Open Classroom Week underway

Skidmore will celebrate Open Classroom Week from Feb. 23-27 invites members of the College community to visit classes in a wide variety of disciplines. Sponsored by the College’s Center for Leadership in Teaching and Learning, the project was organized by its director, Erica Bastress-Dukehart, with Michael Arnush, chair of classics, and William Duffy, chief technology.

Explained Bastress-Dukehart, “We started talking three years ago about new ways to promote teaching, with a spotlight on pedagogy. We offered MasterClass in 2013, and last fall we discussed a more creative way to shine the spotlight on teaching and learning.”

She said it was “remarkably easy” to get buy-in for the project, with Beau Breslin, dean of the faculty and vice president for academic affairs, Paty Rubio, associate dean for personnel and diversity, and Corey Freeman-Gallant, associate dean for academic policy and advising, all agreeing it was a worthwhile option. “They liked having an event open to the whole community,” Bastress-Dukehart said.

A total of 54 class sessions are open this week, and to date 110 visitors’ slots are filled. Bastress-Dukehart estimated that the total of participating visitors is about 75 or so, as a number have registered to visit more than one session. Participating faculty “were eager to have people visit their class,” she added.

The response “exceeded our expectations,” Bastress-Dukehart said. “We are pleased that the Human Resources office has encouraged people to participate, which makes it easier for nonfaculty staff members to take advantage of this option.

“This is a good opportunity for visitors to get a sense of what our students are learning. It is a good moment to think about how learning happens across the college,” Bastress-Dukehart said. “Our whole goal is building community. We are so grateful to the faculty who have agreed to open their classes and to our colleagues for their willingness to be students again,” she added.