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Welcome to the CIRTL Network’s Virtual Coffee Hour

TEACHING IN DIVERSE CLASSROOMS

A. T. Miller

Session begins at: 1 PM CT

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Yanqiao Chen

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A. T. Miller, Associate Vice Provost for Academic Diversity Initiatives, Senior Lecturer, Department of English, Cornell University

TEACHING IN DIVERSE CLASSROOMS

Yanqiao Chen, Undergraduate in the Dept of Chemistry, McNair Scholar, Chemistry & Physics TA & Tutor, Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives, Cornell University

Using Classroom Diversity to Enhance Learning

Recognize variations among student preferences and strengthsHelp students understand and value the differences between each otherMake sure that student assignments and participation are open to all equallyDon’t make spokespeople or examples of any particular students.

Some Principles for Teaching Inclusively

Use dynamics of group workAvoid gate keeping/trackingConcept-based AND problem-basedStudy groups outside of classAvoid “under-teaching”Relevant and varied modeling, topics, examples, and projects

Dynamics of Group Work

Instructor chooses groups and teamsChange groups at least onceProvide roles, structures, proceduresHeterogeneous ‘ability’ within groupsGrade the groupVaried learning styles

http://www.ncsu.edu/felderpublic/ILSpage.html

Avoid Gate Keeping

Be the coach, not the judgeDon’t set up students in competition with each other (never grade on a curve, avoid “winners” and “losers”)Grade to clear standards and expectationsUse exams as group goals

Problem vs. Concept-based

Balance these approachesRecognize the biases of the material and field you teach and compensateAllow for varied methods that achieve correct resultsInclude plenty of examples and applications

Study Groups

Encourage students to work together outside of class in regular study groupsProvide structure, roles, and guidance to such groupsAssign and change groups at least once a semester

“Under-teaching”

Monitor your own behavior, or ask a colleague to observe youBe sure to rotate classroom roles and expectations in a regular pattern throughout all studentsBe aware of those students you identify with and those who put you off

Constant Relevant Variation

Draw on variety of resources for problems, examples, procedures.Make room for student contributions, especially in areas unfamiliar to youExchange ideas with colleagues of varied backgroundsTake students into the community

General ClimateOpen and challenging atmosphereUse differences constructivelyGive students shared responsibilityEncourage full participationProvide a variety of modalitiesGuide and support students to apply learning to their individual experiencesReframe to take ‘heat’ off surprising or unpopular individual contributions

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A. T. Miller, Associate Vice Provost for Academic Diversity Initiatives, Senior Lecturer, Department of English, Cornell University

TEACHING IN DIVERSE CLASSROOMS

Yanqiao Chen, Undergraduate in the Dept of Chemistry, McNair Scholar, Chemistry & Physics TA & Tutor, Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives, Cornell University

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UPCOMING CIRTL EVENTS

BUILDING AN ACADEMIC CAREER

COFFEE HOUR SERIES

TEACHING AND LEARNING IN THE STEM CLASSROOM COFFEE HOUR SERIES

To sign up to hear about these and other CIRTL events, email info@cirtl.net.

CIRTLCAST

SERIES

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Teaching and Using Writing Skills in the STEM Classroom

March 20th, 2013, 1-2pm CT

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Sanity

February 27th, 2013, 1-2pm CT

Facilitated by:

Rique Campa, Professor, Dept of Fisheries and Wildfire Ecology, Associate Dean of the Graduate

School, Michigan State University