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Events Bulletin

May 6, 2003

Teaching and Learning Symposium

“Bridging the Gaps: Making Connections in “Big’ Classes” is the theme of the 2003 Annual Teaching and Learning Symposium on Tuesday, May 20, in Grainger Hall. On Wednesday, May 21, campus instructional support units offer technology and learning workshops at different campus locations. Tours of design and production facilities will also be available. For detailed descriptions of the workshops and registration visit: http://www.provost.wisc.edu/events/tlsympos03.html.

Registration deadline is Saturday, May 10. If space is available, on-site registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no charge for participation.

The Teaching and Learning Symposium offers an opportunity for our campus teaching community to share what we have learned about teaching and learning in big courses, to seek pedagogical solutions and alternative strategies, to explore new instructional technology and other resources, and ultimately, to work together to improve teaching and learning on campus, individually and collectively.

What do we mean by “big”?

What makes a class feel “big” depends on many factors. Your class can feel big when students are unlikely to know the name of the person sitting next to them. Your class can seem big when your students don’t feel comfortable enough to speak because the context feels too public. Your class is big when you feel it is hard to get to know, understand or respond to your students well enough as individuals to be as effective a teacher as you would like.

Four broad themes related to teaching large classes weave through the concurrent sessions of this symposium:

Teaching for Inclusion

How do students’ cultural backgrounds, academic preparation and interests, abilities, race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation affect their ways of learning and knowing? How does understanding this affect the way we design “big” classes?

Creating Community in Large Classes

How do we improve and enhance the connections between teachers and learners in “big” classes? How do we create settings in which students feel safe to stretch themselves, talk about difficult subjects, or engage in trial and error in the presence of other people? What techniques and strategies, including technology, facilitate community building in “big” classes?

Practical Pedagogical Approaches to Large Classes

What are some “best practices” developed by colleagues on campus for teaching in “big” classes and what are some of the underlying theories that help explain why they work so well?

Large Enrollment Introductory Courses

Conventional wisdom generically gives these courses a bad rap. But course evaluations, the history of teaching awards and student surveys suggest that many of these courses are, in reality, widely experienced by students as exciting, mind-opening and life-changing. How can we optimize this experience?

Tuesday, May 20 in Grainger Hall

8:30-9:15 a.m. Symposium Opening

“What’s the Big Deal About Big Classes?”
Virginia Sapiro, associate vice chancellor for teaching and learning

9:25-10:35 a.m. First Breakout Session

  • “Teaching for Inclusion: Discussing Difficult and Controversial Issues in the Classroom.” Michael Thornton, ethnic and Afro-American studies; Gary Sandefur, sociology. Moderator: Dannie Greenberg, human development and family studies.
  • “Connecting Curricula for First-Year Learners.” Faculty from Freshmen Interest Groups: Bernice Durand, physics; Richard Staley, history of science; Barb Clayton, theatre and drama.
  • “Acquiring and Integrating Images for Teaching.” Tom Gombar, art history; Lee Konrad, General Library System; Beverly Gordon, environment textile and design.
  • “Making the BIG small: Facilitating Learning in Large Classes.” Kevin Strang, physiology; Dave Nelson, biochemistry.

10:50 a.m.-noon Second Breakout Session

  • “Teaching for Inclusion: How Disability Accommodations Maximize Learning Opportunities for All Learners.” Brad Kadel, graduate student in history; Cathy Trueba, McBurney Disability Resource Center; Katie Culver, School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Moderator: Alice Anderson, Technology Accessibility Program, Division of Information Technology.
  • “Creating Community Across Disciplines.” Kennedy Gilchrist, Medical School; Cathie Bruner, Facilities Planning and Management.
  • “Managing and Redesigning Large Classes Using Technology.” Barb Ingham, food science; Bob Jeanne, biology. Moderator: Reginald Parks, educational administration.
  • “Engaging Students in Large Lecture Settings.” Patricia Devine, psychology; Susan Brantly, Scandinavian studies. Moderator: Mary Jae Paul, continuing and vocational education.

Noon-1 p.m. Lunch Buffet

1-2:15 p.m. Student Panel

  • “Student Perspectives on “Big’ Classes.” Moderator: John Delamater, sociology.

2:25-3:35 p.m. Third Breakout Session

  • “Teaching for Inclusion: Intersection of Gender and Race.” Susan Pastor, sociology; Hardin Coleman, counseling psychology.
  • “Improving Students’ Experience Through Community Service.” Chris Carlson-Dakes, engineering; Kathy Cramer Walsh, political science. Moderator: Mary Rouse, director of Morgridge Center for Public Service.
  • “Teaching Large Classes: Teaching Assistant Perspectives.” Jennifer Theiss, communication arts; Angela Barian, sociology; Patricia Gaborik, theatre and drama; Christopher Hulleman, psychology. Moderator: John Delamater, sociology.
  • “Writing in Large Classes: Mission Possible.” Brad Hughes, director of the Writing Center.

3:45-4:30 Closing Session
“Teaching as Performance.” Norma Saldivar, theatre and drama; Mary (Buff) Brennan, dance.

4:30-Ice Cream Social

Wednesday, May 21
Learning Events and Workshops Across Campus

Learning Technology and Distance Education (DoIT) New Media Center Classroom, 2258 Helen C. White

  • “Demonstration of “Desire to Learn,’ the New Campus E-Learning System,” 8:30-10 a.m.
  • “Tools for Converting PowerPoint to the Web,” 10 a.m.-noon.
  • “Inclusive Design: Student Demonstration of Screen Reader,” 2:15-3:15 p.m.
  • “The Use of Wireless Technology in Teaching,” 3:30-4:15 p.m.
  • Tour of New Media Center Design Lab, Helen C. White, noon-1 p.m.

Biology New Media Center Classroom 1240 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.

  • “New and Improved Instructional Web Resources,” 10-11 a.m.
  • “Demonstration of “Desire to Learn,’ the New Campus E-Learning System,” 2-3:30 p.m.
  • Open house, 10 a.m.-noon.
  • Tour: of New Media Center Design Lab, 3130 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.

Campus Library and Information Literacy Instruction Program 1193D College Library, Helen C. White

  • “Integrating the Library into Teaching and Learning,” 1-2 p.m.

Center for Instructional Materials and Computing
School of Education, third floor, Teacher Education Building

  • “Digital Camcorders and iMovie.” Learn how to capture and edit digital movies in hands-on workshop for beginners. Room 346, Mac Lab, 10 a.m.-noon.
  • “Inspiration Concept Mapping Software.” Overview and basic instruction in using Inspiration, a tool to brainstorm, chart or outline ideas using concept mapping and visual learning. Room 348, PC Lab, 10 a.m.-noon.
  • “Creating, Changing and Using Digital Images.” A hands-on workshop for beginners. Room 346, Mac Lab, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
  • “Online Resources for Group Work: Best Practices for Large-Enrollment Classes.” Take a closer look at peer facilitators, learning communities, focused study groups, as well as strategies for designing groups in online classes. Room 348, PC Lab, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
  • Tour: 1-1:30 p.m.

College of Letters and Science Learning Support Services and DoIT’s Academic Technology Solutions Grant Programs 104 Van Hise.

  • Faculty Showcase. Join us for a day (or an hour) and see firsthand how technology enhances teaching and learning on campus. Faculty and support staff from many campus departments will present their innovative projects. Demonstrations may include audio and video clips, Web sites, instant messaging and wireless mobile technology. Many of these ideas and applications could be applied to other disciplines and other faculty needs. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Health Sciences Library and the Patient, Doctor and Society Department Third floor, Bradley Memorial Hall

  • “Streaming Digital Video for UW Medical School Clinical Assessment Center,” noon-1 p.m.

Informal Discussion Opportunity Facilitated by Associate Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning Virginia Sapiro. 260 Bascom.

  • “The Large Introductory Lecture Courses: What Are We Doing and What Could We Be Doing?” This session brings together faculty who teach large introductory courses (or who are likely to be preparing one) to share best practices, problems, questions and visions for improvement across the range of disciplines. The goal is to begin a longer process that will lead to improvements in our offerings and experience, including improved support for instructors in these courses. If possible, participants should bring copies of their syllabi for these courses. 10 a.m.-noon.

Gathering at the Terrace Memorial Union
Relax and visit with campus colleagues involved with learning technology. Symposium participants and learning technology support staff are invited. 4 p.m.

Symposium sponsors

Summer Continuing Studies Catalog is Here
The Summer UW–Madison Continuing Education Course Catalog is now available. You can receive a free copy by calling 262-1156.

The catalog includes descriptions of noncredit courses offered in alcohol and other drug issues, alumni learning, visual arts, dance, fitness and movement, public management, international languages, mediation, music, desktop publishing, theater and drama, theology, travel study, summer forums, video institute and writing.

Copies of the catalog can be found in the lobby of 905 University Ave., Bascom Hall’s Information Desk, the Peterson Building and Dane County public libraries.

Online Short Courses
Six-week courses begin every month. Choose from the following categories: Internet, computer, certification prep, writing, personal enrichment, legal and business. Try a course demonstration at http://www.ed2go.com/demo/. Cost: $79-$199. Information: 265-5221, rkdix@wisc.edu.