Changes to LIDC Practices

This message is to inform the SFU community about some changes in the practices of the Learning & Instructional Development Centre (LIDC). These changes are being instituted in order to raise the level and scope of our suuport and, in particular, to accomplish the goals set out in our three-year strategic plan.

We are significantly increasing our program offerings related to teaching enhancement. In particular, more activities are being provided relating to the scholarship of teaching (see, for example, www.clt.uts.edu.au/Scholarship/A.Model.html). In addition to supporting the enhancement of classroom teaching, we will continue to respond to the great demand for programs that address the application of technology to teaching and learning.

We are restructuring our LIDC offerings to support faculty development in a more integrated way. We are designing a program to bring more cohesion to the LIDC’s numerous activities and to provide a comprehensive and self-directed approach to teaching enhancement. A broad consultation process about this program has just begun, and more information will be provided soon.

We are eliminating the registration fees for our teaching enhancement programs (effective June 1, 2007). As this university has made a substantial commitment to teaching excellence through its funding of the LIDC, we wish to encourage as many faculty and TAs as possible to avail themselves of our services. (In a few cases, there may be a nominal charge for programs offered by or with external providers, so that we can provide the university with special programs that could not otherwise be offered.)

We are making our programs more accessible. We are improving our methods of disseminating information about LIDC events, and working to ensure that our online registration process is more user friendly. To help those on waiting lists gain entry to space-limited programs of their choice, we will institute a nominal fee ($25) for ‘no show’ registrants who do not cancel before the deadline. This is the practice at many Centres in North America, e.g., UBC.

I, along with all the staff of the LIDC, welcome your feedback and ideas about these or other issues related to LIDC services.

Best wishes,

David Kaufman
dkaufman@sfu.ca