
Faculty-led Workshops WORKSHOP 01 – The Evolution of Introductory Physics Teaching at Rensselaer Peter D. Persans Associate Department Head, Department of Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute persap@rpi.edu Scott Dwyer Supervisor, Studio Classrooms, JROWL Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute dwyers@rpi.edu Abstract: Since the era of Bob Resnick, Rensselaer has innovated in the pedagogy and delivery of Physics instruction. Over the past decade, advances in Physics education research and technology have led to a number of new developments including group learning and peer teaching in ³Studio² and workshop formats, Interactive Lecture Demonstrations using iClickers, and online homework with smart tutorials. Inexpensive USB-based measurement interface cards (e.g.- Rensselaer Mobile Studio Card) have allowed us to expand student hands-on experience both in and out of the classroom. As we implement new ideas, we must be sensitive to both learning outcomes and cost of delivery. We describe our experiences blending these approaches and balancing concerns in Rensselaer¹s introductory Physics courses. WORKSHOP 02 – An Integrated Approach to Teaching Mathematics Using Lego Robotics Josephine C. Seddon Project Manager for Teacher Professional Development CIPCE Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute carneg2@rpi.edu Abstract: At Rensselaer’s Center for Initiatives in Pre-College Education (CIPCE), it is our belief that a student-centered learning environment, coupled with both inquiry pedagogy and the use of exemplary educational technologies, motivates active learning and supports enduring understandings. Discover how to engage students in STEM-based, hands-on learning using LEGO Robotics in the classroom. Activities are linked to NYS Standards, and will focus on increasing students’ mathematical content knowledge and developing mathematics process skills such as problem solving, reasoning, reflecting and communicating. WORKSHOP 03 – Gaming the Classroom Lee Sheldon Associate Professor & Co-Director Language, Literature, and Communication & GSAS Program Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute sheldc2@rpi.edu Roger Travis Associate Professor of Classics Department of Modern and Classical Languages University of Connecticut roger.travis@uconn.edu Abstract: A continuation of the keynote presentations, this highly interactive workshop is an opportunity for the participants to share and discuss the various approaches and techniques needed by faculty to redesign their courses as multiplayer games. WORKSHOP 04 – Documenting Learning Outcomes Assessment with Digital Measures Bruce Laplante Program Manager, UG Ed. RPI laplab@rpi.edu Abstract: Rensselaer has adopted Digital Measures as its provider of several online services related to learning assessment. Digital Measures is now the sole channel for filing Course Syllabi and Course Assessment Action Forms with Rensselaer departments. The Digital Measures interface is, for the most part, a guessable Web form with help built into the system, but there are a few things that you cannot guess and just have to know. Bruce Laplante, campus administrator for Digital Measures, will provide an introduction to the system in this session. Hands-on! RPI Faculty, please bring your laptops and a digital copy of a spring 2011 syllabus. TUTORIAL 01 – Going Blended – Course Re-design on a Shoestring Marie-Pierre Huguet Instructional Developer University of Connecticut College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean's Office marie-pierre.huguet@uconn.edu Abstract: Blended instruction has become part of a quiet revolution that has forever changed the face of “traditional” instruction. Over the past decade, the number of blended courses delivered in the United States has grown so dramatically that now over 80 percent of all higher education institutions offer blended courses. But what is blended instruction, and why should it matter? Based on research and practice, this tutorial leads the participants through a series of mini presentations, discussions, and activities that will enable them to gain a greater understanding of the tools and technologies used in the design and delivery of effective blended courses. Although the topics presented include course design models, learning management systems, synchronous and asynchronous tools, media creation tools, assessment tools, and accessibility tools, all critical components of a successful blended experience, the focus will be on how Web 2.0 technologies such as YouTube, podcasting, blogs, wikis, and social networking, can facilitate the creation and implementation of a blended course. TUTORIAL 02 – ITWS Faculty Workshop for Promoting Undergraduate Research Atsushi Akera ITWS Faculty Director of First Year Studies; Associate Professor, STS akeraa@rpi.edu Abstract: The IT and Web Science (ITWS) Program has inaugurated a new interdisciplinary undergraduate laboratory and project space designed to cultivate undergraduate research. The space is open not just to ITWS students, but all undergraduates, as well as graduate students and faculty members interested in engaging in highly interdisciplinary work that involves some IT or web science component. Our intent for this space is to foster guided research through a suite of faculty-defined projects that intersect with faculty research interests. The purpose of this workshop, which may be conducted in the form of a minor charette, will be to generate the initial set of defined projects for this new undergraduate research space. All interested faculty members, as well as any students attending the colloquium, are invited to attend.

Faculty-led Workshops

WORKSHOP 01 – The Evolution of Introductory Physics Teaching at Rensselaer

Peter D. Persans

Associate Department Head, Department of Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

persap@rpi.edu

Scott Dwyer

Supervisor, Studio Classrooms, JROWL

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

dwyers@rpi.edu

Abstract: Since the era of Bob Resnick, Rensselaer has innovated in the pedagogy and delivery of Physics instruction. Over the past decade, advances in Physics education research and technology have led to a number of new developments including group learning and peer teaching in ³Studio² and workshop formats, Interactive Lecture Demonstrations using iClickers, and online homework with smart tutorials. Inexpensive USB-based measurement interface cards (e.g.- Rensselaer Mobile Studio Card) have allowed us to expand student hands-on experience both in and out of the classroom. As we implement new ideas, we must be sensitive to both learning outcomes and cost of delivery. We describe our experiences blending these approaches and balancing concerns in Rensselaer¹s introductory Physics courses.

WORKSHOP 02 – An Integrated Approach to Teaching Mathematics Using Lego Robotics

Josephine C. Seddon

Project Manager for Teacher Professional Development
CIPCE
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

carneg2@rpi.edu

Abstract: At Rensselaer’s Center for Initiatives in Pre-College Education (CIPCE), it is our belief that a student-centered learning environment, coupled with both inquiry pedagogy and the use of exemplary educational technologies, motivates active learning and supports enduring understandings. Discover how to engage students in STEM-based, hands-on learning using LEGO Robotics in the classroom. Activities are linked to NYS Standards, and will focus on increasing students’ mathematical content knowledge and developing mathematics process skills such as problem solving, reasoning, reflecting and communicating.

WORKSHOP 03 – Gaming the Classroom

Lee Sheldon

Associate Professor & Co-Director
Language, Literature, and Communication & GSAS Program
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
sheldc2@rpi.edu

Roger Travis

Associate Professor of Classics
Department of Modern and Classical Languages
University of Connecticut
roger.travis@uconn.edu

Abstract: A continuation of the keynote presentations, this highly interactive workshop is an opportunity for the participants to share and discuss the various approaches and techniques needed by faculty to redesign their courses as multiplayer games.

WORKSHOP 04 – Documenting Learning Outcomes Assessment with Digital Measures

Bruce Laplante

Program Manager, UG Ed.
RPI

laplab@rpi.edu

Abstract: Rensselaer has adopted Digital Measures as its provider of several online services related to learning assessment. Digital Measures is now the sole channel for filing Course Syllabi and Course Assessment Action Forms with Rensselaer departments. The Digital Measures interface is, for the most part, a guessable Web form with help built into the system, but there are a few things that you cannot guess and just have to know. Bruce Laplante, campus administrator for Digital Measures, will provide an introduction to the system in this session. Hands-on! RPI Faculty, please bring your laptops and a digital copy of a spring 2011 syllabus.

TUTORIAL 01 – Going Blended – Course Re-design on a Shoestring

Marie-Pierre Huguet

Instructional Developer
University of Connecticut
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Dean's Office
marie-pierre.huguet@uconn.edu

Abstract: Blended instruction has become part of a quiet revolution that has forever changed the face of “traditional” instruction. Over the past decade, the number of blended courses delivered in the United States has grown so dramatically that now over 80 percent of all higher education institutions offer blended courses. But what is blended instruction, and why should it matter? Based on research and practice, this tutorial leads the participants through a series of mini presentations, discussions, and activities that will enable them to gain a greater understanding of the tools and technologies used in the design and delivery of effective blended courses. Although the topics presented include course design models, learning management systems, synchronous and asynchronous tools, media creation tools, assessment tools, and accessibility tools, all critical components of a successful blended experience, the focus will be on how Web 2.0 technologies such as YouTube, podcasting, blogs, wikis, and social networking, can facilitate the creation and implementation of a blended course.

TUTORIAL 02 – ITWS Faculty Workshop for Promoting Undergraduate Research

Atsushi Akera

ITWS Faculty
Director of First Year Studies; Associate Professor, STS

akeraa@rpi.edu

Abstract: The IT and Web Science (ITWS) Program has inaugurated a new interdisciplinary undergraduate laboratory and project space designed to cultivate undergraduate research. The space is open not just to ITWS students, but all undergraduates, as well as graduate students and faculty members interested in engaging in highly interdisciplinary work that involves some IT or web science component. Our intent for this space is to foster guided research through a suite of faculty-defined projects that intersect with faculty research interests. The purpose of this workshop, which may be conducted in the form of a minor charette, will be to generate the initial set of defined projects for this new undergraduate research space. All interested faculty members, as well as any students attending the colloquium, are invited to attend.

colloquium logo