CIRTLcast Archive

Engaging Students in Learning Through Diversity (LtD) Using Environmental Case Studies

June, 9, Bruce Herbert, Professor of Geology & Geophysics, Texas A&M University 2pm ET 1pm CT 12pm MT 11 am PT


Solutions to environmental issues are usually based upon STEM knowledge, economics, and cultural values and beliefs. Discussions of these issues can be incorporated into any STEM class because of their cross-disciplinary nature. For instance, student discussion of the recent BP oil spill off the coast of Louisiana could engage them in discussions of the chemistry of oil, the physics of winds and waves, the ecology of the Louisiana salt marshes or the geology of petroleum. Learning benefits can be extended through learning through diversity when students are asked to justify proposed solutions to these problems using both their knowledge and values.


10 Minute CIRTLcast
Audio Recording


Classroom Reconsidered: Engaging Students with Clickers

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 - 2pm ET / 1pm CT / 12pm MT / 11am PT
Dr. Derek Bruff


Classroom response systems (“clickers”) are technologies that enable teachers to rapidly collect and analyze student responses to multiple-choice questions during class. These systems can be used to engage students in any size class in any discipline. In this CIRTLCast, you’ll learn about questions and activities that make the most of these systems, as well as hear tips for dealing with a few common challenges in teaching with clickers.

Derek Bruff is author of Teaching with Classroom Response Systems: Creating Active Learning Environments (Jossey-Bass, 2009), Assistant Director of the Vanderbilt Center for Teaching, and Senior Lecturer of Mathematics at Vanderbilt University.


10 Minute CIRTLcast
PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)
Audio Recording
Derek's Blog
Derek's Twitter




Preparing to be a Faculty Member: What Do I Need to Know about Faculty Work?

Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - 2pm ET / 1pm CT / 12pm MT / 11am PT
Dr. Ann Austin

Are you thinking about being a faculty member? Join an interactive web presentation-discussion to consider what faculty members need to be able to do and know. What is faculty work like and how is it changing? What does the new generation of faculty need to be able to do? What competencies should graduate students and post-docs develop as they prepare for faculty roles? We will discuss these questions in this web seminar, which will be facilitated by Ann Austin, Professor of Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education and Director of the Global Institute for Higher Education at Michigan State University, and Co-P.I. of CIRTL. Ann has researched and written extensively about faculty work and careers, including her recent co-authored book (with J. Gappa and A. Trice) entitled Rethinking Faculty Work: Higher Education's Strategic Imperative.

10 Minute CIRTLcast
PowerPoint Presentation
Audio Recording

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