US: Credit for teaching

30 May 2010

At many colleges and universities, the tenure trinity of teaching, research and service is widely viewed (at least by those coming up for tenure) as a myth, writes Scott Jaschik for Inside Higher Ed. A new book (or articles in the right journals) will trump a great teaching idea every time, say many professors. Classroom innovation doesn't get any credit. Last week the American Sociological Association announced a new effort that, organisers hope, could change that.

TRAILS, the Teaching Resources and Innovations Library for Sociology website, will be an archive for peer-reviewed classroom innovations, including syllabuses, class activities, individual assignments, bibliographies and websites - all focused on teaching. A two-level peer-review process is being created to vet entries, and association officials promise that plenty will be rejected, or, as with journal submissions, sent back for revisions.
Full report on the Inside Higher Ed site

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