Welcome to Blinn College
Center for Teaching and Learning
Our Mission
The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) supports faculty in their professional development by offering a variety of services, training sessions, and resources. More detailed information about these offerings, along with the appropriate contact person, can be found in our weekly newsletter, CTL Happenings.
Workshops and Training
Faculty and staff have access to both online and in-person workshops and training sessions led by their peers. Topics cover a wide range of areas, including evidence-based instructional strategies, classroom climate, effective use of technology, artificial intelligence, and other relevant subjects of interest.
CTL Book Clubs
Each semester, the CTL Book Clubs gather regularly to discuss a selected book chosen by the members. Meetings are held online, allowing participants to choose a club that fits their schedule. Each year, CTL hosts a lecture by an author of one of the chosen books, with a special “Meet the Author” session exclusively for Book Club members.
Conferences and Events
Twice a year, at the Fall Convocation and the Spring Teaching and Learning Conference, faculty have the chance to learn from their colleagues. Recorded sessions from these events are available in eCampus; simply search by the year and event title.
Mentor Program
Blinn’s Mentor Program pairs new faculty members with experienced colleagues within their division. These mentors, who have undergone specialized training, provide guidance and support throughout the new faculty member’s first semester at Blinn.
New Faculty Orientation
At the start of each fall and spring semester, CTL hosts a synchronous online New Faculty Orientation. This program introduces new faculty to Blinn’s resources, policies, and procedures while providing time to connect with mentors and division leaders.
Professional Learning Communities
Our faculty- and staff-led Professional Learning Communities (PLC) meet virtually every other week. These sessions are designed for in-depth exploration of topics chosen by the PLC members, fostering collaboration and professional growth.
CTL Writing Group
The CTL Writing Group offers faculty a supportive environment to achieve their writing goals, whether they relate to research, teaching, or creative projects. Sessions are held online and are structured to provide accountability and encouragement.
Additional Resources
Professional Development
Blinn College encourages faculty and staff to participate in off-site and virtual conferences. For details about funding and procedures, please contact your Dean or the Professional Development Funding Committee.
For assistance with technology or designing blended, online, or web-enhanced face-to-face courses, reach out to Instructional Design.
Visit the Library’s Professional Development Centers on the Bryan or Brenham campuses or explore the Center for Teaching and Learning LibGuide for books and journal articles on teaching and learning.
Online Learning Opportunities
- Starlink: Offers live and recorded webinars on a wide range of topics.
- NISOD: Provides free webinars and access to Innovation Abstracts, a weekly publication featuring teaching strategies written by practitioners.
- LinkedIn Learning through Lynda.com: Sponsored by Human Resources, this platform provides more than 5,500 online courses taught by industry experts. All Blinn employees can take advantage of these courses to enhance their business, technology, and creative skills from any device.