“Looking for the Light: Observing Student Learning in the Classroom”

Conference Focuses On Observing Student Learning

How can we know when our students are learning?  How can we see when the light bulb turns on in their minds and they understand what we are teaching?  Classroom assessment techniques help professors obtain useful feedback on what, how much, and how well their students have learned. The bi-annual conference, “Looking for the Light: Observing Student Learning in the Classroom,” a focused discussion on classroom assessment techniques, will be held on September 14 from 10 am – 2 p.m. at the DeVos campus. The winter conference will be held on the Allendale Campus.

At the conference last year, ten faculty presented specific classroom assessment techniques they developed.  They discussed how they applied the information gathered to refocus their teaching in order to encourage their students to make learning more efficient and more effective.  Participants from last year commented that they enjoyed the applicable strategies, the brief presentation format, and the opportunity to hear colleagues from a variety of areas.  The notes from the January presentations can be viewed below.

Through the practice of observing student learning, faculty become better able to promote critical thinking, and increase their ability to help the students themselves to become more effective, self-assessing, self-directed learners. To become a participant of this discussion or to suggest a presentation, please contact Tamara Rosier at 331-8075 or rosiert@gvsu.edu.

Click here to view Chris Haven's materials on assessing student work

Click here to view Linda McCrea's presentation on student learning

Click here to view Jacque Melin's presentation on classroom assessment techniques

Click here to view Stephen Burton's handout "Students Taking Responsibility for Their Own Learning"

Or here to view his powerpoint