Improving Teaching and Learning

Imagery for Critical Thinking: A Pedagogical Approach for Engineering and Science Students
Most science and engineering courses are founded on abstract mathematical and/or analytical theories/concepts. Though the abstract concepts are essential to describe underlying scientific and engineering principles, the teaching pedagogy largely misses out on the utilization of imagery. We expect our students to master the subject we teach, but rarely do we provide them with the necessary tools to synthesize their acquired knowledge. Innovation gets stifled in the maze of abstract theories.

Enhancing Assessment Practices in Large Physics Courses
Large introductory physics courses at UT Austin typically rely on multiple-choice exams due to logistical constraints, including high enrollments and limited teaching assistant (TA) support. While recent instructional reforms have focused on student-centered pedagogies, assessment practices have lagged behind, limiting the alignment between how students are taught and how their learning is evaluated.

COLA Interdisciplinary Program Instructors' Community of Practice
This project organized a community of practice for instructors in the Liberal Arts Honors program in the College of Liberal Arts. This community of practice held regular meetings during the academic year to discussion teaching practices, hear from guest speakers, and to share ideas on topics that relate to program goals, student engagement and wellness, pedagogy, and promoting effective student learning.