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FAQs: Who, what, where, why?

 

What is the Teaching and Learning Commons (TLC)? 

The TLC will be a central hub where Swarthmore community members can access resources to support their academic success, enhance their teaching, and develop new skills and expertise in community with one another. The TLC aims to 1) connect community members to pre-existing resources on and off campus that will support their learning goals and 2) to develop new programs and resources — in concert with partners across campus — that meet evolving needs and interests. 

Who runs the TLC? 

In its first year, the TLC has a full-time faculty director and a part-time graduate fellow, both of whom are Swarthmore alumnae and scholars of education. A faculty and staff committee advise the TLC development and programs. As programming increases, we plan to increase the size of the Center staff.

Where is the TLC?

In addition to its online presence, an interim TLC will be located in McCabe Library beginning in Fall 2023. In the future, the TLC will be a physical center where students, faculty, and staff can gather for pedagogy seminars and lunches, workshops, tutoring, tutor trainings, individual consultations, and more. During the 2022-23 academic year, you can find the TLC director in her faculty office, Pearson 203. 

What’s happening at the TLC right now?

During Fall 2022, the TLC director engaged in a listening tour, meeting with individuals and departments, as well as visiting other centers for teaching, and learning and seeking advice from other directors. She also collaborated with Communications and ITS to develop this website in order to centralize existing resources. The first TLC program will begin in Spring 2023 — a pedagogy lunch series for faculty and staff.