The Red Ink Corner

As the current Teaching Scholar-in-Residence at the Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT), this is my little corner of the Murray State Teaching Chronicles (MS/TC) to provide opening comments. I am proud to be the first Editor of this new publication brought to you by CTLT that is focused on issues associated with teaching and learning. I want to thank the entire staff of CTLT for their support and especially Beth Call, who created the design and layout of the MS/TC.

I hope you enjoy reading the articles in the first edition of the MS/TC. The faculty members who have contributed articles in this edition were asked to provide their thoughts on teaching with a particular emphasis on teaching excellence, an important term that takes many forms across campus. Indeed, the strategic plan for Murray State places quality teaching and learning as pre-eminent activities at this institution. A major goal during my time at CTLT is to facilitate a campus-wide conversation among faculty and staff concerning all issues related to teaching, technology and student learning. I want to thank the faculty members who gave me some of their valuable time and for the thought, clarity and passion in which they discuss such an important subject. At a time when many articles and books want to provide step-by-step instructions or roadmaps to improve teaching, it is important to take a step back and think about our roles as teachers and mentors.

I want to invite interested faculty and staff to contact me concerning ideas and articles for future editions of the MS/TC. The entire CTLT staff and I want this publication to be a vehicle for stimulating productive conversations on teaching and learning and to be a showcase for innovative teaching strategies.

J. Ricky Cox
Editor, Murray State Teaching Chronicles
ricky.cox@murraystate.edu