The School of Professional Studies recently launched the Pedagogical Lab—a training and support program designed for SPS faculty to advance their pedagogical training and technological skills. The curriculum includes courses, workshops, and forums, covering topics that range from discussion-board design to bias, identity, and oppression. Jesse Scinto, lecturer in the Strategic Communication program, reflects on his experience participating in the Pedagogical Lab.
I’m always looking for ways to improve my teaching, so I felt fortunate to participate in SPS’s Pedagogical Lab, a ten-week pilot course for faculty. The course covered essential classroom concepts such as inclusion, learning objectives, sequencing and scaffolding, and how to engage students in meaningful discussion. It went well beyond tips and tricks.
The Pedagogical Lab changed the way I think about teaching. For instance, it helped me realize that accessibility is something I can design into a course rather than waiting for someone to make a special request. I also learned how to storyboard my classes so that each segment ties directly to a learning objective—and to share the learning objectives with students in advance so they know where we’re going.
I think the Pedagogical Lab is a golden opportunity for SPS faculty at any level because it’s a systematic approach to the subject led by a talented team of teaching and learning experts. I met new people and came away with new resources, including books, articles, and podcasts. The personalized feedback I received was very useful. I wish I’d had something like this when I was a first-year teacher.
Learn more about the Pedagogical Lab.
SPS faculty members interested in participating in the Pedagogical Lab should reach out to Phoebe Ballard (pb2696 [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu (pb2696[at]columbia[dot]edu)) for more information.
