Teaching Circles Program

Teaching circles can be about just about any topic related to teaching and learning. For example, some teaching circles might focus on Technology/Art/Design, teaching about/with AI, or methods to integrate teaching with undergraduate research, while others may focus on a specific cohort (e.g., new faculty, students in gateway math courses). Some groups may explore relatively narrow pedagogical topics (e.g., contemporary research on student motivation), while other circles may select broader topics (e.g., alternative assessment or mentoring students).

Teaching circle meetings and other activities can take a variety of forms to stimulate conversation and help members investigate teaching/learning topics. Teaching circle members may make use of one or more methods for sharing knowledge, including, but not limited to:

• Guided discussion: Members come prepared to discuss an item (article, book chapter, technology, etc.) or issue selected by the facilitator or group.
• Round-robins: Members share personal experience and knowledge on a topic of interest to the group.
• Ask the expert: An “expert” (or expert panel) is invited to share insights on a topic. This can include an outside guest speaker or bringing in experts from across RIT and beyond.
• “Progress” reports: Members report on experiments they have conducted with new ways of teaching while the circle is running. This can be especially helpful as a support mechanism while trying a new teaching strategy or project.

Each teaching circle will be organized by one or more facilitators drawn from the RIT community, with support from the Center for Teaching and Learning. The facilitator(s) is more of a champion of the circle topic than a leader with specialized knowledge. Once formed, circles should devote sufficient time to discuss and confirm their collective goals, member responsibilities, organizational structure, and sharing of findings (if so desired). Circles are intended to be egalitarian with all members playing a role in their success.

Circles can be as large as 15-20 members (though 6-12 is typical, and ideal), or as small as 3-5 members. Everyone is expected to attend and contribute to the majority of meetings. 

The Center for Teaching and Learning supports teaching circle facilitators and participants in many ways, including:

• Assisting circle facilitators in the development of titles, descriptions, and meeting options for their circles.
• Matching circle facilitators/topics with prospective circle participants through RIT-wide communication channels.
• Orienting and advising facilitators on group scheduling, communications, and logistical matters (e.g., reserving appropriate and available meeting spaces within CTL).

Information about previous Teaching Circles