Perspectives series returns with focus on pedagogy

Fairmount College's next Perpectives series will focus on pedagogy, sharing best practices faculty and GTAs adopt in their instruction, teaching theories, feedback and assessments while delivering curriculum in the classroom. Dean Andrew Hippisley will host the series. 

Each episode will be presented via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, March 21-April 11. Recordings will be made available afterwards on the Fairmount College YouTube channel. 

March 21          Supporting and Coaching GTAs in the Classroom 

March 28          Being an Ally in the Classroom

April 4               Active Learning

April 11             Student Perspectives on Teaching and Learning

 

March 21          Supporting and Coaching GTAs in the Classroom 
Graduate Teaching Assistants face unique challenges in the classroom. In addition to being full-time graduate students, they find themselves responsible for delivering curriculum. Panelists will discuss departmental training programs and techniques designed for their GTAs. 

Moderator: Brien Bolin, professor of social work and associate dean for student success

Panelists:
Mark Arrasmith, senior educator in mathematics
Darren DeFrain, associate professor of English and director of the writing program
Lisa Parcell, associate professor of communication and graduate coordinator
Colleen Scott, assistant educator and Spanish language coordinator
Carolyn Speer, director, Office of Instructional Resources
  
March 28          Being an Ally in the Classroom
Occasionally students will make a statement or ask a question in class that is insensitive to classmates' personal experiences. Panelists will discuss how to address such incidents in the classroom and include positive and negative examples. 

Moderator: Jean Griffith, associate professor of English and associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion

Panelists:
Michael Birzer, professor of criminal justice and graduate coordinator
Rocio del Aguila, associate professor of Spanish and graduate coordinator
Clinton Jones, assistant teaching professor and recruitment and retention coordinator, Department of English
Phillip Samuels, assistant professor and director of debate, Elliott School of Communication

April 4          Active Learning
To engage students and encourage their success are hallmarks of successful teaching approaches. Panelists will discuss activities that foster in-class participation while boosting student--and instructor--confidence.

Moderator: Brien Bolin, professor of social work and associate dean for student success

Panelists: 
Tom Luhring, assistant professor of biological sciences
Jessica Newman, associate educator in communication
Brigitte Roussel, associate professor of French and director of foreign language teacher education

April 11          Student Perspectives on Teaching and Learning
At the receiving end of instruction are our students, who provide feedback in personal meetings with faculty and through teaching evaluations. Undergraduate student panelists discuss what they find effective in the classroom and ways that faculty may engage them more productively. 

Moderator: Brien Bolin, professor of social work and associate dean for student success

Panelists:
  • Laura Cunningham, political science and psychology major
  • Eric Harrison, English major
  • Sounya Nimmo, political science major
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