The Centre of Excellence in Training (CET)

CET was established in 2011 with funding from the AMIDEAST and USAID to fulfill the training needs of our teachers, focusing on transitioning from a teacher centered approach to a learner centered approach.

Opening centers for excellence in teaching is a great step in the right direction for creating a resource to inspire teachers in reviewing their methods of teaching and syllabus design to meet the challenges of the age of technology. With students being early adapters in technology the CET should rise up to meet the needs of teachers to keep up to date despite limited financial resources.

The Centre is determined to provide a culture of excellence for teachers who are devoted to develop better teaching approaches and methods towards achieving excellence.

 

Goals of the Centre

• Promoting the culture of excellence and innovative methods in teaching
• Conducting training workshops and seminars around the concepts and technology supported practices in a learner centered approach
• Enhancing the up-to-date teaching practices in the classroom
• Training university teachers on up-to-date methods of assessment
• Encouraging research in teaching and learning

 

Activities:

Training topics include syllabus design, methods, research, assessment critical thinking, and technology in teaching.  Training is offered in many forms, including:

• Dissemination of survey results to deans and faculty members
• Short-Term training for faculty members
• Orientation for new faculty members
• Roundtable Sessions
• Adopting new methods of assessment for both students and teachers.
• Workshops for developing study plans and syllabi.
• Workshops on evaluating teachers’ performance.
• Workshops on observations in the classroom. 

 

The following are activities of the center for excellence in the academic year 2017/2018

1. Orientation for newly appointed teaching staff at HU

This orientation is a series of 20 weekly sessions throughout the year. Topics covered are:

• Philosophy of learning and teaching in higher education
• Syllabus design
• Teaching methods
• Innovative assessment method (portfolio)
• Community based learning
• Critical thinking
• Action research
• Peer Observation of Teaching (POT)
• Technology in the class room

 

2. English classes

This course has been designed in cooperation with Cecilia Gregg Ed. D., a volunteer, for senior students from different colleges. The aim of the course is to introduce students to practical English needed for conversations and job interviews. The course started in March 2018 and will continue until the end of the spring semester in May 2018.

 

3. Video recording of lectures

We video record some lectures as a tool for professional development. Objectives include demonstration of best practices, learning from mistakes, and inspiring and engaging students. 

4. Midterm evaluation for new teaching staff

This evaluation is an opportunity given to students to provide feedback on new teaching staff and their teaching methods. The evaluation form was adapted from the center of excellence in the American University in Cairo.

5. Surveying student opinions about the quality of their education

The center has designed a questionnaire to find out how university students view the quality of their education. The aim is to find out their degree of satisfaction   in different areas of education that will give feedback to the university administration and faculty.

6. Workshops for teachers

The center has run a series of workshops to develop performance and skills of teachers referred by their Deans.  Based on the success of these workshops we have, and will continue to hold them for teaching staff.   

 

Contact:

Dr. Bilal Shobaki

Tel: +970/ +972 2 2220995 ext. 288