As a technique and strategy, active learning resonates with students from a variety of backgrounds and particularly well for first generation and minority students. This bold proclamation served as the core of the Florida Consortium’s first ever Florida Active Learning Expo. Funded by the Helmsley Charitable Trust, this three day event was the culmination of the Florida Metropolitan STEM Continuum: From College to Career initiative. The 18 month in-depth networked improvement investigation focused on how large metropolitan research universities can impact student success and retention in STEM fields of study. The Florida Metropolitan STEM Continuum: From College to Career initiative looked at three key areas:
- Innovation in Teaching and Learning
- Advocacy and students services that address “transfer shock”
- Learning outcomes that foster marketing skills, exposure to career options, and assignments that align to projects in the workplace.
The College to Career team was comprised of faculty members at Florida International University, University of Central Florida and University of South Florida. These leaders led many of the campus based discussions, investigations, and events. As the program approached conclusion, over 100 faculty were invited to the inaugural Florida Active Learning Expo in Jensen Beach, Florida. Many attendees teach large gateway courses so scalability was a common thread throughout the event.
Dr. Susan Ambrose of Northeastern University, delivered the first keynote presentation of the weekend. She highlighted her seven principles for smart teaching. She challenged the audience to think about how students react to certain methods in the classroom and how they process information. Dr. Bryan Dewbury of the University of Rhode Island, reinforced this message in the closing keynote presentation of the event. In an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education; Dewbury asserted “My job is to ensure that no matter who you are or where you’re coming from, you’re going to learn biology really well.” During his presentation, Dr. Dewbury suggested that inclusion in the classroom begins with a deep understanding of who students are and what they need to be successful.
When asked about the initiative; Dr. Melody Bowdon, Assistant Vice-Provost at the University of Central Florida summed up the inaugural event this way: “A lot of our colleagues go to conferences that are in their disciplines but they really don’t have the opportunity to attend conferences where they focus on their teaching.” Breakout sessions and keynote presentations were recorded to ensure insights from the Florida Active Learning Expo lives in perpetuity. The Teaching and Learning centers at FIU, UCF, and USF will use the recordings to host additional active learning workshops and cross training sessions for non- STEM faculty.
In closing, high impact teaching is the core of the Florida Metropolitan STEM Continuum: From College to Career initiative. Finding a way back to the art of teaching may be the kind of solution to a problem that seems infinitely more complex.
Related Content:
- Florida Active Learning Expo Videos
- Florida Active Learning Expo, Photo Album
- Freshmen ‘Are Souls That Want to Be Awakened, Chronicle of Higher Education, Article
- College to Career Network Improvement Community Overview, Video
- Florida Metropolitan STEM Continuum: From College to Career, Press Release
- Physical Sciences Collaboration, Video