<ngtime resource for faculty members, the Perlman Learning and Teaching Center, now housed at the Weitz Center for Creativity, is making itself available to students, too.
“The mission of the LTC has always included serving students, as well as faculty and staff,” said LTC Director Louis Newman.
Created in 1992 through a grant from the Archibald Bush Foundation, it works towards enhancing classroom teaching and learning, most often known for its work with both new and longtime faculty members.
Along with a few LTC student workers, Newman hopes to help students become better learners while helping faculty become better teachers.
“The LTC is a place that’s interested in thinking critically about the learning process and opening dialogue in the Carleton community about how we can enhance the learning experience for both students and faculty,” said LTC Fellow Sam Keller ’12.
Possible programs organized by the LTC for students this year include a newsletter, student panel sessions, student book groups and discussion with faculty on education policy.
With its new location at the Weitz Center, the LTC has a library of resources that all students are welcome to use. The literature mostly concerns the process of learning and how understanding that process can help in academic work.
“The LTC can help students think about and take a more active role in their education,” said Rachel Levit Ades ’13, also a current LTC fellow. “We have the resources to be a place on campus where students can reflect on their education and issues surrounding education in general, and we’re here to help the Carleton community.”
Students are also welcome to suggest programs to the LTC fellows in hopes of starting a conversation between faculty and students.
Some of the LTC’s current initiatives involve mentoring programs for new faculty, consulting services and workshops for all faculty on topics like design, the first day of class, active learning, leading discussions, ways of giving and getting feedback for the assessment of learning, the use of stories and cases and the challenges of multicultural classrooms.