The Second Annual

Core Matters Conference

CORE VALUES—MAJOR REWARDS

October 7 – 8, 2011Sponsored by the VSU General Education Council

The Core Matters Conference is sponsored by

General Education CouncilThe General Education Council addresses issues central to Valdosta State University’s General Education Curriculum.

This Council has a number of critical responsibilities, including:

OVERSEEING AND MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF VSU'S CORE CURRICULUM;

PROMOTING THE IMPORTANCE AND QUALITY OF CORE CURRICULUM COURSES IN VSU'S COLLEGES AND DEPARTMENTS;

PROVIDING GUIDELINES, ASSISTANCE, AND REVIEW TO DEPARTMENTS PROPOSING NEW COURSES IN THE CORE CURRICULUM;

ESTABLISHING AND REVIEWING POLICIES RELATED TO THE TRANSFER OF CORE CURRICULUM COURSES;

COLLECTING, EXAMINING, AND REPORTING ON CURRENT ASSESSMENT DATA ON THE CORE CURRICULUM, IN PARTICULAR LOOKING AT HOW WELL STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THE CORE CURRICULUM ARE CURRENTLY BEING MET; AND

DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING AN ASSESSMENT PLAN SPECIFIC TO THE CORE CURRICULUM.

VSU General Education Council tasks are a part of VSU’s mission to ensure and preserve quality education: http://www.valdosta.edu/gec/

2011 CMC

Conference Program

L etter of Welcome ……….4S chedule …………………………5-10

S pecial Thanks and local Sponsors …..10-17(Page for notes on page 15)

Conference at a Glance:Friday, October 7th:

5 – 6 p.m. Student Union Ballroom A: Dr. Sharon Gravett as moderator for Roundtable discussion

6 – 7 p.m. Student Union Ballroom B:Wine Tasting and Reception

7 p.m. Student Union Ballroom C:Banquet and Keynote address

Saturday, October 8th:Session 1: 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

Mid-morning Break: 10:00 – 10:15 a.m.Session 2: 10:15 -11:15 a.m.

Session 3: 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.Lunch Break: 12:15 – 1:00 p.m.

Session 4: 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.Session 5: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon Break: 3:00 – 3:15 p.m.Closing Session: 3:15 – 4:15 p.m.

Program designed by Ed Braun Schedule by Susan Barron and Becky Gaskins

Welcome!Welcome to the second annual Core Matters Conference at Valdosta State University.  Our theme this year reflects the vital importance of a solid foundation in college-level work – “Core Values, Major Rewards.”  A high-quality major – the reason so many students choose the universities they do – begins with a high-quality core education.  We believe the modern core in Georgia does not have one “useless” class, not one single “wasted” credit hour.  The development of the well-rounded human being, who is prepared for work in the major, is our priority. We at Core Matters are committed to ensuring the highest possible standards for core education.  We hope you will enjoy these presentations, and come back next year fired up with fresh ideas.  We can’t wait to hear them, and share new ideas with you. Jeannie Lugo, ChairCore Matters ConferenceValdosta State University.

Friday, October 7th

5:00 – 6:00 p.m.: Student Union Ballroom A           

What do incoming freshmen really think? This discussion includes several first-semester freshmen who will join in a discussion with faculty members on the preconceptions of college vs. the reality they found when they arrived, and will address what the students think of their college experience and what the faculty members must know about their students.

Round Table– “Freshmen Perspectives: Preconceptions vs. Reality at Midterm”Introduced and Moderated by Dr. Sharon Gravett

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.: Student Union Ballroom B

Reception and Wine Tasting Session (Note: As per Valdosta State University policies, only students 21 years of age or over may attend the wine tasting session in the Executive Dining Room.)

7:00 p.m.—“Until” : Student Union Ballroom C

Opening Banquet And Keynote Address:Welcoming Remarks: Dr. Louis Levy, Interim University PresidentKeynote Speaker: Mr. Wayne Edwards, President, Southeast Capital Investment Group

Mr. Edwards earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University and an M.A. in Public Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. A retired Colonel and USAF fighter pilot, Edwards received extensive military training and post-graduate education while living and traveling throughout Europe and Asia.

As a professional investment advisor, Wayne holds series 6, 7, 24, 51, 63, and 65 licenses for securities and insurance. In 2006, named one of the nation’s Top 50 Bank reps by Bank Investment Consultant magazine and was named to the Raymond James Chairman’s Council in 2004 and to the Leader’s Council in 2005-2010.

Wayne and his wife Michelle have two grown daughters, Ashley and Sarah. In his spare time, Wayne enjoys reading history, flying his Piper Saratoga, and watching college football. Edwards is firmly committed to his community having held numerous leadership positions over many years and serves currently as a member of the Valdosta/Lowndes County Airport Authority, a past-Chairman and trustee of the Valdosta State University Foundation and as a trustee of the Georgia Methodist Foundation.

Saturday, October 8th

7:30 a.m. – Pre-function AreaOn site Registration

8:00 A.m. Roundtable Discussion: Student Union Ballroom AModerator: Dr. Phillip GunterTopic: Grading, Grading Policies, and Grade Inflation

Concurrent Session 1 9:00-10:00 A.m.Panel Discussion: Student Union Meeting Room 1A 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.“Developing Sociocultural Competence: Educational and Professional Development”Dr. Ann Unterreiner, VSU Dept. of Early Childhood and Special EducationDr. James Martinez, VSU Dept. of Middle, Secondary, Reading, and Deaf Education

30-Minute Sessions:9:00-9:30 Meeting Room 1B“Talking about Talking about Writing: Meta-cognition in the Composition Classroom”Dr. Darrell Fike, VSU English Dept.

Teaching students the concepts and methods of writing is a standard pedagogy in most contemporary composition classrooms. Key to student writers learning about their own writing processes is the act of reflecting on their processes in a structured way. This session will present an overview of metacognition, describe several effective techniques for embedding reflective writing in the composition course, and engage attendees in a metacognitive activity.

9:30-10:00 Meeting Room 2“The Virginal Double Whammy: Teaching My First Supersection as My First Online Course”Roy Pace, VSU English Dept.

The session will discuss the sudden change in pedagogical approach when suddenly teaching not only an online course, but a supersection of 150 students all studying architectural design. In this discussion, the presenter will explain the unique psychology varying between such factors as instructor-student dialogue, applicable texts, and the challenge of teaching a perspectives course like, “The Built Environment” (and do so successfully).

10:00-10:15a.m. Pre-function area:Mid-Morning Break with Refreshments.

Concurrent Session 2

Has grading gotten out of hand? Is grade inflation harming college education? This discussion focuses on the issue of grading practices and whether core instruction is falling into a trap of catering to student grading demands. In addition, are grading practices in core courses setting students up to fail in upper division courses if they are not sufficiently challenged?

For some educators, teaching students who differ from their own experiences and backgrounds present teaching challenges that must be address. If universities are going to cultivate the talent needed to prepare students for the 21st Century, then approaches for teaching and constructing knowledge of diversity is essential. In this session, two education faculty members will facilitate an interactive workshop, providing a multicultural theoretical framework of education, and engage participants in activities designed to develop sociocultural competence.

Panel Discussion:10:15-11:15 Meeting Room 1A “The Core Concern of Writing”Julie Bowland, VSU College of Art,Dr. Chere Peguesse, VSU English Dept. and Director of VSU Student Success CenterGardner Rogers, VSU English Dept.Dr. Donna Sewell, VSU English Dept.

This presentation aims to open a much-needed conversation about the use of writing across the disciplines in core classes. Writing is a crucial cognitive function, not the least because it generates and demonstrates knowledge and encourages interaction with ideas and emotions. As it crosses disciplines, however, it appears in many forms and performs many functions, and in each of these disciplinary contexts writers are often judged by their texts.

30-Minute Sessions:

10:15-10:45 Meeting Room 1B“The Missing Ingredients: Helping Freshmen Adapt to the New Academic and Technical Demands of a University Setting”Dr. David Walter Aguado, VSU Dept. of Modern and Classical Languages

After four years of high school, even with the benefit of great teachers and a sound curriculum, students arrive at universities lacking basic knowledge and much needed skills in many areas. Through a series of personal experiences and with the aid of some colleagues’ contributions, the paper seeks to identify some areas of concern and proposes a few ways of helping our students “catch up on the go” and become active members of our thriving university.

10:15-10:45 Meeting Room 2“Surviving the Death of the Humanities OR the Embedded Augmented Assessment”Ed Braun, VSU English Department

In light of all the frustration already involved with teaching, administrative requirements, and the shortcomings of our young charges, there is a grave miscommunication between academia, its inhabitants, and our communal psyche in a digital age. The presentation proposes a means for understanding the needs of modern students in introducing “digital recess” as a means of embedding assessment through cleverly disguised assignments. The session will include several examples of embedded assignments within a variety of classes, digital teaching tools, and the means with which educators can come to grips with the Humanities convergence…and why it must happen.

10:45-11:15 Meeting Room 2“Engaging in Classrooms: Core Ideas for Core Classes”Dr. Isik A. Denizman, VSU Dept. of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice

As a predominately core classes’ instructor for almost 10 years at VSU, I find class size versus learning material as a challenging paradox. For purposes of motivation and active learning in the classroom, students work in groups, like the way Howard Becker had mentioned “doing things together” for the study of Sociology. The goal of this demonstration is to explain these engagement techniques and how students can use them for their social experiences and sociological imaginations.

10:45-11:15 Meeting Room 1B“Helping English Language Learners Succeed in Higher Education”Kristy Singletary, VSU English Dept.

While teachers often make efforts to work closely with all their students, the instruction many English Language Learners (ELLs) need frequently exceeds what teachers can offer. This presentation will include a three-part plan for helping teachers manage the plethora of ELLS they can expect to encounter in core instruction. Although acclimating ELLs to higher education can be difficult, perceptive and dedicated teachers and motivated ELLS can enhance the diversity and curriculum of many core classrooms.

Concurrent Session 3Panel Discussion:11:30-12:30 Meeting Room 1A “World Literature: Three Choices – Why Bother!”Marilyn S. Dyke, English Dept., and a panel of students:Tanner Blue, Christopher Lawson, Victoria Sanders, Richard Rhett Parker.

A panel of four students will consider various problems connected with the World Literature Courses. The students include a wide diverse group who has experienced various levels of their Core Requirements. They will consider the value of studying world literature in relation to their major, the problems incurred by “jumping” into the middle of the chronological approach, and the possibility of studying contemporary literature.

30-Minute Sessions:

11:30-12:00 Meeting Room 1B“’Smile on a Stick’: Creative Writing from Photographs”Dr. Paula L. McNeill, VSU Art Dept

The presentation will discuss efforts to help students rediscover/rebuild their undermined sense of creativity through projects such as self portraits through Harmon’s Smile on a Stick. In challenging students to think outside of the box, it is the presenter’s intention to demonstrate how creative assignments can be reaffirmed through clear, strong writing. This session may include segments from students reading from their own papers and their thoughts on the experience.

12:00-12:30 Meeting Room 2“Faculty Response to Substance Abuse in the Classroom”Mark Williams, Coordinator of VSU Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Education

Too often educators notice students who, for unexplained reasons, suddenly start the slippery path towards failure—this presentation will help to make attendees aware of the warning signs and available resources should they find substance abuse in the classroom. Topics for discussion will be a review of the VSU substance abuse policy, the scope of abuse problems around campus, the legal v. ethical response, and finally the means by which we can recognize signs of abuse, and those resources available to help students towards recovery.

12:00-12:30 Meeting Room 1B“Playing With Fire: Turning Traditional Apprenticeship Programs into Degree Programs”Jeannie Lugo, VSU English Dept.Morris Cook, Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

Society’s changing needs have necessitated changes in degree offerings and specializations, Georgia no more the exception to the rule as many technical colleges now offer full degrees over what were essentially apprenticeship programs. This presentation will explore pros and cons of the technical apprenticeship as interns may not gain the on-site training that defines competence, or networking with possible employers to create a diverse skill set. As many of these apprenticeship degrees are not standardized, students for now can expect higher percentages of job placement as a degree seems more attractive to employers than the previous apprentice certification.

12:15 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch Break (required ticket available in registration packet)

Concurrent Session 4

Workshop:1:15-2:15 Meeting Room 1A “Closing the Gap: A Workshop for Connecting Freshman Composition Courses with Paper Assignments in Other Disciplines”Amy Warren, VSU English Dept.Bobbie Warren, VSU English Dept.Maria Studebaker-Coppage, VSU English Dept.

In this open workshop, the three presenters will provide an examination of the gap between what instructors teach writing students and the consequential information they retain and carry over into upper division courses. Participants are encouraged to bring student essays to review for elements of style, function, and form.

30-minute Sessions:

1:15-1:45 Meeting Room 1B“Why MUST Everyone Take Mathematics?”Dr. Peggy L. Moch, VSU Math Dept.

In math circles, the cliché, “When am I going to need this stuff” cannot be answered effectively or convincingly during one short semester. Two main questions will be examined in this session: What value does taking an entry level math course offer diverse disciplines, and what rewards does the student take from such courses into other areas of study. The discussion will make multiple connections to varying fields with ideas to incorporate these concepts in individual courses.

1:45-2:15 Meeting Room 2“Prepare Students of Education for Cultural Awareness and Competency Toward Global Competition”Dr. Lucia Y. Lu, VSU Dept. of Early Childhood and Special Education, and student representatives of EDUC 2120: Justin Perry, Chelsea Bartholomeu, Mary Gutierrez, Reneida Parker, and Atlantia Clements

This presentation examines areas of study in the course EDUC 2120, Exploring Social and Cultural Perspectives on Diversity and how this individual class is designed to help modern students break from xenophobic reactions to “otherness.”

Concurrent Session 5Workshop:2:30-3:30 Meeting Room 1A “Making Core Courses Accessible in Hybrid and Online Environments – A Workshop for Faculty”Kimberly A. Tanner, VSU Access OfficeDr. Kathleen S. Lowney, VSU Dept. of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice

As more core courses are delivered either partially or entirely online, instructors are face with a myriad of decisions. They have to think about what to cover in class, what work is and is not appropriate for online instruction, what types of assessments will be done by students and what learning objectives frame the entire course. With online delivery of content, a new dilemma arises that instructors might not be aware: accessibility for all students, including those with disabilities. Please join this session as they discuss the legal and institutional requirements for accessibility, new paths to enable accessibility, and the technological skills that will help instructors create an open forum for students.

30-Minute Sessions:2:30-3:00 Meeting Room 1B“The Epiphany of Puns: Teaching Visual Literacy in Composition Pedagogy”Dr. Nat Hardy, Savannah State University, Dept. of English and Humanities

In trying to help instructors learn to cope with a new generation of visual learners, this presentation and interactive powerpoint enable the audience to understand the unique rhetoric to the visual pun. In this “in the moment” style of instruction, the presenter will demonstrate how visual puns enable us to effectively teach: writing mechanics, proper formal Standard English, avoiding clichés, cross-curricular writing, critical thinking, culture, politics, globalization, alcohol and drug awareness, and even promote healthy living through humorous, reinforcing structure.

3:00-3:30 Meeting Room 2“Interdisciplinary Communication in the Core: How to Use (and Be Used by) a Guest Lecturer”Dr. Christine James, VSU Dept. of Philosophy and Religious Studies

Many of the Core Curriculum discussions I have witnessed have the common theme of interdisciplinary wishes. By preparing for guest lectures in varying departments on topics such as Ethics, I have likewise engendered to find a knowledge base concurrent to each individual situation in creating an on-going discussion between fields, such as concerns by math and sciences to meet STEM initiatives. In trying to redefine the importance and role of the core, it is utterly imperative to keep these on-going discussions rolling as we rise to meet and celebrate knowledge across the curriculum.

Afternoon Break: 3:00-3:15 p.m.Light Refreshments Served

Closing Session

Roundtable Discussion: 3:15 – 4:15 p.m.Core Values—Major Rewards: Are We Preparing Our Students for Success?

Are we really preparing our students for success? This discussion focuses on how we view our impact as core faculty and whether we should be trying to lay a broad general education foundation or we should be aiming our students toward their majors. Are these goals mutually exclusive?

Acknowledgements and Special Thanks:(in no particular order)

Valdosta State University and its upstanding academic community

Mark Smith and the Department of English

College of the Arts

General Education Council & Dr. Sharon Gravett

Louis Levy

College of Arts and Sciences

The Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration

ALL our contributing presenters&

Our beautiful local sponsors:

Giulio’s Greek Italian Restaurant105 East Ann St., Valdosta, GA 31601-3949

229-333-0929http://www.giuliosrestaurant.com/

Open Tuesday-Saturday 5pm-10pm

Affordable dining next to VSU10% off with this Program20% off between 5-6pm

Thank you to Papa John’s at 2139 Bemiss Road Suite C, 229-241-1000,for their support of the Core Matters Conference.

Carryout Hours: 10:00am - 09:40pmDelivery Hours: 10:00am - 02:00am

The Camellia Room & Courtyard

Quitman, GeorgiaCasual Dining in a Relaxed Atmosphere

Live Entertainment Friday and SaturdayOpen for dinner Thursday through Saturday, 6:00pm-9:00pm

Open for Brunch Sunday, 11:00am-2:00pmJust a 15 minute drive from Valdosta, West on 84!

404 E. Stevens Street, Quitman, GA 31643 229-263-5235

Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Camellia-Room-Courtyard/191250760912402

Food Styles: American (Traditional), Barbeque, Buffets, Burgers, Seafood, Steakhouse.Attire: Casual.

Payment Options: Visa, AmEx, MasterCard, Discover.Services: Walk-Ins Welcome, Catering, Outdoor Seating

Email: gadlpd@gmail.com

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is a nationwide network of more than 100,000 members and donors, 1,000 branches, and 500 college/university institution

partners. For 130 years, AAUW members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic, and political.

AAUW's MissionAAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and

research.

MembershipAAUW is a community that breaks through educational and economic barriers so that all women

have a fair chance. Membership is open to anyone holding an associate or equivalent (RN), baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Student

Affiliation is open to anyone who does not already hold an undergraduate degree and is enrolled in a two-or four-year regionally accredited educational institution. Students enrolled at College/University Partner Member institutions receive a free e-Student affiliation. AAUW values

and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin,

disability, or class.

Local EventsThe Valdosta Chapter of AAUW provides community service at Political Forums, inviting

candidates from all political parties, held before national and local elections. We also invite middle school girls to the VSU campus for a Sister to Sister Summit conference every March,

engaging in dialogue and encouraging girls to come to college at VSU.

The AAUW appreciates the value of the Core Curriculum concept, and its role in empowering and preparing women throughout the Georgia State System. The AAUW

supports the Core Matters Conference at Valdosta State University.

Join AAUW at the national level or connect with the Valdosta Chapter of AAUW. Please feel free to contact the current President of our chapter, Deborah Van Petten,

dvanpett@valdosta.edu

AAUW includes both a section 501(c)(3) public charity and a smaller section 501(c)(4) social welfare organization.

Notes:

Did you know that cursive is no longer mentioned in the Georgia Department of Education Standards for K-12, and that in approximately four

years, most students in Georgia will not be able to read cursive?This will affect the comments you leave on papers, the way you design

PowerPoint presentations, and the way you write on the chalkboard.You might say that since everything is electronic, digital, texting, email, online, that learning cursive no longer matters or has become passé.You might say that since “No Child Left Behind,” our elementary teachers are far too overburdened with teaching to the test, and time spent teaching cursive should be spent on other things. Both of these are excellent points.

However, keep in mind that:•Teaching cursive enhances children’s spelling ability.•Teaching cursive creates complex neural connections in the brain, because joining letters in cursive is variable, and requires multiple micro-adjustments as one writes.•Learning cursive is associated with higher scores on intelligence tests and standardized tests like the SAT.•Taking notes in college level classes enhances memory and studying, by creating muscle memory and active engagement, rather than merely passively listening to lectures. Cursive note-taking is more efficient than block printing. Note taking on electronic devices does create the same amount of physical engagement, and does not lend itself to copying down diagrams and formulas as well as handwritten notes.•Historical documents written in script, whether in Spencerian or Zaner-Bloser, will not be accessible to a populace that cannot write and read cursive.•Handwritten letters develop a thought process that is unique and unlike email and text messaging.•Handwriting conveys emotion, nuance, intention, connotation and passion in a way email and text messaging cannot.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SaveCursive

Max Fischer saved Latin. Together, we can save cursive.

The preceding is a paid advertisement, and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the conference organizers.

Contacts: Jeannie Lugo, jlugo@valdosta.eduRoy Pace, rkpace@valdosta.edu

Highlights

 Core Matters Journal

 2012-13 Core Matters

Conference

 New Core Education

Association

1. The Core Matters journal will be published in the spring.

Conference papers and new submissions will be accepted: send

submissions to Roy Pace, rkpace@valdosta.edu.

2. The next Core Matters Conference is being planned for the fall

of 2012. The steering committee welcomes your participation

and suggestions, Please contact us at the e-mail addresses

below.

3. If you are interested in participating in the organization of a new

association that will address core education issues, please

contact us at the addresses below.

CORE MATTERS:FUTURE DATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:THE NEXT GREAT LEAP FORWARD.