Learning before Teaching

Ilene D. Alexander, PhD

Center for Teaching & Learning

University of Minnesota

Learning provokes: significant changes inindividuals, groups, organisations & society

Lifelong Learning: 5 years & 50 yearsLifewide Learning: work & home, public & personal

Multicultural Learning & Teaching Is Everyone’s Every Day Work.

All photos by Ilene Alexander

Period.

Katie

TEACHERLeader and guide

Hold high standards

STUDENTActive participantWilling to engage

LECTURE

IN-CLASS ACTIVITIESPROBLEM SOLVING

GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING

Nick

Picture by Slices of Light (Flickr)

Why would anyone want to study chemistry?

Chemistry is about fundamentals: matter and change

You’ll need to recognize different concepts

And assemble a scientific language

Video from AMC’s Breaking Bad

This is the reaction of samarium metal with

air

Picture by Cyberchemist (Flickr)

What are the products?

What is the change in free energy for the reaction?

What are the properties of samarium?

What are possible uses for samarium in research?

What are the reactants?

Picture by Tobi Abel (Flickr)

Chemistry is not done alone…

Other scientists can:

Collaborations are what will change the world!

Present unique insights

Provide instruction in new topics

Evaluate your work

Offer expertise in unfamiliar fields

Aaron

Ownership of learning

"The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education."

- Albert Einstein

How will you use the content of this course in your everyday life?

Career-focused, academic literature

Discuss: Describe the ways in which primary literature will be critical to your functioning as a scientist.

Informed Citizenry

Discuss: Ways to incorporate scientific knowledge into your lives and the importance of doing so.