Submitted by Mike Meyer, Director of the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning
As we wrap up one term and look to the next, it’s important to reflect both on course structures and classroom technologies. One of the most interesting reflections I’ve seen regarding getting the technology right is Todd Rose’s TED Talk called “The Myth ofAverage”. (http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/The-Myth-of-Average-Todd-Rose-a)
In this 18 minute video, Todd – a high school drop-out and now Harvard faculty member – compares the fit of a fighter-pilot in a cockpit to that of an “average” student in a classroom. He argues that without the ability to “customize”, exactly zero students in our courses will optimize their learning.
The William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning will maintain regular hours through December 22 for further discussion about next term, then re-open on 1/5 to help instructors prepare for the new semester. For more discussion about your courses, stop bythe William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (http://www.mtu.edu/ctl/) in theVan Pelt and Opie Library, room 219!