Patrick B. O’Sullivan, PhD
Director, Center for Teaching, Learning & Technology
Illinois State University
February 2009
Here’s an amazing statistic: In 2008, ISU educators spent more than 10,000 hours in CTLT-sponsored workshops and classes. You heard right – more than 10,000 hours last year. That is equivalent to 1,400 faculty work days devoted to updating, refining, and strengthening teaching.
As CTLT’s director, I’m proud to be able to report these numbers to my supervisors in the Provost’s Office as an indication of CTLT’s success. However, the entire campus should be glad that so many ISU faculty are investing in their teaching because it just may help ISU keep its competitive edge when we need it the most.
Higher education faces two rather worrisome developments in the coming decade. The current
economic meltdown could be prolonged and take an increasing bite out of universities’ finances.
In addition, demographic trends predict a shrinking pool of high-school graduates and
thus fewer tuition-paying freshmen entering the nation’s universities.
As universities’ finances tighten and student applications tail off across the
country, competition for freshmen and community college transfers could get intense.
Universities will use every argument and incentive that they can marshal to encourage
more applications and then to turn applicants into students.
What does this mean for ISU? I don’t have the answer, but I have more than my natural optimism feeding my confidence about ISU’s future. The hundreds of faculty who are spending thousands of hours in CTLT workshops are doing things now that will enhance our ability to thrive through the uncertain times ahead.
Recruiters use such things as sports teams, student fitness centers, extra-curricular opportunities, and scholarships in their recruitment pitches. But if I’m a tuition-paying parent of a college-age kid, number one is the quality of education. I need to know that my child will be taught by teachers who are expert in their field and experts in instruction. For me, this overrides all other considerations – and without it, nothing else really matters.
If I’m right, that the most powerful argument that a university can make to potential students is the promise of an outstanding educational experience, then evidence of ISU faculty’s extensive professional development work over the years can help us compete for new students. Then, once enrolled, students who find that their teachers are not only knowledgeable but well-versed in the best teaching practices will be more likely to stay with us through graduation.
So, like hundreds of your colleagues, it’s OK to join CTLT’s programs for altruistic reasons. But also know that investing in your teaching now just might help keep ISU financially and strategically strong in the future.
