1999 January Teaching Workshop

Monday, January 18, 1999

Sponsored by the Teaching Resource Center and the University Teaching Fellows Program

The January Teaching Workshop provides both experienced and less experienced instructors, whether faculty members or graduate teaching assistants, an opportu-nity to explore new perspectives about teaching our disciplines.  Please attend whatever sessions you can.  Part of keeping ourselves professionally active as teachers involves taking time to discuss and analyze teaching issues with our colleagues.

8:15-9:00 Registration & Reception, Lobby outside Ruffner Auditorium, G004A
Make lunch simple by signing up now for pizza and a soft drink or juice for only $4.00. Details appear at the 1:00 lunch break notice.

9:00-9:15 Welcome, Ruffner Auditorium, G004A
Edward Ayers, Hugh P. Kelly Professor of History, Chair of the Faculty Senate

9:15-10:45 CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Can Technology Make Teaching and Learning Better? Ruffner Auditorium G004A
Charles Grisham, Professor, Chemistry
Edward O'neil, Graduate Student, Computer Science
Andrew Crowder, Undergraduate Student, Computer Science
Can you use technology, beyond web pages and electronic texts, to bring real interactivity into the classroom (and even the dorm room)?  This workshop will use an upper-level biochemistry course as a case study to foster discussion about the possibilities of employing interactive courseware in any class.  Software designed for these purposes including Java, Java Beans, and web browser plug-ins will be demonstrated and discussed.

Engaging Students in Large Lectures, Ruffner 175
Lisa Reilly, Associate Professor, Architectural History
Bill McAllister, Faculty Consultant, TRC; History
Students often complain about the impersonal aspects of large lectures.  This workshop will demonstrate methods for enhancing student involvement, interaction, and interest in larger courses.

Leading Discussion Sections: The Next Dimension, Ruffner 223
Margaret Gardiner, Graduate Student Associate, TRC; English
Emile Lester, Graduate Student Associate, TRC; Govt. & Foreign Affairs
Jenry Morsman, Graduate Student Assistant, TRC; History
This workshop focuses on how to enhance student engagement and learning during discussions.  Topics will include preparing for discussion, questioning techniques, delegating responsibility for discussion to students, methods to engage student interest, and helping students make the material their own.  Designed primarily for TAs in the humanities and social sciences.

Developing a Fair, Effective, and Efficient Grading Policy, Ruffner 283
Jennifer Secki Shields, Former Graduate Student Associate, TRC;  Biology
Learn how to make the least-liked aspect of teaching more efficient and hassle-free by developing your grading philosophy and policies before your enter the classroom.

10:45-11:00 Break (Refreshments available in the lobby.)

11:00-12:30 CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Oral Presentation Skills for Teachers, Ruffner Auditorium G004A
Judith Reagan Associate Director, TRC; Drama
Tense? Nervous? Strained voice? Dull delivery?  If you've experienced any of these conditions when teaching, this participatory workshop will help you increase concentration, use nervousness to your advantage, develop vocal strength and variety, and create a relaxed and assured physical presence.

Teaching Portfolios: How Useful Are They?  Why Create One? Ruffner 175
Jann Lacoss, Faculty Consultant, TRC; Slavic
U.Va. colleagues who have created portfolios will discuss what it is like to go through that reflective and intense process.  We'll list items often included in a teaching portfolio (things you should be saving!) and do at least one exercise related to creating a portfolio.

Case Teaching: A Tool for Increasing Student Motivation and Responsibility for Learning, Ruffner 223
Erik Fernandez, Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering
Eager to increase your students' desire to grab responsibility for learning material in your courses?  Want them to appreciate the "non-technical" but terribly relevant considerations that influence technical decision-making?  Anxious to increase motivation and engagement in discussions?  Come hear how cases and case teaching can work for you.

The Art of Questioning, Ruffner 283
Walter Jost, Associate Professor, English
As teachers we sometimes ask questions not only to elicit an item of information but also to initiate a train of thought.  This workshop is intended to remind us of what we sometimes forget we already know: how to use questions to get us, and our students, where we want to go.

12:30-1:15  Lunch break,  Ruffner 187
If you would like to meet new colleagues, spend time with familiar ones, or simply stay out of the cold, join us for all-you-care-to-eat pizza, cookies, and soft drinks or juice in Ruffner Hall!
 

1:30-3:00 CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Teaching as a Team: Challenges, Benefits, and Tips, Ruffner Auditorium G004A
Marva A. Barnett, Moderator. Director, TRC; French
Fred Maus, Associate Professor, Music and Mitchell Green, Assistant Professor, Philosophy
Felicia Marston, Associate Professor, Commerce and Michael Atchison, Professor, Commerce
Doug Taylor, Assistant Professor, Biology and Laura Galloway, Assistant Professor, Biology
Working at varying levels of interdisciplinarity, these three faculty teams have enjoyed teaching courses together.  They will share their experiences and advice about both pedagogical and administrative issues.

Designing and Presenting Effective Writing Assignments, Ruffner 175
June Griffin, Director of the Writing Center; English
This workshop offers strategies for creating writing assignments with appropriate goals and communicating those goals to your students. The session addresses a range of assignments, but will focus on mid-length essays and reports.  Of interest to faculty and TAs who create their own assignments as well as TAs who work with assignments designed by others.

Helping Students Make Connections, Ruffner 223
Mark Salata, Graduate Student Associate, TRC; Education and Biology
Students sometimes approach science content as a series of unconnected facts they must memorize.  In this workshop participants will discuss how to help students see the "big picture" through uncovering the relationships between seemingly discrete units of content. Participants will have the opportunity to apply basic principles about making connections to their own course material. Designed especially for TAs in the Sciences, Engineering, and Math.

3:10-3:30 Refreshments and Wrap-up Session, Ruffner Auditorium G004A
Judith Reagan and Marva Barnett, Teaching Resource Center
Do you have questions?  Comments you didn't get a chance to make?  Ideas for future workshops?  This is your chance to weave together the various themes of the day.