Making it Stick: How to Design Engaging and Effective Learning Activities
Facilitator: Bradley Bergey, Educational Psychology
Room: 100

Research on learning strongly indicates that when students actively engage content—by discussing, arguing, connecting, contrasting, applying, evaluating, questioning, integrating, etc.—they learn more, and, most importantly, it sticks! You will leave this session with tried-and-true strategies for designing learning activities to make your classroom an active, engaged and effective learning environment.

Facilitating Meaningful Discussion in the Classroom
Facilitator: Danielle Scherer, Political Science
Room: 101

This session will provide you with information regarding the intellectual and pedagogical value of classroom discussion, as well as useful strategies for integrating meaningful discussions into diverse instructional settings. This session will consider discussion as a tool that promotes constructive learning, examine ways to balance and assess the voices contributing to class discussions, discuss difficulties that may hinder discussion, and uncover strategies to ensure in-depth, scholarly discussions.

Why Aren’t My Students as Interested in This Stuff As I Am? How to Motivate Students
Facilitator: Alice Gatling, Theater
Room: 102

You’ve devoted your life to your discipline and find it fascinating, but your students are less than enthusiastic about it. In this session you will learn principles and strategies for inspiring motivation and instilling the will to work in your students.

How to Grade Effectively without Losing Sleep (or your mind)
Facilitator: Sherry Schweighardt, Kinesiology
Room: 103

One of the toughest parts of being a TA is the grading process. TAs need to balance fairness with adherence to learning objectives, while allowing time for their own work and other life obligations. This interactive session will include a discussion of the problems and strategies that go with the responsibilities of grading, as well as the expectations of professors, the grade disputing process, and time management. Participants will familiarize themselves with different kinds of rubrics, construct their own a grading rubric, and share their ideas with other participants.

Identity Matters: Promoting Positive Teacher-Student Interactions and Class Climate
Facilitator: Mary Etienne, Geography & Urban Studies
Room: 106

In this session participants will have the opportunity to reflect on how their social-cultural identities (such as race, gender, nationality, and age) might impact interactions with students, including how students might perceive them as teachers. Participants will leave the session with a better understanding of how their social identities impact their relationship with students, as well as strategies for fostering a positive, effective, and learner-centered class climate.

Captivating Classes: Improving Lectures and Presentations
Facilitator: Christian Millichap, Mathematics
Room: 111

Create a productive climate in a large lecture class by following guidelines and techniques that lead to effective delivery. This session addresses setting realistic objectives, building a strong organizational structure, using visual aids, and retaining students’ attention through feedback and participation.