learning initiatives to improve undergraduate education at a research-oriented institution robin r....
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Learning Initiatives to Improve Undergraduate Education at a Research-Oriented Institution
Robin R. Rastani* and Michel A. WattiauxDepartment of Dairy Science
University of Wisconsin-Madison
The Research-Oriented University• What is a research-oriented university?
– “offer a full range of baccalaureate programs, are committed to graduate education through the doctorate, and give a high priority to research.”
(Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, 1994)
– 84 Research I universities and 37 Research II universities– Only 3% of higher education institutions
• “The Research Universities have too often failed, and continue to fail, their undergraduate programs.”
(Boyer Commission, 1998)
• Can Universities be both student-centered and research-centered?
Initiatives to Improve Undergraduate Education at U.W.- Madison
• 28,217 Undergraduates
• 2064 faculty and 1420 instructional staff
• > 20 Centers and support organizations
• 2 key initiatives to improve undergraduate education at U. W. Madison
– Delta Program
– Teaching Academy
What is Delta?
• Background: Background: A multi-million $, multi-state NSF initiative (2002-A multi-million $, multi-state NSF initiative (2002-2007)2007)
• Mission: Mission: to develop a national STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) faculty committed to implementing and advancing effective teaching practices for diverse student audiences as part of their professional careers
• The Three Pillars (principles) are: • Learning through diversity
• Teaching-centered vs. Learning centered classroom• Learning communities
• Peer-support system• Teaching as research
• Scholarship of teaching and learning.
80% of faculty with Ph.D.’s80% of faculty with Ph.D.’sAre trained at Research Univ.Are trained at Research Univ.
100 Research Universities 100 Research Universities Nation-wideNation-wide
Undergraduate EducationUndergraduate Education
2-yr College
Liberal Arts
Masters University
Comprehensive University Research
University
What does this mean for the nation?
Expanding the Principles of Delta• Example of Delta Activities• (working with both graduate students and faculty):
– “regular” courses on “nuts and bolts” of course development– Classroom exploration– Round Table dinner (seminar)– Teaching Internships
• The directors of Delta are creating a network of research universities who will work together to prepare graduate students and post-docs with the same principles as Delta.
• Currently in the network: – University of Wisconsin– Colorado State University– Howard University– Michigan State University– Pennsylvania State University
• Discussions with:– Vanderbilt University– Georgia Tech University– Stanford University
Delta Numbers, 2005
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
Par
tici
pan
ts
Faculty Inst. Staff Post-docs
GraduateStudents
Total College of Ag. and Life Science
Delta Participants*:• 17.3% Faculty• 13.7% Instructional Staff• 13.8% Post-docs • 55.1% Graduate Students
CALS Participation in Delta (23.4%)• 17.4% Faculty• 17.4% Instructional Staff• 20.4% Post-docs • 44.9% Graduate Students
• 11.2% of CALS take part in Delta• 13.2% of STEM take part in Delta
* A participant is someone who has participated in at least one Delta activity.
What is the Teaching Academy?
Background: Created by UW-Madison faculty senate in 1993
(limited funds)
Mission: To provide University-wide leadership to strengthen
undergraduate, graduate, and outreach teaching and learning at
UW Madison.
Basic Functions: Provide a forum for dialogue on effective teaching and
learning. Disseminate good practices of teaching and learning. Link individuals interested in improving the teaching and
learning process. Sponsor professional development events. Analyze issues and make recommendations on University
policies affecting teaching and learning.
Teaching Academy Numbers, 2005
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Par
tici
pan
ts
Faculty Inst. Staff Post-docs
GraduateStudents
Total College of Ag. and Life Science
Teaching Academy Members*:• 65.1% Faculty• 12.7% Instructional Staff• 1.6% Post-docs• 20.6% Graduate Students
CALS Participation in TA (11.6%)• 72.7% Faculty• 13.6% Instructional Staff• 4.5% Post-docs • 9.1% Graduate Students
• 1.5% of CALS take part in TA• 1.4% of UW take part in TA
* A member is someone who has been nominated and inducted.
One Pathway through Delta/ Teaching Academy
Summer 2003:Heard about
Delta Program - in 3rd year of Ph.D. program
Fall 2003:1. Took a Delta course, “Teaching in
Science and Engineering”2. Participated in Roundtable Dinners3. Participated in graduate student
discussionSpring 2004:
Continued to participate in Roundtable Dinners and discussions
Selected as a Future Faculty Partner of the Teaching Academy
Fall and Spring 2005:1. Continued to participate in
previous activities2. Participated in “Creating a
collaborative learning environment”
Impact Numbers
• Impact numbers are measured as number of students affected by changes in courses as a result of the programs.
• Delta Program • From IMDC (Instructional Materials Development Class) and
Internships
• Faculty team up with graduate students to focus on improving one aspect of teaching and learning
• 2004-2005
• Teaching Academy• From the Summer Institute, a week long program to assist faculty in
course development, curriculum assessment, and other topics relative to teaching and learning.
• 2000-2004
Impact of IMDC and Internship(Delta Program, 04 & 05)
SchoolTotal Undergraduate
Students Impacted% of Total
Students (over 2 years)
Agric. & Life Sciences 90 5.0%
Engineering 50 2.8%
Letters & Sciences 1660 92.2%
TOTAL 1800
95 % of Delta projects affect undergraduate education.
Summer Institute Participants(Teaching Academy, 00-04)
Classification of Participants
Participants Participants from CALS
Participants from Teaching Academy
Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage
Faculty 62 72.1 11 91.7 16 80
Instructional Staff 21 24.4 1 8.3 3 15
Graduate Student 3 3.5 0 0 1 5
Total 86 100.0 12 100.0 20 100
Impact of Summer Institute Projects by School for Undergraduate Education
SchoolTotal Undergraduate
Students Impacted% of Students(over 4 years)
Agric. & Life Sciences 1576 6.0%
Education 39 0.1%
Engineering 152 0.6%
Human Ecology 4572 17.5%
Letters & Sciences 18585 71.2%
Medical 5 0.0%
Nursing 1776 6.8%
Pharmacy 293 1.1%
TOTAL 26998
88 % of Summer Institute projects affect undergraduate education.
* Average yearly participation in the Summer Institute = 22
Conclusions
• The initiatives at UW-Madison are distinctly different, but affect undergraduate education directly and indirectly.
– Participation from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is on par with that of other schools and colleges at the University.
• Teaching initiatives at research-oriented institutions contribute in placing emphasis on undergraduate education, although their impact remains limited.