Previous Events

The following are descriptions of past events organized by members of the Academy of Teaching at The Ohio State University. Each was offered in collaboration with Ohio State’s University Center for the Advancement of Teaching (UCAT).

Fall Receptions with University Administrators

Breakfast with President Drake

Thursday, September 24, 2015 | 9–10 a.m.
Monday, September 22, 2014 | 9–10:30 a.m.
Faculty Club, 181 South Oval Drive

Our new president, Dr. Michael Drake, took questions from the group about his vision for teaching at Ohio State, and he also stressed the emphasis he places on the importance of excellent teaching.

“Our university is known for a having a tradition of excellence in many endeavors. Wouldn’t it be great if we could build on the fine groundwork already established and enhance our reputation as one of the top teaching institutions in the country?” -President Michael Drake

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Academy Presidential Search Forum
Wednesday, September 25 | 3:00pm–5:00pm
Faculty Club, 181 South Oval Drive

The Ohio State University Academy of Teaching engaged in a conversation with Professor Deborah J. Merritt, convener of the advisory subcommittee for the Presidential Search and John Deaver Drinko-Baker and Hostetler Chair in Law. We engaged both the Search Committee and the community of teacher/scholars at our university in exploring how to select a new president who would support and advance the elements of their mission to promote the importance of teaching and to help to improve the rewards for teaching.

“From Ludicrious to Lucid: Lessons Learning in Classroom Diversity” with Dr. Valerie Lee, Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion
Monday, September 24, 2012 from 3:30–5:30pm
Alumni Lounge, Fawcett Center

Over my 30-year career in teaching in both diverse and homogenous classrooms, I have listened to and learned from students who represent a wide range of opinions and experiences on topics that deal with various categories of difference. This will be a discussion of students’ shifting attitudes over time, as well as my shifting strategies to meet the challenges of an academy that is dynamic, interdisciplinary, and multi-cultural.

Reception

“Teaching and Learning Within the ‘One University’ Model” with Dr. Mike Boehm, Vice Provost for Academic Planning
Monday, October 17, 2011 from 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Alumni Lounge, Fawcett Center

Dr. Boehm engaged Academy members with a discussion about the big picture of university administration, strategic planning, and the regional campuses, tying this into President Gee’s vision of “One University.”

“Enhancing Teaching with Technology” with Kathy Starkoff, Chief Information Officer Monday, November 8, 2010 from 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Sanders Grand Lounge, Longaberger Alumni House

At this annual reception event, our keynote speaker, Kathy Starkoff, discussed ways instructors can incorporate technology into their classes to enhance their students’ learning experiences. Suggestions included creating multimedia presentations, providing online chat opportunities, and using clickers for polling. To read more about this event, read the OCIOblog.

Kathy Starkoff

“A Dream Deserved: A Reception with President Gordon Gee”
Thursday, November 29, 2007 from 3:00–4:30 p.m.
The Younkin Success Center Library

Conferences on Excellence in Teaching & Learning

In 2016, we expanded our mini-conference to a full-day event with peer-reviewed sessions. The conference is open to all Ohio State teaching community members and is a venue for members of The Ohio State University community to share innovative and interesting, evidence-based ideas for the improvement of teaching effectiveness and student learning outcomes.

Mini–Conferences on Teaching

Beginning in May 2007, The Ohio State Academy of Teaching has offered a one–day seminar showcasing excellence in the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL), through the best practices of its members. Each year the free seminar has been open to all faculty, graduate students, and staff who wanted to improve their instructional skills and learn more about the vital link between teaching excellence and scholarship.

Agendas from previous Mini–Conferences:

Mini-Conference on Excellence in Teaching: Friday, April 3, 2015

The following sessions were offered at the ninth annual Mini-Conference:

  • “The scientific approach to teaching: Research as a basis for course design,” Eric Mazur, Balkanski Professor of Physics and Applied Physics at Harvard University and Area Dean of Applied Physics
  • Building adaptive learning experiences into MOOCs, Jim Fowler, Professor, Department of Mathematics
  • The data in your classroom: Gathering and using evidence to facilitate student learning
    Teresa Johnson, Instructional Consultant, UCAT
    Henry Griffy, Instructional Designer, ODEE
  • Assessment for (not of) learning, Eric Mazur

Mini-Conference on Excellence in Teaching: Friday, April 11, 2014

The following sessions were offered at the eighth annual Mini-Conference:

  • “The Buckeye Book Community as a Common Intellectual Experience,” Jenna Dicicco, Program Coordinator, Orientation and First-Year Experience
  • “High-Impact Practices & The Potential of MOOCs”
    Susan Delagrange, Associate Professor, Department of English (Mansfield)
    Scott Lloyd DeWitt, Associate Professor, Department of English (Columbus)
    Ben McCorkle, Associate Professor of English (Marion)
    Cynthia Selfe, Distinguished Humanities Professor, Arts & Sciences (Columbus)
  • “The Second-Year Transformational Experience Program (STEP) as a Model for Faculty & Student Engagement”
    Wayne Carlson, Vice Provost of Undergraduate Studies and Dean of Undergraduate Education
    Leslie Alexander, Associate Professor, African-American and African Studies
  • “From Student to Scholar: Undergraduate Research as a Transformational Experience,” Allison Snow, Director, Undergraduate Research Office

Mini-Conference on Excellence in Teaching: Monday, April 1, 2013
The following sessions were offered at the seventh annual Mini-Conference:

  • “Decoding the Disciplines,” Joan Middendorf, Lead Consultant at the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning and Adjunct Professor in Educational Leadership at Indiana University Bloomington
  • “Strategies for Increasing Understanding and Acceptance of Evolution in a Large Nonmajors Biology Class,” Susan Fisher, Professor, Department of Entomology

Mini-Conference on Excellence in Teaching: Friday, May 11, 2012
The following sessions were offered at the sixth annual Mini-Conference:

  • “Behind the Scenes of the Quarter-to-Semester Conversion,” Ann Christy, Faculty Fellow, Office of Academic Affairs
  • “Teaching to the Rhythm of the Semester,” Jerry Nelms (Visiting Instructional Consultant of UCAT) and Kathryn Plank (Associate Director of UCAT)
  • “The Sky Didn’t Fall: Otterbein University Faculty Share Their Experience,” Andrew P. Mills, Otterbein University, Wendy Sherman Heckler, Otterbein University, Moderated by Teresa Johnson, UCAT
  • “Semester Tips and Tools from Academic Support Units”
  • “What Semesters Hold in Store for Us,” Susan Williams, Vice Provost for Academic Policy and Faculty Resources

Mini-Conference on Excellence in Teaching: Friday, May 6, 2011
The following sessions were offered at the fifth annual Mini-Conference:

  • “Global Outreach and Education through Videoconferencing,” Venkat Gopalan, Department of Biochemistry
  • “Globalizing the Learning Experience Here and Abroad,” Dieter Wanner, Associate Provost for Global Strategies and International Affairs
  • “Seeking, Seeing, Sharing: Teaching and Learning Design in a Global Context,” Brian Stone, Department of Design
  • “Internationalizing Majors and Minors: A Pilot Project,” Jennie Babock, Theresa Early, Jennifer Nakayama, College of Social Work, and Michael Bisesi, College of Public Health

Mini-Conference on Excellence in Teaching: Friday, May 21, 2010
The following sessions were offered at the fourth annual Mini-Conference:

  • “There’s Light at the End of the Tunnel: The Advantages of the Semester System for Scholarly Teachers,” Randy Smith, Vice Provost for Academic Programs
  • “Calendar Conversion and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning,” Wayne Hall, Vice Provost for Faculty Development, University of Cincinnati
  • “The Implications of Calendar Conversion for General Education Courses,” Mark Shanda, Interim Dean, Arts and Humanities
  • “Coordinating Course Change Across Multiple Colleges,” Dan Shapiro (Mathematics), Samir Mathur (Physics), and Ann Christy (Office of Academic Affairs), with Blaine Lilly, Dave Tomasko, and Rick Freuler (College of Engineering)
  • “Fostering Student Investment in Learning and Research: Experiments in Classroom Discussions and Digital Narrative Projects,” Judy Wu (History and Women’s Studies)
  • “Incorporating How We Learn about Science into Our Science Teaching,” Caroline Breitenberger, Director, Center for Life Sciences Education

Mini-Conference on Excellence in Teaching: Friday, April 24, 2009
The following sessions were offered at the third annual Mini-Conference:

  • “In Making Teaching Great, the Basics Still Work,” Richard Freuler, College of Engineering
  • “Digital Storytelling as a Teaching Tool,” Karen Diaz (University Libraries), Anne Fields (University Libraries), and Heather Mitchell (UCAT), with Joel Bloch, Cynthia Dillard, and Brian Edmiston (College of Education and Human Ecology), and Joy Reilly (Department of Theatre)
  • “Lunch and Five Minutes of Fame by TELR“
  • “Calendar Conversion:  What It Means for Teaching and Learning at Ohio State,” Teresa Johnson and Kathryn Plank, UCAT
  • “Teaching On-Line,” Valerie Rake, TELR

Mini-Conference on Excellence in Teaching: Friday, April 25, 2008
The following sessions were offered at the second annual Mini-Conference:

  • Welcome Address — Joseph Donnermeyer, Executive Committee Chair, The Ohio State University Academy of Teaching
  • “A Teaching Mosaic: Piecing Together a Community of Learning,” Kathryn Plank (Associate Director of UCAT), with UCAT’s Teresa Johnson and Heather Mitchell
  • “Your Average Standard Deviation: Creating a Liberal Arts Environment in a Large University Statistics Class,” Jackie Miller (Department of Statistics)
  • “What Makes a Good TA,” Brian Joseph (Department of Linguistics), with Hope C. Dawson and Masha Alley
  • “Digital Storytelling as a Teaching Tool,” The Ohio State University’s Digital Storytelling Team
  • “The Never-Ending Rehearsal of Teaching,” Richard Blatti (School of Music)
  • “TELR’s 3rd Annual ‘Five Minutes of Fame,’” staff from Ohio State’s Technology Enhanced Learning and Research (TELR)
  • “Many Are Called, but Few Show Up: Building Scholarly Communities in a Busy University,” Joseph Donnermeyer (Department of Human and Community Resource Development)
  • “All of Mathematics is Trivial Once You Know How to Do It,” Ron Solomon (Department of Mathematics)
  • “Teaching Metacognition,” Marsha Lovett (Associate Director for Faculty Development, Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence and Associate Research Professor, Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University)
  • “Engaging the Mob: Keeping Attention in a Large Classroom,” Laura Deeter (Department of Horticulture)
  • “Assessment: A Strategy to Improve Learning,” Alexis Collier (Associate Provost, Ohio State’s Office of Academic Affairs)
  • “Digital Tools for Outreach and Engagement,” Liv Gjestvang (Coordinator of Events and Education, Ohio State’s Digital Union) and Robert P. Griffiths (eLearning Consultant, Ohio State’s TELR)

Mini-Conference on Excellence in Teaching: Friday, May 4, 2007
The following sessions were offered at the first annual Mini-Conference:

  • Welcome Address — Archie Griffin, President and CEO of The Ohio State University Alumni Association
  • “Making Sense of Darwin for Nonmajors: Strategies for Increasing Understanding and Acceptance of Evolution,” Susan Fisher (Department of Entomology; guest presentation)
  • “Why Not Make Them Do the Work: Active Techniques in the Classroom,” Dave Tomasko (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Director of the Center of Affordable Nanotechnology of Polymeric Biomedical Devices)
  • “Promoting Teaching Excellence at the Grassroots Level,” Brian Joseph (Department of Linguistics) — Keynote Address
  • “Teaching in the 21st Century,” Victoria Getis (then Interim Director, and now Director, of Ohio State’s Digital Union)
  • “Building an Infrastructure for Education Research,” Dennis Pearl (Department of Statistics, and Director of INQUERI; guest presentation)
  • “Which Way is Up? The Virtues of Vertical and Horizontal Teaching,” Mohamed Yousif (Department of Mathematics, Ohio State’s Lima Campus)
  • “Developing and Documenting Your Teaching Effectiveness,” seminar conducted by winners(s) of Ohio State’s Graduate Associate Teaching Award
  • “Beyond Window Dressing — Making Powerpoint Slides and Pictures Effective Teachers of Concepts,” Joseph F. Donnermeyer (Rural Sociology Program)
  • “Getting Graduate Students Minds Out of the Classroom and into the Research World,” Dave Tomasko (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Director of the Center of Affordable Nanotechnology of Polymeric Biomedical Devices)
  • “Involving Students in Transformative Research: A Multi-Media, Community-Based, and Group-Oriented Approach,” Judy Wu (Department of History)

Round Table Conversations About Teaching

All university faculty, administrators, and TAs are invited to participate in quarterly conversations about teaching, hosted by the Academy of Teaching. Academy members are interested in sharing their thoughts and insights into various teaching issues at Ohio State through both facilitating these informal conversations and formal teaching enhancement opportunities with the university community. It is hoped that these events will help foster greater conversation about important teaching issues among Ohio State faculty.

Previous Round Table events’ topics include:

“Why I Choose to Teach Introductory Classes”
February 11, 2003 — Facilitated by John Wenzel, Entomology

“Teachers are Leaders Leading Change”
May 15, 2003 — Facilitated by Oliver McGee, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Geodetic Science

“Our Changing Student Body”
February 4, 2004 — Facilitated by Ian Sheldon and Carl Zulauf,
Agricultural, Environmental, and Developmental Economics

“Honoring Teaching at a Research University”
This presentation considered how Research I institutions can demonstrate to faculty that teaching is something held in high esteem.

“The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning”
This presentation centered around the exploration of issues and methods of the scholarship of teaching and learning. Methods, the dissemination of individual projects, and implementation of design were discussed.

“Teaching and Learning at Ohio State — Student Perspectives”
This presentation was open to all university faculty, administrators, and GTAs, as part of a quarterly series of conversations about teaching that were hosted by members of the Academy of Teaching.

Please see UCAT events for other upcoming events on teaching.