Teaching STEM at the University of South Florida Edited by Amanda Helip-Wooley Co-edited by Kevin Yee, Sara Friedman, Emad Mansour, Oana Cimpean, and Brittany Sears. This material is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant #1525574. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Last updated: July 22, 2016 Table of Contents The Importance of Successful Teaching in STEM .................... 8 STEM Teaching in Perspective .............................................. 8 Evidence-Based Instruction ................................................... 8 Role of the STEM Teaching Assistant ..................................... 12 Introduction .......................................................................... 12 Professionalism ..................................................................... 13 Teaching and Learning in STEM ............................................. 15 Introduction .......................................................................... 15 Learning Science ................................................................... 17 Life Skills for Student Success .............................................. 21 Aspects of Learning Central to STEM ................................. 22 Understanding and Applying the Fundamental Concepts of a Discipline ................................................................... 23 Framing and Solving Problems with Greater Expertise . 24 Using Visual and Mathematical Representations ........... 25 Backward Design .................................................................. 28 Effective Presentations ......................................................... 32 Best Practices in Presentations ........................................ 32 PowerPoint Tips and Tricks ............................................. 37 STEER Grant | ATLE | http://www.usf.edu/atle/ 1 Interactive Techniques ..................................................... 39 Evidence-Based Teaching Techniques ................................ 52 Student Interaction Techniques .......................................... 63 Facilitating (Inquiry) Labs ................................................... 64 General Guidelines ........................................................... 64 Traditional vs. Inquiry Labs ............................................. 65 Lessons from POGIL......................................................... 66 Effective Use of Questions for Scientific Inquiry ............. 69 Facilitating Discussions in STEM ........................................ 73 Tips for Facilitating a Discussion ..................................... 73 Asking Discussion Questions ........................................... 77 DOs and DON’Ts of Asking Questions ........................... 78 Strategies for Handling Discussion-Stopping Students .. 79 Facilitating Laboratory Group Work .................................. 83 Tips for Facilitating Group Work .................................... 83 Classroom Management in Science Courses ........................... 86 Five Basic Principles ............................................................. 86 Helpful Tips ...................................................................... 88 Spectrum of Response .......................................................... 89 Proactive and Reactive Strategies ........................................ 90 Academic Dishonesty ........................................................... 91 Student Referrals .................................................................. 93 The First Day ........................................................................ 95 STEER Grant | ATLE | http://www.usf.edu/atle/ 2 Assessment and Grading in STEM ........................................... 98 Assessment in Evidence-Based Courses .............................. 98 Formative Assessment ...................................................... 99 Summative Assessment: Test Writing ........................... 100 Assessment of Group Work ........................................... 103 Technology for Assessment and Instruction ................. 104 Grading ............................................................................... 107 Rubrics ................................................................................ 109 Example Rubric for Lab Reports ........................................ 111 Grading System ................................................................... 114 Turnitin.com ....................................................................... 116 Canvas ..................................................................................... 117 Getting Started .................................................................... 117 Common Uses ..................................................................... 118 Other Functions.................................................................. 118 Important University Policies ................................................ 122 Teaching STEM in the American Classroom ........................ 128 Students ............................................................................... 128 Atmosphere ......................................................................... 130 Tips for International TAs ................................................. 132 Language Tips ..................................................................... 133 Tips for Teaching International Students ......................... 134 Professional Development ..................................................... 137 STEER Grant | ATLE | http://www.usf.edu/atle/ 3 Preparing for College Teaching Course ............................ 137 Workshops .......................................................................... 138 Consultations ...................................................................... 139 Teaching Observations ....................................................... 139 The Academic Job Search ...................................................... 140 Application Materials ......................................................... 141 The Curriculum Vitae .................................................... 141 The Cover Letter............................................................. 143 Letters of Recommendation ........................................... 143 Additional Materials ....................................................... 144 Interviews ........................................................................... 145 Job Talks .......................................................................... 146 Interview Questions ....................................................... 146 Resources at USF .................................................................... 150 USF Offices and Contact Information ............................... 150 Glossaries ............................................................................ 155 USF Specific Glossary ..................................................... 155 U.S. Higher Education Glossary .................................... 165 Emergency Situations and Lab Safety ................................... 177 Appendix A ............................................................................. 181 Examples of Evidence-Based Teaching in STEM .............. 181 STEER Grant | ATLE | http://www.usf.edu/atle/ 4 Contributors Amanda Helip-Wooley, STEM Learning Transformation Coordinator, Coalition for Science Literacy, Learning and Development Facilitator, ATLE, has been at USF since 2015. Kevin Yee, Assistant Dean, Student and Faculty Development, Director, Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence (ATLE) has been at USF since 2012. Sara Friedman, Learning and Development Facilitator, ATLE, has been at USF since 2014. Emad Mansour, Learning and Development Facilitator, ATLE, has been at USF since 2015. Oana Cimpean, Learning and Development Facilitator, ATLE, has been at USF since 2016. Brittany Sears, Learning and Development Facilitator, ATLE, has been at USF since 2016. STEER Systemic Transformation of Education through Evidence- Based Reforms, or STEER, is an NSF funded partnership between the University of South Florida (USF) and Hillsborough Community College (HCC). The goal of STEER is to create a student-focused culture of evidence-based teaching in Tampa Bay's public post-secondary institutions. This culture leads to the successful recruitment, retention and STEER Grant | ATLE | http://www.usf.edu/atle/ 5 graduation of diverse students who are prepared for life, citizenship, and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The STEER leadership includes: Gerhard Meisels, Director of the Coalition for Science Literacy, Professor of Chemistry Robert Potter, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Professor of Chemistry Jennifer Lewis, Director of the Center for the Improvement of Teaching and Research on Undergraduate STEM, Associate Chair and Professor of Chemistry Peter Stiling, Special Assistant to the Provost, Professor of Biology James Wysong, Professor and Dean of Hillsborough Community College Catherine Beneteau, Associate Professor of Mathematics Scott Campbell, Professor of Chemical Engineering Mary Goodwin, Director of Student Services in Engineering Richard Pollenz, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Professor of Biology Ruthmae Sears, Assistant Professor of Education