Breakout Sessions, Round 2
Hinton Building | 10:15-11:10 a.m.
Option 1: Hinton 201
Left and Right Brained: How Art and Poetry Can and Should be Used to Teach the Sciences | John Robert Cowen (50 minutes)
We will analyze "Euclid Alone..." by Edna Millay to introduce the idea of activating your "left brain" prior to teaching mathematics. Next, we discuss in groups then report back to the class, earnestly exploring the poem as an English class would. We will then take the EXACT SAME approach to a mathematics problem. We will all work the same problem and realize that nobody leaned over during the poem and said "What'd you get for #3?" The purpose of studying math is to learn the inner-workings, not get an answer. Finally, we analyze the exercise together to glean from it what is beneficial and prune other ideas from this jumping-off point. We will ultimately to explore poetry in mathematics. To enumerate that a problem is a collaboration of likely 10-15 concepts that would have been overlooked had we not slowed down. Just like poetry.
John Robert Cowen serves as an Assistant Professor of Mathematics in the College of Science and Engineering at Houston Christian University.
Left and Right Brained: How Art and Poetry Can and Should be Used to Teach the Sciences | John Robert Cowen (50 minutes)
We will analyze "Euclid Alone..." by Edna Millay to introduce the idea of activating your "left brain" prior to teaching mathematics. Next, we discuss in groups then report back to the class, earnestly exploring the poem as an English class would. We will then take the EXACT SAME approach to a mathematics problem. We will all work the same problem and realize that nobody leaned over during the poem and said "What'd you get for #3?" The purpose of studying math is to learn the inner-workings, not get an answer. Finally, we analyze the exercise together to glean from it what is beneficial and prune other ideas from this jumping-off point. We will ultimately to explore poetry in mathematics. To enumerate that a problem is a collaboration of likely 10-15 concepts that would have been overlooked had we not slowed down. Just like poetry.
John Robert Cowen serves as an Assistant Professor of Mathematics in the College of Science and Engineering at Houston Christian University.
Option 2: Hinton 202
The Motivational Power of Servant-Leadership Coaching | Dr. Marty Durden (25 minutes)
The research that will be presented indicates the concept of servant-leadership coaching has a positive effect on the motivational levels of high school athletes. Young players value trust significantly above all other coaching traits. High school players gravitate to coaches who demonstrate authentic love, and who can develop their abilities. The servant-leadership philosophy is a growing movement within the coaching fraternity. Many coaches emulate servant-leader constructs without knowing the worth of their ideas, and the positive effect this style has on player motivation. The profession of coaching offers an opportunity for meaningful change in the lives of others. As the widely known evangelist once said, “A coach can change the lives of more young people in one day than any preacher can change in a year” (Billy Graham, 2000). Coaches occupy a prominent platform with the potential to be life changing transformational influences for young people. Coaches who choose to make a positive difference are wise to study the effects of servant-leadership coaching.
Dr. Marty Durden serves as an Adjunct Professor at Houston Christian University and is also an Athletic Director at Calvary Christian School in Columbus, GA .
How Does Culture Impact Competency-building Strategies in Companies' International Market Entry Strategies? | Dr. Paul Stephenson (25 minutes)
The session will look at competency-building strategies as part of a company's market entry strategy into new international markets with distant cultural backgrounds. Companies have been expanding globally for many years. In many cases, they face unique business challenges due to cultural differences within the host countries. These cultural differences can slow the company's success and, in some cases, cause failure to meet the company's strategic objectives. The paper will provide a deep understanding of the challenges international venture encounters during the capability-building process of their operations and provide valuable insights and collaborative solutions on how to resolve these challenges.
Dr. Paul Stephenson serves as an Adjunct Professor of Business and Management at Houston Christian University.
The Motivational Power of Servant-Leadership Coaching | Dr. Marty Durden (25 minutes)
The research that will be presented indicates the concept of servant-leadership coaching has a positive effect on the motivational levels of high school athletes. Young players value trust significantly above all other coaching traits. High school players gravitate to coaches who demonstrate authentic love, and who can develop their abilities. The servant-leadership philosophy is a growing movement within the coaching fraternity. Many coaches emulate servant-leader constructs without knowing the worth of their ideas, and the positive effect this style has on player motivation. The profession of coaching offers an opportunity for meaningful change in the lives of others. As the widely known evangelist once said, “A coach can change the lives of more young people in one day than any preacher can change in a year” (Billy Graham, 2000). Coaches occupy a prominent platform with the potential to be life changing transformational influences for young people. Coaches who choose to make a positive difference are wise to study the effects of servant-leadership coaching.
Dr. Marty Durden serves as an Adjunct Professor at Houston Christian University and is also an Athletic Director at Calvary Christian School in Columbus, GA .
How Does Culture Impact Competency-building Strategies in Companies' International Market Entry Strategies? | Dr. Paul Stephenson (25 minutes)
The session will look at competency-building strategies as part of a company's market entry strategy into new international markets with distant cultural backgrounds. Companies have been expanding globally for many years. In many cases, they face unique business challenges due to cultural differences within the host countries. These cultural differences can slow the company's success and, in some cases, cause failure to meet the company's strategic objectives. The paper will provide a deep understanding of the challenges international venture encounters during the capability-building process of their operations and provide valuable insights and collaborative solutions on how to resolve these challenges.
Dr. Paul Stephenson serves as an Adjunct Professor of Business and Management at Houston Christian University.
Option 3: Hinton 206
Spurring Students on to Magnificent Poster Presentations | Dr. Marie Mater (50 minutes)
Poster presentations are often used for the presentation of scientific and technical information and research by secondary school students. Most students are rightly concerned with the creation and design of the visual information on their posters. They should, however, also be concerned with the actual oral presentation of this information. Because of their prevalence at academic gatherings, examples of good poster design are widely available. What is lacking, however, is guidance about how to effectively present the information on the poster to an audience of one or two. This workshop will provide instructional strategies for teaching students how to deliver effective poster presentations by first examining the role of the audience and the speaking context. Next, the specific oral delivery skills required for a poster presentation will be discussed. Finally, a sample grading rubric for critiquing secondary students' poster presentations will be introduced and used in a workshop setting.
Dr. Marie Mater serves as an Associate Professor of and Program Coordinator for Speech Communication at Houston Christian University.
Spurring Students on to Magnificent Poster Presentations | Dr. Marie Mater (50 minutes)
Poster presentations are often used for the presentation of scientific and technical information and research by secondary school students. Most students are rightly concerned with the creation and design of the visual information on their posters. They should, however, also be concerned with the actual oral presentation of this information. Because of their prevalence at academic gatherings, examples of good poster design are widely available. What is lacking, however, is guidance about how to effectively present the information on the poster to an audience of one or two. This workshop will provide instructional strategies for teaching students how to deliver effective poster presentations by first examining the role of the audience and the speaking context. Next, the specific oral delivery skills required for a poster presentation will be discussed. Finally, a sample grading rubric for critiquing secondary students' poster presentations will be introduced and used in a workshop setting.
Dr. Marie Mater serves as an Associate Professor of and Program Coordinator for Speech Communication at Houston Christian University.
Option 4: Hinton 207
Community, Culture, and Mathematics: Developing Lessons That Engage and Connect ALL Students | Dr. Justin T. Burris (50 minutes)
How can I plan and deliver a lesson that connects mathematics to my students’ community and culture? Why is that important? In this session, we will explore mathematics through the lens of culturally responsive teaching within an inquiry-based model. We will learn strategies to support planning and delivering lessons that acknowledge and value our students’ lived experiences, community and culture.
In this session we will review research on culturally responsive math; participate in and decompose a culturally responsive math lesson; Discuss similarities and differences between direct instruction and inquiry instruction; and explore a math routine, three act tasks, as a means to deliver math lessons that are connected to our students' culture, community and lived experiences.
Dr. Justin T. Burris serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Houston and as an Adjunct Professor of Education at Houston Christian University.
Community, Culture, and Mathematics: Developing Lessons That Engage and Connect ALL Students | Dr. Justin T. Burris (50 minutes)
How can I plan and deliver a lesson that connects mathematics to my students’ community and culture? Why is that important? In this session, we will explore mathematics through the lens of culturally responsive teaching within an inquiry-based model. We will learn strategies to support planning and delivering lessons that acknowledge and value our students’ lived experiences, community and culture.
In this session we will review research on culturally responsive math; participate in and decompose a culturally responsive math lesson; Discuss similarities and differences between direct instruction and inquiry instruction; and explore a math routine, three act tasks, as a means to deliver math lessons that are connected to our students' culture, community and lived experiences.
Dr. Justin T. Burris serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Houston and as an Adjunct Professor of Education at Houston Christian University.
Option 5: Hinton 209
Creativity in Composition: Empowering Students to Write Independently | Dr. Doni Wilson (25 minutes)
This paper will address ways to encourage students to develop their own ideas in a world where it is easy to "Google" someone else's and depend on others for much of their thinking and writing. Using a range of techniques, from handwritten notetaking to creative conversations, students can shift from imitation (which is, at times, plagiarism) to inventive and meaningful writing endeavors.
Dr. Doni Wilson serves as a Professor of English at Houston Christian University.
How to Engage Online Students with Research and Writing Strategies | Zach Stallings (25 minutes)
Modern college students seem to be lacking effective writing and research skills. Online students in particular may face challenges as opposed to students in residency due to a lack of access to and training on academic resources. This presentation will include a review of potential causes of the problem and offer effective strategies to engage online students on this topic. Employment of these strategies will help educators teach students how to conduct quality research, which will then equip them to produce quality writing.
Zach Stallings serves as an Adjunct Professor of Theology at Houston Christian University.
Creativity in Composition: Empowering Students to Write Independently | Dr. Doni Wilson (25 minutes)
This paper will address ways to encourage students to develop their own ideas in a world where it is easy to "Google" someone else's and depend on others for much of their thinking and writing. Using a range of techniques, from handwritten notetaking to creative conversations, students can shift from imitation (which is, at times, plagiarism) to inventive and meaningful writing endeavors.
Dr. Doni Wilson serves as a Professor of English at Houston Christian University.
How to Engage Online Students with Research and Writing Strategies | Zach Stallings (25 minutes)
Modern college students seem to be lacking effective writing and research skills. Online students in particular may face challenges as opposed to students in residency due to a lack of access to and training on academic resources. This presentation will include a review of potential causes of the problem and offer effective strategies to engage online students on this topic. Employment of these strategies will help educators teach students how to conduct quality research, which will then equip them to produce quality writing.
Zach Stallings serves as an Adjunct Professor of Theology at Houston Christian University.
Option 6: Hinton 210
The Real McCoy: The Impact of Authentic Assessment | Lisa Covington (25 minutes)
Authentic assessment is more than just an education buzzword. Instead, it is about giving students the opportunity to connect their learning to the real world and to demonstrate their understanding in a way that is meaningful to them. It can be especially helpful for those students who lack excitement about learning or struggle to demonstrate their understanding via traditional assessment methods. In this session, attendees will examine the benefits of authentic assessment. They will also have the opportunity to brainstorm ways they can incorporate authentic assessment into their context.
Lisa Covington serves as the Senior Director of Assessment and Compliance and the SACSCOC Accreditation Liaison at Houston Christian University. She is also a student in the Master of Science in Learning, Technology, and Design program.
Save the Bats: Integrating Authentic Assessment Practices with Authentic Learning Activities | Dr. Michael Kraten (25 minutes)
Student evaluations that rely on authentic assessment practices tend to support conclusions with higher levels of external validity. Student performance can be negatively impacted, however, when the learning activities that precede authentic assessments are based on traditional education models.
This session will present a holistic example of authentic learning and assessment that is based on an experiential gaming simulation. This innovative approach utilizes the data that is “naturally” generated by students while they play their game roles, thereby producing a more efficient classroom experience that features a continuous stream of assessment feedback in real time.
The case example, Save the Bats, is based on an earlier case called Save the Blue Frog that was presented during a previous Dr. Dawn K. Wilson Teaching, Learning, and Research Symposium. The new case features creatures that live in Houston and that are environmentally threatened by the rising waters that flood their nests during extreme rain events.
Dr. Michael Kraten serves as the Chair of the Department of Accounting, Economics, and Finance and a Professor of Accounting in the Archie W. Dunham College of Business at Houston Christian University.
The Real McCoy: The Impact of Authentic Assessment | Lisa Covington (25 minutes)
Authentic assessment is more than just an education buzzword. Instead, it is about giving students the opportunity to connect their learning to the real world and to demonstrate their understanding in a way that is meaningful to them. It can be especially helpful for those students who lack excitement about learning or struggle to demonstrate their understanding via traditional assessment methods. In this session, attendees will examine the benefits of authentic assessment. They will also have the opportunity to brainstorm ways they can incorporate authentic assessment into their context.
Lisa Covington serves as the Senior Director of Assessment and Compliance and the SACSCOC Accreditation Liaison at Houston Christian University. She is also a student in the Master of Science in Learning, Technology, and Design program.
Save the Bats: Integrating Authentic Assessment Practices with Authentic Learning Activities | Dr. Michael Kraten (25 minutes)
Student evaluations that rely on authentic assessment practices tend to support conclusions with higher levels of external validity. Student performance can be negatively impacted, however, when the learning activities that precede authentic assessments are based on traditional education models.
This session will present a holistic example of authentic learning and assessment that is based on an experiential gaming simulation. This innovative approach utilizes the data that is “naturally” generated by students while they play their game roles, thereby producing a more efficient classroom experience that features a continuous stream of assessment feedback in real time.
The case example, Save the Bats, is based on an earlier case called Save the Blue Frog that was presented during a previous Dr. Dawn K. Wilson Teaching, Learning, and Research Symposium. The new case features creatures that live in Houston and that are environmentally threatened by the rising waters that flood their nests during extreme rain events.
Dr. Michael Kraten serves as the Chair of the Department of Accounting, Economics, and Finance and a Professor of Accounting in the Archie W. Dunham College of Business at Houston Christian University.
Option 7: Hinton 216
Teaching Abroad: Life Lessons and "Ah Ha" Moments | Stacy Breckell (25 minutes)
Stacy Breckell is a 25 year veteran teacher who spent 2010-2021 teaching overseas in three different countries. Go on a journey with her as she shares stories and experiences of teaching and living abroad. She will share anecdotes of what other countries can learn from the US and what the US can learn from them. Additionally, she will share how these life lessons from overseas have positively impacted her current work with colleagues and students in America and how these “ah ha” moments could benefit your profession as well.
Stacy Breckell serves as a sixth grade math teacher at River Oaks Baptist School.
The Influence of Teacher Discourse on Student Motivation | Hannah Dietrich (25 minutes)
This presentation will describe teacher language practices and how they influence student motivation in the classroom. Because of the teacher's role as a facilitator and mentor, presenting classwork with purposeful and positive framework sets a tone for stronger student participation and interest in achieving success. Based on the results of the presenter's dissertation study, teachers who participated in an intervention to emphasize the value and importance in class work impacted students by increasing the students' beliefs in their ability to control their own learning. Additionally, strong correlations were evidenced between value and importance language and a reduction of on-task reminders and language to address misbehavior. Students must take initiative to consciously alter their presentations of class content to encourage their students to learn.
Hannah Dietrich serves as an Adjunct Professor of English at Houston Christian University.
Teaching Abroad: Life Lessons and "Ah Ha" Moments | Stacy Breckell (25 minutes)
Stacy Breckell is a 25 year veteran teacher who spent 2010-2021 teaching overseas in three different countries. Go on a journey with her as she shares stories and experiences of teaching and living abroad. She will share anecdotes of what other countries can learn from the US and what the US can learn from them. Additionally, she will share how these life lessons from overseas have positively impacted her current work with colleagues and students in America and how these “ah ha” moments could benefit your profession as well.
Stacy Breckell serves as a sixth grade math teacher at River Oaks Baptist School.
The Influence of Teacher Discourse on Student Motivation | Hannah Dietrich (25 minutes)
This presentation will describe teacher language practices and how they influence student motivation in the classroom. Because of the teacher's role as a facilitator and mentor, presenting classwork with purposeful and positive framework sets a tone for stronger student participation and interest in achieving success. Based on the results of the presenter's dissertation study, teachers who participated in an intervention to emphasize the value and importance in class work impacted students by increasing the students' beliefs in their ability to control their own learning. Additionally, strong correlations were evidenced between value and importance language and a reduction of on-task reminders and language to address misbehavior. Students must take initiative to consciously alter their presentations of class content to encourage their students to learn.
Hannah Dietrich serves as an Adjunct Professor of English at Houston Christian University.
At the conclusion of the sessions, please be certain to complete one survey (available via QR code and linked HERE) for all the sessions you attended (including the keynote session). You will receive a certificate for four CPE (continuing professional education) units after submitting your feedback on all sessions.
Please also be certain to post pictures of your experience at the 2022 Dr. Dawn K. Wilson Teaching, Learning, and Research Symposium to social media using the hashtag #hcutlrs2022!
Please also be certain to post pictures of your experience at the 2022 Dr. Dawn K. Wilson Teaching, Learning, and Research Symposium to social media using the hashtag #hcutlrs2022!