Preconference Seminars, $50
All Preconference Seminars are held on Saturday, May 25, 2024, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Close the Metacognitive Equity Gap by Teaching Students How to Learn
Many students from underrepresented groups struggle in college—not from lack of ability, but because they lack the critical thinking skills required for success. These skills can be increased rapidly and substantially by teaching students metacognitive learning strategies. This interactive workshop presents effective learning strategies based on cognitive science research. Participants engage in activities that demonstrate strategies that transform students’ attitudes about the meaning of learning, leading to increased student success, confidence, and motivation.
By the end of this seminar, learners can:
- Describe the process that can help transform students from passive learners who memorize information to active learners who can think critically.
- Develop and incorporate activities based on cognitive science principles into group presentations and individual student consultations designed to help students develop metacognitive thinking skills.
- Explain key factors that impact student motivation and develop a strategy to motivate students to take responsibility for their own learning.
Saundra McGuire, Professor Emerita and Director Emerita, Chemistry and Learning Support, Louisiana State University
Competency-Based Education: Lessons From the Trenches
Competency-Based Education (CBE) is a learner-centered, outcome-based approach to designing, delivering, and assessing learning. In addition, CBE provides proof of mastery to employers and to learners. Learn how to plan, design, and build a CBE program at your institution based on lessons learned from the workshop facilitators who implemented CBE models in Texas and Tennessee. Participants leave with a list of resources to consult as they embark on their own CBE adventures!
By the end of this seminar, learners can:
- Write an effective competency statement.
- Identify the steps and challenges in planning, designing, and implementing a CBE program.
- Identify the support resources available while creating and launching CBE programs.
Sarah Hazelton, Interim Senior Director for TNeCampus, Tennessee Board of Regents; Amardeep Kahlon, Vice President, Education and Learning, Central New Mexico Community College; and Emma Miller, Program Chair, Organizational Leadership, South Texas College
Instructional Strategies for Community College Career and Technical Education Instructors
This interactive and engaging workshop is focused on guiding Career and Technical Education (CTE) instructors through the instructional design process from start to finish. So many times, CTE instructors arrive at the college directly from industry and are not properly guided on the purpose and reason for various types of instructional design. This workshop is an all-encompassing overview of instructional design from the “why” through the “how” to the “wow!”
By the end of this seminar, learners can:
- Define instructional strategies (design) and why they matter and articulate the difference in teaching in the past, present, and future.
- Share the importance of effective instructional strategies in CTE focused on current challenges and the changing landscape.
- Identify and explore six instructional strategies in the CTE classroom that can be applied immediately through an instructional development process from idea to implementation.
Stephanie Duguid, Owner, Do Good Work
Start From Scratch: The No-Experience-Needed Boot Camp on Generative AI
Whether you’re new to the world of Generative AI or looking to enhance your existing knowledge, this Preconference Seminar is for you! We’ll start off learning about how to get started with ChatGPT. Then, a brief overview of the mechanics of Generative AI is discussed, offering insights into how ChatGPT and similar AI technologies work. We’ll compare popular GenAIs such as ChatGPT, Google Bard, Claude, Bing Chat, and Perplexity. We’ll wrap up with small group discussions to review the potentials and limitations of Generative AI, with an emphasis on sharing ideas and strategies for effectively integrating Generative AI into pedagogy, assignments, and assessments.
By the end of this seminar, learners can:
- Use ChatGPT, including setup, prompt crafting, and evaluating its response accuracy for various assignments and projects.
- Develop a fundamental understanding of Generative AI technology, with an emphasis on operational principles, capabilities, and limitations.
- Analyze different Generative AI platforms and strategize their effective integration into educational pedagogy, assignments, and assessments.
Daiju Hoshino, Instructor, Biology, and Department Chair, Life Science Department, Biology, Tarrant County College District
Teaching Introductory Computer Programming Using Project-Based Learning With Sail()
Learn about our project-based learning (PBL) approach in computer science education. Workshop participants gain a deeper understanding of the benefits and trade-offs of PBL and its impact on student success, confidence, and identity. The workshop facilitators share their experiences with content design, instruction, and research. Participants receive hands-on experience in the student and instructor roles with the Sail() platform and reflect on the benefits and challenges of incorporating similar techniques into their teaching practice.
By the end of this seminar, learners can:
- Explain project-based learning and some of its advantages and disadvantages.
- Articulate tradeoffs between high and low scaffolding in computer science projects.
- Identify psychological factors that influence students’ likelihood to persist in computer science and related fields.
Christopher Bogart, System Scientist, Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University; Jaromir Savelka, Researcher Associate, Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University