In This Edition
• Science Teaching Journal Club
• Lab Lit Book Club
• Teaching Support and Programming
• Share with Your Students
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Science Teaching Journal Club
Science Teaching Journal Club
Thursdays, 9:00 am
LISB 217 or via Zoom: https://uoregon.zoom.us/j/369256082
Learn more about the journal club and see this term’s reading schedule
Raise your hand if you like grading! Most instructors enjoy neither the process of grading nor the way traditional grading systems cause students to focus on grades rather than learning. The latter point is becoming even more important as improvements in AI make it increasingly possible for a disengaged student to offload intellectual work. This winter the journal club will explore various alternative grading systems by reading Grading for Growth: A Guide to Alternative Grading Practices that Promote Authentic Learning and Student Engagement in Higher Education, by David Clark and Robert Talbert, as well as a few chapters from Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead), edited by Susan D. Blum.
To prepare for this week’s meeting, please read:
Grading for Growth, Part 1:
Chapter 1: What This Book is About, pp. 2-9
Chapter 2: Why Do We Grade? pp. 10-22
Chapter 3: A Framework for Alternative Grading, pp. 23-31
Access the book:
Clark, D., & Talbert, R. (2023). Grading for growth: A guide to alternative grading practices that promote authentic learning and student engagement in higher education. Taylor & Francis.
E-copy at UO Library, Amazon
Questions? Please contact Julie Mueller (jmueller@uoregon.edu)
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Lab Lit Book Club
pH: A Novel
by Nancy Lord
Thursday, March 7, 2024, 4:00 pm
In person: PSC B042
Winter term, we’ll discuss pH: A Novel, by Nancy Lord. At a university in Alaska, a marine biologist clashes with a collaborator. A Ph.D. student debates her future: a career in government or a career in academia? After taking part in an oceanographic cruise, an artist creates a fire-based art project (conceived as a commentary on climate change) and dresses up like a marine snail.
At our March 7th meeting, we’ll discuss these and other characters; we’ll also tackle ocean acidification, science-inspired art, and relationships between academia and industry.
Everyone is welcome; just read the book and come prepared to discuss it.
Questions? Contact Rachel Rodman (rrodman@uoregon.edu)
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Teaching Support and Programming
Neurodivergent Instructors & Staff Affinity Group Meeting
Tuesday, Jan. 9, 10:00 – 11:00 am
Virtual event: Join us on Zoom
This affinity-group is a space for neurodivergent instructors and staff (and those who hold identities within the umbrella of neurodivergence, like Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, bipolar, etc.) to connect in ways that feel positive, and to share resources, strategies, questions, and scholarship around things that matter to you.
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Designing for Accessibility: Coffee and Co-working
Tuesday, Jan. 16, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Straub 401 or via Zoom
Learn more and register
This informal, supportive co-working session is for instructors and staff looking to expand accessibility in their courses and/or other work contexts!
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Perusall Engage Reading Events
(Sponsored by Perusall, no connection with UO)
Jan. 15 – Feb. 9
$15 fee to access each book through Perusall
Read a pedagogy-centered book with a group from across the country – or the world! Designed for anyone interested in teaching and learning, these communal reads will allow participants to engage with the authors, engage with each other, and engage with the book content in our social reading platform, Perusall. You can participate at your own pace and on your schedule. Plus, you’ll get ideas for using Perusall in your own teaching. Choose from:
If you’re not able to join us in the journal club, try reading Grading for Growth here!
Grading for Growth
by David Clark and Robert Talbert
Register
Ludic Pedagogy: A Seriously Fun Way to Teach and Learn
by Sharon Lauricella and T. Keith Edmunds
Register
Design for Learning: User Experience in Online Teaching and Learning
by Jenae Cohn
Register
Share with your students
Tutoring and Academic Engagement Center
Quack the Code
Various times in Weeks 2, 3, and 4
Register
Quack the Code is a 50-minute session on personal practices for academic success. QTC provides time to reflect on the previous term, instruction on effective study and time management practices, and connects students to our academic services in TAEC. It will take place in the DREAM Lab in Knight Library and end with a quick trip up to TAEC’s space. Quack the Code is open to any student wanting to improve their learning in the winter.
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UO Libraries Data Services Winter Offerings
Talking Data: Thursday Tea
Thursdays 4:00 pm
Knight Library DREAM Lab
Learn more and register
Join us to learn and talk about issues and ideas in data, programming, statistical analysis, and data science. Each Thursday we will watch a 30 minute presentation followed by conversation. This presentation may be a pre-recorded talk with discussion questions, or it may be a live presentation followed by Q&A. Tea will be served. Feel free to attend the whole series, or just the ones that interest you!
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Coffee + Data && Code
Alternate Fridays beginning Jan. 12, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Knight Library DREAM Lab or via Zoom
Learn more and register
An informal and inclusive co-working session for anyone working with data or code! People of all skill levels and backgrounds attend to learn new tips and tricks and get to know other people interested in coding. Cookies will be served.
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Coding Circle
Fridays, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Knight Library DREAM Lab
Learn more and register
Drop in to our informal and inclusive co-working sessions for anyone working with data or code! There’s no presentation or formal workshop, just hanging out and working on projects while we finish the cookies from Coffee + Data && Code. Data Services folks with expertise in Python, R, and Excel will be on hand to answer questions, but we equally invite you to share your expertise with and learn from other attendees. This is an opportunity to learn new data analysis and programming skills and meet other people working on exciting projects!
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Introduction to R (Multisession Workshop)
Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Jan. 16, 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Knight Library DREAM Lab
Learn more and register
Are you interested in using R and RStudio but unsure where to start? This workshop is for you! This eight-session workshop will introduce you to the fundamentals of using R! This course is intended for absolute beginners or anyone wanting to review the basics.
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Introduction to Python (Multisession Workshop)
Mondays and Wednesdays beginning Jan. 15, 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Knight Library DREAM Lab
Learn more and register
This eight-session workshop will introduce you to the fundamentals of programming in Python. This course is intended for absolute beginners or anyone wanting to review the basics. This series lays the foundation for attendees to understand Python code and begin writing scripts that apply to their work.
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Data Bookclub: Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men
Alternate Fridays beginning Jan. 19, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Knight Library DREAM Lab
Learn more and register
Embark on a captivating exploration of data bias and its far-reaching implications with this term’s Data Book Club. This winter, we’re delving into Caroline Criado Perez’s Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men. Join us in unraveling the complexities of gender data bias, shedding light on its pervasive influence across various facets of society.
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Volunteer at the Eugene Math Festival
Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024
Sign up now!
Questions? Contact Maria Nemirovskaya (nemirovm@yahoo.com)
Help the UO Math Department create an exciting and unforgettable experience for hundreds of elementary and middle school children at the Eugene Math Festival! Volunteers perform a variety of tasks, from set-up assistance to supervising math activities or even designing new ones.
Most volunteers manage a station featuring a specific math-related activity ranging from problem-solving and ciphers to building 3D shapes, origami, strategy and board games, experiments, etc., working from ~9:30 until ~1:30 on festival day, though shorter shifts are possible. Materials and directions are provided, but station volunteers will need to spend half an hour or so familiarizing themselves with their stations in advance – for example, learning games or practicing hands-on activities. In the weeks before the festival, some volunteers help prepare existing stations or even create their own. Others assist with organizational tasks, such as PR. Most of the prep work takes place in January or early February.
We welcome people with varying levels of math experience: faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduates from any department, as well as other community members.
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MCAT Prep Course
Offered by the Tutoring and Academic Engagement Center
Saturdays, Jan. 20 – Mar. 2
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Learn more and register
The MCAT has four sections and lasts approximately 6 hours. Test day requires endurance, knowledge, strategy, and confidence—as does your test preparation process. Investing time and energy now will improve both the experience and the outcome of your MCAT exam. Our prep course provides structure, community, and incentive to study, for about 1/3 the price of most commercial services.
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