As part of its Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Initiative, designed to position UWM for acceptance into the Carnegie National Teaching Academy in 2002, CIPD has named five "Center Scholars in Teaching And Learning" for 2000-2001.These colleagues will work individually and collaboratively to examine important issues in teaching and learning from both a disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspective.

"Assessing the Impact of Technology on Learning" is the focus of study for Center Associate Jude Rathburn, a lecturer in Management in the School of Business Administration. Jude will focus on the beliefs both teachers and learners bring to the classroom and on uncovering ways that technology either improves or hinders the ability to learn and understand what is learned.

Lisa Dieker, Associate Professor in the Department of Exceptional Education plans a productive year as a Center Associate "Investigating the Use of Video Streaming to Impact the Preparation of Preservice Teachers." Lisa will investigate the implications of using streamed video for preparing post-baccalaureate teachers who are working on-the-job in Milwaukee Public Schools.

Elizabeth Buchanan, Assistant Professor in the School of Library and Information Science poses the question: "How do students learn in online classes and how do they make sense of their experiences in online classes?" as the basis of her research into the impact of distance education on learners and learning outcomes.

"Facilitating Adult Learning in Higher Education" is the topic of study for Center Associate Barbara Daley, Assistant Professor of Adult and Continuing Education in the Department of Administrative Leadership. The goal of Barbara’s project is to increase the success of adult students through the application of pedagogical strategies that foster a constructivist approach to learning.

Richard O’Malley, Professor of Mathematics will tackle learning issues in math by "Seeking factors which foster student participation and success in Problem-based Active Learning Math Courses" as a Center Associate. Richard proposes to identify factors that can alleviate student anxiety in trying new learning models; motivate students to not consider the interactive procedure too much additional effort and instill in students a sense of partnership in the process of education.

Center Scholars began work this summer and will make presentations of work in progress at CIPD’s Spring Conference. They will ultimately serve as mentors to next year’s group.

Grants (up to $8,000 per Scholar) are made available through the UW System Faculty and Academic Staff Development Program and matching funds from the Provost’s Office. Please contact CIPD if you are interested in finding out more about the Carnegie SOT&L Initiative.

The Learning Technology Center has just completed a three-semester grant project funded by the UW-System. The project was guided by Alan Aycock, Bob Kaleta, and Nazima Shahnoor of the LTC. The Faculty/TA Collaborative Web project involved more than 55 faculty and TAs, representing 14 disciplines, from UWM and five nearby UW-College campuses. Faculty/TA participants collaborated to establish course-specific Web resources for 60 courses registering more than 3000 students.

Some valuable pedagogical lessons were learned from our experience with the project. For instance, we learned that slow and careful experimentation over a period of more than one semester is an effective way for faculty to develop their course Web sites, testing the pedagogical possibilities and limits along the way.

We found that when using a course Web site and resources, faculty must be prepared to help their students in a variety of ways to gain access to the course site and to trouble-shoot as needed. We also discovered strong evidence that students appreciate course Web sites, and that they will use them as an effective complement to more traditional classroom learning.

Helen Kaczmarek
PFF Coordinator

Are you one of the many graduate students who wishes you had a better idea about what your future may have in store? If so, a new course being offered by the graduate school during UWinteriM may be able to provide you with some of the answers you are looking for. "Introduction to Academic Life" is a 1 credit course designed to familiarize graduate students with the roles and responsibilities of the contemporary scholar in a variety of post-secondary academic institutions.

The course is intended to provide graduate students with information about the processes within academic settings that will shape the research, teaching, and service roles of faculty members. Topics covered in the course will include concepts such as the organizational structure of universities and colleges, faculty roles in teaching and learning, the scholarship of teaching and learning, advising and mentoring, professional ethics, the academic job market, tenure and promotion, and several others. The course will conclude with a panel of recently hired faculty who will provide a first-hand account of their experiences as well as address questions and concerns from the graduate students.

If you are interested in enrolling, please refer to the UWinteriM course catalog. The course will be listed under the Graduate School (426-801) and is open to graduate students in any field. If you would like more information, please contact Helen (helenk@uwm.edu) in the Center for Instructional and Professional Development.

The University of Wisconsin System Office of Professional and Instructional Development (OPID—formerly UTIC) is pleased to announce support for three distinct grant programs:

CIPD welcomes Helen Kaczmarek as its new PFF Coordinator. Helen received her undergrad degree from UWM, completed her Master’s degree at Kansas State and returned to UWM where she is pursuing her Ph.D. in psychopharmacology. Her research is in the area of addiction, with a particular focus on polysubstance abuse.

When Helen is not in her CIPD office, she is making sure that her lab rats are being cared for, tending her square-foot garden box or training for a half-marathon which she plans to compete in on October 1.

Helen has done extensive work on CIPD’s web site since starting in the department in early July. Her ideas, dedication and enthusiasm are assets that CIPD will over-utilize in the coming 2 years.

Welcome aboard!

New TA and Teaching Academic Staff Teaching and Orientation Conference