Classroom Conversations

Classroom Conversations is a professional development initiative designed to bring faculty and staff together to address key classroom issues. The "conversations" are exactly that: they are not formal presentations, but rather, informal gatherings where faculty can share simple, straightforward strategies about focused topics such as grading essays, managing late students, or using overhead projectors. Colleagues who attend these "conversations" should expect to share their ideas about the topic in short 5-minute nuggets and should leave the "conversation" with concrete tips they can use in their classroom the next day. If you are interested in leading a "conversation", please contact Chris Justice at ext. 25-4972. All "conversations" will be held in Room E-203.

Upcoming Conversations

Classroom Conversations: Tuesday, February 8, noon - 1pm - Making the Most of a Syllabus - A syllabus serves many roles in a classroom. However, a course syllabus can also be used to an instructional tool. Join this "classroom conversation" to learn and share simple, straightforward strategies on how to use your syllabus throughout the semester to help students learn. Be prepared to share your ideas and strategies. Room E-203

Classroom Conversations: Friday, February 25, noon - 1pm - Using Themes in the Classroom - Thematic instruction is a powerful method of delivering content while also engaging students in critical thinking exercises. What exactly are the benefits of thematic instruction? What are some good examples of themes? Join this "classroom conversation" to learn and share simple, straightforward strategies on how to use themes in your discipline. Be prepared to share your ideas and strategies. Room E-203

Classroom Conversations: Wednesday, March 9, 3pm - 4pm - Managing Absent and Late Students - Attendance problems are one of the biggest challenges faculty face at CCBC. Join this "classroom conversation" to learn and share simple, straightforward strategies on how to manage late and absent students. Be prepared to share your ideas and strategies. Room E-203

Classroom Conversations: Monday, March 21, 3pm - 4pm - Managing Disruptive Students - What exactly is a disruptive student? How should faculty manage them in the context of a classroom setting? Join this "classroom conversation" to learn and share simple, straightforward strategies on how to manage disruptive students. Be prepared to share your ideas and strategies. Room E-203

Classroom Conversations: Tuesday, April 12, noon - 1pm - Books that Work - Many faculty members have had great success using fiction and non-fiction books to supplement their textbooks and courses, and many of those faculty members are not always found in the English or Reading Departments. Join this "classroom conversation" to learn more about books that "work" and the topics they address, both of which engage students and make reading and learning more interesting. Be prepared to share your books and the reasons why you think they worked. Room E-203

Classroom Conversations: Friday, April 29, 12:30pm - 1:30pm - Using Film in the Classroom - Film is a powerful instructional tool and medium that many of our students regularly consume. However, how many of us actually teach film studies concepts and theories when showing films? Join this "classroom conversation" to learn more about enhancing your use of film in the classroom. We will discuss some specific ideas for lessons and resources you can use to further engage your students. Be prepared to share your ideas. Room E-203

Classroom Conversations: Friday, May 6, noon - 1pm - Innovative Exam Strategies - Final exams are a staple in the life of a professor. Yet attitudes vary greatly as to how, why, and when they should be given. Join this "classroom conversation" to learn and share simple, straightforward strategies on how to maximize usage of final exams. Be prepared to share your ideas and strategies. Room E-203