Turpin workshop to apply farm wisdom to cultivating teaching

He didn’t know it at the time, but growing up on a Kansas farm gave Tom Turpin his personal perspective on teaching. On Sept. 6, this award-winning instructor will share his insights on how some of the rules associated with agriculture apply to teaching.

The occasion is "Everything You Need to Know About Teaching According to Tom Turpin," a workshop from the Center for Instructional Excellence. It will be at 9-10:30 a.m. in Pfendler Hall, Room 241 (Deans Auditorium). Turpin is professor of entomology with responsibility in insect outreach, as well as instruction development specialist.

Here are a few things to expect from the workshop:

* Farmers who raise livestock don't run the barnyard as a democracy.
* Sometimes animals need incentives to do what you want them to do.
* Some animals will test the electric fence every day to make sure it's working.
* Pursuant to this "farm" theme, there will be a drawing for everyone present to receive a basket full of farm produce. The runner-up will receive a dozen fresh eggs.

Registration is needed. To register, go to www.purdue.edu/cie/workshop/college-teaching-workshops-series-2.html.