1. Good News for the Masses Jonathan D. Lawrence SBL 11/22/04

2. Introduction Good News for Professors Research on strategies Implementation Resources

3. The Situation The class –Size, scope The students –Biblical (il)literacy The departments –Expectations, evaluations

4. Seven Principles for Good Practice in Education©* 1)Encourages contact between students and faculty 2)Develops reciprocity and cooperation among students 3)Encourages active learning 4)Gives prompt feedback 5)Emphasizes time on task 6)Communicates high expectations 7)Respects diverse talents and ways of learning *http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/7princip.ht m*http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/7princip.ht m

5. Major Issues Effect of size Lectures vs. Discussions Active Learning Exams Religious issues Grading Technology

6. Size Matters Anonymity Interaction Prep-time vs. grading Attendance? Multiple sections - consistency?

7. Let’s Talk Lecture = an effective way to share info Not as effective for engagement, critical thinking, etc. Balancing lectures & discussions Modified lectures Control? Student prep?

8. Learn by doing One-minute papers Debates Case studies Experiential / Service Learning Food? Activities

9. Testing Times Type? Grading Honesty

10. What they learn matters more than their grades? Ungraded (unread) assignments can still be useful learning experiences Rubrics - detailed warning of grading procedure Papers - giving the attention they deserve without going crazy

11. Faith Matters Relevant questions Handling disputes –Historical “facts” vs beliefs / opinions School atmosphere / rules

12. The Gospel of Technology Communication - email, etc Interaction - Chat, Discussion Presentations –Powerpoint, Multimedia ALWAYS PRE-VIEW Courseware –WebCT, Blackboard, etc.

13. But… But my students won’t prepare for class and they won’t talk But if I don’t lecture, how can I be sure the material gets covered But my class is too large for discussions

14. My Strategies Starting prayer / text Experiential learning paper Online weekly discussion topics Individual meetings Learning names Posted outlines Multimedia Debates Site visits Guest speakers Evaluations

15. Lecture Addiction? 2001 - Strict powerpoint with activities 2003 - Powerpoint as outline away from podium 2004 Spring - Q&A 2004 Fall - Q&A plus mini-lecture

16. But how will they respond? Improved overall ratings –And “Stimulation” Progress to goals –Some better, none substantially worse Change in attitude, preparation, ability to discuss

17. Overall Ratings

18. Progress to Goals

19. Who ya gonna call? McKeachie, Wilbert J. McKeachie ’ s Teaching Tips – Strategies, Research, and Theory for College and University Teachers. 11 th ed. (Boston: Houghton-Mifflin, 2002) AAR Syllabi: www.aarweb.org/syllabus/default.asp www.aarweb.org/syllabus/default.asp Teaching Theology and Religion (Wabash) www.wabashcenter.wabash.edu

20. Help is on the way? Tomorrow’s Professor List: –E-mail to Majordomo@lists.stanford.eduMajordomo@lists.stanford.edu –No subject, 1st line of text: subscribe tomorrows-professor Porter, Adam L. Introducing the Bible – An Active Learning Approach. (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 2004) Nilson, Linda B. Teaching at its Best – A Research-Based Resource for College Instructors. (Bolton, MA: Anker, 1998)

21. At the end of the day No simple solutions Pick the strategies that will work for you Have some extra activities prepared in case you have extra time Integrate - explain to students why you’re doing it! Have fun!

22. I’d like to thank the Academy Notre Dame’s Kaneb Center for Teaching and Learning Theology Department, University of Notre Dame

23. Contact Jonathan Lawrence: jlawrenc@nd.edujlawrenc@nd.edu –Contact me for specific references to studies Website: www.nd.edu/~jlawrencwww.nd.edu/~jlawrenc –This file will be posted here by the middle of December