Book Circles - Winter 2025

The 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. Participants receive a complimentary copy of the selected book with the expectation that they will engage in three or more discussion sessions. Themes for book circle selections include: Mindful Educators, Mastery Teaching, Inclusive Educators, Navigating Academia, Sustainability Educators, and Writing Educators. 

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

Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides

Geoffrey Cohen, PhD

A thoughtful, compelling book about "creating connections and bridging divides" is a timely resource in a society where divisions run deep and wide. Dr. Cohen, a preeminent social psychologist, offers accessible insights into the social dynamics that affect us every day. In this concise talk (12:30 mins) he previews the book by explaining that belonging is deeply embedded in our human makeup. He notes how critical it is to wellbeing by citing the damaging consequences when we don't have it. Research indicates that isolation activates the same portions of the brain associated with physical pain. "[Prolonged] (i)solation is one of the most toxic social environmental factors out there," he says, and it contributes to illness and stresses on mental health. With Cal Poly's commitment to a more inclusive campus, the insights provided in this book offer ways to shape our campus culture for the better -- often through brief but powerful steps. His recommendations can empower educators to shape students' course experiences in ways that enhance their learning -- especially for minoritized and marginalized students. In addition, takeaways can also equip us to better manage our relationships with colleagues as we strive to contribute to making the campus community more inclusive.

A "Mindful Educators" selection
An "Inclusive Educators" selection

Dates: Wednesdays, January 15, 22, 29, and Feb 5
Time: 12:10-1 pm
Location: Onsite (Chase Hall 104) and online (zoom)
Facilitators: Patrick O'Sullivan, PhD (CTLT)

Register for Winter 2025 Book Circles

Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well

Amy edmonson, PhD

When we hear the word "failure" our tendency is to think of it as the opposite of success. The term is loaded with negative connotations like deficiency, inadequacy, and shame. Yet we also know as educators that so-called "failures" can be valuable (or even essential) to learning, growth, progress, and success. Rethinking what failure means (and what it doesn't mean) can be important when we are encouraging our students to adopt a growth mindset. Dr. Edmonson's newer (2023) book provides a framework and language for us to think about different typoes of failure and to practice "wise failures" that minimizing unproductive episodes while maximizing what we gain from errors and mistakes. With these insights we will be better prepared to help our students reframe what "failure" is and what it is not. When they learn to "fail well" they will see how to use their experiences to identify paths toward eventual success. 

A "Mastery Educators" selection

Dates: Tuesdays, January 14, 21, 28, and Feb 4
Time: 9:10-10 am
Location: Onsite (Chase Hall 104) and online (zoom)
Facilitator: Patrick O'Sullivan, PhD (CTLT)

Register for Winter 2025 Book Circles