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, April 9, 2009

Tip - Uh-Oh: Spring Fever
As basketball gives way to baseball, and winter (finally) to spring, both students and their instructors may fall prey to spring fever. Ideas on how to overcome spring fever in the classroom.

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

• Learn about the power of WebCT’s Grade Book in a workshop, WebCT GOLD: Managing Students & Grades, Monday, April 13, 10-11:30 a.m., 1230 Communications.
• What can we do to be prepared for an emergency involving our students? Find out at a panel discussion, Emergency Preparedness in Teaching, Tuesday, April 14, 3:30-5 p.m., Memorial Union Cardinal Room.
• Don’t Forget: George Siemens presents a workshop on Social Learning with Emerging Technologies, Tuesday, April 14, 8:30 a.m.-noon in the Memorial Union Campanile Room. This session will explore ways of teaching with technology: augmented, blended, and online. How do educators determine appropriate tools? What kind of support must be in place to ensure students needs and challenges are addressed? Register via AccessPlus.

FYI - Parks Library Seminar on Copyright and Fair Use; Increasing Math Majors

• Rebecca Jackson, Assoc. Prof./Head, Social Sciences & Humanities Dept., and Diana D. Shonrock, Associate Prof., Science & Technology Dept., ISU Library, present Copyright & Fair Use: When Can You Copy Articles and Images to WebCT, Wednesday, April 15, 3:15-4:30 p.m., 192 Parks Library. This session will explain copyright and fair use as it relates to research and teaching. Find out what you can put online for your course and what your students need to cite, as well as the ins and outs of fair use.
• William Yslas Vélez, University of Arizona, will speak on Increasing the Number of Mathematics Majors, Thursday, April 16, 4:10-5 p.m., 305 Carver.

Weekly News and Tip, March 5, 2009

Tip - What Are Concept Maps?
A concept map is a visual means of organizing and displaying facts or ideas. The connections between ideas may be represented by words, lines, or arrows.
Basic information about concept maps
Ideas on how concept maps may be used in the classroom

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

• Several WebCT workshops are coming up on the next several days, all in 1230 Communication. Register for all that appeal to you:
• Introduction to WebCT GOLD, tomorrow, March 6, 9-10:30 a.m.
• Communication Tools and Strategies, Tuesday, March 10, 10-11:30 a.m.
• Managing Course Content, Wednesday, March 11, 10-11:30 a.m.
• Creating Assessments, Thursday, March 12, 9-11 a.m.
• Managing Students & Grades, Friday, March 13, 10-11:30 a.m.
• This year’s six LAS Master Teachers share their ideas on engaging students through experiential learning in Liberal Arts and Sciences with Practice, Wednesday, March 11 from 3:10-4:30 p.m. in the MU Campanile Room. Jim Colbert, EEOB, Jane Cox, Theatre, Chad Gasta, WLC, Nicola Pohl, Chemistry, Carol Vleck, EEOB, and David Vogel, Psychology, will discuss how and why they use experiential teaching and how they balance their teaching with other scholarly responsibilities. Refreshments provided.
• Teaching with an Audience Response System: Basic TurningPoint 2008 for MS Office 2007, Friday, March 13, 12-1 p.m., 1230 Communication.

FYI - CELT’s on Facebook
An ISU CELT Facebook Group has been set up as a way to build an online community for teachers and learners. You may preview the CELT Facebook group and join, if you choose.

Group members can receive timely reminders of upcoming CELT events, start or participate in discussions, add links, photos, or videos that help build community. Invite your friends and colleagues to join!

For more about the Facebook phenomenon and its implications for teaching, see Educause's "7 things you should know about Facebook II" (PDF).

Weekly News and Tip, February 12, 2009

Tip - Teaching with Cases
Case-based learning allows students to learn about the complexities of their field through descriptions or narratives of real-life situations. Long used in business and nursing, cases are now used in teaching other disciplines. Introductions to teaching with cases can be found at Queen's University Centre for Teaching and Learning and The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
Also see:
Examples of case studies in science
Examples of case studies in engineering

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

• Several WebCT sessions are coming up, all in 1230 Communication:
• Communication Tools and Strategies, tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 13, 2-3:30 p.m.
• Managing Course Content, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 10-11:30 a.m.
• Creating Assessments, Wednesday, Feb.18, 2-4 p.m.
• Managing Students & Grades, Thursday, Feb.19, 10-11:30 a.m.
• Panel Discussion on Engaging Students in the Classroom, Wednesday, Feb.18, 3:30-5 p.m., Memorial Union Campanile Room
• Teaching and Learning Circle: The Bologna Process, Thursday, Feb.19, 12:1-1 p.m. Register for readings and location.
• The Bologna Process and Higher Education in Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 20, 12:10-1:30 p.m., Memorial Union Gallery

FYI - CESMEE Seminar; Electoral and Other Colleges

• A CESMEE seminar on Science Express - Bringing research-grade instruments to your child's classroom, will be held 11-11:50 a.m. Tuesday, February 17, 2030 Morrill Hall.
• Mid-February is a good time to reflect on, and share with your students, the educational background of the U.S. Presidents. You can see where the Presidents went to college. Several had no college degree, and indeed little formal education. See 1728 Software Systems Facts about United States Presidents.

Weekly News and Tip, February 5, 2009

Tip - Time-Efficient Teaching… and an Efficient Medium
Many university teachers find it an ongoing challenge to balance the many competing demands on their time. This week’s tip features a time-efficient way - a podcast - to learn about using teaching time efficiently.

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

• Second Life: Basic Building in Second Life, tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 6, 12-1:30 p.m., CELT space in Second Life: http://tinyurl.com/7cjzgx
• Preventing and Detecting Plagiarism Using the New WebCT Tool SafeAssign, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 9-10:30 a.m., 1230 Communication
• Panel Discussion on Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 12-1:30 p.m., MU Cardinal Room.
• Introduction to WebCT GOLD, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2-3:30 p.m., 1230 Communication
• WebCT: Communication Tools and Strategies, Friday, February 13, 2-3:30, 1230 Communication

FYI - Effective Oral Presentations

• Amy Slagell, Associate Professor, Speech Communication, will speak on Creating Audience-Centered Presentations, Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 4:10-5 p.m. in 210 Bessey. All are welcome.

Weekly News and Tip, November 6, 2008

Tip - Re-Engaging Students
It's difficult to keep students engaged after a certain point in the semester -- or in the class hour. Using a baseball analogy to describe classroom "change-ups," this tip offers a variety of ways to maintain student engagement.

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, Nov. 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, Nov. 11, 12:10-1:30 p.m., 2030 Morrill.
• Everything you always wanted to know about student response systems! Classroom Response System: Using the New TurningPoint 2008 Clickers will be held Thursday, Nov. 13, 12-2 p.m. (please note new, shorter time), 1230 Communications.
• Managing Students and Grades in WebCT Gold will be held Tuesday, Nov. 18, from 1:10-2:40 p.m. in 1230 Communications.

FYI - Keep ISU Classrooms Beautiful; Two Museum Events

• In the last year, Keep Iowa State Beautiful has made efforts to reduce outdoor litter on campus. This year, we are also focusing on indoor trash. In 218 classrooms on campus there are laminated semi-permanent cards with a message for you to read at the end of class, reminding students to remove trash from the room. We hope students will remove cups, bottles, newspapers, etc., and keep our classrooms clean. Please help by making the announcement on the card at the end of class. More information.
  
• Two lectures sponsored by University Museums are being held this week:
• Ramos Rivera in Context, a joint lecture by Lina Del Castillo and April Eisman, Assistant Professor, Art & Design, will be TODAY, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. in the Christian Petersen Art Museum.
• If your teaching or research interests include design, photography, globalization, or ecology, attend The Photography of Poisoned Ecologies, a Curator’s Lecture by Claude Baillargeon, Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. in the Brunnier Art Museum.

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 23, 2008

Tip - Use Questions Effectively
This one-page pdf outlines three effective levels of in-class questioning: asking students to provide information, apply their knowledge, and supply principles or creative ideas as answers. Though written for clinical teaching (e.g., pharmacy, nursing) these strategies are timely reminders on how to use questions effectively in any classroom.

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 session on Teaching & Learning in a MUVE (Second Life) will be held tomorrow, Friday, October 24, 1:10-3 p.m., 1230 Communications.
• Grading practices will be the focus of discussion in a Faculty Forum: Should We Grade on a Curve? Wednesday, Oct. 29, 12:10-1:30 p.m., Memorial Union Oak Room.
• Learn more about Teaching & Learning and Social Networking Technology on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 1:10-2:30 p.m., 1230 Communications.

FYI - Search CELT’s Archive for Past Tips
Did you know that CELT has been publishing a weekly News and Tips email since 2002? All past Tips have been archived on the CELT website and can be searched by year and topic.

In addition, since August 2007 the News and Tip has been available on the CELT website in blog form.

Weekly News and Tip, October 9, 2008

Tip - Using Clickers in Class
The CELT newsletter recently reported on faculty and student use of clickers over the last few semesters. We can now report that for the Fall 2008 term, 188 class sections within 42 separate courses are using clickers. A total of 14,000 clickers have been used across campus since fall semester 2006. Learn more about what students like about clickers, how faculty use them, and recommendations for clicker use.

Announcements - Upcoming CELT Events and Workshops
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.

• Learn about Managing Course Content in WebCT GOLD, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 9-10:30 a.m. in 1230 Communications.
• Hands-on Workshop for Improving Students’ Problem-Solving Skills: Diagnostic Pathfinder and Problem-Solving Learning Portal, a follow-up to last month's Faculty Forum, will be held Wednesday, Oct. 15, 1-3 p.m. in 1230 Communications.
• Thinking about going abroad with students someday? Come to a Faculty Panel on Leading Study Abroad Programs, Monday, Oct. 20, 2-3:30 p.m., in 2030 Morrill.
• An additional WebCT GOLD workshop, Creating Assessments in WebCT GOLD, will be offered Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 9-11 a.m. in 1230 Communications.

FYI - Forming a New Learning Community; Last Call for TEACH Grants

• Doug Gruenewald and Steve Mickelson, co-directors of learning communities, will discuss starting a new learning community, including the funding application process, Thursday, Oct. 16, from 4-5 p.m. in 2015 Morrill Hall. To register, contact Jen Leptien, jenl@iastate.edu. More about learning communities.
• The deadline to apply for CELT TEACH grants of up to $1250 for faculty development at the department level is October 15. More information about TEACH grants.

Weekly News and Tip, September 25, 2008

Tip - Peer Instruction in the Lecture Setting
Last week's Tip concerned collaborative learning; one instance of this kind of learning involves peers learning from one another. But can this method work in a large class setting? Alan Slavin, an instructor at Ontario's Trent University, says it can. See his suggestions.

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

• Learn to use PowerPoint to improve student learning at PowerPoint 2007 I: Creating Effective Presentations for the Classroom, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 1:10-3 p.m., in 1230 Communications.
• A session specifically for graduate students, Graduate Student Programming: Preparing for Academic Interviews, will be held Thursday, Oct. 2, from 3:30-5 p.m. in 169 Hamilton Hall.
• What is Scholarship of Teaching and Learning? Find out at a brown-bag session, Monday, Oct. 6, from 12:10-1:30 p.m. in 2030 Morrill.

FYI - Joan Williams, Expert on Work-Life Conflict, on Campus October 9; ISU Museum Events

• Don't miss Joan Williams' presentations on work-life balance, Thursday, Oct. 9. Dr. Williams, who will be on campus for the ADVANCE conference, is a law professor and author of Unbending Gender: Why Family and Work Conflict and What to Do About it (Oxford, 2000). Please register via AccessPlus by Monday, Oct. 6 for these events, all to be held in the Memorial Union Pioneer Room:
• 8:30-10 a.m. -- Work-Life Issues for Post-docs at Iowa State: A Workshop, or, “How to Have a Successful Career that Doesn’t Devour Your Life!”
• 10:30 a.m.-12 noon, or 1:30-3 p.m. -- Work-Life Issues for Graduate Students at Iowa State: A Workshop, or, “How to Have a Successful Career that Doesn’t Devour Your Life!”
• 3:30- 4:30 p.m. -- “Why Family and Work Conflict and What to do About It”
• Creative Process: The Relationship Between Images and Language, featuring poetry readings related to the current Ramos Rivera exhibit, today, Thursday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m., Christian Petersen Art Museum.
  Also, bring your family to the Brunnier Art Museum, Christian Petersen Art Museum, or Farm House Museum Saturday and Sunday, September 27-28, from 1-4 p.m., to view Sculpture by Priscilla Sage, Paintings, Prints, and Art Books by Gustavo Ramos Rivera, and Farm House Fun. Choose one work of art to vote on as your Family Favorite. Each participating family will be entered in a drawing for a family year-long membership to University Museums.

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.

Weekly News and Tip, April 24, 2008

Tip - Creating Effective Multiple-Choice Exams
It’s great to create rigorous, useful assessment exams for your students, but can you do this in large courses where machine-scored tests are a necessity? In a word, yes! There are many resources available to help you design effective and pedagogically sound multiple-choice exams. Introduction to Test Writing Tips.
Ideas on when and how to use multiple-choice tests.
Suggestions on ways to use Bloom’s Taxonomy in creating multiple-choice exams.

Announcements - CELT Programming
Register for CELT events via AccessPlus (go to the Employee tab, then to HRS Training > Continue > Courses).

• Join us for the final Learning Technologies workshop of the semester. WebCT GOLD: Managing Students and Grades will be tomorrow, Friday, April 25, from 9-10:30 a.m. in 1230 Communications.
• Hear from faculty involved in the scholarship of teaching and learning at the next installment of the SoTL Institute: Outcomes and Updates, Wednesday, April 30, 12:10-1:30 p.m., 2030 Morrill. All are welcome, but please register so that we can plan for refreshments.

Special Announcement - Please Promote Student Survey

• This spring, a random sample of 2,500 ISU freshmen and 2,500 seniors were invited to participate in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). Understanding student engagement will help us improve our programs, services, and learning efforts. Please encourage any students who received an email invitation to participate in the NSSE survey and have not yet responded, to please do so today!
  More information about NSSE.

FYI - Last Week for Morrill Act Display; Session on P&S Retention Grants

• There are only a few days left to view The Morrill Act of 1862 at the Christian Petersen Art Museum. Today from 7-7:30 p.m. in 2019 Morrill there will be a screening of the film Democracy’s College, about ISU as a land grant institution. Museum doors open at 6. On Sunday, April 27, at 2 p.m. all are invited to play Sesquicentennial Jeopardy at the Christian Petersen Art Museum. Don’t worry -answering in the form of a question is not required! Doors open at 1 p.m.
• An Open Forum sponsored by the Professional & Scientific Council will showcase projects that received 2007-08 Retention & Recruitment Grants. A poster session begins at 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 2, in the Hixson-Lied Student Success Center classroom facilities. A panel discussion, "Retention Through Innovation and Collaboration," will begin at 12:10 p.m. and include John H. Schuh, Professor, ELPS; Mary Jo Gonzales, Associate Dean of Students and Director, Academic Success Center; and Tom Brumm, Associate Professor, ABE. Light refreshments and door prizes. Questions? Contact Marie Mayer, 4-2787.

Weekly News and Tip, April 10, 2008

Tip - Using ELMO Wisely
Many classrooms on campus are equipped with an ELMO, or electronic document camera, that works like an overhead projector but shows three-dimensional items and color. Several resources on the Web outline how to use this equipment for optimal results. For an introduction and overview, see Basics about Document Cameras.
Also providing basic information with a friendly tone is the aptly-named Tickling the Elmo.
Slightly more technical Document Camera Tips and Guidelines are available.

Announcements - CELT Programming
Register for CELT events via AccessPlus (go to the Employee tab, then to HRS Training > Continue > Courses).

• Teaching & Learning and Social Networking Technology, today, 1:10-2:30 p.m., 1230 Communications.
• eDoc Electronic Portfolio System, Tuesday, April 15, 1:10-2 p.m., 1230 Communications. See how eDoc can help students store, build upon, and comment on their learning.
• Teaching and Learning in a MUVE (Second Life), Thursday, April 17, 1:10-3 p.m., 1230 Communications. Interested in what SecondLife is all about? ISU faculty are already using this software, which offers the possibility of new ways to teach and learn.
• Your Fall ’08 Syllabus, Friday, April 18,12:10-1:30 p.m., 2030 Morrill. Plan now for a successful next semester.

FYI - Register for the Learning Communities Institute; Library Workshop Planned

• The 10th Annual Learning Communities Institute is coming up Monday, May 12, at the Scheman Building. You may attend all or part of the day. Please encourage your colleagues to join us. View the program for this year's Institute.
  Register for The 10th Annual Learning Communities Institute.

• "Getting Your Grant! Using the Foundation Center's Resources to Write Award-Winning Grant Proposals" will be presented byJan Fryer, Assistant Professor, Parks Library, and Rebecca Jackson, Associate Professor, Parks Library, Wednesday, April 16, 3:15-4:30 p.m., 192 Parks. Parks Library participates in the Foundation Center's Cooperating Collections program, giving you access to databases containing detailed information about grant makers and grants. Faculty, staff, and students welcome. Pre-register for Getting Your Grant!
  

Weekly News and Tip, March 27, 2008

Tip - Podcasts and Pedagogy = “Podagogy”
You have probably heard about podcasts and how some professors are exploring their use in teaching and learning. To learn more and see some examples of “podagogy,” see iPod in the Classroom and Podagogy: Where Podcasting Meets Teaching & Learning.

Announcements - CELT Programming

• What’s New in PowerPoint 2007: Learn the Basics for Classroom Teaching (WindowsXP/Office 2007), Thursday, April 3, 1:10-3 p.m., 1230 Communications Building
• YouTube and TeacherTube: Introduction to Video Sharing Websites, Tuesday, April 8, 9-11 a.m., 1230 Communications Building
• Teaching Creativity, a panel discussion, Tuesday, April 8, 3:30-5 p.m., Memorial Union Gallery

FYI - Parks Library seminar; Emerging Technologies conference

• Jeff Kushkowski, Associate Professor, Parks Library, presents Get X-cited About Cited References in the Social Sciences & Humanities, Wednesday, April 2, 3:15-4:30 p.m. in 192 Parks Library. This seminar will inform faculty and researchers on new strategies and techniques for validating the impact of their research. Faculty, staff, and students welcome. Pre-register.
  Questions? Contact Jody A. Graden, 4-6117, jgraden@iastate.edu
  

• Michael Schrage, a widely published columnist on innovation, will be the keynote speaker at the Emerging Technologies Conference 2008, to be held on campus. April 3-4. Schrage will speak on “HCI: Help Create Ideas-Exploring Innovation Leadership,” Friday, April 4 at noon in Howe Hall. More information and complete conference schedule.
  ETC2008 is sponsored by, the Virtual Reality Applications Center, the Human Computer Interaction Graduate Program, and the CyberInnovation Institute.

Weekly News and Tip, March 13, 2008

Tip - Key Characteristics of Good Teaching
Faculty developer Barbara Mills identifies nine key characteristics of good teaching, such as knowledge of the subject matter, about which faculty and students agree. Learn about all nine of these.

Announcements - CELT Programming
Register for CELT events via AccessPlus (go to the Employee tab, then to HRS Training > Continue > Courses).

• Two WebCT workshops are coming up, both in 1230 Communications:
• WebCT: Quizzes, Surveys & Self-Tests, Wed., March 26, 9-11 a.m., and
• Introduction to WebCT GOLD, Friday, March 28, 2-3:30 p.m.

FYI - Creativity Outcome Meeting; Lecture on Prejudice

• Creativity Outcome Center meeting, Tuesday, March 25, 12-1 p.m., 1121 HNSB. All are welcome. Share resources and best practices in helping students learn creativity, working toward better defining and assessing this ability.
• The Anatomy of Prejudice, a three-hour presentation with Jane Elliott, adaptor of the Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes exercise, will be held Thursday, March 27, 7 p.m., in the Memorial Union Sun Room. She will explore with the audience the problems of racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, and ethnocentrism, and ways to eliminate them from our selves and our environment.

Weekly News and Tip, March 6, 2008

Tip - Ways to Benefit Students’ Writing
For instructors who evaluate writing - and know how much time that entails - here are 11 Things You Could Start Doing Today for the Benefit of Your Students' Writing, from the Tomorrow's Professor Blog.

Announcements - CELT Programming
Register for CELT events via AccessPlus (go to the Employee tab, then to HRS Training > Continue > Courses).

• Implementing Universal Instructional Design in Teaching, with Nancy Evans, Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, will be presented Tuesday, March 11, 12:10-1:30 p.m., Pioneer Room, Memorial Union. Refreshments provided.
• Plan now to attend the Miller showcase, Tuesday, March 25, 12:10-1:30 p.m., Campanile Room, Memorial Union. Miller Fellows will be on hand to discuss their projects and the scholarly work that has resulted. Light lunch and beverages provided.

FYI - Register for Learning Communities Institute; Learn About Citation in Science Disciplines

• The 10th Annual Learning Communities Institute has been scheduled for Monday, May 12, at Scheman Building, Iowa State Center. You are invited to attend for all or part of the day. Please encourage your colleagues to attend. The online registration process is simple and should take less than a minute. Register for the 10th Annual Learning Communities Institute today.
• Lorrie Pellack, Associate Professor, Parks Library, presents Get X-cited About Cited References in the Sciences, Wednesday, March 12, 3:15-4:30 p.m. in 192 Parks Library. This seminar will inform faculty and researchers on new strategies and techniques for validating the impact of their research. Faculty, staff, and students welcome. Pre-register for Get X-cited About Cited References in the Sciences.
  Questions? Contact Jody A. Graden, 4-6117.

Weekly News and Tip, February 28, 2008

Tip - Don't be Afraid to Ask for Student Opinion
From The Online Journal of Teaching and Learning, published by the California State University system, comes an interesting set of student suggestions for improving their learning, “Don't be Afraid to Ask the Students”

Announcements - CELT Programming
Register for CELT events via AccessPlus (go to the Employee tab, then to HRS Training > Continue > Courses).

• Don’t forget the panel discussion by Master Teachers on Large Classes, a panel discussion with the 2007-08 LAS Master Teachers, today, 3.30-5 p.m. in the MU Campanile Room. Refreshments provided.
• A WebCT workshop on Managing Students and Grades will be held tomorrow, Feb. 29, 10-11:30 a.m., 1230 Communications.
• CELT is happy to announce the return of the popular and informative Faculty Forum: Teaching Tips, Tuesday, March 4, 12:10-1:30 p.m., in the MU Campanile Room. Bring your lunch; beverages and desserts will be provided.
• Implementing Universal Instructional Design in Teaching, with Nancy Evans, Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, will be presented Tuesday, March 11, 12:10 p.m. -1:30 p.m., MU Pioneer Room. Refreshments provided.

Special Presentation on Creativity with Jeff Stamp

• Jeff Stamp, Assistant Professor and Chair of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of North Dakota, is the Reiman Entrepreneurial speaker on campus this semester. He will offer a faculty Workshop on Creativity and Innovation on Thursday, March 6, 1-3 p.m. in the MU South Ballroom. Learn to be creative and innovative in a large university environment and to impart skills in creativity to your students. A dessert bar will be provided. Register through the Pappajohn Center.

FYI - Session on “Stories of Teaching and Learning in Study Abroad”

The final presentation in the current set of sessions on “Stories of Teaching and Learning in Study Abroad” will be “Creative Fund Raising for Study Abroad,” with speakers Rich Engelhorn, Kinesiology, and William Grundmann, Landscape Architecture, Tuesday, March 4, 12 noon, in 411 College of Design.

Weekly News and Tip, February 7, 2008

Tip - When Students (and You) Are Tired
Some of us teach large classes; some teach at night; we may even teach large classes at night. But the problem of tired-out students (and instructors) may strike even a small discussion class at 10 a.m.! For ideas on reaching students when they are tired, especially but not only in large classes, see this recent article from Academe Online, published by AAUP.

Announcements - CELT Programming
Register for CELT events via AccessPlus (go to the Employee tab, then to HRS Training > Continue > Courses).

• Introduction to WebCT GOLD, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 10-11:30 a.m., 1230 Communications
• Graduate Student Programming: Preparing for Academic Interviews, Thursday, Feb. 14, 3:30-5 p.m., 1115 Pearson
• Learn about effective practice in using end-of-term evaluations at the Faculty Forum: Student Evaluation of Teaching, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 12:10-1:30 p.m., MU Cardinal Room. Bring your lunch; beverages and desserts are provided.

FYI - Study Abroad Session; Help for Your Students

• Reciprocal Group Programs in Study Abroad. Program Directors for reciprocal programs to China and Costa Rica will share their experiences, Wednesday, Feb. 13, Noon, 142 Curtiss Hall. Sponsored by the Study Abroad Center, Global Agriculture Programs, Phi Beta Delta, SAEAC and CELT. For more information contact 294-6792.
• Academic Intervention Program. Students who may need encouragement and support to succeed at ISU can find help in the Academic Intervention Program, within the Academic Success Center. This program offers a series of workshops for students on Academic Success Strategies. Learn more about the Spring 2008 workshops.
  If you have any questions, contact Jill Kramer (jillck@iastate.edu; 4-2467).

Weekly News and Tip, January 24, 2008

Tip - Teaching in an e-Classroom
While classroom technologies differ greatly among disciplines and institutions, there are effective practices for teaching with technology that are widely applicable. This site refers to the use of wireless notebooks for students, but contains advice useful for all those who use technology in instruction. See “Best Practices for an e-Classroom”.

Announcements - CELT Programming for Next Week
Register for CELT events through AccessPlus (go to Employee > HRS Training > Continue > Courses).

• Three WebCT GOLD workshops will be held this week, all in 1230 Communications Building:
• Introduction to WebCT GOLD, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2:10-3:40 p.m.
• WebCT GOLD: Communication Tools and Strategies, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 9-10:30 a.m.
• WebCT GOLD: Managing Students and Grades, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2:10-3:40 p.m.
• Developing Service-Learning Partnerships with Community Agencies, Wednesday, January 30, 12:10-1:30 p.m., Campanile Room, Memorial Union (please note change of location)
• Getting Students to Read, Friday, February 1, 12:10-1:30 p.m., 2030 Morrill Hall

FYI - About Student Reading
A report issued late last year by the National Endowment for the Arts addresses the decline in reading among young adults. See a summary and the full report of "To Read or Not to Read".

Weekly News and Tip, January 10, 2008

Tip - Good Teaching: The Top Ten Requirements
Welcome back! In these last quiet days before the start of term, take a minute to consider what it really takes to be a good teacher. According to one prize-winning professor, three of the requirements are passion for your field, knowledge and the ability to share it, and the gift of listening.
More on Good Teaching: The Top Ten Requirements

Announcement - Mean Business of Second Life
Dr. Brian Mennecke, College of Business, and Dr. Lesya Hassall, CELT, will present “The Mean Business of Second Life: Opportunities and Challenges of Using Second Life to Teach Entrepreneurship, Technology, and Commerce,” Friday, January 18, 2-3:15 p.m., 206 Durham Center (no registration necessary).

This seminar will describe and analyze the pedagogical issues resulting from teaching three courses on entrepreneurship, technology, and e-commerce in Second Life, a 3-D world with a vibrant self-contained economy. It will emphasize the pros and cons of using Second Life for teaching and learning about e-commerce processes, products and services, and the role of human behavior.

FYI - Don't Forget the CELT Library
As you prepare for the new term, don’t forget the resources of the CELT library, 3024 Morrill Hall. It is usually open 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The library contains books, periodicals, films and other materials on teaching and learning. Faculty may check out books and videos for two weeks. Simply follow the sign-out procedures listed on a card in each book. The Library Database can be searched by author, title, description, publisher, or call number.