CRLT-OTEI Laptop Faculty Development Program

Events

Laptop Pedagogy Symposia

At the end of fall and spring semesters, CRLT-OTEI Laptop Faculty Development Program sponsors the Laptop Pedagogy Symposia, at which three Clemson University faculty members present the results of their experience in teaching laptop courses. They talk about what they and their students did, what worked and what did not work, and their plans for the future. Recently, the presentation topics have expanded to include experiences with tablet PCs and the SCALE-UP teaching environment.

December 20, 2005, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Faculty presenters and location will be announced via email in November. If you are interested in presenting, please contact Barbara Weaver.

May 10, 2005, 1:25-3:30 p.m., 200 Holtzendorff

PRESENTERS: Mary Ann Prater (accountancy), Bill Moss (mathematical
science), and Wayne Madison and Ken Weaver (computer science)

ABSTRACT: Mary Ann Prater will present her experience in teaching
Financial Accounting Concepts as a laptop course. She will discuss what
worked well for her and her students, as well as what did not work and her
plans for improving those assignments/activities.

Bill Moss will present his experience in teaching Calculus of Several
Variables and Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations in the
Holtzendorff SCALE-UP classroom. In a SCALE-UP classroom, students work in
teams of three at round tables and the course delivery is not the
traditional lecture-test.

Wayne Madison will demonstrate his use of a tablet PC in teaching
Introduction to Operating Systems, and Ken Weaver will briefly demonstrate
his use of a tablet PC in advising computer science students. Tablet PCs
are laptop computers with a hinged screen that rotates to create a flat
writing surface; the user writes on the screen with a special pen.

December 14, 2004, 1:15-3:30 p.m., 132 Fluor Daniel

PRESENTERS: Glenn Birrenkott and Brian Bolt (animal veterinary science), Mary Beth Kurz (industrial engineering), and Ben Stephens (psychology)

ABSTRACT: Glenn Birrenkott and Brian Bolt discussed their plans for technology-enriched assignments at the Clemson University farms, none of which have been "wired" until recently. With farms either now wired or scheduled to be wired in the near future, they have envisioned many pedagogically-sound assignments that will engage students in new ways and put Clemson on the cutting edge of animal vet science programs. They also wrote a Faculty Directions article on what's happening with technology on the farms.

Mary Beth Kurz presented her experience in teaching Methods of Operational Research as a laptop course. She discussed what worked well for her and her students, as well as what did not work and her plans for improving those assignments/activities. To view the PowerPoint Prof. Kurz used, click here. She and honors student S.A. Long also wrote a Faculty Directions article on this topic.

Ben Stephens presented "Laptop Pedagogy, Eportfolios, and Undergraduate Research: Strategies for Clemson's Initiative." He discussed ways in which laptops facilitate the use of ePortfolios and the inclusion of undergraduate research for student and program assessment, as well as his results so far and his future plans. To view the PowerPoint Prof. Stephens used, click here.

May 4, 2004, 1:15-3:30 p.m., 132 Fluor Daniel

PRESENTERS: Andrew Levin (performing arts), Jason Thatcher (management), and Larry Grimes (experimental statistics)

ABSTRACT: Andrew Levin explained how he has used innovative software, called MessageGrid and developed by Roy Pargas with his computer science students, to allow student groups in his Survey of Music History to post and project their analyses of pieces of music for the rest of the class to view. The software permits him to edit the responses to correct and elaborate on them. To view the PowerPoint Prof. Levin used, click here.

Jason Thatcher shared his experience in managing virtual student teams in MGT 418 (Management Information Systems) across sections and time. He reported on the successes and failures, student comments about the project, and his plans for improving the project in the future.

Larry Grimes reviewed how he uses a digital whiteboard, NetMeeting, Camtasia, and Web pages to enhance his teaching of experimental statistics, and David Sharpe (CRLT) will be on hand to answer questions regarding Macromedia Breeze, a product that interests many faculty.

December 16, 2003, 1:15-3:30 p.m., 132 Fluor Daniel

PRESENTERS: Ben Stephens (psychology), Matt Ohland and Beth Stephan (general engineering), and Barbara Weaver (CRLT-OTEI Laptop Faculty Development Program)

ABSTRACT: Ben Stephens reviewed the steps he took to prepare to teach his first laptop class (advanced experimental psychology) and described how he and his students used laptops in class. His course focused on techniques of empirical research (experiments, quasi-experiments, survey research, etc.) that are widely used in psychology. Students designed and carried out their own empirical research projects.

Matt Ohland and Beth Stephan explained how they used laptops in conjunction with other technology in their engineering disciplines and skills lab. Their course covered the fundamentals of the engineering profession and engineering and science disciplines to help students select a major. A team-based design project was a major assignment.

Barbara Weaver presented the results of the laptop faculty and student surveys and other information about the laptop program.

May 6, 2003, 1:30-3:30 p.m., 132 Fluor Daniel

PRESENTERS: Rose Martinez-Dawson (experimental statistics), Bill Moss (mathematical science), and William Stanton (English)

ABSTRACT: Rose Martinez-Dawson presented the innovative and engaging assignments she used with her Introduction to Statistics students. One assignment was to take the Ingles Challenge. Students went as a class to three local grocery stores to collect cost data. Then at the last grocery store, they sat in the coffee shop and used their laptops to develop statistics on their data. She also discussed what went well, what didn't, and her plans for the future.

Bill Moss presented his experience in teaching differential equations and calculus III in a laptop environment. He explained how he has moved toward a studio environment and how Maple provides the needed visual component for calculus III students. He also contributed a Faculty Directions article on his experience.

William Stanton explained his reluctance to use technology in his teaching and the genuine joy he discovered by giving laptop technology a try. He also contributed a Faculty Directions article on his experience.

December 17, 2002, 2:00-4:00 p.m., 132 Fluor Daniel

PRESENTERS: Roy Pargas (computer science), Michelle Martin (English), and James Burns (history)

ABSTRACT: Roy Pargas presented how he uses applets to demonstrate data structures that he formerly had to draw himself. Students can also "play" with the applets to gain a better understanding of the data structures. Prof. Pargas also contributed a Faculty Directions article on this laptop course.

Michelle Martin presented her use of the Web-based children's book review service to engage her students. Laptops helped facilitate the project.

James Burns presented his use of the Internet in his laptop history courses. He carefully prepares for class by providing students specific Web sites that he knows are appropriate for class discussion. His work before class saves valuable time in class. Visit his Web site for links to his online class materials.