CPET Teaching Seminar - Telescope to Microscope: Examining Crucial Teaching Practices Across Scales
Please join us at our next Caltech Project for Effective Teaching (CPET) seminar by invited speaker, Dr. Ben Wiggins.
Abstract:
Great teaching happens on a wide spectrum of wavelengths, and we will examine pedagogical methods at several levels of scale. We will start with long-view research findings about incorporating metacognitive and self-reflective practices into course structures. Our focus will tighten onto interpersonal teaching practices that support this complex student work. By the end of the session, our highest-power objective will be to discuss and practice a teaching micro-skill that supports the larger pedagogical structure. Participants of any familiarity with science teaching and learning are encouraged to join our group lens on a wide range of teaching strategies and are encouraged to bring problems and challenging anecdotes for discussion.
Bio:
Dr. Ben Wiggins is the Instructional Manager for the Department of Biology at the University of Washington. In addition to this role supporting a wide range of courses and instructors, he teaches courses as small as a handful of graduate trainees in teaching methods and as large as an 800-person Introductory Biology course. His NSF-funded research focuses on active learning, research-based lab courses, and training instructors to take those techniques into their own (often very large) classrooms.