Conference Theme: Using Scholarship to Enhance Student Learning
Two things are certain about contemporary higher education. First, colleges and universities throughout the world are struggling with diminished resources. Second, scholarly work on teaching and learning has increased dramatically in the past five years. The theme for the 35th International Conference on Improving University Teaching brings these two concepts together in a meaningful way: How we can better use the scholarly knowledge we have amassed to enhance learning environments in higher education for students throughout the world in an era of declining resources.
Subthemes are used as a framework to focus our discussion, but not exclusive of all presentation topics. Our five major subthemes this year include:
- Advancing Active Learning - What additional resources can we use to increase student engagement in the learning process?
- Teaching Well with Technology - Where can technology be integrated into the learning experience in a way that benefits the student and assists with the long-term retention of information? Where are the returns from technology not worth the costs?
- Creating a Community of Learners - How can we strengthen relationships and interdependence among members of the learning community at a time of diminished resources?
- Promoting Cultural Attunement - Moving beyond "tolerance" and "competency," how can we help learners to become more attuned to one another in a global society?
- Cultivating Students as Proponents - In what ways can students be further included in the teaching and learning process to assist in developing more effective learning for everyone?