Conference » Plenary Sessions

Opening plenary session

Friday, May 21, 2010 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Assessing the Opportunities and Challenges of Using Classroom Technologies: What is Lost and What is Gained

Discussions about technology utilization in the classroom appear to be centered on the mechanics of use-hardware and software-compatibility, and cost. However, while many of these may be important factors to consider, they certainly should not be the focus of attention that they have become in academe. What faculty hope to accomplish, the value-added benefit of selected tools that will be utilized in instruction, and how information will be shared to maximize learning are more critical factors that should always precede discussions about selection and use of classroom technologies.

What are some effective techniques that faculty could employ that will allow them to marry best teaching and learning practices with selected computer related tools? How could educators use selected technologies to enhance the delivery of education content in ways that challenge and promote curiosity among learners? And further, what is gained and what is lost as a result of faculty adoption and use of certain technologies in academe? “Electronic Pedagogy,” the marriage of technology with pedagogy is one approach that the presenter will explore in an attempt to shed some insight on how faculty teach with technology and the challenges and opportunities associated with selection and use of selected classroom tools in education.

Keywords: instructional technology, electronic pedagogy

Presenter: Dave Yearwood, associate professor and chair, Technology Department, University of North Dakota

Luncheon plenary session

Saturday, May 22, 2010 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

A Conversation with the 2010 McGraw-Hill and Magna Teaching and Learning Award Recipient(s)

Join Teaching Professor Editor Maryellen Weimer for a conversation with the recipient(s) of the 2010 McGraw-Hill and Magna Scholarly Work on Teaching and Learning Award. The discussion will highlight the award-winning article’s contents, including the methods of analysis used and the major findings. Dr. Weimer also will talk to the author(s) about their interest in the topic, how they developed the research question, the article’s relevance to faculty across disciplines, and their advice on what’s needed to do quality scholarship on teaching and learning.

Closing discussion

Sunday, May 23, 2010 Noon - 1:00 p.m.

During our final time together, conference chair Ricky Cox will open the session by sharing his perspective of the conference-new ideas, good strategies, interesting questions, and good examples of what we have learned in our time together. After his remarks, he will open the session for others to share reactions, questions, concerns, lessons learned, and hopes for the future. The goal of this session is to highlight how the conference has focused attention on many different aspects of teaching and learning.

Presenter: J. Ricky Cox, professor of chemistry, Murray State University