Seventh Annual University Conference Welcomes Author, Discusses Changes

The seventh annual University Conference will take place from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 7.

Students, faculty and staff will be able to participate in a variety of presentations and discussions concerning the topic “Building Our Third Decade of Excellence in the Liberal Arts and Sciences: Becoming More Learning-Centered.”

The Conference is an opportunity for the entire University community to review and collectively address key issues affecting the future of the University and its ability to provide students with the best possible opportunities to learn and develop their talents both inside and outside the classroom.

This year the event’s objective is to encourage discussion and input from all areas of  the University community related to becoming more focused on the learning process and what hinders and aids this process.

Classes will not meet from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Feb. 7, giving students and faculty the opportunity to attend the event.

Registration will begin at 8 a.m. outside the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall, where light refreshments will be served. Garry Gordon, vice president for academic affairs, will give opening remarks and an introduction in the OP Performance Hall at 8:30 a.m.

Immediately following at 8:45 a.m., John Tagg, author of “The Learning Paradigm College,” will give the plenary address, “Learning to Change, Changing to Learn: Creating a Learning-Centered University.”

The first two of the day’s four sets of concurrent sessions will discuss Tagg’s and other’s ideas with multiple presentations on various topics. The first session begins at 10 a.m., the second set is scheduled for 10:50 a.m.

Lunch will begin at 11:45 a.m. in the Student Union Building Lounge, during which Tagg will deliver the 2007 Baldwin Lecture, “In the Beginning...” In his lecture he will explore recent research capturing the nature of expertise, with the provocation that experts are good beginners.

A break is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., after which an overview of Truman’s Strategic Plan is scheduled to take place at 1:45 p.m. in the OP Performance Hall. At this time, participants are also welcome to visit the Technology Fair in the Student Union Building Activities Room. See the Technology Fair article for more information about what will be on display at the Fair, which will run from 1:45-5 p.m.

The final two sessions will follow. The third set of session, beginning at 2:45 p.m. will include a focus on the University’s Strategic Plan. The fourth, beginning at 3:30 p.m., will concern the different majors and disciplines that Truman offers.

The Conference will conclude with a Conference Social held in conjunction with the Technology Fair at 4:30 p.m. in the SUB Activities Room. This time will allow participants to socialize and reflect on the day’s activities.

Visit http://vpaa.truman.edu/communications/universityconference/2007/ for a complete itinerary of the events for the day.

Contact Julie Lochbaum, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, at ctl@truman.edu or 785.4391 for more information on the Baldwin Lecture. A limited number of copies of Tagg’s book are also available in the Vice President for Academic Affairs office, McClain Hall 203.
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