Improving the Climate for Undergraduate Teaching and Learning in STEM Fields New Directions for Teaching and Learning, Number 117

by Baldwin, Roger G.

• ISBN13: 9780470497289
• ISBN10: 0470497289
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-04-20
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

The quality of undergraduate education in science, technology, engineerig, and mathematics (STEM) fields has been a national concern since the time of Sputnik. In spite of many reports on the state of STEM undergraduate education and multiple reform efforts, time-worn patterns of instruction persist in many STEM classrooms and laboratories. It is increasingly clear that major improvements to STEM undergraduate education require the interest and active engagement of key stakeholders, including STEM instructors, academic administrators, disciplinary societies, and government policy-makers.This volume looks at the challenges of enhancing STEM education from the perspective of these different stakeholders, including STEM instructors, academic administrators, disciplinary societies, and government policy-makers. Chapters discuss:OL {list-style:disc}P:{margin-left 60px} The climate for undergraduate teaching and learning in STEM fields Supportive teaching and learning strategies in STEM education Advancing STEM teaching and learning with research teams Facilitating reforms in STEM undergraduate education: an administrative perspective Discipline-based efforts to enhance undergraduate STEM education The National Perspective: Fostering the Enhancement of STEM Undergraduate Education Preparing STEM Doctoral Students for Future Faculty Careers Climate Change: Creating Conditions Conducive to Quality STEM Undergraduate Education In each of these chapters, contributors provide an illuminating analysis of problems facing STEM education and suggest actions needed to strengthen STEM undergraduate education in a time when science and technology competence are more important than ever. The strategies advanced in this volume should be key elements of the coordinate, system effort necessary to implement lasting reform of STEM undergraduate education.This is the 117th volume of the Jossey-Bass quarterly report series New Directions for Teaching and Learning, which offers a comprehensive range of ideas and techniques for improving college teaching based on the experience of seasoned instructors and the latest findings of educational and psychological researchers.

Author Biography

Robert D. Mathieu is professor and chair of Astronomy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also directs the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning.

Table of Contents

PREFACE 1
Robert D. Mathieu

EDITOR’S NOTES 5
Roger G. Baldwin

1. The Climate for Undergraduate Teaching and Learning in STEM Fields 9
Roger G. Baldwin
Competing forces complicate efforts to enhance STEM undergraduate education.

2. Supportive Teaching and Learning Strategies in STEM Education 19
Karl A. Smith, Tameka Clarke Douglas, Monica F. Cox
This chapter proposes strategies and best practices for designing engaged learning environments in STEM classes.

3. Advancing STEM Teaching and Learning with Research Teams 33
Brian P. Coppola
Teaching groups can apply standard research practices to improve STEM education.

4. Facilitating Reforms in STEM Undergraduate Education: An Administrative Perspective 45
Thomas A. Litzinger, Richard J. Koubek, David N. Wormley
Academic leaders share lessons learned from their experiences implementing
STEM education reforms.

5. Discipline-Based Efforts to Enhance Undergraduate STEM Education 55
Joan Ferrini-Mundy, Beste Güçler
STEM educators can learn from the reform efforts of other fields.

6. The National Perspective: Fostering the Enhancement of STEM Undergraduate Education 69
Judith A. Ramaley
This chapter examines undergraduate STEM education from a national level.

7. Preparing STEM Doctoral Students for Future Faculty Careers 83
Ann E. Austin, Henry Campa III, Christine Pfund, Donald L. Gillian-Daniel, Robert Mathieu, Judith Stoddart
This chapter describes programs at the doctoral education level to prepare future STEM faculty.

8. Climate Change: Creating Conditions Conducive to Quality STEM Undergraduate Education 97
Roger G. Baldwin
Initiatives to promote STEM undergraduate education improvements must be coordinated, not piecemeal.

INDEX 103