Free Web-Based Training on Critical Thinking in Higher Education Classrooms

An extravaganza of Critical Thinking themed activities and conversations taking place online specially designed to engage faculty across Texas. Hosted by LEAP Texas and the American Association of Colleges and Universities.

Monday 24 April – Between 12pm – 1pm 

What’s on: Participate in the Twitter Chat focused on “Teaching Critical Thinking in College Courses” by following @LEAPTexas and using #LEAPTexas
Description:
At 12pm on the day of the chat, log into Twitter and type in #LEAPTexas(not case sensitive).
Wait for a question (one is tweeted out about every 8 minutes). Example:  Q1 – Do you think it is more important to incorporate Critical Thinking for first-year students or senior-year students? Which assignments would be better for each group? #LEAPTexas
Hit “Reply” to the tweet with the question, use A for Answer, and include the hash tag. #LEAPTexas

Tuesday 25 April

We’re releasing some new resources focused on Critical Thinking on our website http://leaptx.org/coreobjectives/critical-thinking/ – for more details follow us at @LEAPTexas

Wednesday 26 April

Webinar 3-4pm
What’s on: Webinar “What’s Critical About Critical Thinking”
Presenters: Dr Jon Lee and Dr Jeanne Tunks
LEAP Texas Fellow Webinar (Tunks & Lee)
Wed, Apr 26, 2017 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM CDT
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/233913461

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (646) 749-3122

Access Code: 233-913-461

First GoToMeeting? Try a test session: http://help.citrix.com/getready 

Thursday 27 April

 – Online event 10-11am

What’s on: Online live broadcast about Critical Thinking
Tune in here – https://www.periscope.tv/drjtedwards/
Presenter: Dr Jennifer Edwards

Have a great week! Thanks for visiting the Millennial Professor Blog!

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

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Learning about High Impact Educational Practices WITHOUT Leaving Home? Yes, Please!

I am excited anytime I can learn more about teaching and reaching students in my online and internship courses! However, it is difficult to travel to teaching and learning conferences when we have a wealth of committee assignments on campus, As a result, I watch a lot...like A LOT of YouTube videos to learn step-by-step instructions for utilizing software and how to incorporate a new concept in my classes. 

YouTube has been an incredible help for me and the Liberal Education and America's Promise initiative continues to provide amazing resources for faculty without requiring individuals to purchase a airplane ticket to attend a conference.

Recently, SUNY sponsored a Applied Learning Conference during Nov 2016 and their videos were uploaded on Dr. Susan Albertine's YouTube page.
By the way, please like Dr. Albertine's Facebook page. She is exceptional and I know that you will love her videos!

Have a great week! Thanks for visiting the Millennial Professor Blog!


Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

Follow Me on Twitter/Instagram - @drjtedwards
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Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

Each Faculty Member Should Know About the Degree Qualifications Profile! Do You?

Over the past year, I've been fortunate to serve a LEAP Texas Faculty Fellow. This has truly been one of the best experiences in higher education that I have had in a long time. Our LEAP Texas groups was selected to present at the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment's Charrette experience. 

All five of the LEAP Texas Fellows collaborated together to form a collection of five similar assignments focused on the first-year seminar (our common link). During the charrette, we shared these assignments and received feedback focused on our assignment design. We incorporated this feedback and then we resubmitted our assignment for the Degree Qualifications Profile (DQP) library.

Check out my submission to the assignment library - Incorporating the Diversity of Academic Disciplines in a College-Wide First-Year Seminar Course to Address University Problems

When you have a chance, please check out the DQP library. It is very extensive and it definitely helps all faculty (new and seasoned) create assignments focused on the following DQP proficiencies:

Analytic inquiry

Broad and Integrative Knowledge

Communicative fluency

Ethical reasoning

Quantitative fluency

Use of information resources

Applied and Collaborative Learning

Civic and Global Learning

Engaging diverse perspectives

Intellectual Skills

Specialized Knowledge

Have a great week! Thanks for visiting the Millennial Professor Blog!

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards
Follow Me on Twitter/Instagram - @drjtedwards
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Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

Research Paper Pick of the Week - Social Network Analysis as a Method to Assess Collaboration

I am truly becoming a higher education professional who LOVES assessment. For those of you who have been following my blog for a long time, you know that I love social media research as well. 

This paper from the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment is definitely one of my favorites. Social Network Analysis as a Method to Assess Collaboration by Christa van Staden is an interesting paper focused on social networks and faculty assessment. 

The paper focuses on an international context, but the information is definitely applicable for institutions in the United States as well. 

Enjoy the paper! 

Have a great week! Thanks for visiting the Millennial Professor Blog!

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards
Follow Me on Twitter/Instagram - @drjtedwards
Subscribe to Millennial Professor on YOUTUBE! 
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Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

Teaching Teamwork - An Interview with Dr. David Blanke (Professor of History at TAMUCC)

As a LEAP Texas Faculty Fellow, I enjoy focusing on the the key learning outcomes from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU)'s Liberal Education and America's Promise Initiative. 

Our key learning outcome for the Spring 2016 semester was TEAMWORK! This is definitely one of my favorites because I incorporate teamwork in undergraduate research assignments and in graduate student presentations. In my opinion, this is one of the most important skills that a student can learn in college. They will encounter teamwork for the rest of their lives (in the workplace, in church groups, in their friendships, and beyond)!

In fact, the National Association of Colleges and Employers cites teamwork as one of the most important skills that students can learn in college. 

In March, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. David Blanke from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi at an annual teaching and learning conference in Texas. I loved his answers about teamwork!

Have a great week! Thanks for visiting the Millennial Professor Blog!

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards
Follow Me on Twitter/Instagram - @drjtedwards
Subscribe to Millennial Professor on YOUTUBE! 
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Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

Submit a Teaching Recipe for the #LEAPTexas Recipe book on Social Responsibility

In preparation for Social Responsibility Week, I would like to issue a VIP call to you to submit RECIPE for the #LEAPTexas Recipe book on Social Responsibility! 

As part of submitting your recipe, we will highlight your recipe on Twitter (include your university's name in the post) and include your recipe in the e-book!

I know you are thinking, recipes and social responsibility? Well, this is an innovative approach focused on small (but meaningful) activities focused on how we can teach our college students how to be socially responsible.

What is social responsibility?
Liberal Education and America's Promise defines social responsibility by focusing on the following concepts:

- Civic knowledge and engagement—local and global
- Intercultural knowledge and competence
- Ethical reasoning and action
- Foundations and skills for lifelong learning

In the Social Responsibility @LEAPTexas Recipe Book, each of the recipes will be compiled in a e-publication to help others incorporate SR in their courses or high impact educational practices! 

Please submit a short recipe (and your name) by typing the recipe on the @LEAPTexas Recipe Book . The instructions for submitting your recipe on the book only include TWO steps!

Step 1 - Please copy and paste the following recipe template below the line:

Social Responsibility (SR) Recipe Title:
Name:
Institution:
Course in Which You Incorporated Social Responsibility:
Description of (SR) Assignment:
Items Needed:
Time Needed:
Ideas for Assessing the Assignment:
Additional Resources and Links (Optional)

Step 2 - Type your recipe utilizing the template below the yellow on the Google Document line:

If you have ANY questions, please contact me, I will be happy to help! Have a great week!

Have a great week! Thanks for visiting the Millennial Professor Blog!

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards
Follow Me on Twitter/Instagram - @drjtedwards
Subscribe to Millennial Professor on YOUTUBE! 
Subscribe to Blog Updates on Facebook
Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com