FOSL
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Focus On Student Learning |
FOSL Sessions – Spring Semester 2007
January 30th – Dealing with Students in Distress
February 6th – Taking the Grrr Out of Grading – Using Grading Rubrics
March 29th – Celebration of Student Learning
April 3rd – Dealing with Students in Distress Pt. II
The Focus on Student Learning (FOSL) Program facilitated several informative and interactive sessions throughout the spring semester. Taking the suggestion of faculty members who recognized a need for such a discussion, we began our program with a session in January to address “Dealing with Students in Distress.” The participation and dynamism during this hour-long session proved that it was indeed an issue of concern to many faculty members and campus employees. Barbara Byers and Fran Brolle from Counseling Services and Buddy Wilson from Student Disabilities Services led the discussion and offered suggestions on setting boundaries and finding appropriate resources for students with various personal, emotional and academic issues.
The February FOSL session was hosted by Margie Kiter-Edwards and explored developing and using a grading rubric for class assignments. Aimed at “Taking the ‘Grrr’ Out of Grading”, grading rubrics specify pre-determined criteria for grading assignments and clarify what the instructor is asking of the student. Drawing on educational research and her own teaching experience, Dr. Kiter-Edwards highlighted the many benefits of using a rubric and distributed samples to aid in developing one to suit a variety of academic scenarios. Faculty who attended found this session extremely helpful and lauded the use of grading rubrics as a beneficial teaching tool. Examples of grading rubrics are now available on the CTL website at: http://www.shepherd.edu/ctl/documents/GradingRubrics.pdf.
In March, the Center for Teaching & Learning sponsored our first annual “Celebration of Student Learning at Shepherd University”. During this two-hour event, several faculty members, department representatives and support unit employees came together to reflect on various ways we have all contributed to student learning over the past academic year. Recipients of CTL mini-grants outlined how funds were used on a variety of projects from a Nursing Department retreat at Prestfield to “Portfolio Day” and the “Flux Student Design Competition” in the Art Department. Overviews of two particularly strong assessment plans were presented by Peter Vila of the ENVS department and Brian Hammond of ITS. We enjoyed light refreshments and a positive discussion as to the collaborative influence we all have on student learning here at Shepherd. Thanks to Barbara Kemerer, Kristin Kaineg, Rhonda Smith, Peter Vila and Brian Hammond who participated and to all faculty and staff who attended this “Celebration”.
After the success of our January FOSL session, many people expressed an interest in continuing the discussion regarding how to deal with students in distress. We agreed and decided to offer a follow-up session called “Dealing with Students in Distress – Part II”. Counselors Barb Byers and Fran Brolle, and Buddy Wilson from SDS returned and highlighted effective crisis intervention procedures through role-playing scenarios. Audience members learned how to positively influence an escalating situation and re-direct the outcome when dealing with a student in distress. Both faculty and support unit staff found this session helpful and timely, and noted an unfortunate increase in dealing with troubled students this semester. Knowing how to respond and where to seek additional resources will be of great benefit to all involved should you encounter a student in need. For additional information on teaching troubled students, see the latest ASJA newsletter: http://www.shepherd.edu/ctl/ASJALAWANDPOLICYREPORT.htm, or contact Counseling Services at 876-5276.
We are beginning to plan FOSL sessions for the fall semester. Several faculty members have already suggested ideas and topics for upcoming sessions and we greatly value such input. Please share with us any topics you would like to see addressed in an hour-long setting and we will consider incorporating them into our next FOSL series.
For those of you who were unable to attend, DVD copies of these sessions are now available in the Scarborough Library for viewing at your convenience. The DVD’s are on hold at the Information Desk of the Library and can be checked out for up to 4 days. Special thanks to Larry Dowdy and everyone at Media Services for their help in creating these discs.
The sessions currently available are:
- The ABC’s of Creating a Learning Community – hosted by Hannah Geffert & Hap Becker
- Tips for Dealing with Students in Distress – hosted by Barbara Byers, Margie Kiter-Edwards & Buddy Wilson
- Taking the “GRRR” Out of Grading: Using Grading Rubrics – hosted by Margie Kiter-Edwards
- Dealing with Students in Distress: Part II – hosted by Barbara Byers, Margie Kiter-Edwards & Buddy Wilson