Using Clickers as an Effective Pedagogical Tool, Nov. 9th

Presented by Viktoriya Oliynyk, CTL Graduate Teaching Assistant. This workshop will assist instructors at all levels of experience with clickers (also called Response Systems) in developing best practices for incorporating clickers in their teaching. Clickers can be used in higher education in a variety of ways to improve teaching and to enhance learning. In this workshop we will cover clicker reward structures, cheating policies, effective clicker activities, and good clicker questions. Examples of assessment tools used with clickers to engage students in active learning will be demonstrated. Instructors will be provided with a CTL handbook of clicker resources. Register Here.

Engaging Learners Through a Living Course, Nov. 3rd

Research tells us that large classes and the lecture method do not produce long term retention of learning. Yet the cost of educating large numbers of students in small classes is not cost effective. This presentation and workshop will highlight how faculty can realign learning environments (physical and virtual) pedagogy and learning outcomes while improving student retention and success rates in large and small classes. Dr. Saunders will illustrate his “living course ” concept and demonstrate how students can be motivated in even the largest of classes. Diverse learning styles and individual learning needs are addressed in the ‘living course. Those attending will receive materials to begin developing their own living course. The living course is ideal for distance education courses and regular courses. Register Here.

Students Enrolling in Record Numbers

The New York Times featured statistics from a recent Pew Research Center report indicating that nearly 40 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds were enrolled in college for 2008. The report also showed increased rates in high school completion and reduced rates for high school dropouts. The 2009 report is not complete, though early estimates suggest that a new record will be set this year.

CTL in the news: Engaging Students From the Get-Go

In a recent blog post, OSU Professor, Dr. Andrew Ross, shares his Living Course materials developed while attending the CTL's Living Course Institute earlier this summer. An Associate Professor in both the Crop and Soil Science, and Food Science Departments at OSU, Ross is integrating these materials into his course, which he often refers to as "the science of deliciousness."

Congratulations to LL Stewart Grant Awardees!

The winners of the LL Stewart Grant have been announced! The Office of Academic Affairs & International Programs and the Center for Teaching and Learning wish to congradulate the awardees. To see a complete list of awardees Click Here. Deadlines each year are Oct. 31st and Jan. 31st. If these dates fall on a weekend, applications will be due the following Monday. Download applications here.

Understanding and Working With Contemporary Students

Presented by Larry Roper, Vice Provost for Student Affairs, this session will focus on cultivating a better understanding of the new generation of students and how they make meaning of the world.  Specifically, Larry Roper will explore how students tend to make decisions, what and who influence them most, and what are their media habits. All of these issues influence how they approach the university experience and their expectations of learning environments. Watch this Video (requires ONID or guest login).

The Learning Brain Series: The Dimensions of Learning, Education, and Brain Plasticity

Dr. Michael Merzenich, Professor Emeritus, University of California at San Francisco will focus on development and application of strategies designed to normalize and/or strengthen brain function (human abilities) in normal, impaired and dysfunctional child and adult populations. For more than three decades, Dr. Merzenich has been a leading pioneer in brain plasticity research. View the Workshop or Listen to the Podcast Interview