TLM Best Practices Pre-Conference – Friday, April 2

1:30 – 2:00 Registration -- Springfield Hall, 2 nd Floor

2:00 – 6:00 Workshop

"Modeling as an Interactive Learning Environment" led by our featured conference speaker Dr. Bob Panoff, Executive Director of the SHODOR Education Foundation in Durham , NC .  The SHODOR Foundation is a nationally recognized education and research organization dedicated to the reform and improvement of mathematics and science education by the incorporation of appropriate computational and communication technologies.

Science depends on the understanding of models, both in their building and interpretation.  This activity is more properly concerned with pattern recognition and characterization than mere symbol anipulation. Computational environments are now prevalent to explore these models in science, but not yet so much in science education.  Moving from the researcher's workbench to the classroom, real-time model solutions and simulations are now possible in most every area of education in the social, physical and life sciences, computer science and mathematics. These interactive learning environments help us to understand complex systems. They open up new areas of learner-centered, group-oriented, discovery-based learning. 

Several examples from recent work across the curriculum including mathematics,physics, chemistry, social sciences, will be explored. hands-on investigations will demonstrate how the learning environment can be enhanced by using modeling as a motivator and enabler of evidence-based reasoning, an approach which proves to be especially attractive to communicating science to young women and underrepresented groups.  We will examine the impact of numerical modeling and scientific visualization in the classroom, with special emphasis on verification and validation: how do you know if it is right?

6:00 Dinner -- Faculty Dining Room, Findlay Student Center

TLM Best Practices Conference – Saturday, April 3

Workshop Descriptions

Activity-Based Statistics

Jerry Priddy, Central Methodist College

This is a presentation about an introductory statistics course using classroom activities, which include the use of a TI 83 calculator, and Web pages. No single textbook is used. There is a focus on data collection, organization, summarization, analysis and interpretation.

Internet Research: Trash or Treasures?

Kathleen G. Petersen, Fontbonne University

The objective of the presentation is to illustrate how to use the Internet to teach critical thinking. Participants will participate in a lively discussion of a semi-controversial topic at the same time learning to evaluate the quality of research. The exercises highlight topics: being an open-minded skeptic, evaluating quality of research, pros and cons of using the Internet.

Teaching Biology Online: Natural Selection at Work

Mike Tenneson, Evangel University

On overview of a WebCT online biology course will be demonstrated, showing how WebCT can be used to 1) provide online exams, 2) post PowerPoint lecture notes, 3) encourage critical thinking and give and take discussions, and 4) encourage student inquiry in online biology laboratory experiences.

Movie Maker and Tablet PC in the Classroom

Roger Wen, William Woods University

Present some students' end product of using digital media with Movie Maker.  Use of the Tablet PC will also be discussed in this session. 

Interactive PowerPoint

Wayne Muehlenbeck, Missouri Baptist University

How to set up a PowerPoint as a student interactive learning experience. Use action buttons and programming logic to give your students control.

Design Concepts for the Web Using Dreamweaver and Flash

Masoom Khawaja, Park University

Plan to attend an informative session describing design concepts to develop a portfolio on the Web using Dreamweaver and Flash.  There will be handouts to illustrate the concepts.

Art and Psychology Learning Community

Terry Martin & Marilyn VanLeeuwen, William Woods University

Our learning community will benefit by the aspects shared through a Web site. In the future, special focus areas will be accessed by diverse learners through this media.

Digital Music Library

Jana Borchardt, Evangel University - Download Presentation

By using WebCT, a music history and literature professor at Evangel, with the assistance of the music reference librarian, have made audio files available to their students.  This simple solution to a more costly online music reserve was designed to replace the traditional music listening reserve in one case and to provide an extra-credit opportunity in another case.  This presentation will cover the basics of how to add audio to WebCT and include a discussion of copyright.

Integrating Online Forum Use into the Classroom

Chris Panza, Drury University

I am a strong believer that using online message board forums (in addition to face-to-face meetings) successfully increases the quality of inclass participation and increases interest in the class as a whole. In the presentation I discuss why I believe this is so and share data I have collected that illustrate students' perceptions of message board use. I also discuss how to run a forum properly, including how to best serve in the role of instructor/moderator (which is more difficult than it may seem), how to assess/grade participation, possible applications of forum use (cross-linked courses, ejournals, debating, etc.) and also what I have learned over the years to avoid (possible pitfalls and problems).

Beginning Photoshop

Robin Schraft, Drury University

This hands-on session will serve as an introduction to the graphic design program, Photoshop. Participants will learn how to create and edit images and photos to use in other applications. This is a basic session. No prior knowledge of Photoshop or graphics programs is required.

Modeling as an Interactive Learning Environment

Beyond PowerPoint-lessness: Knowledge and technology as if Truth Matters

Bob Panoff, SHODOR Foundation

Does technology serve to enhance educational opportunities, or are we limiting our educational environments to fit the constraints of technology?   Modern computers and communication networks are stimulating the creation and spreading of new knowledge about the world around us, helping us to gain deeper insights into even the most complex of systems.  At the same time, it is becoming harder to distinguish the "good," the "bad" and the "ugly." Teaching with new technology thus involves much more than teaching techniques; we must learn how to function well in the world of cyberspace, making discerning judgments about what we find there.

Not Another Three-Ring Notebook Portfolio

Beverly Bohn, Park University

visit website

Development of a faculty portfolio is a requirement for tenure and promotion decisions at the college or university level. Being inherently lazy and not wanting another three-ring notebook of printouts, the presenter developed an electronic teaching/evaluation portfolio using ideas from Dr. Peter Seldin's workshop in May, 2003 at UMKC and implemented using FolioLive.

Position, Velocity and All That:  An Introduction to Motion

Brant Hinrichs, Drury University - Download Presentation

Hands-on, heads-on workshop.  Participants will work through guided-inquiry
research-based curriculum. They will use a motion sensor interfaced to a PC to take data in real time (i.e. the computer shows them their position and velocity as they walk in front of the sensor).  Concepts of position and velocity and how they relate are developed using data that participants generate by performing different types of motion in front of the sensor.  Concepts of acceleration, including slowing down and speeding up, are developed (if there is enough time) using a battery-powered fan cart.
**NO PRIOR PHYSICS EXPERIENCE IS ASSUMED**

Let Your Fingers Talk and Smile

Kathy Ladd, Southwest Baptist University - Download Presentation

Practices that will enable you to "visit with a smile" those who need your instruction, advice, help, and collaboration through Course Management Systems and E-mail.  Ideas to use with advisees, students, colleagues, graduate students, and student teachers.

Teaching Online Courses with Blackboard and Tegrity WebLearner: Benefits and Pitfalls

Greg Comfort, Missouri Baptist University

Docs

• Evaluation
• Online Proposal
• MBU Application

The number of Internet and distance learning courses offered at colleges and universities continues to increase.  The purpose of this session will be to discuss two user friendly high technology delivery systems and accompanying support materials.

Intermediate Photoshop

A workshop intended to develop more advanced skills in using Photoshop to process and/or develop pictures or images. A basic understanding of Phototshop will be expected.

Project Interactive

Bob Panoff, SODOR Foundation

The goals of Project Interactivate are the creation, collection, evaluation, and dissemination of java-based tools and courseware for mathematics and science explorations.  "Interactivated" lessons, discussions, and activities enable the teacher to extend hands-on activities and to teach new content areas with professional competence and confidence, incorporating technology in appropriate ways.  These materials are designed to be adapted easily to any standards-based curriculum. Examples of teaching and performance standards supported by Interactivate are available from such organizations as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).  We will also look at related projects funded by the National Science Foundation, including Math Tools and the National Science Digital Library.

Computer Technology in College Biology

Mary Spratt, William Woods University

Use of Smart Board for PowerPoint lecture/discussions for class; aspect of an on-line course management system as a supplement to traditional courses, and use of scientist's research tools such as NCBI and Protein Explorer to introduce students to bioinformatics.

Design Principles and Tools for an Electronically Enhanced Classroom

Penny Clayton and Muthu Karuppan, Drury University

This session will provide the audience with an overview of how to design an effective electronic classroom. Two of the products that will be demonstrated are the Mimio device and an electronic Classroom Performance System. The Mimio device provides electronic whiteboarding and converts any whiteboard into a touch sensitive screen. The electronic Classroom Performance System made by einstruction allows instructors to gather immediate response/feedback from the students in the classroom. For example, we could cover an important concept in class and obtain immediate feedback on their understanding of this concept.

Basic Behavior Observation with Undergraduate Students

Brian J. Cowley, Park University

A demonstration of how video/CD/DVD technology could be used to train basic behavior observation to undergraduate students.  The classes targeted include child psychology, adolescent psychology, social research, and education.

Organize and Customize Your Computer for Efficiency

Barb Schaumburg, Fontbonne University