the data collected during the study:

  • Recognize and reward excellence in teaching and learning
  • Rejuvenate the infrastructure that supports teaching and learning
  • Re-engineer processes, programs, systems and support structures to enable success
  • Reiterate our commitment to scholarly teaching and learning

    • In the complete report, each of the above recommendations is further described with dozens of examples.

    For more information and to download the complete report, visit the Provost's Current Priorities webpage at http://www.mcmaster.ca/vpacademic/priorities.html and follow the link to the Task Force on Teaching and Learning.

    The Task Force on Teaching and Learning welcomes input on this report from the entire university community. Please send your comments to total@mcmaster.ca.