Being a university instructor in late 2024 likely feels a lot different than it did even five years ago, and not just because of the pandemic鈥檚 lingering impacts. New technologies are reshaping how students learn and engage in classes, while bold new approaches to course design and delivery are driving broader shifts in what鈥檚 expected of instructors.
Dr. Ben Tait sees power in these new frontiers of teaching but also acknowledges how it can feel to those required to stay on top of it all.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a huge number of competing pressures on everyone鈥檚 time and carving out the space to think creatively about the way you are teaching is a challenge,鈥� says Dr. Tait, who joined Dal鈥檚 Centre for Learning and Teaching as its new executive director in September.
Dr. Tait says workplace surveys and conversations consistently reveal instructors feel short on time and bogged down by administrative tasks. The upshot: in their day-to-day, many can feel a long way from the core mission of exciting students about their subject.
In his new role, Dr. Tait says he is looking to build on the crucial role CLT has played in supporting instructors over the years.听
He oversees a team of 15 educational developers and support staff that offer a vast range of programming and training resources to teachers across the university.
He emphasizes that one of CLT鈥檚 strengths is its diverse range of specialists, and they鈥檒l continue to deploy their expertise and experience in devising new ways to help instructors rise to pedagogical challenges.
Get to know the 2024 winner of Dal's top teaching award
The classroom can be an intimidating place for some students. Dr. Marion Brown of the School of Social Work strives to ensure everyone feels comfortable and connected in their learning. Learn more on Dal News.
鈥淲e want to help them bring their courses alive in the easiest and quickest way possible to them,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e want everyone to feel that this is a brilliant part of their job.鈥�
A broader horizon听听
Dr. Tait brings his own depth of experience to the centre. He first joined Dal during the pandemic from a background in teacher education in the United Kingdom. He is a founding member of the UK鈥檚 Chartered College of Teaching, a former school governor and trustee, and the founder of a UK-wide initiative called 鈥淲rite the Girl鈥� that aims to generate dynamic new