TLA groups begin today on campus
The Learning Commons partners in the Western Libraries at Western Washington University are working to create and develop a space where everyone feels welcome. To that end, they're providing three ways to inspire the Western community to drop by for a visit.
The regular Teaching-Learning Academy dialogue groups, which include faculty, staff, students and community members, represent one way for folks to help make WWU a better place to teach and learn. TLA dialogue begins this week, Jan. 15 and 16, and meets every other week for a total of five meetings for the quarter. There are four group options: Wednesdays noon to 1:20 p.m., Wednesdays 2 to 3:20 p.m., Thursdays noon to 1:20 p.m. and Thursdays 2 to 3:20 p.m. All dialogue groups meet in the Learning Commons in Wilson 2 West. While the groups each go for 80 minutes, attendees are welcome to dip in for whatever time they have. Fall quarter’s TLA members crafted an engaging BIG question: "How do we ignite individual passion, purpose and potential to co-create a culture of trust?" To join this dialogue, email shevell.thibou@wwu.edu.
“Conversations in Common” is a new initiative sponsored by the Learning Commons for individuals, departments and programs to share information on resources available across Western’s campus. Resulting from an idea that emerged from the TLA last year, these conversations afford an opportunity to learn more about campus-wide resources as well as to engage in informal dialogue in a centrally located space that has been deliberately designed for interaction and collaboration. A space within the recently remodeled Learning Commons (in the Wilson wing next to the Info Desk) will be available for scheduling “Conversations” beginning next week. Programs that have already signed on to host a conversation include the Western Sustainability Green Energy Fee grant program, Academic Advising and the Career Center. Those interested in hosting a conversation in the space or who would like more information should contact shevell.thibou@wwu.edu.
Faculty members also may meet students for regular office hours or to schedule periodic conferences with them. A comfortable meeting space is set up in Wilson Library 265 (aka the TLA Living Room), next to the Info Desk, that includes a teaching and learning print collection and that can be reserved for meetings with individual students or small groups. This space is adjacent to the newly remodeled area where students can access various resources such as the Writing Center, Research Consultation and the Tutoring Center. Cups and hot tea are provided. To schedule this space in the Learning Commons space, contact shevell.thibou@wwu.edu.
