Learning Objectives

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Learning Objectives

• Develop a plan to apply ExCEEd Teaching Workshop
  (ETW) concepts and techniques at your own
  institution.
• Get started
• Identify and overcome obstacles
• Work with students
• Explain how ETW concepts represent just one step
  in my long term development as an exemplar

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Outline

• Our Universities
• What we've tried
• How it worked
• How you can get started

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Facts about Univ. of the Pacific

• 6,500 students
• 9 Schools Colleges
• Private, liberal arts university
• Emphasis on practical and experiential learning

• 500 students in School of Engr. Comp. Sci.
• Undergraduate programs only
• Student-centered mission
• Responsibilities
• Teaching advising
• Research funding
• Service outreach

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Civil Engineering at Pacific

• One of 8 Engr/CS programs
• 4 faculty members 1 shared with EMGT
• Program includes 7 months to 1 yr of co-op
• 110 CE undergraduates
• Very active in student organizations
• Most work gtgt10 hrs/week

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My Duties

• Associate Professor
• Research 1-2 refereed publications/yr
• "Five" courses per year, incl. labs
• 50 advisees
• Advising student chapters
• Engr Honors Program Advisor
• Other expectations
• Teach a range of courses
• Open door policy
• Committee service (dept, school, univ,
  professional)
• Recruitment and retention

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My ExCEEd Experience

• ExCEEd Graduate 2002
• ExCEEd Assistant Mentor 2004, 2005
• ExCEEd Mentor 2007, 2008, 2009

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Facts about Virginia Military Institute

• 1,300 students
• 14 Majors
• 121 Student/Faculty Ratio
• Public, Liberal Arts College
• All students are Cadets undergo military
  training (Barracks ROTC)

• Emphasis on
• Leadership
• Time Management
• Laboratory Work
• Field Trips

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Civil Engineering at

• Faculty Members 8
• CEE Cadets 175 total / 44 per year
• Class Size less than 20
• Commissions about 50
• Credits Required 139
• Spring/Fall FTX Projects
• Timber Framing, Special Olympics
• Strong Undergraduate Research

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My Duties

• Assistant Professor
• Four Tenure Requirements
• Teaching, Scholarly Engagement
• Professional Citizenship, Cadet Development
• Contact Hours about 12/semester (/- 3)
• All labs are taught by Professors
• Cadets Not Allowed to grade any assignments
• Advising students and organizations
• Departmental Service
• One or two departmental committees, Field Trips,
  Rat Lunches
• Professional Service
• Be involved in your profession (Consulting
  Counts!)

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My ExCEEd Experience

• ExCEEd Graduate 2006
• At Texas Tech University from 2005 to 2008
• ExCEEd Assistant Mentor 2008

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Group Activity

• List two ExCEEd elements you plan to use this
  Fall (and why)
• List two ExCEEd elements you do not plan to use
  this Fall (and why)
• You have 2 minutes!

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Teach so that All Students (have opportunity to)
Learn

• Demonstrate organization
• Emphasize the Key Points
• Recognize that students learn differently
• Be willing to change
• The way you were taught may not be the best way

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What I Did After ExCEEd

• Right away
• Organized class based on Learning Objectives
• Used Default instead of Jump Ball Questions
• Used board notes for majority of class
• Color Markers/Chalk
• Long Term
• Evaluating Learning (Surveys, Quizzes, etc.)
• Student Involvement (Board Work)
• Fewer Topics, More Depth
• Share ExCEEd with the Department

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How did it work?

• Consistently high teaching evaluations and have
  been recognized for teaching
• Saved time preparing for class
• Saved time teaching class the 2nd time
• Many students are engaged in the topics
• ExCEEd teaches skills in addition to the class
  topic

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Emphasis on student learning, not cramming in
material

• Get to know the students
• Consciously teach to a variety of learning styles
  
• Provide clear expectations stick to them!
• Develop a positive learning environment
• Have fun!

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What I Did After ExCEEd

• First pass
• Rearranged my office
• Changed notes to board note format used color
• Developed learning objectives for each class
  used them to make exams
• Used some questioning techniques
• Second pass (and beyond)
• Group activities
• Use of textbook
• Adding a few demos, visuals each time
• Music, candy

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How did it work?
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• What obstacles do you foresee to implementing
  ExCEEd methods?
• How will you overcome them?
• Identify your top 2 answers for each
• You have 2 minutes

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Obstacles to Implementation

• Some common answers from past ExCEEd participants
• Time
• Reaction from other Faculty/Chair
• Poor classroom design
• Students

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Implementation Solutions

• Time
• Dont try to implement all ExCEEd methods
  immediately.
• Choose ideas with biggest expected impact
  (objectives, board notes), but less prep time

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Implementation Solutions

• Reaction from other Faculty/Chair
• ExCEEd is widely known and accepted
• May be threatening to others comfort zone
• Educate and encourage colleagues to participate
  in ExCEEd
• Hold a seminar or discuss at dept meeting
• Focus is on student learning

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Implementation Solutions

• Classroom Space
• Plan ahead - check your classroom when
  assignments are made
• Find someone who can switch your classroom after
  assignments are made
• Be creative and look for ways to improve
  conditions
• Put administrative info and objectives on
  overheads/handouts and post on web
• Project overhead onto wall to avoid covering
  blackboard

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Implementation Solutions

• Classroom Space
• Walk around classroom as much as possible
• Use questioning techniques
• Bring your own chalk/markers
• Identify colors that work for your boards
• Identify colors that work for your students

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Implementation Solutions

• Students
• Get to know the students (names, data sheets)
• Establish clear expectations right from start
• Get feedback, e.g. use mid-semester evaluation
• Show the students you care
• Assume the students want to learn

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Our Advice

• Dont be afraid to try the ExCEEd methods
• Be transparent reveal your intent
• Try a few things at a time
• Dare to be innovative
• Teach to variety of learning styles
• Seek feedback
• Use your ExCEEd support network!

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And now.
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• Workshop Assessment
• Value How valuable was the event for your
  development as an educator?
• Conduct How well was the event organized and
  conducted?
• Take a short break