Center for Teaching and Learning Blog

LUNCH AND LEARN: Teaching Fast and Slow Thinkers  (Thursday, January 25, 2018, Noon – 1:00 pm)

Daniel Kahneman’s 2013 book titled “Thinking, Fast and Slow” is one of many recent books that explore how both unconscious and conscious systems are involved in thinking and learning.  In this luncheon workshop, we’ll explore some implications of this “dual processing” for the classroom, acknowledging differences between expert and novice approaches to problems, the selective nature of attention, and strategies to help students examine the accuracy of intuition. Lunch will be provided to those who register by Monday, January 22. Click here to register.

LUNCH AND LEARN: Teaching Gen Z and Millennials – Entitlement or Just Changing Expectations?  (Thursday, November 9, 2017, Noon – 1:00 pm)

Whatever you call the current generation of 18-22 year old college students, there’s a sense that they bring different expectations to the classroom. In this luncheon workshop, we’ll explore some research about whether and how “students these days” really are different compared with previous generations.  We’ll also share and discuss ways to best acknowledge, address, and even use those differences to improve learning. Lunch will be provided to those who register by Monday, November 6. Click here to register.

CTL INSTRUCTIONAL AWARD PRESENTATION SERIES: Glen Archer, 2017 Large Class Teaching Award, “Large Sections: Scaling without Compromise….Mostly….” (Thursday, November 30, 2017, 3:00-4:00 pm)

In this third and final presentation of our new fall award series, Glen Archer, Principal Lecturer and Associate Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering will share tips, tricks and tools that he has used to engage and inspire both undergraduates in his large “Circuits-for-Muggles” course and graduate teaching assistants working in large enrollment labs.   Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from and recognize his success! Coffee and light refreshments will be available to those who register by Wednesday, November 29.  Click here to register.

CTL INSTRUCTIONAL PRESENTATION SERIES: Don Lafreniere, 2017 Innovative and Out of Class Teaching Award Recipient (Tuesday, October 10, 2017, 1:00-2:00 pm)

In the second presentation of our new fall award series, Don Lafreniere, Assistant Professor of Geography and GIS in the Department of Social Sciences, will discuss his innovative approaches to engaging students in medium and large classes.  ‘Dr. Don’ will highlight his integration of web tools, response systems, and docu-games to engage students in large survey courses.  He will then lead participants outside where he will demonstrate his use of mobile geospatial technologies to engage students in understanding human-environment interactions and urban development. Participants are encouraged to bring a tablet or cell phone for the outdoor activity if they have one available. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from and recognize his success! Coffee and light refreshments will be provided to those who register by Monday, October 9. Click here to register.    [Note: Part of this event will be held outdoors, weather permitting, so please bring a jacket.]

LUNCH AND LEARN:  Note Taking – How Do I Get Students to Take Notes and Learn from Them? (Tuesday, October 17, 2017, Noon-1:00 pm)

Many instructors express concern about a perceived decline in note taking during class. This issue is compounded by questions about whether lecture capture and posting of notes before or after class might discourage the behavior even further.  In this luncheon workshop, we’ll examine best practices, both for students and instructors, as they relate to note taking and distribution.  Lunch will be provided to those who register by Friday, October 13. Click here to register.

COFFEE CHAT:  Perusing the Past, Planning the Future (Tuesday, October 31, 2017, 3:30-4:30 pm)

At this Coffee Chat, we’ll review past coffee chat and luncheon topics and the resources still available. We’ll then brainstorm topics for future sessions, and discuss ideas under consideration to help the CTL continue to get feedback necessary to plan development activities for instructors in areas that are most needed.  Please join us and let your voice be heard! Coffee and light refreshments will be provided to those who register by Monday, October 30. Click here to register.

LUNCH AND LEARN:  Office Hours – How Do I Get Students to Attend and Be Most Effective when They Do? (Tuesday, September 19, 2017, Noon-1:00 pm)

As students expect more “personalized learning”, office hours are an increasingly important place to address questions, offer alternative resources, and hear student feedback.  Yet many instructors find they rarely have student visitors, regardless of the number of times they make invitation.  In this luncheon workshop, we’ll examine how to break down barriers to attendance and use time efficiently and effectively when students do attend.  Lunch will be provided to those who register by Friday, September 15. Click here to register.

GUEST SPEAKER: Martin Ford – Artificial Intelligence and Industry Trends (Saturday, September 23, 2017, 1:30-2:30, Rozsa Center Stage)

Career Services and the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts are bringing Futurist Martin Ford to campus. The author of the New York Times Bestseller “Rise of the Robots” will “shed new light on the nature of work and education and the value of human capabilities in the 21st century.” In addition to sessions aimed at students (“Pasties and Robots” at Noon) and the general public (“Disruptive Technologies: Do Robots Want Your Job?” at 7:30 PM), Martin will host this discussion specifically tailored to instructors on the Rozsa stage. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to bring your questions about industry trends, artificial intelligence, and personalized learning.  Space is limited. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided.  Click here to register.

CTL INSTRUCTIONAL PRESENTATION SERIES: Tara Bal, 2017 Curriculum and Development Award Recipient (Tuesday, September 26, 2017, 10:00-11:00 am)

In the first presentation of our new fall award series, Dr. Tara Bal, Research Assistant Professor in the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Sciences, will share the story of how she recognized a need for a new course, built support within the department, and developed and revised a very successful interdisciplinary online course.  Following her presentation, Tara will be recognized with the 2017 CTL Award for Curriculum Development.  Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from and recognize her success!  Coffee and light refreshments will be provided to those who register by Friday, September 22. Click here to register.

COFFEE CHAT:  Rubrics and Responsibility (Thursday, September 28, 2017, 3:30-4:30 pm)

Good teaching is often associated with clear expectations, and students increasingly want to know what they need to do to be successful. In support, instructors are increasingly asked to define objectives, create grading rubrics, and provide scaffolding as students learn. Simultaneously, most instructors hold independent learning as an ultimate goal, and therefore drive students toward self-assessment. In this conversation, we’ll share ways to advance the progression from “listen-and-regurgitate” to content ownership without overstressing students. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided to those who register by Monday, September 25. Click here to register.

LUNCH AND LEARN:  Student-Created Videos as Assignments (Tuesday, April 11, 2017, Noon-1:00 pm)

Video has become a mainstream way of delivering content on Michigan Tech’s campus as instructors record small lectures, demonstrate homework solutions, and share interesting YouTube clips. Since students increasingly have the ability to record videos, some instructors have begun making assignments that require students to submit videos. In this workshop, participants will explore ways to use student-created video to build class community, ensure academic integrity, and provide richer communication. We’ll consider tools and assignments that allow students to submit video introductions, homework solutions, presentations, field experiences, and questions, as well as other more creative projects.  Lunch will be provided to those who register by Friday, April 7. Click here to register.

UPPER PENINSULA TEACHING AND LEARNING CONFERENCE:  (Friday, May 5, 2017, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm)

The first annual Upper Peninsula Teaching and Learning Conference (UP-TLC) will be held at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI on Friday, May 5th, with a pre-conference workshop to be held on Thursday, May 4th.  We hope to attract more than 100 university educators from UP universities and colleges for presentations on higher education teaching best practice and networking. Four tracks of sessions will be held concurrently, with a focus on: Active Learning, Assessment, Online Learning, and Other Issues in Higher Ed Teaching.  Session presenters are outstanding teachers who have been recruited by the staff of the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning at Michigan Tech and the Northern Michigan University Center for Teaching and Learning.  The keynote address, “Dynamic Lecturing”, will be presented by Dr. Christine Harrington, Director of the Center for the Enrichment of Learning and Teaching at Middlesex Community College and the author of Student Success in College: Doing What Works. Please click here for more information on the conference and registration.  Registration closes on Friday, April 28, 2017.

COFFEE CHAT: Design Thinking in Your Classroom (Thursday, March 16, 2017, 3:30-4:30 pm)

This Coffee Chat will share the basics of design thinking and discuss how to: empathize with the students in your classes, brainstorm creative solutions to problems around student learning, and create simple, actionable ideas to start practicing design thinking. Come join us for this session to learn more about design thinking.  This event is sponsored by the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning, the Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship, the Pavlis Honors College, and The Alley.   Coffee and light refreshments will be provided to those who register by Monday, March 13.  Click here to register.

LUNCH AND LEARN – The Superlative Syllabus:  Attitude, Alignment, and Avoiding Assumptions (Tuesday, March 21, 2017, Noon-1:00 pm)

A syllabus not only sets the tone for a class, but lays out course objectives, assignments, and policies. In the luncheon session, participants will learn how to set a desired tone, write assessable student learning objectives, and align course work to achieve them. The follow-up workshop will provide opportunities for real-time work and individual coaching on student learning objectives for a future course.  Lunch will be provided to those who register by Friday, March 17. Click here to register.

Tuesday Hands-On Syllabus Workshop (Tuesday, March 21, 2017, 1:00-2:00 pm)

A syllabus not only sets the tone for a class, but lays out course objectives, assignments, and policies. This hands-on workshop will provide opportunities for real-time work and individual coaching on student learning objectives for a future course.  Click here to register.

You may attend a workshop even if you don’t attend the luncheon.

Note: Please bring a syllabus from one of your courses – either a paper copy or your laptop.

COFFEE CHAT: Canvas Course Share (Tuesday, February 21, 2017, 3:30-4:30 pm)

This Coffee Chat gives instructors a chance to share effective uses of Canvas and learn from others as well. Instructors will be grouped by area of interest (home page design, module structures, innovative assignments, effective discussions, etc.) to show and discuss something they’ve done in their Canvas course that’s working well. CTL staff will also be on hand to answer questions, suggest alternatives, and point out new features. Bring a laptop or borrow one of ours to make this a highly interactive session!   Coffee and light refreshments will be provided to those who register by Friday, February 17.  Click here to register.

LUNCH AND LEARN – Textbooks: Changing Costs, Content, and Student Use (Tuesday, February 28, 2017, Noon-1:00 pm)

As textbooks change to include homework systems, alternate media, and open source items, changing cost structures and other factors influence the way students purchase and use them.  This luncheon event brings together the work of on-campus student, faculty, and staff groups who have been exploring ways to help ensure that textbooks are accessible as an important learning resource to all students. Participants will be asked to view online presentations from each group prior to attending, and come ready to engage in brainstorming and a panel discussion surrounding this issue.  Lunch will be provided to those who register by Friday, February 24. Click here to register.

COFFEE CHAT: Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (Thursday, January 19, 2017, 3:30-4:30 pm)

Join us for a coffee chat to discuss initiatives which advance the scholarship of teaching and learning on Michigan Tech’s campus. We’ll consider new opportunities available through the RISE Institute to support faculty in education research and STEM initiatives. We’ll also discuss how best to foster collaborative interdisciplinary “reflective practices” to advance research efforts and academic writing approaches regarding pedagogical innovations.  Coffee and light refreshments will be provided to those who register by Monday, January 16. Click here to register.

LUNCH AND LEARN: Teaching Accessibly: Attending to the Needs of All Students (Tuesday, January 24, 2017, Noon-1:00 pm)

When we think about accessibility, we often focus on students with specific disabilities. The growing discussion about accessibility, however, focuses on making information available to as many students as possible. Teaching involves using many types of media (written documents, videos, presentations, websites, etc.), all of which have unique accessibility concerns.  In this workshop, we’ll explore time-efficient ways to design course materials that meet the needs of students with a widening range of abilities. Lunch will be provided to those who register by Friday, January 20. Click here to register.

LUNCH AND LEARN: Student Perceptions of Tech Teaching (Tuesday, November 8, 2016, Noon-1:00 pm)

The Jackson CTL has an undergraduate student intern this semester.  Amy Joy Patterson has spent this semester collecting student perceptions about what helps them learn and what doesn’t.  Amy Joy will share her data and reactions.  Participants will have a chance to consider whether student preferences might warrant changing teaching practice, or how instructors can better implement needed strategies that aren’t well liked. Lunch will be provided to those who register by Friday, November 4. Click here to register.