Weekly News and Tip, April 16, 2009

Tip - Looking Toward the Semester’s End
Many review and term-end activities can help you end the semester strongly.
See a number of ideas on how to end a course well.

Announcement - CELT Event
To sign up, use AccessPlus > Employee > HRS Training > Courses. Contact CELT at 294-5357 or celt@iastate.edu if you have difficulty using AccessPlus.

• Join us on April 28 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in 1230 Communications for Engaging Students Online: ISU Course Showcase. Nancy Gruden-Shuck, Associate Professor, Ag Ed & Studies, Rema Nilakanta, Instructor, C&I, and Linda Westgate, Introductory Biology Teaching Lab Coordinator, will share their experiences using WebCT GOLD to engage students in face-to-face and distance learning courses. Attendees will preview “Next Generation” upgrades to come in WebCT GOLD and discuss ideas for sharing effective practices in eLearning. Pizza and drinks will be provided.

FYI - CESMEE Session; Advising Summit; Information Sessions for Honors Seminars

• The Center for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Education (CESMEE) and ISU ADVANCE present a CESMEE seminar Tuesday, April 21, 11-11:50 a.m. in 2030 Morrill. Maureen Scharberg, San Jose State, will speak on Working Toward Improving STEM Student Success: One STEP at a Time. For more information, contact Craig Ogilvie, cogilvie@iastate.edu
• The University Academic Advising Committee hosts an Advising Summit, Wednesday, April 22, 3-5 p.m. in 020/060 Hixson Lied. All academic advisers are welcome. The summit features a DVD, Success With Parent Education: Dialoging with New Students and their Parents at the Collegiate Level, on communication with new students and their parents. Discussion will follow. For more information, contact Cindy Frederickson, cindyf@iastate.edu. Register via AccessPlus.
• Information sessions for those teaching Honors seminars this Fall will be held 11-11:50 a.m. and 12:10-1 p.m. Tuesday, April 28 in 1155 Jischke Honors Building. Information sessions for anyone interested in teaching a seminar in Spring 2010 or later will be held 12:10-1 and 1:10-2 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, in 1151 Jischke Honors Building. For more information, contact Susan Yager, syager@iastate.edu

Weekly News and Tip, October 30, 2008

Tip - Learn by Doing in the Science Classroom
Several Tips this semester have discussed ways to involve students actively in their learning. Here are some ways to encourage students to learn by doing in science classes.

Announcements - CELT Events
Register for CELT events via AccessPlus > Employee > HRS Training > Courses. Contact CELT at 294-5357 or celt@iastate.edu if you have difficulty using AccessPlus.

• A workshop for those interested in WebCT GOLD applications, Creating Assessments in WebCT GOLD, is coming up Tuesday, November 11, from 2:10-4 p.m. in 1230 Communications.
• Discuss the essentials of a clear, effective course syllabus in Your Spring '09 Syllabus, Tuesday, November 11, 12:10-1:30 p.m., 2030 Morrill.

FYI - Time to "Fall Back"; Museum News

• Take five! Or, rather, take 60. Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend, Nov. 2, and we all "fall back" an hour. So your students have an extra hour to complete assignments - and you have an extra hour to prepare, research, and plan. If you want to use that hour to become even more efficient, here are ways professors use timers in their daily routines.
• Guest curator Jane Gilmor will speak on fiber sculptor Priscilla Sage in Priscilla Sage: Pulling Threads, Sunday, Nov. 2, at 2 p.m. in the Brunnier Art Museum.

Weekly News and Tip, October 16, 2008

Tip - More on Clickers
Last week's Tip discussed the growing use of student-response systems (clickers) at Iowa State, and offered some information and recommendations on clicker use. More on using clickers for debates, predictions, and other specific teaching strategies.

Announcements - CELT Events; Student Assistance for E-Learning
Register for CELT events via AccessPlus > Employee > HRS Training > Courses. Contact CELT at 294-5357 or celt@iastate.edu if you have difficulty using AccessPlus.

• Would you like to lead students on a trip abroad someday? Come to a Faculty Panel on Leading Study Abroad Programs, Monday, Oct. 20, 2-3:30 p.m., in 2030 Morrill.
• Learn about Creating Assessments in WebCT GOLD, Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 9-11 a.m. in 1230 Communications.
  
• Join the conversation at a session on Classroom Response Systems: Clicker Pedagogy Discussion, Thursday, Oct. 23, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 1230 Communications.
• A session on Teaching & Learning in a MUVE (Second Life) will be held Friday, October 24, 1:10-3 p.m., 1230 Communications.

Student Assistance for E-Learning. In a pilot project, CELT is training undergraduate students to provide faculty with semester-long e-learning support. The students, trained and supervised by full-time CELT Learning Technologies staff, can provide technology support for faculty at no charge. Projects can include, for example, building or updating WebCT courses; using clicker technology; editing video; creating podcasts, etc. For more information, contact Allan Schmidt, aschmidt@iastate.edu.

FYI - Museum Events this Weekend
Today at 7 p.m. in the Christian Petersen Art Museum, enjoy a Gallery Walk - Exploring Ramos Rivera with Nancy Gebhart, educator of visual literacy and learning. And on Sunday, October 19, at 2 p.m. in the Brunnier Art Museum, hear an artist's lecture, "Sculptures of Fiber: When Did They Become Art?" Artist Priscilla Sage will give her audience a unique look into the life and creative process of an artist.

Weekly News and Tip, September 18, 2008

Tip - Try Cooperative Learning
Educational research has shown that cooperative learning techniques help students not only to learn but also to remember and use what they have learned.
Some suggestions for class activities that promote cooperative learning.

Announcements - CELT Events
Register for the CELT events above via AccessPlus > HRS Training > Continue > Courses.
Contact us at 294-5357 or celt@iastate.edu if you have difficulty using AccessPlus.

• Find out about new computer applications in teaching at You Tube and TeacherTube: Introduction to Video Sharing Websites, Tuesday, September 23, 9-11 a.m., 1230 Communications.
• A Teaching and Learning Circle on creative thinking, planned specifically for graduate students, begins Wednesday, September 24. "A Whack on the Side of the Head" will be discussed on four consecutive Wednesdays, 12-1 p.m. Register for details and to receive readings.
• Show and Tell for Improving Students’ Problem-Solving Skills: Diagnostic Pathfinder and Problem-Solving Learning Portal
  Wednesday, September 24, 12- 1:30 p.m., 1230 Communications
• A WebCT GOLD session, Communication Tools and Strategies, will be held Thursday, September 25, 2:10-3:40 p.m., 1230 Communications.

FYI - TEACH Grants; Session on Teaching and Learning in Study Abroad

• Keep in mind that CELT Is once again offering TEACH grants of up to $1250 for faculty development at the department level. Grant requests must be submitted on or before October 15. More information.
• A second session on What We Learned by Leading Study Abroad Programs, featuring faculty and staff program directors, will be held Tuesday, September 23, 12-1:30 p.m., Pioneer Room, Memorial Union. All are welcome.

Invigorate Your Classes with Interactive Activities and WebCT

You can enhance large lecture classes by incorporating small-group interactive activities to supplement your instruction and energize students. Dr. Jim Colbert, Associate Professor of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, aims to provide one or two such activities per class.

Watch the 12-minute clip to see Dr. Colbert lead an interactive small group activity in Biology 202.

See how the activity boosts student involvement, while helping the students develop critical thinking and teamwork skills.

Also learn how to take the discovery process one step further by using WebCT to share students' ideas with the larger group, and to acknowledge and reward participation.

Note: You will need RealPlayer to view these video clips. If you do not have RealPlayer, you can get a free download at www.real.com.

If RealPlayer does not automatically launch these clips, they may have been downloaded to your desktop.

Group Quizzes

You can enhance large lecture classes by incorporating small-group interactive activities to supplement your instruction and energize students. Dr. Jim Colbert, Associate Professor of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, aims to provide one or two such activities per class.

Watch the Group Quiz Clip

See how the activity boosts student involvement, while helping the students develop critical thinking and teamwork skills.

Also learn how to take the discovery process one step further by using WebCT to share students' ideas with the larger group, and to acknowledge and reward participation.

Note: You will need RealPlayer to view these video clips. If you do not have RealPlayer, you can get a free download at www.real.com.
If RealPlayer does not automatically launch these clips, they may have been downloaded to your desktop.

Create a positive learning environment on day one of the semester

As an instructor, your approach on the first day is critical to creating a positive learning environment. Right from the start, your actions set the tone for the entire course. Regardless of class size, it is important to welcome the students, set clear expectations and create an environment that is conducive to learning. Engaging students in a large class, however, can present unique challenges.

Watch the following movie clips to see what works well for Dr. Corly Brooke, Professor of Human Development and Family Studies, on day one of HDFS 102, Individual and Family Life Development.

• Welcoming students
• Classroom procedures
• Reviewing syllabus and note taking
• Interactive activities
• Managing a discussion
• Handing in papers and closing class

Top 15 suggestions for the first week of class (55 KB PDF)