The University of New Mexico’s second annual conference, “Success in the Classroom: Sharing Practices that Work” will be held in the SUB on Friday, Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The event is free and open to all UNM faculty, students and staff. No registration is required.
Gary Smith, director of the Office of Support for Effective Teaching, said, “Approximately 30 UNM faculty and staff members will present practical sessions focusing on methods that they have used in their classrooms and online instructional environments that have improved student learning.” Smith and English Department Lecturer James Burbank organized the conference, which has become an annual event.
“The enthusiasm shown during last year’s conference shows how many dedicated professionals we have who are committed to supporting and improving teaching at UNM,” Smith said. The 2006 conference attracted more than 120 attendees and participation at the year’s event is expected to be greater.
“The conference provides a vital forum for exchanging ideas and building community based on our enthusiasm for and engagement with the crucial teaching mission at the university,” Burbank said
This year’s conference includes “Teaching for Democracy,” organized by UNM’s Chapter of the National Network for Educational Renewal. This full-day event features methods to help students develop skills and habits to become effective citizens.
Another session focuses on using technology to teach in the college classroom and online. These presentations include uses of WebCT, “clickers,” and other applications.
The third session features a variety of practical classroom instructional and assessment techniques, including case studies, collaborative learning, approaches to diverse learning styles, concept inventories, assigning writing and more.
Although the conference is free, attendees are invited to participate in a limited-seating luncheon. At the luncheon, UNM Presidential Teaching Fellow and Associate Professor of Math and Statistics Michael Nakamaye will present “Success in the Classroom: Make it Relevant and Be a Role Model!”
The Office of Support for Effective Teaching (OSET) sponsors the event, with support from the Office of the President, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Office of Graduate Studies, Freshman Learning Communities, New Media and Extended Learning, Media and Technology Services, Department of Earth & Planetary Science and Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
For more information visit the OSET Web site at: www.unm.edu/~oset/Success.html.