About The Retreat

In many respects, the title "Great Teaching" is misleading. This seminar is not so much an assembly of great teachers as it is a group of dedicated faculty in search of great teaching.

Philosophy

David Gottshall, an American College teacher, is credited with developing the concept of "Great Teachers". His concept uses adult learning principles to capture and build on the experiences and expertise that participants bring to seminars.

Participants share teaching experiences as identified in two very brief papers prepared before the seminar. Through discussion of these experiences, themes and issues relevant to the group are identified and prioritized. Finally, a series of activities are organized that facilitate sharing and promote creative thinking and problem solving.
The Great Teaching process

• assumes that within a group of experienced faculty there are the resources needed to develop and present a seminar on issues related to teaching
• allows for participants to create an agenda of issues and to design a format that allows for the working through of those issues
• is a concept that recognizes that significant levels of excellent teaching occurs within the college system and that faculty, given the opportunity, can be a valuable resource to each other
• is enhanced by placing the participants in a relaxed and unstructured environment. Hence, the program is designed in a retreat-like fashion.

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