Master Teachers' forum scheduled
This year's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Master Teachers class will hold a special forum to discuss "best practices for teaching large classes."
The forum, which is co-sponsored by LAS and the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT), will be held Thursday, Feb. 28, in the Campanile Room of the Memorial Union from 3:30-5 p.m.
Each LAS Master Teacher will speak on an area of expertise they have in engaging large classes through examples, insights and suggestions. Some of the topics to be discussed including working with TAs in large classes, using story-telling techniques in large classes, developing students' broader skills within a large class, multiple learning modes, teaching controversial topics and using collaborative exams.
The LAS Master Teachers are Cinzia Cervato, associate professor of geological and atmospheric sciences; Margaret Holmgren, associate professor of philosophy and religious studies; Stephanie Madon, associate professor of psychology; Craig Ogilvie, associate professor of physics and astronomy; Amy Slagell, associate professor of English; and Kim Smith, professor in the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication.
Susan Yager, CELT associate director, and Dawn Bratsch-Prince, LAS intern associate dean, will moderate the discussion.
This is the ninth year of the LAS Master Teacher program, which recognizes teachers who have a reputation for using unique methods to enhance student learning. This year's award recognizes individuals with expertise in large format classes with more than 100 students.
The honorees include:
Cinzia Cervato, associate professor of geological and atmospheric sciences. While at Iowa State, Cervato has incorporated innovative teaching methods into her large lecture classes, obtained over $900,000 in National Science Foundation funding for enhancing geoscience education in large-format classes, published journal articles on the topic, and served as an associate editor for a journal in the area of education. In her large lecture classrooms, Cervato uses various approaches to make the class seem more intimate and engaging. These include interspersing traditional lecturing with breaking the class into small discussion groups, having students answer questions en masse by holding up colored cards, and having large number of samples that can be passed out to all students at the same time.
Margaret Holmgren, associate professor of philosophy and religious studies. Holmgren continues to devote tremendous effort to providing Iowa State students with the very best classroom experience possible. She has been cited for her enthusiasm for teaching, the organization of her courses, the neutrality of her presentation of controversial topics, and her ability to stimulate and moderate discussions.
Stephanie Madon, associate professor of psychology. Madon has a repertoire of techniques designed for large enrollment courses that she uses to promote student engagement and enhance student learning. She also infuses her large lecture classes with her own genuine excitement about social psychology, which is evident in both student and peer evaluations of her teaching effectiveness. She utilizes multiple modes of instruction as a way to reach students with different learning styles including traditional lecture format, visual aids, films, and participation activities.
Craig Ogilvie, associate professor of physics and astronomy. Ogilvie has introduced innovative approaches to the Department of Physics and Astronomy's large lecture classes in both the lecture and recitation section portion of the courses. The innovations include an active learning exercise component as part of the lectures, online problem assignments to provide detailed and specific feedback tailored to each student, and cooperative problem solving in the recitation sections.
Amy Slagell, associate professor of English. As the professor in charge of the Speech Communication Program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Slagell has secured funding to develop web-based resources to enhance that program's large lecture course, partly to ease access to grades and assignments so that teaching assistants spend more time teaching and less time fielding grade-related questions. She works constantly at upgrading the pedagogy and technology of her lectures, employing videos of speeches, PowerPoint, online video and audio. She also employs exercises that require students to move around the lecture hall.
Kim Smith, professor in the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication. In his instruction of "Mass Media and Society," a large lecture classroom with enrollments approaching 300 students, Smith uses real world examples and applies them to engage students in discussions. Students indicated that they "enjoyed Smith's teaching style and the atmosphere of the class."
Stephanie Madon, Margaret Holmgren, Craig Ogilvie, Amy Slagell, and Cinzia Cervato.
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February 25 to March 9, 2008
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