Discussion Groups

Discussion groups are one-semester long gatherings to foster campus dialogue through viewing and discussing short, informative videos or books.

If you have an idea for a Discussion Group, or would like more information about work groups, contact CETL or stop by Old Library 1142.

Discussion Groups - Spring 2013

• Whistling Vivaldi Book Group
• No Longer Invisible Book Group
• How Learning Works Book Group
• Thirteen Loops Book Group
• Mentoring Undergraduate Scholars Discussion Group
• Assessing Student Participation Discussion Group

No Longer Invisible Book Group

Drawing on conversations with hundreds of professors, co-curricular educators, administrators, and students from institutions spanning the entire spectrum of American colleges and universities, the Jacobsens illustrate how religion is constructively intertwined with the work of higher education in the twenty-first century. No Longer Invisible documents how, after decades when religion was marginalized, colleges and universities are re-engaging matters of faith--an educational development that is both positive and necessary.

Jacobsen, Rhonda H., and Jacobsen, Douglas. No Longer Visible. New York: Oxford University Press, 2012.

Meetings: Weekly on Fridays, 11am - noon, in OL 1122, beginning February 8th.

Facilitator: Stephen Spina, Philosophy and Religious Studies.

To register: Contact CETL, call 836-2385 or drop in to OL 1142.

How Learning Works Book Group

Note: This discussion group will be held online. This will be a chance to experience an extended online discussion and join a book discussion group without the necessity of committing to a regular meeting time!

Distilling the research literature and translating the scientific approach into language relevant to a college or university teacher, this book introduces seven general principles of how students learn. The authors have drawn on research from a breadth of perspectives (cognitive, developmental, and social psychology; educational research; anthropology; demographics; and organizational behavior) to identify a set of key principles underlying learning, from how effective organization enhances retrieval and use of information to what impacts motivation. Integrating theory with real-classroom examples in practice, this book helps faculty to apply cognitive science advances to improve their own teaching.

Ambrose, Susan, et al. How Learning Works. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2010.

Online Meetings: Refer to the D2L site.

Facilitator: Robert Eierman, CETL.

To register: Contact CETL, call 836-2385 or drop in to OL 1142.

Thirteen Loops: Race, Violence, and the Last Lynching in America Book Group

This book recounts the story of three innocent victims, all of whom suffered violent deaths through no fault of their own: Vaudine Maddox in 1933 in Tuscaloosa, Sergeant Gene Ballard in 1979 in Birmingham, and Michael Donald in 1981 in Mobile. While tracing the relationships among these murders, BJ Hollars' research led him deep into the heart of Alabama's racial, political, and legal landscapes.  A work of literary journalism, Thirteen Loops draws upon rarely examined primary sources, court documents, newspaper reports, and first-hand accounts in an effort to unravel the twisted tale of a pair of interconnected murders that forever altered United States' race relations.

Hollars, BJ. Thirteen Loops. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 2011.

Meetings: Weekly on Wednesdays, 11 - 12 noon, in CETL OL 1142, February 6-20.

Facilitators: BJ Hollars, English; David Jones, English; Mary Canales, Nursing.

To register: Contact CETL, call 836-2385 or drop in to OL 1142.

Assessing Student Participation

Class participation is an important part of the academic environment. However based on the goals of your course or individual assignment, it can be difficult to determine the type of assessment to use or if participation should even be assessed at all. This Discussion Group will work together to discuss the dilemmas of class participation and explore participation tools for your individual courses or assignments. We will also consider small group projects and online activities.

This Discussion Group will take place during Spring 2013 and meet bi weekly throughout the course of the semester, approximately six sessions. Current literature will be discussed to complement our group goals.

Meeting 1: Introductions, DG goals, schedule sessions.

Meeting 2: Discuss various aspects of class participation. We will also look at our current participation schemes: What do you do? How? Why? What works? What doesn't? What is your individual goal? How do you want to revise your participation tools in your classroom?

Meeting 3-5: Discuss current literature about class participation and how it compares and contrasts to the practices of the participants. Participants who are interested can develop and implement a new participation assessment system for their courses.

Final meeting: This concluding discussion will be about what each participant has learned. Participants who tried some things in their courses will share information on what happened and how well the new participation assessment systems functioned, as well as any changes they plan to make in the future.

Meetings: TBA

Facilitators: Kelly Wonder, Foreign Languages.

To register: Contact CETL, call 836-2385 or drop in to OL 1142.

Mentoring Undergraduate Scholars

This group will read and discuss some of the literature on mentoring undergraduate scholars.  Discussion topics might include: characteristics of a good mentor, models for mentoring, key concepts for mentors to share with students, and expected outcomes of a student research/creative activity experience.  The group might choose to work towards some outcomes of its own, such as development of a website for new mentors with models and tips, or creation of an "Excellence in Research Mentoring" award. Participants from a variety of disciplines will enrich the discussion.

Meetings: Weekly on Fridays, 9-10 a.m. in CETL, OL 1142, February 1 through March 15.

Facilitators: April Bleske-Rechek, Psychology; Sanchita Hati, Chemistry; Karen Havholm, ORSP; Jessica Kraker, Mathematics; and,David Lonzarich, Biology.

To register: Contact CETL, call 836-2385 or drop in to OL 1142.

Whistling Vivaldi Book Group

Join us for a spring book discussion of Whistling Vivaldi by Claude Steele. This book describes the phenomenon of stereotype threat. Stereotype or identity threat occurs when a person tries to perform while they are dealing with a stereotype about some characteristic of their identity. Stereotype threat typically causes performance to be poorer because the person is distracted and doesn't focus as well. Stereotypes about gender, race, class and other identity characteristics can have a strong negative effect on performance and persistence. The book describes many studies that led to an understanding of the phenomenon as well as a rich set of strategies that can be  employed to reduce its impact. This is a common occurrence for wide range of our students. Join us for a lively discussion of this excellent book.

Meetings: Books have been ordered and should arrive by the week of April 15. We expect to meet 3 times to discuss the book.

Facilitator: Robert Eierman, CETL

To register: Please indicate your interest by sending a message to cetl@uwec.edu by Wednesday, April 3. We will get the books and distribute them as soon as possible and we'll schedule the discussion meetings thereafter.