Creating Engaging Learning Environments in Mega Classes

ORAL

Abstract

In this participation-based workshop, you will take part in a unique professional development activity designed to enable you to train your former undergraduate general education students to become teaching assistants (TAs) capable of implementing instructional strategies proven to move students from a passive role to an intellectually active role in the LECTURE portion of your class. This combined professional development and general education undergraduate teaching assistants program (which are all part of the larger Ambassadors Program at UofA), are being used to transform the teaching of a ``mega'' introductory science courses with enrollments of 750 or more. Gen. ed. students participating in this ``Ambassador Program'' have gone on to pursue a minor degree in Astronomy, some are creating curriculum and doing research on the teaching and learning in mega classes, while another is pursuing an advanced degree in science education. Active audience participation will be required--and it will be fun, really!!

–

Authors

  • Phil DiStefano

    Hamline University, Florida International University, University of Texas at Austin, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Kentucky, APS, San Diego State University, Green River Community College, California State University, Long Beach, University of Arkansas, Aibilene Christian University, American Chemical Society, Rutgers University, University of Maryland, University of Colorado-Boulder, Western Washington University, University of Arizona, Center for Astronomy Education (CAE), ACS, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Colorado