Training the Teachers of Today to Teach the Classes of Tomorrow International Conference on Engineering Education 2006, San Juan, Puerto Rico Department of Chemical Engineering Worcester Polytechnic Institute 100 Institute Road Worcester, MA 01609, USA Caitlin A Callaghan and Jennifer Wilcox

International Conference on Engineering Education 2006, San Juan, Puerto Rico OBJECTIVES Train new teachers to use tools effectively and efficiently Alert current teachers to new methods available (i.e. technology in the classroom) Pass on the experiences of teaching to newcomers HERE: educate a “teacher-in-training” with respect to the development of a new Chem Eng elective course, from “birth”

International Conference on Engineering Education 2006, San Juan, Puerto Rico INTRODUCTION Current State of Teaching: Teaching is in need of a “makeover” Technology is more evolved in the classroom (i.e. TVs, SmartBoards, LCD Projectors, Computers, etc.) Today’s students are more prepared to handle today’s classrooms; their training typically exceeds that of those who are expected to teach them Conventional lecture styles don’t excite and involve students

International Conference on Engineering Education 2006, San Juan, Puerto Rico Teaching LECTURE STYLES Familiar Examples Demonstrations In-Class Problems ASSESSMENT CATs Surveys Sample Quizzes INTERACTION Group Projects Peer Evaluation Inquiries INTRODUCTION How to update it:

International Conference on Engineering Education 2006, San Juan, Puerto Rico FORMAL TRAINING Programs designed to formally educate current and future teachers Courses offered introduce educators to the basics (i.e., tools, methods, learning styles, etc.) as well as offer topics more closely related to individual fields (i.e. engineering focus) The interaction of “teachers-in-training” with mentors, both pedagogical and disciplinary, provides a “hands-on” experience with the art of teaching.

International Conference on Engineering Education 2006, San Juan, Puerto Rico FORMAL TRAINING Certificate in College Teaching Program – 6 credit program Consortium of Worcester Colleges, Inc. – Worcester, MA, USA Requirements: Introductory course (2 credits) 3 elective courses (1 credit each) Practicum course (1 credit) Final Product: A complete, well-structured teaching portfolio comprising the triad of an academic position

International Conference on Engineering Education 2006, San Juan, Puerto Rico FORMAL TRAINING Elective Courses: FocusAvailable Courses Introduction to college teachingSeminar in College Teaching DisciplineTeaching Engineering Teaching Humanities Learning/teaching stylesLearner-Centered Assessment Teaching with Discussion Teaching with Writing Teaching with Technology Issue Awareness & ResearchLegal Issues with College Faculty Introduction to Education Research

International Conference on Engineering Education 2006, San Juan, Puerto Rico FORMAL TRAINING Practicum Work with a practicing educator to experience teaching a college-level course Feedback from observers, pedagogical mentor and disciplinary mentor Final Project is a teaching portfolio incorporating elements of the course (i.e. syllabus, assignments, lectures, etc.)

International Conference on Engineering Education 2006, San Juan, Puerto Rico THE PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE Fall 2005: Class consisted of a 60/40 mix of graduate and undergraduate senior students – many of which were working on projects which focused on the topic of molecular modeling All aspects of the course were developed from scratch! HERE: The design and implementation of a Chemical Engineering based molecular modeling elective course

International Conference on Engineering Education 2006, San Juan, Puerto Rico THE PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE Topics to be covered Textbook Lecture designs Classroom tools Assignments Exams Projects

International Conference on Engineering Education 2006, San Juan, Puerto Rico THE PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE “Teacher-in-Training”: Involved in all aspects of course design from beginning (i.e. textbook selection, topics covered, effective lecture design, assessment) Performed tasks of a TA in addition to designing and delivering lectures Helped in the design of HWs, Exams and Projects Contributed to the grading of HWs and Exams Provided technical assistance throughout course (i.e., WebMO interface software instruction)

International Conference on Engineering Education 2006, San Juan, Puerto Rico CULMINATION ChE 554: Molecular Modeling = SUCCESS!! Students gained the background knowledge and ability to implement molecular modeling calculations with commercial software (i.e., Gaussian98/03, gOpenMol, etc.) Student project work was submitted for publication in a two-part series “Teacher-in-training” = SUCCESS!! More complete academic experience

International Conference on Engineering Education 2006, San Juan, Puerto Rico ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Dr. Susan Wyckoff of the Consortium of Worcester Colleges, Inc. and Dr. Judy Miller of Clark University, both of Worcester, MA in conjunction with the Certificate in College Teaching Program. Specific information on the Certificate in College Teaching may be obtained through the Consortium’s website: Prof. Jennifer Wilcox for the opportunity to work with her on the development of a new Chem Eng elective course.

International Conference on Engineering Education 2006, San Juan, Puerto Rico QUESTIONS… WPI – Dr. Caitlin Callaghan – Dr. Jennifer Wilcox – COWC – Dr. Susan Wyckoff – visit website Dr. Judith Miller –