`: October 2011

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Oct. 26th Meeting....

Our October meeting was full of books and ideas. We each took a couple of titles from the books we selected to read this year. Discussion centered around some ideas concerning keeping students engaged and confident when they hit the mid-term point and feel overwhelmed with tests, information, etc. Attendees were Martha, Sarah, Nahid, Sean, Karrah, Glenda, Gail, and Liz.

To Do:
~ Look at "frames per second" for our camera purchase. Liz and Glenda will look at video camera to figure out which one to purchase soon, so that we can start on videoing classes.
~Sean will share a website address that compares cameras.

EVERYONE WILL POST "GOLDEN LINES" AS THEY READ! GREAT SPRINGBOARDS FOR DISCUSSION!

NEXT:
We decided that we would have discussion leaders based on the books different people are reading: Next session will be Martha and Liz talking about the book, "Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other."

In the meantime, please feel free to post or add ideas, links, and comments regarding technology/teaching before our next meeting....

Food for Thought: "Golden Lines" from our Readings

"Often the first step towards doing something different is developing the capacity to not act, to stay still and reflect." The author goes on to talk about how online life is a constant distraction, and has given us a "new way not to think."

This resonates with me deeply. When and where can we find space to reflect and connect on a meaningful level?

"On the Internet, I feel an unaccustomed desire to know if someone is telling 'the truth'."

Hmmmm...the internet as a fake "stage" for our lives?

"Alone Together", page 240 (Liz's comments)

Welcome!

Looking to exchange ideas with colleagues? This community will continue to combine newer faculty across campus who have worked here 5 years or less with more experienced teachers to talk about teaching challenges and ways to effectively work with our students.

This year, we plan to build on an idea that was discussed last year: To coordinate class observations and film some classes in order to to glean best practice ideas, improve our teaching, and share feedback with each other. Filming gives the teacher a chance to see themselves from the perspective of a student, and allows viewers a chance to easily see various teaching styles and class formats in action.

Current teaching books that members feel will benefit our concerns will be discussed, and each quarter a new title will be voted on and used as a basis for ongoing discussions. Depending on our initial discussion, the meeting facilitator role may be rotated through the group, which gives each member an opportunity to lead and will broaden the group perspective and contribution.