Second cohort named for IMPACT program

January 17, 2012

The first 10 faculty fellows in the University's new IMPACT program put their redesigned courses to the test fall semester. In January, a second group, this one with 27 participants –- working solo or in teams -- representing courses from introduction to nursing to linear circuit analysis, will begin the process of adapting their courses.
   
IMPACT (Instruction Matters: Purdue Academic Course Transformation) was launched by the Provost's Office in 2010 in an effort to improve rates of course completion and retention in foundational courses. It targets introductory undergraduate classes with large enrollments and relatively high failure rates, facilitating course redesign that incorporates student-centered teaching and active learning. The redesigned curricula may include online components, group projects and hybrid approaches that combine online and face-to-face learning in innovative learning spaces.
   
Faculty in the program learn about course redesign options by working with a team of instructional, technology and assessment specialists. They also participate in a Faculty Learning Community.

The second cohort members and their areas of focus are:

* Cordelia Brown, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, and Dave Meyer, professor of electrical and computer engineering, ECE 270: Introduction to Digital System Design.
   
* Richard Buckius, vice president for research and professor of mechanical engineering, participant.

* Mary Burbrink, continuing lecturer in the Department of Sociology, SOC 100: Introductory Sociology.
   
* Karen Chang, associate professor of nursing, and Janet Thorlton, assistant professor of nursing, NUR 22301: Foundations of Research and EBP.

* Rosalee Clawson, professor of political science, POL 413: The Human Basis of Politics.

* Bill Crum, continuing lecturer in the Department of Computer Science, CS 159: Programming Applications for Engineers.
   
* Patricia Darbishire, clinical associate professor of pharmacy practice, participant.
   
* Brenda Downing, continuing lecturer in the College of Liberal Arts' Academic Success Center, GS 290: Study Skills Seminar.

* Deborah Fleetham, continuing lecturer in the Department of History, HIST 104: Introduction to the Modern World.

* Mark French, associate professor of mechanical engineering technology, MET 213: Dynamics.

* Ellen Gundlach, continuing lecturer in the Department of Statistics, STAT 113: Statistics and Society.

* Andrew Hirsch, professor of physics, and Rebecca Lindell, visiting scholar in physics, PHYS 172: Modern Mechanics.
   
* Sue Loesch-Fries, associate professor of botany and plant pathology; Ray Martyn, professor of botany and plant pathology; and Charles Woloshuk, professor of botany and plant pathology, BTNY 301: Introductory Plant Pathology.
   
* Gary McFall, continuing lecturer in the Department of Computer Science, CS 235: Introduction to Organizational Computing.
   
* Dave Meyer, professor of electrical and computer engineering, ECE 362: Microprocessor Systems and Interfacing.

* Craig Miller, professor of technical graphics, CGT 163: Introduction to Graphics for Manufacturing.
   
* Eric Nauman, associate professor of mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering, ME 270: Basic Mechanics I.

* Tim Newby, professor of curriculum and instruction, EDCI 270: Introduction to Educational Technology and Computing.
   
* Larry Nies, professor of civil engineering, CE 355: Engineering Environmental Sustainability.
   
* Dimitrios Peroulis, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, ECE 201: Linear Circuit Analysis I.

* Ann Rundell, associate professor of biomedical engineering, BME 390: Professional Development and Design in Biomedical Engineering.

* Vicki Simpson, clinical assistant professor of nursing, NUR 108: Introduction to Nursing.
   
* Sheri Slaven, director of professional program laboratories, PHRM 820: Professional Program Laboratories.
   
Members of the first cohort and details about their course redesigns are available at  www.purdue.edu/impact/cohort01.html.