CIRTL
Center For the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning at Texas A&M University (CIRTL@TAMU)
The Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching & Learning (CIRTL) is a national network dedicated to enhancing excellence in undergraduate education through the development of a national faculty committed to implementing and advancing effective teaching practices for diverse learners.
Development of a National Network of Faculty Committed to Evidence-Based Teaching in STEM
CIRTL uses graduate education and postdoctoral training as the leverage point to develop a national STEM faculty committed to implementing and advancing effective teaching practices for diverse student audiences as part of successful professional careers. The goal of CIRTL is to improve the STEM learning of all students at every college and university, and thereby to increase the diversity in STEM fields and the STEM literacy of the nation.
CIRTL CORE IDEAS
CIRTL’s mission is achieved through three core ideas: learning-through-diversity, teaching-as- research and learning communities.
Learning-through-Diversity
Learning-through-diversity capitalizes on the rich array of experiences, backgrounds and skills among science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) undergraduates and graduates-through-faculty to enhance the learning of all. It recognizes that excellence and diversity are necessarily intertwined.
Teaching-as-Research
Teaching-as-research is the deliberate, systematic and reflective use of research methods by STEM instructors to develop and implement teaching practices that advance the learning experiences and outcomes of both students and teachers.
Learning Communitites
Learning communities bring together groups of people for shared learning, discovery and generation of knowledge. To achieve common learning goals, a learning community nurtures functional relationship among its members.
CIRTL Eligibility and Benefits
CIRTL is open to anyone—graduate students or faculty—looking to develop their skills as an instructor. Benefits include enhancement of your teaching skills and national recognition of participation.
Who Participates in CIRTL? Current and Aspiring Educators!
If you’re looking to improve your teaching to create a more diverse scholarly community and set yourself apart from your peers on the job market, CIRTL is right for you.
What Do you Get for Participating in CIRTL? Teaching Skills Enhancement and Internationally Recognized Certificates!
Through participating in CIRTL@TAMU and National CIRTL Network programming, you can develop teaching skills and earn certificates for your efforts that you can add to your c.v.
CIRTL Certificate Achievement Levels
There are three levels of CIRTL Certificates that demonstrate different levels of achievement in the CIRTL Core Ideas: Associate, Practitioner and Scholar. CIRTL@TAMU has programs that achieve each of these levels.
Associate: Describe and Recognize Value
Attaining the CIRTL Associate level certificate indicates that you have dedicated time and effort to learning best practices in teaching and learning. You are able to describe these practices and recognize their value for improving undergraduate learning. Associate level programs equip you with the skills and knowledge to be a successful teacher.
CIRTL@TAMU programs that attain CIRTL Associate level are:
- Academy for Future Faculty (AFF)
- CIRTL Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) with Local LearningCommunities (LLC)
- Graduate Teaching Consultant (GTC) Program
Practitioner: Engage
When you attain CIRTL Practitioner level, you have applied best-practices in teaching and learning in a classroom setting and have developed and executed a Teaching-as-Research plan for a limited project.
CIRTL@TAMU programs that attain CIRTL Practitioner level are:
Scholar: Advance and Disseminate
By attaining CIRTL Scholar level, you add to the community of knowledge about teaching and learning through designing and implementing a Teaching-as-Research project and defending your findings to your peers through either publication or presentation.
CIRTL@TAMU Programs that attain CIRTL Scholar level are:
All programs are open to all graduate and professional students.
How Can Postdoctoral Scholars Engage with CIRTL?
Several CIRTL@TAMU programs are also open to Postdoctoral Scholars. These include the MOOC Local Learning Communities and Teaching As Research Program. Postdoctoral Scholars can also engage in the robust webinars and resources provided through the National CIRTL Network.
How Can Faculty Engage with CIRTL?
CIRTL@TAMU enables faculty to reach their career goals by providing faculty with teaching and mentoring resources as well as creating networking opportunities for you to learn from one another.
CIRTL Helps Equip Faculty for Teaching and Mentoring
CIRTL online and on-campus resources on teaching and mentoring help you achieve better results in the classroom with less effort. Directing your students and postdoctoral scholars to CIRTL@TAMU can also effectively supplement your individual mentoring efforts, preparing your current mentees (and future faculty) to be more efficient, effective teachers!
- TAMU faculty and future faculty can engage in local CIRTL programs as workshop facilitators, speakers, and faculty mentors.
- CIRTL@TAMU provides on-campus resources for diverse STEM audiences, including graduate students, post-docs, and junior faculty.
CIRTL Facilitates Inter-Faculty Learning and Networking
CIRTL provides networking opportunities with faculty across the nation interested in bringing inquiry-based learning into the undergraduate classroom. In addition, CIRTL network resources and/or local programs available to your trainees can be leveraged to enhance your proposals.
- CIRTL national network provides online courses, workshops and “coffee hours” for diverse learning opportunities about STEM teaching and career issues.
How Can Faculty Support CIRTL@TAMU?
Interested in becoming more involved in CIRTL@TAMU? Please email cirtl@tamu.edu.
Opportunities include:
- Join the CIRTL@TAMU Faculty Working Group
- Receive support to attend CIRTL Conferences and Meetings
- Become a CIRTL@TAMU Faculty Fellow and provide networking programming (courses/workshops)
- Support from CIRTL@TAMU
- Become a TAR Fellow mentor
- Become a faculty guest speaker/panelist for MOOC Local Learning Community
- Encourage mentee participation