November 2013

Unless otherwise indicated, sessions occur in the Learning and Teaching Centre (LTC) Classroom in the Harry Hickman Building (HHB), Room 128.

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Optimizing the Multiple-Choice Test Item [Teaching Tips Series #5]
Thursday, November 7, 2013
9:30 AM ~ 11:30 AM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Dr. Marty Wall, Department of Educational Psychology & Leadership Studies, and the Learning and Teaching Centre Multiple-choice tests appear deceptively simple to prepare but are arguably among the most difficult to produce well. What features of student learning do such tests really discriminate? We will re-examine various pre- and post-test criteria that can be used to assess and improve the quality of individual multiple-choice test items that one designs for in-class clicker sessions as well as for tests. These criteria include the format of the question stem, the cognitive level of the item, and the discriminability of the item as a predictor of overall performance. Multiple-choice testing might not always be an optimal instrument for assessing student learning, but when used it should follow best practices. It does make a difference.
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Preparing a Great Syllabus [Teaching Tips Series #6]
Thursday, November 21, 2013
9:30 AM ~ 11:30 AM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Dr. Marty Wall, Department of Educational Psychology & Leadership Studies, and the Learning and Teaching Centre
The syllabus is a document that most instructors regard as a formal contract with students outlining basic information about the course and penalties for violating rules of participation. But such a version misses other potential uses, including the opportunity to communicate important and subtle information about you and the course that will engage your students right from the start and will reinforce the impact you should be creating in your first meeting with students. We will discuss this more expanded view of the functions of a syllabus. Please bring with you a copy of your current syllabus.
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December 2013 Events