Teachers on Teaching Presentation Series

Corey Ptak
Lecturer, College of Science

Active engagement in the classroom has been shown to increase student learning and retention. However, many faculty report that active, student-centered learning environments are difficult to achieve in lecture-format classes as a result of the demands on the instructor.

Dr. Corey Ptak introduces how a text-message-based polling software, Poll Everywhere, has been used to facilitate student-centered learning in lecture-format classes. Topics include using Poll Everywhere to encourage student discussions, coordinate two-way communication between students and faculty, and facilitate debate-style exercises.

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Katie Terezakis
Associate Professor, College of Liberal Arts

Recent approaches to the affective and metacognitive elements of teaching draw us back to techniques consistent with the reflective practices defined in traditional philosophies. In this discussion, Dr. Katie Terezakis highlights several initiatives in metacognitive research, foremost the link between metacognition and personal identity; the ability to manage conflicts in the learning environment; and the classroom as a microcosm for social and psychodynamic constructions.

Dr. Terezakis is an associate professor in the Department of Philosophy, College of Liberal Arts. She is a recipient of the 2014-2015 Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching.

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Rob Garrick
Associate Professor, College of Applied
Science & Technology

The skills we teach to students are very similar to previous centuries, but the technology tools we have can allow different approaches and additional/different literacies from the 20th century. The “sage from the stage” model of the content/information expert lecturing to rows of students taking handwritten notes seems like a dated instruction model with modern learning theories and today’s technology.

Rob Garrick, Ph.D. (Manufacturing & Mechanical Engineering Technology) spoke about how pedagogy remains the key, but that technology properly used can assist student learning and instructor teaching.

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Kirsten Condry
Associate Professor, College of Liberal Arts

They don't read the assignment! They can't write a clear topic sentence! Your students need to learn how to learn, but you don’t have time to teach them study skills.

Not true. Dr. Kirsten Condry (Psychology) led a discussion about tools and strategies that you can use in your teaching to help students succeed in your class and learn how to learn.

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Sandi Connelly
Assistant Professor, College of Science

You want to try out a new teaching method, but what if it doesn't work? How can you preserve your investment of time, your teaching portfolio, and your learning outcomes?

With a breadth of experience in blended, online, and flipped formats, Sandi Connelly (Biology) has much to share about teaching experimentation, formulating a backup plan, and "taking safe risks."

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