home   |   about crlt   |   contact   |    text only

Research, Publications, Presentations, and Resources

Research Projects

a. Role of GSIs in Undergraduate Retention in the Sciences

This study is an outgrowth of the University’s Task Force for Testing and Training Prospective GSIs. The project examined the reasons why undergraduate students leave the sciences, with particular attention to the impact of GSI teaching on students' decisions to switch.

b. Effect of First Year Experience on Engineering Student Retention

A collaboration between CRLT North, faculty and staff from Engineering, the Center for the Education of Women, the Women in Science and Engineering Office, and Lourdes College, the project has established an inventory of student retention data for women and underrepresented minority students in engineering at U-M. The inventory will be used to model persistence in engineering based on student intentions when they enroll in first-year courses, deliberateness of course choices, and perceptions of the first year experience. The model will also be used to identify differences in the experiences of women and underrepresented minority students.

c. Effects of Applied Honors Math

Many engineering students qualify to enroll in an applied honors math course based on placement scores. This project compares the academic success of qualified students who take the course and those who do not enroll in the course. The project involves a collaboration between CRLT North, Mathematics, and the School of Education.

d. Impact of theatre on students teamwork skills

Based on work initiated by the CRLT Players, the College of Engineering developed a theatre troupe that performs sketches for first-year students on working successfully in diverse student teams. This research project focuses on the impact of student-focused teamwork sketches on students in Engineering 100.

e. Experiments on Improving Student Writing and Critical Thinking

CRLT and the Sweetland Writing Center received a three-year grant from the Teagle and Spencer Foundations for experiments on improving two core liberal arts skills, writing and writing thinking. The experiments will investigate the impact of different types of faculty feedback on student writing and the effectiveness of different types of metacognitive strategies on improving critical thinking. Both experiments will involve courses that satisfy the LSA Upper-Level Writing Requirement.

back to top

Publications by CRLT Staff 2008-2009

  • Baylen, D. M. & Zhu, E. (2009). Challenges and issues of teaching online. In P. Rogers et al. (Eds). Encyclopedia of distance learning (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 241-246). Hershey, PA: Idea Group Inc.
  • Brown, M. K., Hershock, C., Finelli, C. J., and O’Neal, C. (2009). Teaching for retention in science, engineering, and math disciplines: A guide for faculty. Occasional Paper No. 25. Ann Arbor, MI: Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, University of Michigan.
  • Brown, M. K. & Hershock, C. (2009) Teaching for Retention in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics:  A Guide for Graduate Student Instructors. In T. Pinder-Grover, M. Kaplan, & M. Wright (Eds.), A guidebook for University of Michigan Graduate Student Instructors:  Strategies and resources for new and experinced GSIs (pp. 55-58).  Ann Arbor, MI: Center for Research on Learning and Teaching.
  • Carpenter, D. D., Finelli, C. J., & Harding, T. S. (2008, July). Investigating the linkages between unethical professional behaviors and engineering undergraduate cheating. Proceedings of the 2008 International Research on Engineering Education Symposium, Davos, Switzerland.
  • Cook, C. E., & Marincovich, M. (in press). Effective practices in the context of research universities. In K. H. Gillespie & D. R. Robertson (Eds.). A guide to faculty development. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
  • Cook, C. E. (2008). Study abroad for Chinese university presidents: How China is reforming higher education. Change, 40(3), 33-39.
  • Finelli, C. J. (2008, November). JEE Selects: A way to enhance teaching. ASEE PRISM Magazine. 61.
  • Finelli, C. J., Ott, M., Gottfried, A. C., Hershock, C., O’Neal, C., Kaplan, M. (2008). Utilizing instructional consultations to enhance the teaching performance of engineering faculty. Journal of Engineering Education, 97(4), 397–411.
  • Finelli, C. J., Sutkus, J. A., Carpenter, D. D., & Harding, T. S. (2008, July). A longitudinal study of the ethical development of engineering and non-engineering students at a national research university. Proceedings of the 2008 International Research on Engineering Education Symposium, Davos, Switzerland.
  • Groscurth, C. R. (in press). Disrupting whiteness at a fire house: Promoting organizational change through relational praxis. In L. R. Frey & K. M. Carragee (Eds.), Communication activism: Communication for social change (Volume 3). Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.
  • Groscurth, C. R. (in press). Paradoxes of privilege and participation: The case of the American Red Cross. Communication Quarterly.
  • Harris, T. M., Keeley, B., Barrientos, S., Condit, C., Gronnvoll, M., Landau, J., Groscurth, C., Shen, L., Cheng, Y-Y., & Cisneros, D. (2009). A religious framework as a lens for understanding the intersection of genetics, health, and disease. American Journal of Medical Genetics, 151C(1), 22-30. 
  • Landau, J., Groscurth, C. R., Wright, L., & Condit, C. M. (2009). Visualizing nanotechnology: The impact of visual images on lay American audience associations with nanotechnology. Public Understanding of Science, 18(3), 1-14.
  • Meizlish, D., & Kaplan, M. (2008). Valuing and evaluating teaching in academic hiring: A multidisciplinary, cross-institutional study. The Journal of Higher Education, 79(5), 489-512.
  • Meizlish, D. M. , & Wright, M . C. (2009). Preparing advocates for faculty development: Expanding the meaning of “growing our own.” In L. B. Nilson & J. E. Miller (Eds.), To Improve the Academy, 27, (pp. 385-400). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Milkova, S. (2009). Strategies for effective lesson planning. In T. Pinder-Grover, M. Kaplan, & M. Wright (Eds.), A guidebook for University of Michigan Graduate Student Instructors:  Strategies and resources for new and experinced GSIs (pp. 39-42).  Ann Arbor, MI: Center for Research on Learning and Teaching.
  • Olwell, R., & Wright, M. C. (2009). The hidden advantages of exchange programs. The Department Chair, 19(4), 25-26.  Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company.
  • Orbe, M. P., Smith, D. C., Groscurth, C. R., Crawley, R. L. (in press). Exhaling so that we can catch our breath and sing: Reflections on issues inherent in publishing race-related communication research. Southern Communication Journal.
  • Pinder-Grover, T., & Groscurth, C. R. (in press). Principles for teaching the millennial generation: Innovative practices of U-M faculty. Occasional Paper No. 26. Ann Arbor, MI: Center for Research on Learning and Teaching.
  • Pinder-Grover, T., Mirecki-Millunchick, J., & Bierwert, C. (2008, October). Work in progress: Using screencasts to enhance student learning in a large lecture materials science and engineering course. Proceedings of the 38th IEEE/ASEE Frontiers in Education Conference, Saratoga Springs, NY.
  • Sutkus, J. A., Carpenter, D. D., Finelli, C. J., & Harding, T. S. (2008, October). Work in progress: Building the Survey of Engineering Ethical Development (SEED) instrument. Proceedings of the 38th IEEE/ASEE Frontiers in Education Conference, Saratoga, NY.
  • Wright, M. C. (2008, Fall). Building a shared value of teaching in a department: What chairs can do. The Department Chair, 19(2): 18-20.
  • Wright, M. C. (2009). Teaching Effectively with GSI-Faculty Teams. In T. Pinder-Grover, M. Kaplan, & M. Wright (Eds.), A guidebook for University of Michigan Graduate Student Instructors:  Strategies and resources for new and experinced GSIs (pp. 13-15).  Ann Arbor, MI: Center for Research on Learning and Teaching.
  • Wright, M. C., Cook, C.E., & O’Neal, C. (forthcoming). Developing and renewing department chair leadership:  The role of a teaching center in administrative training. To Improve the Academy.
  • Zhu, E., & Kaplan, M. (in press). Teaching and technology. In M. Svinicki & W. I. McKeachie (Eds.),
    McKeachie’s Teaching Tips (13th ed.). Belmont, CA:  Wadsworth.

back to top

Publications by CRLT Staff 2007-2008

  • Cook, C. (2008, May/June). Study abroad for Chinese university presidents: How China is reforming higher education. Change, 40(3), 32-39.
  • Davis, C. S. G., & Finelli, C. J. (2007). Diversity and retention in engineering. In M. Kaplan & A. T. Miller (Eds.), The Scholarship of Multicultural Teaching and Learning. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 111, pp. 63–71. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass
  • Harding, T. S., Mayhew, M. M., Finelli, C. J., & Carpenter, D. D. (2007, September). The Theory of Planned Behavior as a model of academic dishonesty in humanities and engineering undergraduates. Ethics and Behavior, 17(3), 255–279
  • Hershock, C., & Chun, J. (2007, July). How does your ‘online identity’ impact classroom climate?: Strategies for managing e-mail communications and social networking sites. In M. Wright & M. Kaplan  (Eds.), A Guidebook for University of Michigan Graduate Student Instructors: Strategies and Resources for New and Experienced GSIs (pp. 59-62). Ann Arbor, MI: Center for Research on Learning and Teaching.
  • Meizlish, D. M. & Wright, M .C. (in press). Preparing advocates for faculty development: Expanding the meaning of “growing our own.” To Improve the Academy, 27. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Miller, A.T. (2008, Spring). Intercultural experiential learning for the engaged global citizen. Diversity and Democracy, 11(2), 10-11.
  • Pinder, T. (2007) Teaching Practice:  Emphasis on Active Learning. In C. Ross and J. Dunphy (Eds). Strategies for Teaching Assistant and International Teaching Assistant Development (pp.76-79). San Francisco, CA; Jossey-Bass.
  • Piontek, M. (2008). Best practices for designing and grading exams. CRLT Occasional Paper No. 24. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan. Center for Research on Learning and Teaching.
  • Wright, M.C. (2007). Identity and authority in the classroom: An exercise for new TAs. In C. Ross, & J. Dunphy (Eds.), Strategies for teaching assistant and international teaching assistant development: Beyond micro-teaching. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
  • Wright, M.C. (2007). Introduction to online teaching and learning: Using asynchronous discussions effectively. In C. Ross & J. Dunphy (Eds.), Strategies for teaching assistant and international teaching assistant development: Beyond micro-teaching. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
  • Wright, M.C. (2008). Always at odds?: Creating alignment between faculty and administrative values. Albany, NY: SUNY Press.
  • Wright, M.C. (in press). Building a shared value of teaching in a department: What chairs can do. The Department Chair, October 2008.
  • Wright, M. C., Purkiss, J., O’Neal, C., & Cook, C. E. (in press). International teaching assistants and student retention in the sciences. Journal of Graduate Student and Professional Development.

back to top

CRLT staff made external presentations at many conferences, meetings, and workshops.

Presentations by CRLT Staff 2008-2009

  • Bierwert, C. (2008, July). Interdisciplinary teaching and learning. Workshop presented at Washington State University, Vancouver, WA.
  • Cook, C. E., Felten, P., & Lee, V. (2009, January). Strategies for systematically improving teaching and learning on your campus. Presentation at the annual meeting of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), Seattle, WA.
  • Cook, C. E., & Sorcinelli, M. D. (2009, January). Improving teaching and learning: Faculty, academic leaders and faculty developers as partners. Presentation at the annual meeting of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), Seattle, WA.
  • Carpenter, D. D., Finelli, C. J., Harding, T. S., Sutkus, J. A., & Holsapple, M. A. (2009, February). A holistic assessment of the ethical development of engineering undergraduates. Poster presented at the NSF Engineering Education and Centers Awardees Conference, Reston, VA.
  • Finelli, C. J. (2009, April). Educating ethical engineers. Invited workshop presented at Carnegie Mellon University – University Lecture Series, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Finelli, C. J., Ott, M., Gottfried, A. C., Hershock, C., O’Neal, C., & Kaplan, M. (2008, September). Instructional Consultations for Engineering Faculty: The Value of Trained Consultants and Midterm Student Feedback Sessions. Poster presented at U-M Medical School, School of Education, and CRLT Poster Fair and Walking Dinner, Ann Arbor, MI.
  • Finelli, C. J., Ott, M., Gottfried, A. C., Hershock, C., O’Neal, C., & Kaplan, M. (2008, October). Consultations on Teaching – Benefits for Engineering Faculty. Poster presented at the U-M CRLT North Third Annual Research and Scholarship in Engineering Education Poster Session, Ann Arbor, MI.
  • Groscurth, C. R. (2008, November). From (in)competence to organizational learning in emergency service communication. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Communication Association,
    San Diego, CA.
  • Groscurth, C. R. (2008, November). Paradoxes of privilege and participation: The case of the American Red Cross. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Communication Association, San Diego, CA.
  • Harding, T. S., Carpenter, D. D., & Finelli, C. J. (2009, February). Ethics education or ethical development? Invited workshop presented at the NSF Engineering Education and Centers Awardees Conference,
    Reston, VA.
  • Harding, T. S., Finelli, C. J., & Carpenter, D. D. (2008, June). Ethics education or ethical development: What is the best goal for engineering education? Workshop presented at the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference and Exposition, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Hershock, C., & O’Neal, C. (2008, October). Action research: Using data to improve instruction and student retention. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network of Higher Education, Reno, NV.
  • Holsapple, M., & Finelli, C. J. (2009, May). Culture of professional ethics education in schools of engineering: Implications for all students. Paper presented at the University of Michigan Student Affairs Research Symposium, Ann Arbor, MI.
  • Kaplan, M., & Silver, N. (2009, May). Approaches to core skills: Experiments to improve students’ writing & critical thinking. Paper presented at the Eastern Michigan University Winter 2009 SoTL Symposium,
    Ypsilanti, MI.
  • Kieffer, J., Aldridge, M., Bickel, J., Feldman, A., Katz, M., Warren, M., Zhen, C., & Pinder-Grover, T. (2008, October). Enhancing materials science & engineering curricula through computation. Poster presentation at the U-M CRLT North Third Annual Research and Scholarship in Engineering Poster Session,
    Ann Arbor, MI.
  • Litzinger, T. A., Atman, C., Finelli, C. J., Fortenberry, N. L., & Radcliffe, D. F. (2008, June). Engineering education centers and departments as drivers of change. Workshop presented at the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference and Exposition, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Mirecki-Millunchick, J., Pinder-Grover, T., & Bierwert, C. (2008, October). Using screencasts to enhance student learning in a large lecture materials science and engineering course. Poster presentation at the U-M CRLT North Third Annual Research and Scholarship in Engineering Poster Session. Ann Arbor, MI.
  • Pinder-Grover, T., Root, S., & Cagin, E. (2008, June).  Preparing graduate students to be successful as teaching mentors and as future professionals.  Paper presented at the American Society of Engineering Education (ASAEE) Annual conference and Exposition, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Steiger, J. (2009, April). Consultation regarding faculty development theatre program at University of Miami, Miami, FL.
  • Steiger, J. (2009, March). Writing for the stage and elements of performance. Guest lectures at Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor, MI.
  • Steiger, J. (2009, January). Facilitating interactive theatre. Workshop presented at The Bok Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA.
  • Wright, M. C. (2009, May). SoTL and academic careers: Getting hired and tenured. Panel moderator for SOTL Academy, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI.
  • Wright, M. C. (2009, April). The academic job market. Paper presented at the North Central Sociological Association Annual Meeting, Dearborn, MI.
  • Wright, M. C. (2008, November). Narrating and navigating the academic job market. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE), Jacksonville, FL.
  • Wright, M. C. (2008, October). Encouraging the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning: Helping instructors navigate IRB and FERPA. Presentation at the annual meeting of the Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network in Higher Education, Reno, NV.
  • Wright, M. C., & Schram, L. (2008, October). Engaging graduate students in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). Presentation at the annual meeting of the Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network in Higher Education, Reno, NV.
  • Wright, M. C., Finelli, C., & Meizlish, D. (2008, October). Campus collaborations to simplify the IRB process and encourage the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. POD Innovative Award finalist at the annual meeting of the Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network in Higher Education, Reno, NV.
  • Yalisove, S., Pinder-Grover, T., Bierwert, C., & Tebo, K. (2008, October). Teaching where students learn: A fresh approach to deploying GSIs. Poster presentation at the U-M CRLT North Third Annual Research and Scholarship in Engineering Poster Session, Ann Arbor, MI.

back to top

Presentations by CRLT Staff 2007-2008

  • Bierwert, C., & Dey, E. (2007, October). What’s the use of lecture recording? Presentation at the annual meeting of the Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network in Higher Education, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Cook, C. (2007, June). Participation at AACU LEAP Advisory Board meeting in Washington, D.C.
  • Finelli, C. J., (2007, October). Academic integrity among engineering undergraduates. Invited presentation at the University of Texas Faculty Innovation Seminar, Austin, TX.
  • Finelli, C.J., Harding, T.S., Carpenter, D.D., & Sutkus, J.A. (2007, October). Academic integrity among engineering undergraduates. Seven years of research by the E3 Team. Poster presented at the NSF Engineering Education Awardees Conference, Arlington, VA.
  • Grooters, S., & Wright, M.C. (2007, October). Supporting ‘peripheral’ graduate students in instructional development. Roundtable at the annual meeting of the Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network in Higher Education, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Kaplan, M., & McHale, I. (2007, October). Religion, Faith, Spirituality, and Meaning in the Academy: How Do Developers Respond? Pre-conference workshop at the annual meeting of the Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education (POD), Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Meizlish, D. & Wright, M.C. (2007, October). Graduate teaching consultants: ‘Quick starters’ in faculty development. Workshop presented at the annual meeting of the Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education (POD), Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Miller, A.T. (2008, April). Teaching for inclusion. Seminar presented at Dominican University Faculty Development Session, Dominican University, River Forest, IL.
  • Miller, A.T. (2008, March). Teaching for inclusion. Seminar presented at faculty development sessions for Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI.
  • Miller, A.T. (2008, March). Teaching diversity for MSU GSIs. Seminar presented at Michigan State University, Lansing, MI.
  • Miller, A.T. (2008, May). Building multiculturalism into faculty development programs. Presentation at the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Orlando, FL.
  • Miller, A.T. (2008, May). Multicultural Teaching and Learning. Two day workshop presented at the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Orlando, FL.
  • Pinder-Grover, T. (2007, October). Fostering a teaching community through graduate student peer mentoring. Presentation at the annual meeting of the Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education (POD), Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Pinder-Grover, T., Root, S., & Cagin, E. (2008, June). Preparing graduate students to be successful as teaching mentors and as future professionals. Paper presentation at the ASEE Conference and Exposition, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Piontek, M.E., Beesley, A., & Arens, S. (2007, November). When clients collect evaluation data:  Promises and pitfalls. Think Tank presented at the annual meeting of the American Evaluation Association, Baltimore, MD.

back to top

Resources on Educational Research

  • American Education Research Association
    http://www.aera.net/

    The American Educational Research Association is an international, interdisciplinary, professional organization with the primary goal of advancing educational research and its practical application. The AERA website includes links to publications and resources related to evaluation research.

  • Higher Education Performance
    http://www.pewtrusts.org/our_work.aspx?category=108

    The Pew Charitable Trusts support nonprofit activities in the areas of culture, education, the environment, health and human services, public policy and religion. This website includes publications on Pew-sponsored projects, public opinion polls, survey results, and other resources pertaining to higher education.

  • Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
    http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

    IPEDS, which is part of the National Center for Educational Statistics, is a “system designed to encompass all institutions and educational organizations whose primary purpose is to provide postsecondary education.” Using a series of interrelated surveys, IPEDS collects institution-level data on a variety of issues, including enrollments, graduations rates, and finances.

  • Research and Stats, U.S. Department of Education
    http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/landing.jhtml

    The Research and Stats section of the U.S. Department of Education website includes resources about educational research, evaluation, and assessment as well as statistics about education.

  • The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)
    http://nsse.iub.edu/

    The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) is designed to obtain information about student participation in programs and activities that colleges and universities provide for their learning and personal development. The results provide an estimate of how undergraduates spend their time and what they gain from attending college. The survey items reflect principles of good practice for undergraduate education.

back to top