The 18th Annual Ann Ferren Teaching Conference:
Exploring Innovative Teaching

back to AFTC 09

One day. Twelve workshops. Countless teaching tips. The Center for Teaching Excellence invites you to the 18th Annual Ann Ferren Teaching Conference: Exploring Innovative Teaching on Friday, January 12th, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Technology sessions will be available in the morning. Lunch will be provided and a dessert reception will follow the conference. Registration and participation are free.

Videos from the Plenary Session:
-Teaching to Make a Difference - a video presentation by Ann Ferren and introduced by Ivy Broder (Interim Provost).
-Twenty Years of Innovative Teaching- presented by 2006 Teacher / Scholar of the Year Ed Wasil from the Kogod School of Business, introduced by Haig Madirosian (Dean of Academic Affairs).

Sessions

Dynamics of Diversity, Lisa Vetter (SPA), Lucinda Peach (CAS–Philosophy), Farhang Erfani (CAS–Philosophy), Helen Langa (CAS–Art), Steven Taylor (SPA), Celine-Marie Pascale (CAS–Sociology). AU prides itself on being a diverse campus. But is it really? This session will explore the unique challenges of addressing issues of diversity in the classroom, especially those posed by gender, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and religion. Audience members will be encouraged to share their thoughts and experiences at this interactive and informal session.

Syllabus Garage, Sarah Irvine Belson (SETH), Marcy Campos (Community Service Center), Lyn Stallings (CAS–Math/Stat). This session offers a pit-stop for syllabi–helping faculty rev up to provide meaningful learning outcomes and community outreach opportunities in order to “win” over students. We’ll provide examples of syllabi that give students the opportunity to understand course expectations and that provide the “real world” experiences that AU students desire. Bring in your own syllabus for a tune up! Ka-Pow!

Perspectives on Teaching Difficult Subjects, Edward Wasil (KSB), Ajay Adhikari (KSB), William DeLone (KSB), Michael Mazis (KSB), Leigh Riddick (KSB). Many of us at American University have taught subjects that are considered difficult by students. In this session, we will present our experiences and strategies in teaching challenging material to students. We will focus on successful strategies that we have used to make difficult material tractable and enjoyable to students including the use of cases, outside speakers, interesting examples, and team teaching.

Making Ideas Come to Life Through Performance, Caleen Jennings (CAS–Performing Arts), Richard Linowes (KSB), Simone Seym (CAS--Language and Foreign Studies). This session examines how we can incorporate interactive exercises into our classes and use this teaching method as a practical and motivational tool in the classroom. Participants will receive handouts to help them design interactive exercises into their classes.

Wild Card Courses Enliven Gen Ed, Naomi Baron (CAS–Language and Foreign Studies), Haig Mardirosian (Dean of Academic Affairs), Doug Klusmeyer (SPA–Justice, Law & Society), Cathy Schaeff (CAS–Biology). Wild Card courses offered in the General Education Program invite faculty to experiment with a new or, as yet, untried approach to teaching familiar subjects. As a result, the Gen Ed curriculum is enlivened with spurts of fresh energy.

Turnitin: Text Matching Software, an Educational Tool or Big Brother, Meg Weekes (SPA), Erika Langhart (Student), Brian Yates (CAS–Psychology), Nathan Price (Office of the Provost), Michael Manson (CAS–Dean’s Office). What are the benefits and challenges of having student writing pass a test for originality? This panel examines the issue from various pedagogical and ethical perspectives.

Freshmen are Different: Who are They Anyway?, Tiffany Sanchez (New Student Programs), Sarah Menke-Fish (SOC), Katie Young (Student). First year students experience developmental and life transition issues that influence their ability to learn. How can these traits of undergraduate students be best understood and managed in the classroom?

Engaging a Class with Student-Response Pads, Nathan Harshman (CAS–CAP), Anne Osterman (University Library), Melissa Becher (University Library), Zehra Peynircioglu (CAS–Psychology), Robert Sicina (KSB). Personal response pads (aka zappers or clickers) can be used in a variety of ways to stimulate student participation and learning in any size class. This panel will explain and explore the use of personal response pads through demonstration and discussion.

From AU Student to Member of the Board of Trustees, John Richardson (SIS; CTE Director), Ed Carr (CarrHomes, Inc.; Member BOT), Pamela Deese (Legal Partner, Arent Fox; Member BOT), Matthew Pittinsky (Chair/Founder Blackboard; Member BOT). What’s it like for alumni to return to campus as a member of the University’s Board of Trustees after establishing a successful career? Hear what this special category of alumni have to say about the school they once attended and now help govern.

The D.C. Connection: Resources for Studying Washington's History and Culture, Susan McElrath (University Archivist), Kathryn Ray (University Library), P. Kelly Joyner (CAS–Literature). Using Washington as a focus for class activities is tempting, but often challenging. The panelists have suggestions for incorporating historical materials about D.C. into the classroom for a more worthwhile exploration of our city’s rich culture and past.

Teaching to Different Learning Styles, Maria Floro (CAS–Economics), Patrick Jackson (SIS), Sarah Irvine Belson (SETH). Students learn in different ways. Rather than seeking to “normalize” the learning process and force students into one mode of education, this session explores methods that classroom instructors can use to facilitate learning in a variety of different ways.

Students' Perspectives on Great Teaching, Lenny Steinhorn (SOC). What classes are students eager to attend and why? A panel of AU undergraduate and graduate students discuss the courses they like best.

Newspapers to YouTube: Media Mix in the Classroom, W. Joseph Campbell (SOC), Peter Kuznick (CAS–History), Randall Packer (CAS–Art), Iris Krasnow (Washington Semester). Forms of media are everywhere including the classroom. How can faculty ensure the mediated examples they use in their teaching are both effective and pedagogically sound?

Office
Teaching & Learning Resources

Location
Hurst Hall, Room 11

Hours
Mon - Fri: 10:00am - 5:00pm

Contact
Phone: (202) 885-3904
Alt Phone: (202) 885-3926
Email: blackboard@american.edu

---

Related Links
-AU Weekly article on 2006 conference
-AFTC 2006 Slideshow