THE INFORMER PAGE 11

MARCH 31, 1992

LOOKING FOR SOME ABLE ASSISTANCE? Dr. Arun Mishra, Engineering instructor at Red Deer College in Alberta, has been awarded a sabbatical for 1992-93. He will be coming to Capilano College during Fall 92 to work for approximately 4 days per week. He is offering this time to work with interested faculty in any discipline on projects related to writing across the curriculum, classroom research, critical thinking, metacognition, and learning skills. If you’ve had a yearning to try out some ideas in these areas but haven’t had a chance for one reason or another, please consider Dr. Mishra’s offer seriously. This is a one-time opportunity for teamwork you never dreamed existed! For further information, call Ruth D’Hollander, 2919.

SUMMER CONFERENCES ON TEACHING & LEARNING

First Year Experience: A Good Start for a Good Finish (May 3 - 6, University of Victoria). Hosted by the University of Victoria and the University of South Carolina, this conference presents information on innovative and successful Canadian and American first year programs and concepts that help attract first year students, enable them to make successful adjustments to higher education in and beyond the classroom, and increase retention rates.

Learning Specialists’ Association of B.C. (May 7 & 8. Kwantlen College). Addressing the theme, "Individual Differences in Learning" will be Andy Farquharson, (U. Vic.), Gary Poole (S.F.U.) and Dennis Wright (Capilano College).

Association of Community Colleges of Canada (ACCC) (May 24-27, Montreal) "Community Colleges: Creators of the Future" is the theme for this year’s conference which includes over 100 workshops and 10 major sessions with keynote speakers. It will coincide with the celebration of 3 important anniversaries: the 25th of the founding of the Quebec college network; the 20th of the incorporation of ACCC; and the 350th of the first permanent European settlement on the Island of Montreal.

1992 Student Success Course Workshop (June 14-17) is a training seminar designed for those interested in teaching Student Success courses such as ARC 100. This is the first time for one to be offered in Vancouver.

12th Annual Conference on Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE ’92) (June 20-23, Toronto). Sponsored by the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, York University and the University of Toronto. Emphasis is placed on interactive sessions such as workshops,

problem-solving sessions, demonstations and panel sessions. Topics include: promoting critical thinking and problem solving; classroom dynamics; instructional technology; and rethinking the curriculum in light of contemporary concerns on issues of race, gender, and ethnicity.

Great Teachers Seminar (June 14 - 19, Nakoda Lodge, Kananaskis, Alberta). Hosted by Grant MacKewan Community College. In spite of what the name might suggest, this seminar is not so much an assembly of great teachers as it is a group of dedicated post-secondary educators in search of the great teacher. The purpose of this 24-year old seminar, developed and directed by David Gottshall, is to practise rational analysis of instructional problems and to find realistic creative approaches to their solution; to cause educators to venture beyond the limits of their own specialization and environments in search of transferable ideas and the universals of teaching; to stimulate the exchange of information and ideas within post-secondary institutions by building an expanding communications network among faculty; to promote an attitude of introspection and self-appraisal by providing a relaxed setting and open human climate in which participants can seriously review and contemplate their own attitudes, methods and behaviours as teachers; and to celebrate good teaching.

Great Teachers Seminar (June 10-13, Naramata, B.C.) "Challenges of Instruction in Community Colleges" will be the theme for these three days of learning, teaching and reflecting. Based on the design of the Nakoda Lodge seminar, it will be directed by Mike McHargue from the Institute for Instructional Improvement and Innovation, Foothill College, California. These three days provide an opportunity for faculty to live and share for an extended period of time with peers representing a wide range of specialities, talents, and interests.

Classroom Research and Classroom Assessment

(July 10 & 11, University of California, Berkeley). A conference for faculty interested in using assessment to improve teaching and learning. This may be an in-depth follow up for those who have been using the Classroom Assessment Handbook written by K. Patricia Cross and Thomas A. Angelo or an introduction to this important topic.

Faculty Development Pacific Institute: Teaching for a Change (August 16-20, University of Victoria). The title for this event is intended to suggest that "for a change” teaching and learning will be the main focus as well as teaching strategies that really do make a change in the knowledge, values and skills of the learner. Andy Farquharson will be Institute Director and will be assisted by Maryellen Weimer, Gary Poole, and Joe Parsons.

FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT ANY OF THESE, PLEASE CONTACT RUTH D’HOLLANDER, 2919 OR BY E-MAIL.