The 19th Annual Ann Ferren Teaching Conference:
Session Descriptions
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Note: Letters indicate related sessions.
SESSION 1 : 10:30 - 11:45am
A. Communicating with Students Beyond the Classroom
Mary Hansen (CAS, Economics)
We will discuss how to encourage and manage faculty-student interaction. We'll pay special attention to the costs and benefits of using asynchronous (e.g. Blackboard to discussion lists, blogs) and real-time technology (e.g. IM and Second Life).
B. Teaching to Avoid Academic Dishonesty
Jill Klein (KSB), Meg Weekes (SPA),
Nancy Zeller (CAS, Biology)
Our central theme revolves around two key dimensions: 1.) Creating an ethical classroom culture that informs students on appropriate ways to create original work and 2.) Sharing techniques used in the classroom to prevent and detect dishonesty. Our experience and insights span challenges in research, writing, and laboratory assignments.
Handout: Teaching to Avoid Academic Dishonesty
C. Stress Relief: Creating a Work/Life Balance
Erin O’Neill (SETH), Dale Rampell (HR)
This panel discusses achieving a sense of life balance between being at work, at home, and at play. As a faculty member, learn how to decrease life's
imbalances and stresses in exchange for increased productivity, creativity and enjoyment.
D. How to Get That Book Published
Gemma Puglisi (SOC), Iris Krasnow (WSP),
Gail Ross (Literary Agent), Clive Priddle (Perseus Publishing), Karen Jue (Former SOC Grad Student)
This informative panel will focus on the art of publishing YOUR book. Learn the process from the "baby steps" to the final production of
your creation.
Presentation: How to Use Social Media to Promote Your Book
E. Fundamentals of Human Subjects Research
Peter Jaszi (WCL), Liz Kirby (Sponsored Programs), Brian Yates (CAS, Psychology)
This session will address how to document the proper review of human subjects research, including questions regarding Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. We will discuss regulatory information and how the system works at AU.
Human Subjects Research Presentation (pdf)
Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects (IRB) Website
F. Get a Virtual Life! Academic Applications of Second Life
Francine Blume (Career Center), John Charles (Career Center)
Why have over 200 universities around the globe decided to embrace the virtual world, Second Life? This 3-D real-time experience, where people interact via customized avatars, offers exciting options for the future of the internet. This session will explore the many uses of Second Life and its possible applications for teaching and research.
Presentation: Get A Virtual Life!
G. Technology Session: Blackboard for Beginners
Amit Tilani (CTE)
Learn to upload a syllabus, post an announcement, request e-reserves, send out a group email, and use other basic features of Blackboard.
SESSION II: 1:00 - 2:15pm
A. Using the Technology Our Students Use
Patrick Jackson (GE Program), Students
One of the first principles of effective teaching is to know your students. In this day and age, that means—among other things—knowing the technologies that they use in their everyday lives. This panel will feature a discussion of these matters with actual students, followed by a general brainstorming session about how such technologies might be productively utilized in a classroom setting.
B. Ensuring Students do Their Reading
Peter Howard (SIS), Betsy Cohn (SIS), Lindsey Marburger (SIS Student)
One of the biggest challenges faculty face is how to encourage students to read the assigned material. Participants will share strategies they have used in class, and our student commentator will give an undergraduate’s perspective on how students approach reading assignments.
C. Connecting the Curriculum to Campus Life
Fanta Aw (Campus Life), Mary Campos (Community Service Center), Karen Gerlach (Student Activities), Christine Gettings (Kay Spiritual Life Center), Rick Treter (Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services), Nick Sakurai (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Ally Resource Center)
This panel of Campus Life professionals will present information on the programs, services, and resources available to faculty that enhance learning in and out of the classroom.
D. Ethical Issues in the Classroom
Nathan Harshman (CAS, Physics), Andrea Tschemplik (CAS, Philosophy), Michael Manson (CAS, Dean’s Office), Maria Green Cowles (SIS), Student
The audience will be presented with ethically ambiguous classroom situations and asked to select the best course of action using anonymous personal response pads (zappers). These situations will then be analyzed and discussed from a variety of ethical perspectives, including philosophical, practical, and institutional.
Presentation: Ethics in the Classroom
E. EndNote v. RefWorks v. Zotero
Michael Matos (Reference and Instruction Librarian), Bill Mayer (University Librarian), Anne Osterman (Reference and Instruction Librarian)
Sloppy to sexy citations in 10 minutes flat! May the best citation management system win.
F. The First Year of Teaching: Assumptions, Assignments, Adjustments
Janet Gebhart Auten (Writing Center), Edward Comstock (CAS, Literature), Bonnie Auslander (KSB), John Richardson (SIS and CTE)
This panel will both introduce important issues and discuss the challenges facing first-year teachers. Specific topics of focus will include creating effective writing assignments, establishing authority and anticipating problems, using low-stakes writing in the classroom, balancing multiple obligations and more.
Handout: Seven Pitfalls in Writing Assignments
Handout: Writing Assignments that Work
G. Technology Session: Advanced Blackboard
Jim McCabe (CTE)
With Assignment Manager, Linkmaker, and Gradebook, faculty can save time managing assignments and adding readings to their classes.
SESSION III: 2:30 - 3:45pm
A. Blogging: The Global Classroom
Randall Packer (CAS, Art), Amy Eisman (SOC),
Heather McDonald (CAS, Literature), David Johnson (SOC), Rick Rockwell (SOC)
We will discuss creative blog writing as it applies to teaching and learning and how the medium effectively erases the boundaries of the classroom.
Handout: Blogging
B. Writing for the Capstone
Bob Griffith (CAS, History), Eileen Findlay (CAS, History), Marianne Noble (CAS, Literature), Anna Friedlancer (History Student), Literature Student
This panel discussion will explore various issues in research and writing for the senior capstone.
C. Students At-Risk in the Post-Virginia Tech Environment
Faith Leonard (Dean of Students), Teresa Larkin (CAS, Physics), Larry Engel (SOC), Caleen Jennings (CAS, Performing Arts), Wanda Collins (Counseling Center)
Campuses nationwide have responded to the tragedy at VA Tech with increased awareness of students at-risk. Learn how faculty on the AU campus are responding to these students. Find out about resources available to assist professors in their efforts to identify and refer students in need of support.
D. Greening AU: Sustainability on Campus
Chris Palmer (SOC), Casey Roe (Student, Ecosense), Willie Suter (Facilities Manager), Paul Wapner (SIS)
This panel will address the steps AU is taking toward greening the campus while also discussing how to integrate sustainability into one’s teaching.
E. Incorporating and Promoting Undergraduate Research
Patrick Jackson (GE Program), Richard Sha (CAS, Literature), Kiho Kim (CAS, Biology), Paula Warrick (Office of Merit Awards), Peter Howard (SIS), Cindy Collins (SIS)
Although "undergraduate research" has become a buzzword over the past few years, less attention has been paid to what it actually is and how to support it. This panel will seek both to define what "undergraduate research" means and to suggest strategies for advancing it here at AU.
F. Add Excitement to Your Teaching
Jack Child (LFS), Katherine Kravetz (WSP),
Brenda Werth (LFS)
Panelists will describe a few approaches and techniques to help us strengthen the excitement of our teaching. The audience will be asked to comment and suggest their own strategies.
Handout: Prof. Child's General Education Syllabus
G. Technology Session: Adding Sound to Your Classes
Jim McCabe (CTE), Jason Diebler (CTE)
Use low-cost equipment to record lectures, language exercises, and interviews with local and remote experts in your field.
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