Weekly News and Tip, January 31, 2008

Tip - Ways to Encourage Student Retention
In Fall 2007, President Gregory Geoffroy called student recruitment and retention a major priority for ISU. Do you wonder what individuals can do to improve retention? Three ways to learn about the topic are:

• Read the article on retention in the CELT newsletter, which should be in faculty mailboxes this week
• Attend the Feb. 4 panel discussion on The Classroom Climate for Students of Color (see details below)
• Check out the many suggestions for improved faculty/student interaction and classroom climate tips.

Announcements - CELT Events as We Head into February
Register for CELT events through AccessPlus (go to Employee > HRS Training > Continue > Courses).

• Upcoming WebCT GOLD Workshops, held in 1230 Communications:
• WebCT GOLD: Managing Course Content, tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 1, 10-11:30 a.m.
• WebCT GOLD: Quizzes, Surveys & Self-Tests, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2:10-4 p.m.
• PowerPoint I: Creating Effective Presentations for the Classroom (PowerPointXP/Office 2003), Wednesday, Feb. 6, 1:10-3 p.m., 1230 Communications
  
• Getting Students to Read, tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 1, 12:10-1:30 p.m., 2030 Morrill Hall
• A few spaces remain in the McKeachie's Teaching Tips Teaching and Learning Circle for graduate students which begins next week. The Circle starts Friday, Feb. 8, 12-1:30 p.m. Register to receive readings and details; registration is limited to 15.
• PowerPoint I: Creating Effective Presentations for the Classroom

FYI - Classroom Climate for Students of Color
A panel discussion on The Classroom Climate for Students of Color at Iowa State is coming up on Monday, Feb. 4, at noon in the Memorial Union Sun Room. Among the speakers will be Modupe Labode, Iowa State University alum and former faculty member. Come to this discussion about the experiences of students and faculty of color on campus.