CIRTL Network Job Opportunity: Post-Doctoral Scholar in Social Networking of STEM Researchers

The CIRTL Network is hiring a post-doctoral scholar to spearhead its new social networking Web site, currently known as “CIRTL Café.” This Web site will include discussion boards, news, course materials, teaching and learning resources, networking, blogs and collaborative projects.

The new post-doc, who may be based at any university in the CIRTL Network, will be responsible for catalyzing community involvement and for creating and moderating site content. Applicants are required to have a Ph.D. in science, engineering, psychology or education. Applicants should also understand user-centered Web design, have effective communication and Web skills, and be interested in collaborative research. Experience using social networking tools and/or moderating forums is a plus.

For a complete position description and instructions on how to apply, please see the position description . Consideration of applications will begin on June 1 and will continue until the position is filled.

Doctoral Students Report Satisfaction, But Inadequate Preparation

Adam Fagen of the National Academy of Sciences presented results from his research for the National Doctoral Program Survey at the CIRTL Forum 2008, which took place in Madison, Wisconsin on June 16-17. Most of the respondents were satisfied with their programs, but did not feel prepared for their future careers. Read more...

Panel Discusses Faculty Life at Minority-Serving Institutions

Many graduate students may not be aware of the unique opportunities available to faculty at minority-serving institutions. These colleges and universities are dedicated to establishing strong community partnerships, offer access to MSI-specific research funding, and provide chances to mentor undergraduates in research. Working at MSIs can be an ideal opportunity for new faculty interested in collaborating with ethnic minority students, mentoring them, and understanding their lives. Read more...

Introducing the CIRTL Guidebook Collection:
Offering Faculty the Tools to put the CIRTL Pillars into Practice
Creating A Collaborative Learning Environment guidebook

The CIRTL Guidebook Collection is now available online, and features eight versatile course guidebooks: Expeditions in Learning guidebook, Instructional Materials Development Course guidebook, The College Classroom Course guidebook, Informal Science Education for Scientists: A Practicum guidebook, Effective Teaching with Technology guidebook, Creating a Collaborative Learning Environment guidebook, the Internship Program guidebook, and the Diversity in the College Classroom guidebook. These eight guidebooks stem from the work of a community of research-active faculty, graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and academic staff in the STEM disciplines. Guidebook users benefit from the CIRTL research, implementation, and evaluation of the various courses used to develop the guidebooks. The guidebooks are designed to introduce faculty members to the Delta courses and programs and provide a time-saving way for them to offer similar courses in their departments or at their universities. Read more...

Visit the Guidebooks page to download the guidebooks.

CIRTL Diversity Resources Now Available

The CIRTL Diversity Institute brought together a critical mass of scholars (“CIRTL Scholars”) to produce materials and resources that will reform STEM higher education based on the idea that STEM students' learning is enhanced when classes, laboratories, and discussion sections foster engagement of all students irrespective of race, gender, or socioeconomic background. The objective of the Diversity Institute was to create and disseminate a resource base that will enable faculty and future faculty to enhance diversity in STEM fields by creating inclusive classrooms. These resources are now available on the Diversity Resources web site.

Visit the Diversity Resources website for more information.

Resources: