The Teacher TRAC Integrative Workshop program at Cerritos College started as planned on Tuesday April 17, and Saturday Apr 21 with the programs intention on exploring integrative teaching and learning strategies through specially designed workshops.

The point of integration or contextualization refers to common ground between disciplines, which those participating in the program can explore for mutual benefit.

Mirna Cardenas, Pathways Coordinator Teacher TRAC, presented the following example to help one understand how the program can help participants: “During the last workshop, metal works instructor put across to the English instructor his teaching strategy of asking his students to think how in their daily lives welding is part of what they touch or see.

“This would have helped the English faculty to consider how such a strategy would help her own teaching, and also exchange her personal views with the other faculty member.”

There are four faculty members presenting in the program this semester and the same number is projected for each semester next year.

English professor, Lydia Alvarez, explained the benefit of the program through identifying overlaps between disciplines, that is what one is trying to teach is also what is taught in another discipline, which overlap she considers the students can apply in other contexts through critical thinking.

The program has the added benefit of helping interns and students alike to see what it takes to become an instructor, according to welding instructor, Michael Medina.

Among those taking part in the workshop is Thu Ngnuyen, Counseling 200 instructor, who said, “Although we teach different subjects, there are definite integrating points we could learn from by identifying common grounds between disciplines, as that would make the student feel they are part of a bigger picture.”

Despite the differences between various disciplines, it is common ground that makes this program a success.