Session Descriptions

Listed in order of presentation

Keynote by Dr. Dave Yearwood

Enriching the classroom environment with CEE- Connection, Engagement, and Empowerment!

On most college campuses the casual observer is likely to see individuals walking between building—students, faculty, staff, visitors, and possibly administrators—who are plugged in, connected, or at the very least preoccupied with something. But are the objects of their attention and engagement—i.e. cell phones, mp3 players, digital assistants, e-readers or even voice recorders—making them more efficient, or do they merely provide an illusion of increased productivity? Similarly, are these same electronic devices that students bring to the classroom a distraction because they keep them plugged in, connected, engaged, and possibly tuned out to educational activities that take place in the classroom?

Individuals with portable electronic tools justify their need to be connected and engaged as simply acts of necessity due to the many things they have to accomplish and deadlines to meet. The 21st century students who have grown up in a time of significant technological development are not immune to the promise that they can do it all and have it all if they can only learn to be efficient multitaskers. However, dividing one’s attention between several tasks may be inefficient, result in no single activity being completed in the best possible manner, and may well lead to frustration and/or cognitive overload. Whatever the reason for attending universities, the vast majority of students, at least initially, pursue university or college studies hoping to Connect, Engage, and be Empowered (CEE). It seems logical, therefore, that if educators can connect with students by gaining their interest, then perhaps students will be more inclined to be engaged at multiple levels—with the instructor, with their peers, and with the content—and that the outcome of this preoccupation will result in an experience for students that is not only liberating, but also empowering.

Hal Rice and Cassidy Palmer (CTLT)

Who are these people? A profile of the Class of 2013 as gleaned from the EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research.

IIf we are to connect and engage with this population it is important that we have some understanding of who they are and what approaches are most likely to work as we attempt to make such connections. This session will be a discussion of the attributes of our incoming students who are much different than what we have seen in the past. How do they learn and what are their perspectives on everything from privacy to use of technology? What types of social interaction do they prefer? All these areas and much more will be open for discussion.

Leigh Johnson (Accounting) and Daniel Johnson (Chemistry)

Are Your Students Blackbored?

Do you teach online (or want to) but worry that your students are bored with Blackboard? This presentation will explore how two different instructors initially connect with their online students, engage them in a web environment and empower them to utilize course concepts in their everyday lives. Examples will be provided from a freshman chemistry class with online enrollments in the upper 80’s and a senior-level business course with online enrollments in the mid-30’s.

Workshop led by Keynote Dave Yearwood

In what way(s) is ‘Electronic Pedagogy’ different from traditional vanilla pedagogy?

PowerPoint, created in 1984, has not only become the de facto classroom tool; it also frequently comes under fire for its many and disparate uses. Today, faculty utilize a wide array of modern electronic tools, but to what extent do they have the requisite knowledge and skill that would enable them to effectively use these technologies in ways that enhances their work with students? Electronic Pedagogy—the blending of technology with one’s practice—fundamentally changes the way educators teach with technology requiring more than a cursory knowledge of computer hardware and software. This workshop will examine the dual perils of technology use in academe—situations where technology utilization lacks transparency and the use of technology as merely a content delivery vehicle. The presenter will also offer some creative ideas for using PowerPoint to provoke and promote dialogue among a shared community of learners, including some important dos and don’ts about PowerPoint.

Discussion led by President Randy Dunn

Why MSU Needs a New Learning Commons/Library Building

In the quest to engage and connect with students, faculty, staff, and the community, Murray State is working to bring a new library and learning commons building to fruition. Dr. Dunn will discuss the value of providing a new library and learning commons, as well as the issues involved, such as why we should start this building project now given the current budget situation and why we really need such a building.

Greg Gierhart, Renee Campoy, George Patmor, Pam Matlock, Whitney York (College of Education)

Using Livetext to Connect, Engage and Empower College of Education Students.

The College of Education has used LiveText since 2005 to help students create working and eligibility portfolios, to collect data for continuous unit and program improvement, and to provide evidence to accrediting agencies. The presenters will discuss how instructors (assignments and scoring) and students (working portfolio and hiring portfolio) are using this tool to connect, empower and engage for continuous assessment and decision making.

Kelly Rogers (Wellness and Therapeutic Sciences) and Cynthia Gayman (English and Philosophy)

To Serve Students: Exploring Expectations.

Hidden assumptions impact student and faculty expectations. How does clarity of communication empower student learning, engage thinking, and create an environment for making connections between ideas and practice? During this session, questions will be proposed and ideas presented which will help session participants to examine both faculty and student assumptions and expectations in the learning environment. Hands-on activities will allow participants to see the important role communication plays in the classroom. Attendees will walk away with useful tools that they can use in their classrooms.

Rory Goggins (English and Philosophy), Chris Trzepacz (Biological Sciences), Tina Coffelt (Organizational Communication), and Mike D’Ambrosio (Music)

Panel Discussion: Lessons from the First Year

Every year a crop of new faculty members enter Murray State with enthusiasm and big ideas on teaching and learning. During this panel discussion, some of the faculty members who survived their first year will talk about lessons learned and new and old strategies they use to connect, engage and empower students.