Please join us on the following Fridays for discussions focused on teaching and learning at Smith. Unless otherwise indicated, we will meet in Neilson Browsing Room from noon to 1 p.m., with lunch provided.
Fall 2013
September 13
Misunderstandings, Deliberate Deceptions, and Unacceptable Truths: A context for understanding communication and assessment in the science and math classroom
Bill Leonard (Lecturer, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Director of Transfer Affairs, UMass Amherst)
September 19
**PLEASE NOTE: SEPTEMBER 19 IS A THURSDAY. THIS PRESENTATION WILL BE HELD IN THE CAMPUS CENTER CARROLL ROOM (208) AND WILL BE COMBINED WITH THE WEEKLY LIBERAL ARTS LUNCH.
Research and Teaching From A Growth-Mindset Perspective
Carol Dweck, PhD. (Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology, Stanford University)
Over the past decades, our research has shown that a growth mindset (the beliefs that abilities can be developed) promotes greater motivation and achievement than the belief that abilities are fixed. In this talk, Dr. Dweck will discuss key findings from research on students' mindsets, new findings on growth-mindset interventions, new work on women's achievement, and the implications of the research for teaching college students.
October 4
Contemplative Pedagogy
Jennifer Guglielmo (History)
Jennifer Guglielmo will share her experience at the Contemplative Pedagogy Summer Session, an intensive week-long conference organized by leaders in contemplative education that is held at Smith every summer. This will include what it means to incorporate contemplative practices into course design, classroom teaching, mentoring, and other aspects of higher education, and the ways such pedagogies can deepen the educational experiences of both students and teachers.
October 18 - CAMPUS CENTER CARROLL ROOM (208)
Otelia Cromwell Day
November 8
Liberal Arts Advising
Lauren Duncan (Psychology)
Just in time for pre-registration and advising for spring semester, join us for an interactive lunch and discussion of common issues that come up in liberal arts advising. Using case studies derived from real advising experiences at Smith, participants will work with their lunch tables to develop promising solutions to problematic advising situations. Help solve the case of Sara, the pre-health student who’s doing poorly in her math and science classes, or Bridget, the English major who only seems to contact you when she needs her reg code.
Please feel free to contact Lauren Duncan, Interim Faculty Director of Liberal Arts Advisin, with additional ideas for case studies you would like to discuss.
November 15
Exploring Digital Images in Teaching and Learning
Deborah Keisch Polin (Education Technology Services)
Elisa Lanza (Director of Digital Strategies & Services, College Libraries)
This presentation will explore ways in which using digital images enhances teaching and learning and will include different tools/platforms for the hosting and sharing of images, copyright issues, and visual literacy. Additionally, faculty members will present specific examples of robust and creative uses of images in their classes at Smith.
December 6
Advising for Study Abroad
Lisa Johnson (Assistant Dean for International Study)
Greg White (Faculty Co-Director, Lewis Global Studies Center)
Would you like more information about the resources available to help you with advising students who are interested in study abroad? Would you like to hear from colleagues about their “best practices” in advising for study abroad? As sophomores gear up to apply for study abroad approval in February, and/or first year students are considering which classes they need to take next year so they can study abroad during their junior year, this session will provide helpful information and generate discussion on how to have an effective interaction about study abroad with your advisees.
December 13
Learning With and From Holyoke's Communities: Community Based Learning, Ethics of Engagement and Reciprocity of Knowledge Building
Ginetta Candelario (Sociology)
