Teaching Assistants and Principles for Good Practice

Teaching and LearningUsing a framework to provide effective, impactful, and quality education is not a new concept. While grounding pedagogy in theory is important, Teaching Assistants more often are interested in how to implement educational practices that will result in student learning. Chickering and Gamson’s (1987) 7 Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education is a foundational document that offers both a framework and specific methods valuable for any instructor. Chickering and Gamson give seven suggestions, based on a review of literature, to facilitate good practice:

1. Encourage Contact Between Students and Faculty,

2. Develop Reciprocity and Cooperation Among Students,

3. Encourage Active Learning,

4. Give Prompt Feedback,

5. Emphasize Time on Task,

6. Communicate High Expectations,

7. Respect Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning.

As a Teaching Assistant, we can use this framework to plan methods that will result in student learning.

If you want more detail or would like to learn more, consider attending one of our Pragmatic Practices workshop sessions. You can still sign up for the last two: Learning Styles and Teaching Tips! Visit the Center’s webpage for full descriptions or to register, or call 419-372-6898 for more information.

February 18th, 2009

Examining & Discussing Copyright

Here is a sampling of things overheard during the “Challenges Regarding Copyright and Use” Discussion held in the Pallister Conference room of Jerome Library on October 2:

  • Copyright is a balancing test between protecting rights of creators and the promotion of knowledge

  • Copyright law is based on varying interpretations depending on jurisdiction, legal precidents, and intent
  • Common Misuses
    - scanning an article into a PDF format (obtain permission and/or check copyright permissions first)
    - putting a full PDF copy of an article on your Blackboard site (post a link instead, if from our libraries research database)
  • Questions discussed included:
    - use of digital videos
    - transferring from video to DVD (or other format conversions)
    - creating a digital archive or copy of ancient works from another country
    - use of PDFs
  • Keys to remember:
    - link to an article when possible, rather than providing it
    - article in e-reserves – use only once per semester; after that, permission should be obtained
    - course packs – you or printer must obtain permission
    - exercise your citizen rights by contacting legislators regarding proposed/needed changes for educational purposes
    - you must make a reasonable attempt to seek permission
    - make sure YOUR works are available for future use (refer to Author’s Rights Addendum from SPARC)
  • Additional Links:
    - Checklist for Fair Use – A general overview of what can be considered Fair Use; developed by Kenneth Crews, Indiana University
    - Office of General Counsel on Copyright at Catholic University of America (News, checklists, and Q&A with a lawyer)

The next University Libraries Discussion session will be Publishing in Transition on Monday, November 5, from 11:30-1:00.


What other questions or comments do you have regarding copyright?…Click on the COMMENTS link below to get started!


October 4th, 2007

Service-Learning Faculty Focus Discussion Series

These discussion based programs feature faculty talking about their service-learning courses and experiences working with all aspects of service-learning and civic engagement. For more information, visit the Office of Service Learning website.

(NOTE: All presentations take place at the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology @ 201 University Hall)

September:
Thursday, 9/6/07, 1:00 pm-2:00 pm

Experiential, Transformational Learning Trips: Or two old (wise) guys take students on trips to places they might never go to on their own
Gordon Rickets, Director of Arts Village and School of Art,
Bill Thompson, Instructor, Continuing & Extended Education

These two presenters hold extensive knowledge and experience of incorporating experiential learning with undergraduate courses in both the arts and social work fields. [more...]

October:
Wednesday, 10/17/07, 9:45 am-10:45 am

Report on the 2007 National Gathering of Service-Learning: The CSUMB Workshop Experience
Khani Begum, Associate Professor, English Department,
Kate Collins, Instructor, Theatre & Film Department & Chapman Learning Community

Returning from the recent Service-Learning Conference in Monterey Bay, California, these presenters will share their experiences and discuss their developing ideas regarding connecting service-learning with curriculum design and pedagogy development for the engaged college course. [more...]

Friday, 10/26/07, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Service-Learning for the Introductory Experience: Field Experience in EDHD 201
Sansanee Ohlson, Instructor, Teaching & Learning

Every year, nearly 900 students engage in community based learning as part of their EDHD 201 Introduction to Education Class. This team taught course is designed to not only help students decide whether or not to pursue the teaching profession, but also to help impact a community agency during the discovery process. [more...]


What kinds of service learning activities or experiences do you include in your course(s)? Click on the COMMENTS link below to share your thoughts or ask more questions.


August 28th, 2007

Learning and Teaching in Second Life


The Center would like to thank Anthony Fontana and the wide range of faculty and staff who attended our first Second Life workshop. The workshop focused on the teaching and learning possibilities in the online virtual world called Second Life. The enthusiasm and questions generated will provide momentum as the University continues to explore the possibilities of Second Life as a environment for learning.

Over 20 interested BGSU community members attended yesterday’s discussion, sharing both possibilities and concerns associated with using a virtual environment in the classroom. The Center is offering “open lab” times today from 10-12pm and 2-4pm; additionally we encourage anyone to make an appointment for a one-on-one Second Life consultation. The Center is currently planning additional SL workshops, discussions and “open lab” times for the summer and fall semesters.


In case you missed yesterday’s event, here are some of the highlights:

  • The artistic and community aspects of Second Life were briefly discussed.
  • Existing educational endeavors in Second Life were explored.
  • Issues with research in Second Life were considered and discussed at length.
  • The BGSU “island” in Second Life was revealed, and the possibilities surrounding its use by the BGSU community of educators and students was explored.

Workshop times include:

* Open Lab, Friday, May 25th, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
* Open Lab, Friday, May 25th, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.


For those who attended the seminar, what are the most promising educational uses for Second Life? What concerns or suggestions do you have regarding Second Life? Do you have any helpful tips or experiences to share with other people that have just started exploring the “Wild West” a.k.a. Second Life?
Click on the COMMENTS link below to get started!


3 comments May 25th, 2007

New Models of Publishing (Workshop Extension)

On March 15th, the Center and the University Libraries collaborated to offer part two of the Information Transformation Discussion Series, New Models of Publishing.

Here are some of the discussion items from this session:

We get tenure based on what we disseminate as a scholar – the number of times your work has been cited is a critical measure; should reviewers of tenure include how often a website is cited? A blog? Since there is no standard format for online writing/publishing (APA, etc.), does that make it less accurate or important?

In some ways, scholars are terrified about what they put on the web or to open access.

This is a whole new way to look at or reconceptualize how we are considered as academics in the field.

We teach graduate students about APA during their first course/class, but don’t mention anything about online publishing options.

“Digital Scholarship” – moves beyond PDF files to also include multimedia such as audio, video, and flash animations (using Adobe Acrobat Professional).

What about peer-reviewed podcasts & YouTube video submissions – still need text; need to train peer reviewers as well.

We’re still in the habit of teaching writing in schools, but not multimedia skills to represent concepts and knowledge – why not? Oral histories or ethnographies are a great example of reasons to use mulitmedia – capture with video/audio: singing, dancing, emotion, intonation, etc.

Is there something wrong with scholarly activities and creations being fun? (video, audio, multimedia, etc.)

This emphasizes the importance of media/information/digital literacy for students (and faculty) – who will teach this?

Web Resources:

Brief Overview of Open Access

Detailed Overview of Open Access

SPARC – Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition
For more information on:
• Author Rights; including the Author’s Addendum to submit with your publication agreements
• Journal Pricing
• Open Access
• Open Data
• Public Access to Research
• Repositories

Create Change.org who asks, “Shouldn’t the way we share research be as advanced as the Internet?”
• This website will help you understand the changing landscape and how it affects you and your research. It also offers practical ways to look out for your own interests as a researcher.
• A scholarly revolution is underway. It enables you to get a greater return from your research. All you have to do is share it.

DOAJ – Directory of Open Access Journals



The third and final discussion, New Models of Owning Ideas will be held on Tuesday, April 17th from 12-1:15 in the Pallister Room at Jerome Library. Here is the description:
New models of publishing provide choices for authors. What are the advantages and disadvantages of new models of owning ideas? Does the author keep the copyright, retain some rights through Creative Commons, give the copyright to the publisher? Join this discussion to learn about these options and think about what is the best choice for you.

To register, contact the Center at 372-6898, ctlt@bgsu.edu, or use the online form.

1 comment April 5th, 2007

Pros and Cons of Podcasting in Education


Podcasting has taken the world by storm and has emerged in the academic world as a powerful teaching tool. While some have taken the new technology and implemented it into their classroom, the majority of faculty have not yet utilized this new tool. Here at the Center we offer podcasting workshops focused on teaching and learning and also provide consultation on how to start your own podcast. However, with every new technological tool, a debate seems to develop on its effectiveness and how to utilize the tool properly. Below is a link from Nomadic Media providing both the positives and negatives of this newly adopted technology.

Click Here for Pros and Cons of Podcasting

Additional resources on podcasting can be found at the CTLT Podcasting Resource Page and in this article, “Teaching with Technology.”

Share your opinion and experiences by leaving a comment below:
How have you subscribed to a podcast? If so, which one and why? Haved you created a podcast before? Do you believe it can be used effectively as a teaching tool?

1 comment November 7th, 2006

Workshop Extension: Effective Writing Assignments

On November 2, 2006, Barb Toth from the BGSU Writing Center facilitated a workshop on “Constructing Effective Writing Assignments.”

• What types of writing assignments do you use for your courses to solicit student understanding?

• What kind(s) of assessment strategies to you employ – rubrics, checklists, peer evaluations, etc.?

Visit the Writing Center’s website for many online resources, including student and instructor resources. Some samples resources and handouts include: MLA, APA, and other stlye guides, consultant tips, plagiarism prevention, resume tips, and much, much more.

3 comments November 7th, 2006



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