Publication Type: Roundtable
Abstract: Orientation seminars for college freshman facilitate the transition of students from high school to college. Could similar seminars work as well for those who want to be educators?

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Leonardo’s treatise on painting includes an extensive discussion of perspective. Leonardo suggests that to study perspective we use “a pane of glass through which are seen various objects which you draw [directly] on [the glass].” Based on Leonardo’s description I devised an experiment that I assigned in my interdisciplinary freshman seminar. The experiment involved students drawing model railroad tracks viewed through a pane of glass. Students were asked to collect measurements from their drawings and to plot their data. This talk will address the data collection process and the function that arises from the theory behind this experiment.

Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of a required two-semester seminar course during the fourth professional year advanced practice experience program to improve student presentation skills. This one credit course serves as a forum for Area Health Education Center (AHEC) pharmacy faculty to evaluate and provide feedback on students’ presentations to improve their written and verbal communication skills. Each semester students are required to research, develop and deliver a formal presentation using appropriate audiovisual media support and handouts.

Methods: Following each semester, an anonymous voluntary online course evaluation survey of 123 fourth year students will be conducted for 2006-07. Students are asked to provide a self assessment of their presentation skills as well as rate several items related to the feedback provided by faculty following the seminar presentation. In addition, a standardized presentation evaluation tool will be used each semester for faculty assessment of students’ presentation skills. The presentation assessment tool includes four graded components: content, communication, patient information and organization.

Results: Results will be compiled and analyzed at the conclusion of the 2006-07 academic year and presented at the AACP Annual Meeting.

Implications: It is anticipated that the study results will provide insight into whether the seminar course effectively assists students in acquiring the necessary presentation and communication skills to become skilled generalist practitioners. In addition, the results will help guide quality enhancements in course design and structure.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: A student travel seminar combining a classroom approach to globalizing the sociology curriculum with an approach that takes students abroad is described and assessed. This approach addresses the challenges of building student travel into existing courses and of bringing these travel experiences back to the campus so that participants have opportunities to process them and share them with other students. The seminar is called an exploration seminar, and it is “nested” within an undergraduate course focusing on issues of class, race and ethnicity. Students in the travel seminar spent one week in London exploring the theme of the course. This is accomplished by visiting sites relevant to the course theme, by conversing with “key informants” who have particular expertise relating to topics covered in the course and by preparing assignments using observations from London. The travel seminar is integrated into the course by means of assigned readings, class discussion and structured assignments. There is evidence from assessment data showing that the exploration seminar was successful at meeting its objectives.