
Paying attention to how students learn, and the environmental conditions and behaviors that support student success in your class can impact the teaching-learning dynamic in very positive ways. This semester's common read will address the science behind the conditions that foster harmony between the brain and learning. Accordingly, we will engage and collaborate across spaces and time to engage our collective expertise in the exploration of "The New Science of Learning."
How we'll do it
We'll develop a small learning community based on the focus of how students learn in harmony with their brains. As educators, we'll meet once each month to discuss major topics addressed by the book, "The New Science of Learning." While segments of the book serve as the focus of each meeting, participation in the face-to-face meetings is not dependent upon having read the prescribed sections of the book. These meetings will include brainstorms, topical discussions, and sharing of resources and strategies based on our collective experiences. The physical environment is that of a casual gathering of friends and colleagues.
Between meetings, we'll take advantage of a virtual collaborative space like Moodle to extend the conversation and to house relevant resources. This space will include topical discussions that play off of face-to-face meeting, as well as discussions and questions initiated by Common Read participants. We'll leverage the virtual space to house articles and links to other web-based tools and resources that support our exploration.
Copies of the book are on reserve in the library.
Laurie Parker, Instructional Technologist, and Bobby Hobgood, Director of the Language Resource Center, will facilitate this learning community.
Fall 2015 Meetings (12-1 pm, Kennedy 221): September 11, October 16, October 30, November 13, December 18