Arthur F. Thurnau Professors/
Engaging Students in the Classroom and Beyond
Arthur F. Thurnau Professorships are awarded annually to tenured faculty
who have made outstanding contributions to undergraduate education at
the University of Michigan and who have had a demonstrable impact on
the intellectual development and lives of their students. For
more information about the Thurnau Professorship please see http://www.provost.umich.edu/programs/thurnau/index.html.
This series of videos demonstrates how these outstanding faculty stimulate
student engagement in their courses. Research in a number of fields has shown
that engaging students in the learning process is an important step in promoting
deep and lasting learning.
Thurnau Professors and Sudent Engagement
Time 4:09 |
Thad Polk : Promoting Learning
and Engagement in Large Gateway Courses
Thad Polk, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Psychology, offers
practical advice for promoting student engagement in a large gateway
courses. He also discusses research findings on student
learning that have led him to adopt these innovative teaching strategies.
For a summary of main points, click here (.pdf).
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Time 5:42 |
Alford Young : Engaging Students in
Critical Thinking
Professor Alford Young, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor in Sociology and
the Center for Afroamerican and African Studies (CAAS), discusses strategies
for helping students develop the complex thinking skills central to
learning in the social sciences. Using a variety of course materials
and teaching strategies, Professor Young helps students develop their
ability to ask good questions, examine their own assumptions, analyze
course materials and social structures, and construct well-supported
arguments.
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Time 4:00 |
Alford Young : Discussing Challenging Issues
Professor Young discusses how he deals with difficult issues in the
classroom. His approach includes cultivating a non-confrontational
environment, encouraging students to share their perspectives and their
questions in a professional manner, and using strategies such as in-class
writing and group activities to help students learn from each other.
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For a summary of main points of Alford Young's videos,
click here (.pdf). |
Time 7:40 |
Deborah Ball : Engaging Students
in Large Classes
Deborah Ball, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Education,
is skilled at engaging students in large classes. This video shows her
working with students in a large, introductory, team-taught course (Public
Policy 201) and discussing her approach to active engagement.
For a summary of main points, click here (.pdf). |
Time: 16:27 |
Scott Moore : Using Technology and Collaboration
to Engage Students
Scott Moore, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Business,
discusses how he revised a course to increase student motivation and
engagement using project-based learning and technology tools, such
as blogs and wikis. Navigate to Prof. Moore's class website: http://bit330f08.wikidot.com/
For a summary of main points, click here (.pdf). |
Profiles of Thurnau Professors
Time: 7:55 |
Arthur F. Thurnau Professorships
Thurnau Professor and former Provost, Paul Courant, describes the Arthur
F. Thurnau Professorships and highlights six faculty who have received
the award:
Lorraine Gutierrez (Psychology and Social Work)
Freda
Herseth (Voice)
Buzz Alexander (English)
Alec Gallimore (Aerospace
Engineering)
Timothy McKay (Physics)
Elizabeth Moje (Education)
Each Thurnau Professor explains his or her
approach to teaching and learning with a particular focus on student
engagement.
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For a list of all Thurnau Professors please see http://www.provost.umich.edu/programs/thurnau/thurnau_professors.html
