Education Commons^™

Supporting The Pedagogical Development Of Graduate Teaching Assistants: A Self-Directed Approach, Katie Cwiakala

Culminating Experience Projects

Despite increases in formal pedagogical training opportunities for graduate teaching assistants across institutions in recent decades, students participate in instructional roles with different levels of participation, experience, and autonomy in teaching. This project examines the existing professional development available to graduate teaching assistants, their self-reported needs, and provides a pedagogical development planning tool for graduate teaching assistants. The Pedagogical Development Plan for Graduate Teaching Assistants incorporates suggestions from reviewed literature, as well as andragogy theory (Knowles, 1980) and self-efficacy theory (Bandura, 1982). The framework consists of a self-guided planning document tool and catalog of pedagogical development opportunities available to graduate …

Doing The Work -- Collectively Pursuing Anti-Racist And Equitable Teaching: One High School English Department’S Journey, Sharon Murchie, Anthony Andrus, Pat Brennan, Gina Farnelli, Shelby Fletcher, Dawn Reed, Emily Solomon, Benjamin K. Woodcock

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

Our district has long been heralded as a beacon school, one that delivers exceptional education in an exceptional community. Peeling back the layers, however, revealed a district that lurched towards the traditional, even with the hiring of DEI faculty and the step away from an historical indigenous mascot. In a time where teachers are exhausted and afraid of community backlash, our

English department dared to tear off the scabs of old wounds and united to push toward what is best for our changing community and students. Hard conversations, difficult topics, and months of legwork at last successfully provided the impetus …

Ithaka S+R: Teaching With Data In The Social Sciences, Gayle Schaub, Samantha Minnis

Scholarly Papers and Articles

In the Winter of 2021, Grand Valley State University (GVSU) joined 20 other institutions to participate in an Ithaka S+R study to understand the instructional and technical support needs of social science faculty using data in their courses. Each participating institution served as a research site with a local team of researchers. This report outlines the methodology, findings, and recommendations for instructional faculty, librarians, and administrators.

Book Clubs In A Pandemic: Student Choice And Flexible Pedagogies As We Learned More About Ourselves And The World, Naitnaphit Limlamai

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

Abstract: In this narrative, the author relays the experience of meeting virtually with two small book clubs, one sixth grade and one eighth grade, during the 2020-2021 school year. Meeting over Zoom, choosing books to read, and creating their own community, the members of the book club explore three major themes in their time together talking about books: connecting reading and writing, learning more about themselves, and building understandings about the world. Weaving the book club members’ voices with her own pedagogical decision-making, the author illustrates new ways to think about teaching as she centers student choice and flexible pedagogies.

Inquiry And Counter-Witnessing In Covid-19, Erica R. Hamilton, Deborah Vriend Van Duinen, Gretchen Rumohr

Michigan Reading Journal

This essay focuses on the use of inquiry and counter-witnessing as a means of understanding our teaching identities, vulnerability, and productivity in the era of COVID-19. Based on our experiences as teacher educators at three separate institutions of higher education, we have come to value counter-telling and validating. As we share in this essay, working in COVID-19 has taught us, once again, that we must find, and model, courage and self-acceptance. In our teaching and administrative roles, we – along with other educators – can learn to speak our truths and experiences bravely. We hope that in so doing, others …

Bingo! Engaging History Of Science Students With Primary Sources, Leigh Rupinski

Scholarly Papers and Articles

This case study examines the process of creating an interactive and engaging lesson plan for the History of Science course, HSC 201: The Scientific Revolution. History of Science students tend to be undergraduates majoring in science or medical related fields, rather than the humanities, who need to fulfill an intensive writing or general education requirement. For most, if not all of them, this session would be the first time they experienced hands-on interaction with historical resources. Accordingly, the archivist sought to create a less traditional lesson plan that would foster a sense of fun and interest in the materials.

The Moon Is Especially Full: Notes On Poetry, Teaching, Tests, And [Autistic] Intelligence, Chris Martin

Ought: The Journal of Autistic Culture

This essay explores the ways in which poetry can help autistic students utilize creative expression and develop tools for self-advocacy.

Ithaka S+R: Supporting The Changing Practices Of Teaching In Business, Cara Cadena, Preethi Gorecki, Jon Jeffryes, Carol Sanchez

Scholarly Papers and Articles

In the Fall of 2018, Grand Valley State University (GVSU) joined twelve other institutions to participate in an Ithaka S+R study to understand the pedagogical support needs of business school faculty. Each participating institution served as a research site with a local team of researchers. This report will outline the methodology, findings, and recommendations for instructional faculty, librarians, and administrators.

Enthusiasm In Teaching, Bob Schoofs

Scholarly Papers and Articles

Author discusses the importance of enthusiasm for effective teaching, and methods to improve you enthusiasm.

Breaking Tradition In The Mathematics Classroom: Making Mathematics Real, Relevant, And Personal (Project), Karri Lynn Sanders

Award Winners

Traditional mathematics education is failing students as many are unable to comprehend and master advanced and abstract concepts (Rakes, Valentine, McGatha, & Ronau, 2010). Struggling students, including those at Knapp Charter Academy, face a disadvantage in subsequent mathematics classes and limited opportunities in higher education and beyond. The importance of mathematics, as a gatekeeper to opportunity, makes increasing students’ success in mathematics a necessity. The mathematics failure rates coupled with the proven ineffectiveness of traditional mathematics teaching and learning additionally establish the need for meaningful reform. This project analyzes educational theory and research to determine the effect of certain reform …

Voice In Teaching: Improving Your Classroom Connection, Bob Schoofs

Scholarly Papers and Articles

Originally published in College and Research Libraries News (C&RL News) on 2/24/10. Original can be found at: http://crln.acrl.org/content/71/3/143.full