Preparing Future Faculty

One of the best developed PFF programs in the country is offered by the Department of Communication and Culture at Indiana University-Bloomington. In its early years (beginning in 2000-2001), the program was funded by a $20,000 grant from NCA and a matching grant from the University Graduate School. This funding supported conferences, the development of collaborative relationships with carefully chosen partner institutions, and curriculum development.

Every graduate student in the CMCL department is required to take a foundational course in pedagogy. They also work closely with course directors who provide course-specific teacher training and development, including classroom observations. The department is committed to giving students a wide array of teaching experiences. Toward that end, most teach three or more courses throughout their graduate careers. They also have special opportunities to develop their own courses and teach them during summer sessions or in conjunction with the University's Collins Living-Learning Center.

The centerpiece of the PFF program is the Certificate of Pedagogy. Those students who elect to complete the certificate will take the foundational pedagogy course, a pedagogy practicum, and an advanced pedagogy seminar.They also must take a one-hour written exam in pedagogy.

For more complete information about this PFF program, go to: http://www.indiana.edu/~cmcl/grad.htm

Patricia Hayes Andrews
Professor Emeritus, Indiana University-Bloomington