Course Portfolio Workshop, August 14th, 2001

Date:    August 14th, 2001
Time:     2:00pm to 4:30pm
Venue:   Dogwood Tree Suite, IMU

 

Principal Objectives of the Workshop

  • To focus on defining and resolving problems and challenges that can become a focus of a course portfolio
  • To introduce newcomers to the course portfolio concept and prepare

 

Conversations on Problems and Challenges:

  • Discussion of the many different types of problems and challenges in teaching that need to be countered effectively.
  • Consideration of the ten examples listed below, derived and embellished from previous responses to the request to define specific problems and challenges. 
  • Selection of up to three of these examples (or others) pertinent to your teaching experience and objectives. 
  • Conversations with your partner regarding the nature of the problem or challenges and approaches to resolve.
  • Consideration of how they could become the focal points of a course portfolio.
  • Joint preparation of a succunct statement of particular problems and plans for resolution for sharing by partner in discussion session.

 

Ten Examples of Problems and Challenges:

  • Student Activities and Engagement:
    • How can you achieve the aim of keeping students on task?
  • Class Demographics:
    • How can you reach everyone in the class with equal effectiveness?
  • Misconceptions:
    • How can you rectify and student's incorrect perceptions and invalid presumptions?
  • Expectations:
    • How can you inform students about your expectations and standards, and meet theirs?
  • Assessing Learning:
    • What approaches can best determine the knowledge acquired by students in your class?
    • How can you recognize improvements attributable to changes in you teaching?
  • Choice of Class Contents and Materials:
    • What criteria can determine your selection of resources?
    • How can you decide what is critical to include and what can be omitted from the class?
  • Critical Thinking:
    • How can you help students to think critically?
    • How can your enhance and reward understanding of concepts, rather than rote memorization?
    • What types of assignments can best address this concern?
  • Limiting Logistics:
    • How can you minimize the logistical constraints that may affect learning?
    • Possible logistical limiatations include:
      • size (large/small), level (introductory/advanced), course timing (fall/spring), assistance (AI/no AI), technology (on-line, web used, projection facilities), (major/non-major), grading assignments (exam feedback)
  • Problem Solving:
    • How can you emphasize the application of acquired skills in assignments?
    • How can you ensure student's familiarity with jargon and technical terminology without it detracting from their comprehension of broader concepts?
  • Practical Skills and Training:
    • How can you ensure that student acquire practical skills where they are a vital component of the course objectives?