Maggie Berg, Department of English. 

“I was a member of the informal discussion group some years ago. I wanted to revive the group because I appreciate discussing with colleagues thought-provoking and sometimes controversial readings related to teaching and learning,” says Dr. Berg, a professor in the Department of English and one of the current Queen’s University Chairs in Teaching and Learning.

Dr. Berg facilitates the current Teachers’ Reading Circle along with Anita Jack-Davies. Dr. Jack-Davies is an Educational Developer at the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL). A short piece on pedagogy—an article, chapter or video—frames the discussion of each meeting.

Eleven participants discussed an article claiming the existence of a generational divide in ways of thinking recently at the first of four scheduled meetings. They debated the thesis of the article and discussed how teachers should or could respond to a generation of students accustomed to switching focus rapidly among different tasks. Participants possess different academic backgrounds, but Dr. Berg notes they are united in their desire to improve as teachers.

At the next meeting, the group will discuss ways to create more student involvement in the classroom based on Harvard University professor Eric Mazur’s presentation at Queen’s last year. His talk can be viewed on the CTL website.

The Teachers’ Reading Group is one of the many CTL programs and services that support teaching and learning at Queen’s. More information about CTL can be found online.