Purdue Today

IMPACT guest to speak on innovative teaching

A physics professor from North Carolina State University will discuss innovative ways to teach topics such as science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) at a public forum sponsored by Purdue's IMPACT initiative and the Teaching Academy.
   
Bob Beichner, a N.C. State distinguished professor specializing in physics education, will speak at the forum, which is scheduled from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 17 in Stewart Center, Room 214ABC.
   
Beichner's topics will include SCALE-UP: Student-Centered Active Learning Environment with Upside-down Pedagogies, his worldwide project to create and study classroom environments that support interactive, collaborative learning.
   
Those who wish to attend the forum must register in advance at www.itap.purdue.edu/training/registration/?offeringid=5463.
   
IMPACT (Instruction Matters: Purdue Academic Course Transformation) aims to change the way key large enrollment classes are taught. More about the program can be found at www.purdue.edu/impact. Also sponsoring the forum is the Teaching Academy at Purdue, which consists of peer-selected faculty members who strive to increase the effectiveness of all faculty at the University.
   
IMPACT and the Teaching Academy will sponsor another forum March 7 with Larry Michaelsen, professor of management at the University of Central Missouri. Michaelsen will discuss the elements of team-based learning and pedagogy.
   
More information about Beichner is available at https://physics.ncsu.edu/people/faculty_beichner.html. More information about SCALE-UP is available at https://www.ncsu.edu/per/scaleup.html.