DOUBLE HEADER COFFEE CHAT (Thursday, February 11). The two events are described below:
#1 From 2-3pm — Body Language in the Classroom: Allie Irwin, a 1989 Michigan Tech alumna in Mechanical Engineering and a certified Science of People consultant, will lead an interactive presentation to help us learn what a student’s body language tells us and how an instructor’s body language affects classroom interactions, student evaluation scores, and learning. Refreshments will be provided to those who register by Monday, February 8th. Click here to register.
#2 From 3:30-4:30pm — Impact of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): The MI-STAR grant, led through Michigan Tech, is on the cutting edge of a nation-wide revolution in how Middle School science is taught. Come learn about the structure of the standards, how middle school teaching will change, and how Michigan Tech will have to adapt for students and classrooms with a very different mindset about STEM education. Refreshments will be provided to those who register by Monday, February 8th. Click here to register.
MORNING COFFEE CHAT: Teamwork and Diversity (Friday, February 19)
Many of us assign group projects in our classes, but far fewer of us feel comfortable helping students navigate the complex interpersonal dynamics of those groups. How do we keep them on task? What do we do when conflicts arise? How do we help them respect & value diversity? At this event, Marie Paretti, Associate Professor of Engineering Education and co-director of the Engineering Communications Center at Virginia Tech, will lead an informal discussion on these issues. She will draw on her own research — on communication and collaboration, design education, and identity (race, gender, class, etc.) in engineering — and that of others to share practical strategies for helping students develop and thrive in team environments. This event is being partially sponsored/funded by the Visiting Women & Minority Lecturer/Scholar Series (VWMLS), which is funded by a grant to Institutional Equity & Inclusion from the State of Michigan’s King-Chavez-Parks Initiative. Refreshments will be provided to those who register by Wednesday, February 17th. Click here to register.
LUNCH AND LEARN: Inclusive Classrooms (Tuesday, February 23)
Conscious or unconscious bias, whether based on culture, gender, sexual identity or other factors, can result in diminished learning. In this session, co-sponsored by the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI), we’ll explore ways to avoid and address unintentional bias in a classroom. Prior to the event, participants will be asked to watch several videos by experienced facilitators and select the most relevant topic for further lunchtime discussion. Topics include the imposter syndrome, underrepresented populations, language use, groupings, example choice, and campus resources for instructors. Lunch will be provided to those who register by Friday, February 19th. Click here to register.
TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOPS — Click below for additional information and registration.
- Splashtop for iPad on Thursday, Feb 18 from 2-3pm
- Explain Everything on Thursday, Feb 25, from 10-11am
Lunch and Learn —Teaching Technology Tips: (Tuesday, Feb. 26)In this session, we’ll introduce you to a number of technologies currently available free or at very low cost. We’ll discuss how these tools could help you communicate with students, organize course materials, or motivate learning. Follow-up workshops will be scheduled throughout spring semester for each tool demonstrated if you find one you like! Lunch will be provided to those who register by Friday, January 22. Join us for this event on Tuesday, January 26 from noon to 1:00pm. Click here to register.
Double Header Coffee Chat (Thursday, Feb. 11) – Two events are scheduled:
#1 From 2-3pm — Body Language in the Classroom: Allie Irwin, a 1989 Michigan Tech alumna in Mechanical Engineering and a certified Science of People consultant, will lead an interactive presentation to help us learn what a student’s body language tells us and how an instructor’s body language affects classroom interactions, student evaluation scores, and learning. Refreshments will be provided to those who register by Monday, February 8th. Click here to register.
#2 From 3:30-4:30pm — Impact of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): The MI-STAR grant, led through Michigan Tech, is on the cutting edge of a nation-wide revolution in how Middle School science is taught. Come learn about the structure of the standards, how middle school teaching will change, and how Michigan Tech will have to adapt for students and classrooms with a very different mindset about STEM education. Refreshments will be provided to those who register by Monday, February 8th. Click here to register.
Small Changes in Teaching: The First 5 Minutes of Class
From:The Chronicle Of Higher Education
By: James M. Lang
Coffee Chat —Student Accommodation Process (1/19): More than five percent of Michigan Tech students are now registered for some kind of testing accommodation. This is consistent with national trends, and we will likely see this number continue to grow. In this Coffee Chat, we’ll address common questions surrounding the accommodations process. Discussion will include the process by which students are granted accommodations, established university and recommended classroom policies surrounding accommodations, and ways to minimize extra work associated with this growing student need. Refreshments will be provided to those who register by Friday, January 15. Join us for this event on Tuesday, January 19 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Click here to register.
Lunch and Learn —Teaching Technology Tips (1/26): In this session, we’ll introduce you to a number of technologies currently available free or at very low cost. We’ll discuss how these tools could help you communicate with students, organize course materials, or motivate learning. Follow-up workshops will be scheduled throughout spring semester for each tool demonstrated if you find one you like! Lunch will be provided to those who register by Friday, January 22. Join us for this event on Tuesday, January 26 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm. Click here to register.
Many students believe that courses can be “unfair” or that standards can be misinterpreted. This article discusses how professors shouldn’t react to such students.
Contested Grades and the “You Earned It” Retort
From: Faculty Focus
By: Steve Snyder
This author reflects on “a recent article in which three biologists describe how they created a classroom observation tool that identifies specific, evidence-based behaviors and practices.”
Evidence of Evidence-Based Teaching
From: Faculty Focus
By: Maryellen Weimer, PhD
Grade Submission Workshop: In this workshop, instructors will learn how to submit final grades from Banner and via Canvas. This workshop is recommended for instructors new to grade submission, or those simply wanting a refresher. This workshop is offered on the following dates:
– Thursday, December 10 from 10-11am. Click here to register.
– Tuesday, December 14 from 2-3pm. Click here to register.
Also, please note that the CTL has assembled these Grade Submission Resources for your use.
January Event Announcements Coming Soon: No luncheons or coffee chats are scheduled for December, but announcements for our January 19 coffee chat and January 26 lunch and learn event will be posted soon.