Critical thinking workshop offered

By Carmen Pease

It is that spark, a twinkling in a child's eye or the epiphany after one last try that makes teaching so gratifying and valuable. Techniques to reach these educational moments will be featured in a two-day workshop, "An Introduction to the Fundamentals of Critical Thinking and the Art of Instruction."

Sponsored by the Provost's Office, the workshop will be held at Old Nelson from 8:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 3 and 4, with lunch provided.

The workshop, conducted by Rich Paul, will focus on how to engage students in active thinking, inquiry and discovery. Paul is internationally recognized for his work in critical thinking. He hales from The Center for Critical Thinking and has authored six books and more than 100 articles. He has conducted extensive experimentation for teaching tactics and devised novel ways to engage students in rigorous self-assessment.

This workshop is the first of six planned by the Provost's Office for faculty during the next three years, each to be presented by Paul. To register, contact Anita Leach in 308 Cutler Hall or by e-mail at leacha@ohio.edu. Participants must attend both days of the workshop.

The next step is the second annual Spotlight on Learning conference scheduled for March 6 and 7. The conference is an opportunity for faculty to "show and tell" about innovative, learning-centered pedagogies they have successfully implemented in the classroom.

Through poster sessions, roundtable discussions, demonstrations and presentations, Ohio University's faculty will share how they cultivate and customize learning experiences for their students.

Carmen Pease is a student writer with University Communications and Marketing.