December 3 Council Coverage |
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December 9, 2014, Volume 61, No. 16 |
At the last Council meeting, there was a discussion revolving around the initiatives Penn has implemented for Structured, Active, In-class Learning (SAIL). It was introduced by Vice Provost for Education Andrew Binns, with input from Bruce Lenthall, executive director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, Beth Winkelstein, associate dean for undergraduate education in SEAS, and Dennis DeTurck, dean of the College in SAS, who led an active learning exercise demonstrating how this approach works.
Dr. Binns said that the goal is to determine learning styles that help students retain what they have learned. Initially the courses that embraced this were primarily in the STEM fields: physics, chemistry, bioengineering, math, geology, biology and biological basis of behavior, but have recently included non-STEM fields such as political science, legal studies, economics and history.
There are four active-learning classrooms on Penn’s campus, including at DRL and at the ARCH. There are SAIL course development grants and seminars as well as other resources for faculty who want instructional support and training. The speakers reported that some of the early outcomes from faculty that were fostered included enthusiasm, creativity and innovation but the process is demanding yet rewarding. Responses from students have been mixed, with some raving and some confused.
ome appreciated the group activities and peer-to-peer approach while others report missing hearing faculty talking in the traditional classroom.
The following statement from Penn President Amy Gutmann was read at the University Council meeting, on December 3, 2014:
I mourn the tragic loss of a young man’s life, and the set of events that should lead everyone to recognize how much more work our society must do to realize liberty and justice for all. These events serve to underscore the importance of Penn’s commitment, and each of our commitments, to doing our part to create a more inclusive and mutually respectful environment and society free from discrimination and deprivation. As a nation, we have much work to do.
We at Penn are resolutely committed to combating all forms of invidious discrimination. We are correspondingly committed to respecting the dignity and supporting the opportunity of all individuals to fulfill their potential, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. The high priority we place as an institution and as individuals on inclusion, educational opportunity and mutual respect are commitments for all seasons.
These core values are all the more important in light of recent events. Nothing will deter us from continuing our efforts to the extent of our ability to make a positive difference in the lives of our students, faculty, staff, community and society. We stand as a university united behind these values and dedicated to finding the most effective ways, consistent with our core educational mission, to realize these values more fully in our society and the world. |