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GradSTEP 2011 John Morrell Creating Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Classrooms

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Freewrite What is interdisciplinarity? Why should we do it? What are the benefits? Challenges?

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Ice Breaker Introduce yourself to a neighbor from a different discipline. Share your ideas about interdisciplinarity. How could your particular disciplines inform each other? on specific topics? in terms of pedagogical practices?

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Group Work With your partner, arrange yourselves in groups of # to share ideas. What possibilities do you find most inspiring? What strategies can you imagine for dealing with the challenges of interdisciplinary teaching?

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Cooperative Learning Promotes positive interdependence Product/goal interdependence Reward interdependence Resource interdependence Role interdependence Promotes active learning.

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Strategy: Expert Guests Guest speakers extend the boundaries of the classroom, helping students to see the course as a part of a larger network of ideas and conversations. The experts visit presents an external motivation for students to engage with readings and assignments. Careful planning can help to ensure that guest contributions will enhance student learning. Let guests know ahead of time the topic of the course and how their visits fit with the themes of the class. Assign students to submit questions in the experts area of interest. Avoid presentations; invite the expert to class to participate in an interview instead. Consider inviting guests with opposing views.

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Strategy: Student Generated Questions Write a question Instead of asking, are their any questions?, have students write down 1 3 questions. Instead of answering the questions, have other students try to answer first. Exam questions Alone, in pairs, or in groups of 3, have students write exam questions about the material covered in class. Minute Papers Most important point, remaining question

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Strategy: Students as teachers Make students responsible for leading discussion. Presentations, on both core concepts and relevant issues.

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Strategy: Think, Pair, Share

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Strategy: Jigsaw Promotes group-work accountability. 1111, 2222, 3333, 4444 1234, 1234, 1234, 1234

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Strategy: Structured Controversy

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Strategy: Fishbowl One group observed by another group. Can help to formalize self-reflection on group dynamics and participation. Exercise: Brainstorm: Argue for or against group work in the classroom. What are the pros and cons? Volunteers? Inner group conversation about content Outer group observations about process

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Strategy: Simulations and Role Play