News Release
For Immediate Release —August 18, 2008
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources to Host Workshop on Teaching Strategies to Match Student Learning Styles
Dr. Anna Ball
(KNOXVILLE, Tenn.) – Access to information is now instant and interactive. This contributes to the challenges of engaging students in the learning process. To assist faculty with strategies to fully engage students, the University of Tennessee College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) will present a campus-wide, faculty/staff workshop entitled “A Matter of Style: Matching Teaching Strategies with Student Learning Styles to Enhance Student Learning.” The workshop will be September 12, 2008, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the Hollingsworth Auditorium on the UT Institute of Agriculture campus.
“With its focus on teaching innovation and effectiveness, CASNR is well suited to offer this workshop not only to faculty in our college but to the entire university community," explained CASNR Dean Caula Beyl.
Participants will learn to identify learning styles and develop teaching strategies for a variety of learning orientations. Participants will also develop an understanding of how students learn, identify their own learning styles, examine the four stages of the Learning Cycle (as identified by Kolb) and develop teaching strategies to engage learners of all styles and at all stages of the learning cycle.
Dr. Anna Ball, associate professor and director of Undergraduate Studies in Agricultural Education and director of Faculty Development at the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, will lead the workshop. Dr. Ball’s previous academic experience has included serving as the director of the Teaching Resources Center for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Florida, and as an assistant professor in the Department of Human and Community Development at the University of Illinois. She has been the recipient of two USDA Higher Education Challenge Grants for faculty development, and her teaching and research have largely focused on teaching methodologies, teacher thinking and reflective practice in teaching.
There is no cost for the workshop and lunch is provided. Space is limited and registration is required by calling (865) 974-7303. The workshop is being hosted by CASNR as well as Dr. Susan Martin, UT interim provost, and the Tennessee Teaching and Learning Center.
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Contact: Dr. Mary Albrecht, CASNR Associate Dean, 974-7303