Teaching in Place series equips faculty to take advantage of the whole campus when teaching

The Teaching in Place series invites Oakland University faculty to learn about non-traditional campus locations that could inspire similar unique learning from their students.

Held in a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces, these sessions center OU as more than a collective of classes, but a community space, where students, faculty and anyone else can explore campus and learn in a way that's impactful. A new physical environment can support another level of curiosity and community engagement.

These innovative practices originate with OU's Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL). The center creates training and experiential opportunities for OU faculty to lead and cultivate inclusive, high-impact teaching practices and scholarship. CETL is a collaborative hub for teaching excellence, engagement and inspiration for the OU's community.

"Today we'll be trying to think differently about learning and the spaces we have around us," Director of CETL Christina Moore, Ph.D., says to begin the most recent session.

CETL partnered with the Native American Advisory Committee to center on the Native American Heritage Site on campus, next to P37. In 2021, this land was dedicated and named, "Gidinawemaaganinaanig: Endazhigiyang," meaning, "All My Relations: The Place Where We All Grow." The central focus is for Native and Indigenous cultural connection and understanding.

In this Teaching in Place session, faculty participants explored the Native American Heritage Site and learned how to access and use it respectfully and meaningfully. After taking the time to understand the space, faculty were able to identify resources available at the site, describe ways to integrate it into their own teaching and brainstorm class sessions that could be held there. Some faculty reported using the space for biology classes and plant identification, while others use the space for literary courses to understand the history around Indigenous works.

"Teaching in and with spaces like this is a way for students to see themselves with nature," Associate Professor and enrolled citizen of Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Megan Peiser, Ph.D., explained to the group. "This is an opportunity to be a part of this land's story."

Teaching in Place opens opportunities for meaningful cultural engagement amongst our faculty, students, staff and beyond. "We bring students here - we bring the community here," Peiser says. "In fact, this land was decided on by community consensus." Opening the doors to what OU offers outside of the classroom allows people to connect on another level, through experiential learning and impactful memories.

Whether you're a faculty member looking to engage with students in a new way or community members looking to connect with nature, all are welcome here. When planning a visit, Peiser notes the most important element is "treating the land like it's a living relative." That level of respect allows this land to continue to flourish.

This session was facilitated by Native American Advisory Committee members Megan Peiser (English), Andrea Knutson (English) and Mary Jamieson (Biological Sciences). CETL has held previous sessions at the Oakland University Bio Preserve and Student Organic Farm, and is currently planning two more Teaching in Place sessions for the Winter. Learn more at oakland.edu/cetl.