My freshman class continued using the IF process this week, though the focus is shifting. They have begun to discuss what/how to share what they have learned about "the value of higher education" with a younger student audience. I asked them to think about what...
This week I asked my freshman class to continue discussing "the public value of higher education." I told them to focus on their college experience to present -- activities they had attended (required by the University) & courses in general: "What were they...
I've got a couple of very unrelated "possibilities" to pass along. Easels or "flip chart" stands. A few of you--especially those teaching IF-related courses this fall--have asked whether we have any specific recommendations on flip chart stands. I think Jeff...
I wanted to share my recent experience about using the IF process with a group of faculty at my institution to discuss changing general education requirements. When I attended the 2009 Summer Institute, I considered how to implement IF into venues other than...
This week in my IF-supported course, I struggled with getting my small groups underway. Our class took a day-long trip to Washington, DC last weekend, and we toured the National Gallery of Art, and several other Smithsonian museums. It was a whirlwind tour, but...
This week my class met again to continue the discussion about the "public value of higher ed". I was somewhat distressed because most groups had not posted their summary reports despite several reminders (and threats!) In class I learned that all groups had posted...
Thanks, Michael, for your postings. I read them and enjoyed them, and have decided to follow your lead. I had my first IF discussion session last Wednesday. My class is a Freshman Seminar with 24 students. I met them two weeks ago, but decided to wait before I...
So in my IF-supported class this week, Art: I Know it When I See It, we continued our class discussion focusing on possible responses to the question "What is art?". Last week they came up with two potential responses (note that I'm avoiding the word "answers" - I...
On Sunday I spent about 90 minutes at a retreat for the Board of Trustees of a local private school. I served on this Board for the past three years, so I was already familiar with the personalities and issues the Board faces. I brought my markers &...
I'm into week two of my IF-oriented course, and I' m learning more everyday. On Tuesday we had our first official IF-style discussion. I had to bite my tongue often as I suspected, and allow them to generate ideas. I could think of half a dozen objections to...