CTLT

Center for Teaching, Learning & Technology

Book Circles - Fall 2022

Book CirclesThe CTLT hosts book circles every academic quarter and during summers. They are open to all Cal Poly educators. Selected books draw from a broad array of thoughtful and inspiring educational literature. These are opportunities to enrich your knowledge about timely and significant topics related to higher education while engaging with colleagues from across campus. Themes for book circle selections include: Mindful Educators, Mastery Teaching, Inclusive Educators, Navigating Academia, Sustainability Educators, and Writing Educators. 

Participants receive a complimentary copy of the selected book with the expectation that they will engage in three or more discussion sessions.

NOTE: Our cumulative Book Circles list of titles is available on the CTLT's Book Circle archival webpage.

Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms

by Joe Feldman

Alan Alda Book CoverGrading for Equity Book Cover

It's reasonable to assume that we all strive to use grading practices that are accurate, equitable, bias resistant, and motivational. Even better would be practices that minimize grade inflation, reduce failure rates and foster stronger student-faculty relationships.

In this book, Joe Feldman argues that traditional grading approaches have serious flaws that can inadvertently promote inequities and demotivate learners, especially those that the educational system tends to disfavor. He offers a broad menu of more equitable and more effective approaches for adoption (selectively or comprehensively). The result over time will be grading practices that better reflect your core values as an educator dedicated to equitable practices that benefit all learners.

For a brief overview of Feldman's ideas see: "What Traditional Classroom Grading Gets Wrong" (Education Week).

  • Dates: Tuesdays, October 4, 11, 18 and 25
  • Time:  12:10-1 pm
  • Location: Online in Zoom (link will be sent to registrants)
  • Facilitators: Dr. Patrick O'Sullivan, CTLT Director

Register for Fall 2022 Book Circles

Demystifying Disability: What To Know, What To Say, and How To Be An Ally

by Emily Ladau

Demystifying Disability Book CoverThis book circle offers faculty and staff a place to learn about disability, encourage accessibility and avoid ableism.

People with disabilities are the world’s largest minority, making up an estimated 15% of the global population. However, many of us (both disabled and non-disabled alike) don’t always know how to act, what to say or how to be an ally to the disability community.

Ladau’s concise book offers a starting point from which to discuss and engage, reflect on personal experiences, and move forward under the notion that disability is an important part of not only Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion but also the human experience.

  • Dates: Every other Friday, Oct. 7, Oct. 21, Nov. 4, and Nov. 18
  • Time:  12:10-1 pm
  • Location: Online in Zoom (link will be sent to registrants)
  • Facilitators: John Lee, Disability Resource Center, and Maggie Bodemer, History Instructor

Register for Fall 2022 Book Circles

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