In summer 2004, North Carolina Wesleyan
College held a faculty seminar in applying critical thinking and information
technology into the classroom. The seminar, sponsored by Title III, came as part
of the College’s annual effort to encourage faculty to enhance some aspect of
their teaching, especially within courses from either the general education
and/or lower level curricula.
The faculty selected this year represent individually all the divisions of the College. They included Jim Bowers, Assistant Professor of English; Amy Karnehm-Willis, Assistant Professor of Sociology; Wyatt McConnell, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, James Parrigin, Reference and Electronic Services Librarian; Jay Quinan, Associate Professor of Psychology; and Bill Yankosky, Assistant Professor of Mathematics.
Past
workshops have focused on such areas as interactive teaching and learning,
multicultural
learning styles, course
assessment, and online instruction. This year, workshop leader, Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools consultant, Margaret Sullivan, led
participants in implementing a plan for introducing new critical thinking,
problem solving, and information technology methods to the classroom during the
2004-2005 academic year. As part of their projects, faculty will also develop a
means for measuring the impact of these changes on student success. The
program will conclude following the fall 2004 term when the participants provide
an assessment of the effectiveness of their projects.