Discovery Learning Conference
April 16-17, 1998
Thompson Conference Center
Agenda

8:15 - 8:20:

Welcome to the conference and introduction of Dean Mary Ann Rankin --Michael Starbird

8:20 - 8:40:

"Importance of Instructional Development in the College of Natural Sciences" (working title)-- Dean Mary Ann Rankin--

8:45 - 10:15:

Description of a variety of Discovery Techniques including video demonstrations from classes and a participatory demonstration of discovery methods; and description of the demonstrations in terms of learning theory --Michael Starbird and Marilla Svinicki

10:15 - 10:30:

Break

10:30 - 12:00:

Panel discussion of applications of discovery techniques (15 minute presentations followed by general discussion)

12:00 - 1:00:

Lunch. People are invited to submit five minute reports during lunch about pertinent experiences or developments.

1:00 - 2:20:

Breakout session. Each group of eight people will be assigned a case consisting of a scientific concept, a type of student, and a class format. The group will be expected to devise a discovery learning exercise in that setting that would help students learn that concept and an outline of a means to assess the students and to assess the efficacy of the pedagogy. Two conference participants will be assigned in advance as leaders of each group.

2:20 - 3:00:

The groups each have five minutes to report ideas.

3:00 - 3:15:

Break

3:15 - 3:30:

The homework assignment is presented. Each person is to prepare by the next day a first draft of a module or a technique that will be used in their class. Examples and a template will be presented. -- Austin Gleeson

3:30 - 5:00:

Panel discussion of selected proposed projects (15 minute presentations followed by general discussion)

5:00 - 7:00:

Free time

7:00 - 8:30:

Banquet at the Doubletree. Banquet talk: "How to change the culture and the practice of instruction at a large university, the administrative perspective; and the cooperative or group learning project" (working title) -- Terry Sullivan, Vice President and Graduate Dean

8:15 - 8:35:

"Science Teaching Reconsidered and Other Initiatives from NAS-CUSE." -- Marye Anne Fox, Vice President for Research, University of Texas

8:35 - 8:45:

Questions and comments

8:45 - 8:50:

Introduction of Roger Bybee -- Marye Anne Fox

8:55 - 9:35:

"Teaching Science by Inquiry" -- Roger Bybee

9:35 - 9:55:

"What Should the Faculty Do?" --Norman Hackerman

10:00 - 10:15:

Break

10:15 - 11:15:

Groups of four gather to discuss and revise homework.

11:15 - 12:00:

Brief Reports from each group.

12:00 - 1:00:

Lunch