CTL Happenings - Message #218

Guest Lecture: Student Outcomes of Inquiry-Based Learning in Undergraduate Mathematics

Wednesday, October 22, 2014 | LD 010 | 3 - 4:10 p.m.
For more information» | Organizer: Pratibha Varma-Nelson | Presenter: Sandra Laursen, Ethnography & Evaluation Research, University of Colorado, Boulder

Mathematics serves as students’ gateway to STEM majors and careers, but lack of success in their initial college math courses deters many STEM-intending students from progressing in their desired pathways.  While studies across the STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) support the use of student-centered teaching and learning to increase student learning and persistence, there has been less previous research on these approaches in college mathematics.  Our group’s study of inquiry-based learning (IBL) as implemented in over 100 course sections at four universities shows that student-centered approaches can succeed when implemented on a departmental scale. Despite variation in how IBL was implemented, student outcomes are improved in IBL courses relative to traditionally taught courses, as assessed by general measures that apply across course types. Particularly striking, the use of IBL eliminates a sizable gender gap that disfavors women students in lecture-based courses.  Other evidence suggests particular benefits to initially lower-achieving students.  The study supports the application of IBL as a means to improve learning outcomes and, ultimately, student retention in college mathematics.

About the speaker: Sandra Laursen  earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley and maintains interests in both research and practice in science education. As co-director of Ethnography & Evaluation Research (E&ER), she leads research and evaluation studies focusing on education and career paths in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Particular research interests include the underrepresentation of women and people of color in the sciences, professional socialization and career development of scientists, teacher professional development, and organizational change in higher education.

This lecture is open to faculty, staff, and students.

E.C. Moore Symposium on Excellence in Teaching Call for Proposals

Proposals Due 11:59 p.m., Saturday, November 1, 2014  
View due dates and additional details

The E.C. Moore Symposium brings the Indiana higher education community together to examine teaching excellence and the instructional strategies employed in various disciplines to encourage student learning. The IUPUI Center for Teaching and Learning seeks proposals that address efforts to improve student learning and engagement, evidence-based practices in teaching, the scholarship of teaching and learning, the innovative use of instructional technology, and initiatives that promote excellence in teaching. Proposals that have application to other disciplines are strongly encouraged. Visit http://ecmoore.iupui.edu for more details, to submit a proposal, or to view content from prior years’ symposia.

Learning Environments Grant RFP Deadline Extended

Proposals Due Monday, November 3, 2014
View due dates and additional details

Through the awarding of small grants, the Learning Environments Grant (LEG) supports the creation of innovative, engaging formal and informal learning environments that meet the needs of both faculty and students.  Spaces at IUPUI and IUPUC are eligible for this grant.

Teaching@IUPUI: Preventing and Managing Disruptive Behavior

Wednesday, October 22, 2014 | Online - Adobe Connect | 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.    
Register» | Organizer: Terri Tarr | Presenters: Douglas Jerolimov, Anusha S Rao

How and when do you address challenging student behaviors? Disruptive student behaviors are those which impede learning and teaching, and have the potential to escalate or spread if left unchecked. In this online mini-workshop, you will learn how to prevent and manage the most common disruptions.

First Look at Canvas - IT Training

Wednesday, October 29, 2014 | Online - Adobe Connect | 11 - 11:50 a.m.     
Register» | Organizer: Tom Janke| Presenters: M. Kyle Leach, Kimmaree Murday

In this webinar we will explore and discuss the structure of Canvas, IU’s new learning management system. The presentation will give instructors an understanding of the interactivity of Canvas tools and how that influences how courses are set up. Participants will learn about the following Canvas tools: Home, Calendar, Inbox, Syllabus, Assignments, and Settings.

Teaching@IUPUI: Lecture Capture Technology 

Thursday, October 30, 2014 | Online - Adobe Connect | 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.     
Register» | Organizer: Terri Tarr | Presenter: Randy Newbrough

Lecture Capture/Personal Capture software allows faculty to create and easily make available course content for their face to face, hybrid, or online classes. This session will provide an overview of how Echo360 works, the Classroom Lecture Recording service, and a demonstration of the Echo360 student portal. Participants will also be shown the Echo360 Personal Capture software that allows them to create recordings from their laptops, office workstations, or at home and post them to the Web for their students to view.

Transforming Lecture into a More Powerful Teaching Strategy

Wednesday, October 22, 2014 | Glick Eye Institute 103 | 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Register and for more information» | Organizer: IUSM Office of Faculty Affairs and Professional Development | Presenter: Peggy A. Weissinger, Georgetown University School of Medicine

Lecture remains a powerful pedagogy. While medical schools are reducing time spent in lecture format, it remains an efficient way to disseminate large amounts of content to undergraduate medical students. However in its present form, it is not always an effective teaching modality. Even with good teachers and good students, one cannot always be sure learning is happening. In this interactive workshop, Dr. Peggy Weissinger will lead participants through a series of activities designed to make their lectures more engaging and effective.

The program will be held from 12pm-1pm, with an optional Q&A and strategy-sharing session from 1pm-1:30pm.

William M. Plater Institute on the Future of Learning

Thursday, October 23, 2014 | Campus Center 450 | 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 
Register and for more information» | Organizer: IUPUI Office of Academic Affairs | Presenter: Rena Palloff, Fielding Institute

The William M. Plater Institute on the Future of Learning is IUPUI’s annual opportunity to focus on topics important to the future of higher education. This year’s Institute is entitled “Excellence in Higher Education:  The Role of Online Education.” It will be held Thursday, October 23, 2014, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, in Campus Center Room 450.

The keynote speaker for the event is Dr. Rena Palloff. Dr. Palloff, a faculty member at the Fielding Institute, is one of the foremost authorities on online learning and author of several books including Lessons from the Virtual Classroom: Realities of Online Teaching and The Excellent Online Instructor: Strategies for Professional Development. 

Whether you are new to online education, a veteran online educator, or are involved in the administration of online courses, the program will offer information, discussion, resources, and connections designed to move you to the next level. 

Assessing Long-term Effects of Inquiry-based Learning

Kogan, M., & Laursen, S. (2014). Assessing long-term effects of inquiry-based learning: A case study from college mathematics. Innovative Higher Education, 39, 183-199. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10755-013-9269-9

If you would like to suggest a recommended reading for CTL Happenings, please send the reference and access information to thectl@iupui.edu.