Teaching Center

Missions

1. Improving the teaching abilities of TAU faculty

The Center for Teaching Advancement strives to help all TAU faculty members to continually improve their teaching practices, throughout their teaching careers. This mission is addressed through:

•   Theoretical and practical training in teaching for new faculty
•   Acquainting all faculty with theoretical pedagogic concepts
•   Training in implementing pedagogic principles in the classroom
•   Encouraging the use of teaching aids and technologies
•   Developing and adopting innovative teaching strategies and methods

To this end the Center conducts the following activities:

•   Microteaching workshops – participants practice teaching and listen to comments on their performance
•   Mutual visits of faculty in each other's classes
•   Experienced faculty coach new colleagues
•   Open discussions on teaching issues (in seminars, colloquiums etc.)
•   Support for decision-making with regard to teaching policies in the different faculties

The ultimate purpose of this support is to bring all lecturers at TAU to a level of teaching that meets the requirements of the Planning & Budgeting Committee of Israel's Council for Higher Education and TAU's Board of Governors.  

 2. Altering and upgrading lecturers' perception of their role as teachers and the students as learners

In the last three decades we have witnessed an accelerating process of change, both in the overall perception and practices of higher education institutions, and in the universities' student population, in various aspects:

•   Highbrow higher education is changing into higher education for the masses;
•   Universities admit students who have received less preparation (in terms of knowledge, ability, motivation for independent studies etc.);
•   The focus of students' expectations has shifted toward professional training for the job market;
•   More than previous generations, today's students tend to regard themselves as consumers entitled to excellent service.

3. Response

The Center for Teaching Advancement helps lecturers meet the challenges of change by:

•   Adapting study materials to all learners, rather than addressing outstanding students only;
•   Supporting and encouraging learning in all students;
•   Respecting students and addressing their learning needs;
•   Incorporating varied pedagogic tools into the teaching process, to enhance students' comprehension, concentration and attention in class.

 4. Professionalization of the Center for Teaching Advancement

The Center for Teaching Advancement focuses on conducting strictly professional activities:  it employs a team of professional consultants with PhDs in areas related to the different faculties; supports continual improvement of their abilities; and promotes research and assessment activities. The Center also collaborates beneficially with other teaching advancement centers, both in Israel and worldwide.