Preconference Workshops
Overcoming Apathy and Creating Excitement in the Classroom
Jim Eison, University of South Florida & Todd Zakrajsek, Central Michigan University
Thursday Morning: 8:30am - 11:30am (3 hours)
Cost: $50
What can instructors do to facilitate learning when they encounter students who seem uninterested and even apathetic toward course content and assignments? Though students ultimately must assume personal responsibility for their own learning—instructors cannot do this for them—as faculty, we must find effective ways to motivate, inspire and maybe even cajole students to maximize learning. In this workshop we will describe and demonstrate how instructors can make learning in the college or university classroom, perhaps one of the most artificial learning settings, a more meaningful experience for our students. Based on well-established theories of learning and motivation, this interactive session will demonstrate both why and how one can transform students from passive listeners into active learners. Participants will have an opportunity to try out and experience firsthand several of these techniques. Warning: This program will practice what it teaches–active involvement is expected.
Creating Significant Learning Through Integrated Course Design
Stewart Ross, Minnesota State University
Thursday Morning: 8:30am - 11:30am (3 hours)
Cost: $50
The workshop on integrated course design enables participants from all areas of higher education to reflect on the power of creating good courses–courses that are based on significant learning experiences in and out of the classroom. By focusing on learner goals, teaching activities and assessment of learning, participants develop a template they can use in creating their own courses that integrate these three areas to create courses that can lead to significant learning.