Training the Teachers of Today to Teach the Classes of Tomorrow

1. Training the Teachers of Today to Teach the Classes of Tomorrow Caitlin A Callaghan and Jennifer Wilcox International Conference on Engineering Education 2006, San Juan, Puerto Rico Department of Chemical Engineering Worcester Polytechnic Institute 100 Institute Road Worcester, MA 01609, USA

2. OBJECTIVES • Train new teachers to use tools effectively and efficiently • Alert current teachers to new methods available (i.e. technology in the classroom) • Pass on the experiences of teaching to newcomers HERE: educate a “teacher-in-training” with respect to the development of a new Chem Eng elective course, from “birth”

3. INTRODUCTION • Current State of Teaching: • Teaching is in need of a “makeover” • Technology is more evolved in the classroom (i.e. TVs, SmartBoards, LCD Projectors, Computers, etc.) • Today’s students are more prepared to handle today’s classrooms; • their training typically exceeds that of those who are expected to teach them • Conventional lecture styles don’t excite and involve students

4. INTRODUCTION • How to update it:

5. FORMAL TRAINING • Programs designed to formally educate current and future teachers • Courses offered introduce educators to the basics (i.e., tools, methods, learning styles, etc.) as well as offer topics more closely related to individual fields (i.e. engineering focus) • The interaction of “teachers-in-training” with mentors, both pedagogical and disciplinary, provides a “hands-on” experience with the art of teaching.

6. FORMAL TRAINING • Certificate in College Teaching Program – 6 credit program • Consortium of Worcester Colleges, Inc. – Worcester, MA, USA www.cowc.org • Requirements: • Introductory course (2 credits) • 3 elective courses (1 credit each) • Practicum course (1 credit) • Final Product: • A complete, well-structured teaching portfolio comprising the triad of an academic position

7. FORMAL TRAINING Elective Courses:

8. FORMAL TRAINING Practicum • Work with a practicing educator to experience teaching a college-level course • Feedback from observers, pedagogical mentor and disciplinary mentor • Final Project is a teaching portfolio incorporating elements of the course (i.e. syllabus, assignments, lectures, etc.)

9. THE PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE • Fall 2005: Class consisted of a 60/40 mix of graduate and undergraduate senior students – many of which were working on projects which focused on the topic of molecular modeling • All aspects of the course were developed from scratch! • HERE: The design and implementation of a Chemical Engineering based molecular modeling elective course

10. THE PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE • Topics to be covered • Textbook • Lecture designs • Classroom tools • Assignments • Exams • Projects HY = EY

11. THE PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE • “Teacher-in-Training”: • Involved in all aspects of course design from beginning (i.e. textbook selection, topics covered, effective lecture design, assessment) • Performed tasks of a TA in addition to designing and delivering lectures • Helped in the design of HWs, Exams and Projects • Contributed to the grading of HWs and Exams • Provided technical assistance throughout course (i.e., WebMO interface software instruction)

12. CULMINATION • ChE 554: Molecular Modeling = SUCCESS!! • Students gained the background knowledge and ability to implement molecular modeling calculations with commercial software (i.e., Gaussian98/03, gOpenMol, etc.) • Student project work was submitted for publication in a two-part series • “Teacher-in-training” = SUCCESS!! • More complete academic experience

13. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS • Dr. Susan Wyckoff of the Consortium of Worcester Colleges, Inc. and Dr. Judy Miller of Clark University, both of Worcester, MA in conjunction with the Certificate in College Teaching Program. • Specific information on the Certificate in College Teaching may be obtained through the Consortium’s website: www.cowc.org. • Prof. Jennifer Wilcox for the opportunity to work with her on the development of a new Chem Eng elective course.

14. QUESTIONS… • WPI – www.wpi.edu/+CHE • Dr. Caitlin Callaghan – caitlin@alum.wpi.edu • Dr. Jennifer Wilcox – jwilcox@wpi.edu • COWC – www.cowc.org • Dr. Susan Wyckoff – visit website • Dr. Judith Miller – judmiller@clarku.edu