Sign up for the next Tech Tuesday to be held Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. in the Dial Center Large Conference Room. This session, taught by Dan Chibnall of Cowles Library, will help you search smarter, find quality sources, efficiently navigate massive amounts of information online, and become more confident with online technology. Attendance at Tech Tuesdays counts toward BUILD credit.
—Carla Herling, ITS
Faculty and staff are invited to the Shivers Hospitality Suite, adjacent to The Knapp Center, for a social hosted by the provost on Thursday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m. CFO Teresa Krejci will present information on the University’s budget. Snacks, soft drinks, beer, and wine will be served. Be sure to attend to learn about the budget and enjoy the company of friends and colleagues.
—Drinda Williams, Provost’s Office
Maura Strassberg, professor of law, was selected as ITS’ digital faculty member of the month for November. Read a brief interview between Strassberg and ITS.
What type of technology (hardware/software) do you use?
Peerceptiv website/software
What course do you use it in?
Contracts I
In what context do you use this technology?
Guided peer review of answers to problems testing understanding and written communication of application of the law to facts.
How does this type of technology align with your teaching pedagogy?
Students learn the most from active use of what they learn, but need considerable feedback to recognize deficiencies. Peerceptiv allows me to guide students’ review of their peers’ work in a way that approximates my own review, which is important for a class of 50+ students. I especially appreciate the way it exposes them to a wide range of peer answers anonymously, which allows them to start differentiating better, worse, and alternative ways to address the problem. It handles all the administration of this, from submission of student answers, distribution of anonymized peer answers for their review, and an algorithm-based grading mechanism that I used more to identify students who were behind their peers than to generate grades.
Where did you get the inspiration to make a change?
I started taking an online course in evidence-based pedagogy in the STEM fields and stumbled on a reference to it.
How long did it take for you to implement this technology?
A fair amount of time. I worked online over the summer with a small group of law professor pioneers attempting to adapt this STEM-oriented program to the law school setting, creating rubrics and exercises and then testing them on ourselves. Once I started to adapt my old problems and answers to this platform, it took several hours a week to redesign the materials and input materials into the platform. Next time will be much easier. I hope that having my experience to support them will make it easier for my colleagues to give it a try.
Are you interested in trying out new technology in your classroom? Want help from ITS staff? Schedule a technology adoption consultation.
—Erin Ulrich, CPHS, and Carla Herling, ITS
Winter break check processing schedule:
Winter break:
Thank you for your help in coordinating to ensure we meet all needs during the upcoming season. Please contact Accounting at ext. 2125 with any questions.
Jeni Baugher, Accounting
Nominations for the 2018 Levitt Teacher of the Year Award and Mentor of the Year Award are being accepted. Submit your nominations today. ––Art Sanders, Associate Provost
Applications are now being accepted for 2018–2019 Drake Research Grants and the Undergraduate Assistantship Program. Apply today. ––Art Sanders, Associate Provost
An informal panel discussion on Friday, Dec. 1, co-sponsored by Jody Swilky, coordinator of writing instruction, and Joan McAlister, coordinator of public speaking instruction, will feature three Drake scholars who will discuss what influences them when they present written work publicly. The discussion will take place in the Speaking Center on the lower level of Cowles Library from 12 to 1 p.m.
Read more details on the event.
Art Sanders, Associate Provost
The next in a series of meetings focused on creating inclusive learning environments will be Monday, Dec. 11, at 3:30 p.m. in Cartwright Hall, Conference Room 137. These meetings provide an opportunity for anyone on campus to come and discuss the challenges, successes and failures we have faced as we try to navigate the difficult issue of creating inclusive learning environments. For questions, contact Art Sanders at arthur.sanders@drake.edu.
Art Sanders, Associate Provost
The semester’s final Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) lunch is Friday, Dec. 8, at 12 p.m. in Olmsted Center, TMR 133. These discussions are opportunities for those engaged in SoTL projects at any level—from just thinking about starting one, to almost complete, or those simply curious about SoTL—to share ideas, seek advice, or ask questions of colleagues engaged in the process. This year, members of ITS will attend to provide information about SoTL projects that might involve technology usage. Please register by Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m. to be provided a lunch.
Art Sanders, Associate Provost
The final Friday FYS lunch/discussion is Dec. 1 at 12 p.m. in Olmsted Center, TMR 133. The event is open to both current and prospective FYS instructors. If you have an interest in teaching FYS in the future, or are curious to learn more about teaching FYS sections, you are welcome to attend. While it is too late to order a lunch, you are welcome to attend and bring your own.
Art Sanders, Associate Provost