Axe ’Em, Jacks!
CTL offers both Reading Circles (a.k.a. Teaching Book Clubs) and Teaching Circles. Reading Circles typically meet five or six times in a semester to discuss portions of a monograph. These circles are facilitated by a faculty member and often last about an hour. Teaching Circles are also typically semester-long endeavors but focus on exploring a single topic in depth via books or scholarly papers. The estimated time commitment for most Teaching Circles is 10 to 15 hours, though some may meet less frequently.
All faculty members are welcome to participate in Reading and Teaching Circles; more information about future circles will be shared via SFA Today and CTL mailings.
Do you have an idea for a Reading Circle or Teaching Circle? Please let us know, by emailing us at ctl@sfasu.edu.
Spring 2025 Teaching Book Clubs
The Center for Teaching and Learning is sponsoring two faculty-led Teaching Book Clubs in Spring 2025! Participants are provided a copy of the selected book and commit to meeting six times during the semester. Both face-to-face and virtual options are available.
Face-to-Face Book Club
Jamie Derrick, lecturer in the Department of Management and Marketing, will facilitate a group in which participants explore the book Distracted: Why Students Can’t Focus And What You Can Do About It by James M. Lang. Participants will gain practical strategies and deeper insights into fostering attention and engagement in today’s distracted learning environments. Meeting dates will be Jan. 29, Feb. 12, Feb. 26, Mar. 19, Apr. 2, and Apr. 23 from 1 to 2 p.m. in Steen Library, room 205. Register for this group by completing this Face-to-Face Book Club Form.
Virtual Book Club
Dr. Sarah Straub, associate professor in the Department of Education Studies, will facilitate a group that will read Small Teaching Online: Applying Learning Science In Online Classes by Flower Darby with James M. Lang. Participants will discover evidence-based, practical strategies to enhance student learning and engagement in online teaching environments. Meeting dates will be Jan. 22, Feb. 5, Feb. 26, Mar. 19, Apr. 2, and Apr. 16 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Zoom. Register for this group by completing this Virtual Book Club Form. The Zoom link will be sent to registered participants by Jan. 17.
Register now to hold your spot. Registration closes on Jan. 17, or when all spaces are filled.