Learning is a Lifelong Process! 10 Things Learned During Day # 1 - 2018 Ashford University TLC

Kate Johnson, Ashford’s Manager of Faculty Engagement stepped up to the mic this morning to kick off the 2018 Ashford TLC, Kate welcomed us and she reminded us of the purpose of TLC, which is educate, connect, and inspire. Kate was spot on! Day one of Ashford’s TLC Virtual Conference did just that for me and much more. I felt connected virtually like I was right there in the room with speakers, thanks to technology. I attended three sessions, “Inter-Connected Education,” by Dr. Jeff Borden (our keynote speaker), “How Do Students, Faculty and Programs Benefit from Online Student Organizations,” by Dr. Lisa Johnson, Ben Gothia, Dr. Ron Beach, Lang Hagerdorn, Jaime King, Lynn Haines, Destiny Baker and myself, and finally, “Best Practices for Supporting Military Students in the Classroom,” by Dr. Claire DeCristofaro, and Cole McFarren. It was an outstanding day!
Active Learning theory has always been at the core of my teaching philosophy and I have always taught and learned best by applying active learning theory which is the process of doing and observing and dialogue with self and others. Dr. Jeff Borden immediate touched active learning as he opened and he grabbed my attention with his interesting and insightful presentation titled “Inter-Connected Education.” One active method I have used and encourage my students to use is “chunking.” This is simply grouping individual “bits” of information into larger, more meaningful “chunks.” The rationale is simple, by doing this, you allow for efficient encoding and storage of information, and you lessen the burden on working memory. So, with that said, here are 10 things (“chunks”) I took away for future use and application. There is a lot of “chunks” of gold in this year’s TLC, and I know I got the most out of my learning experience and will share and apply some of the knowledge gained.
Active Learning: There is mounting evidence that active learning strategies are better in every measurable way (Jeff Borden – Inter-Connected Education).
History of Education: How are educational system was founded and these words of John D. Rockefeller, American Industrialist (1839 -1937) that influenced and shaped our educational system, “We shall not try to make these people, or any of their children, into philosopher’s men of learning or of science” (Jeff Borden – Inter-Connected Education).
Process of Doing – Active Learning Method: Architecting “Do Education,” not lecture. Avoid telling instead do the education, show, tell, review and ask. Help students connect the dots and the content knowledge will transfer and learning will occur (Jeff Borden – Inter-Connected Education).
Learning – Brain Neuroscience: What prohibits of fosters learning? Our history, teaching and learning methods in many instances created fear and the lecture style of teaching did not move learning forward. Today we need to understand brain neuroscience and how fear secretes glutamate and creates anxiety, and how boredom secretes cortisol, and how the right learning styles (active learning) secrete in the brain serotonin (stasis), norepinephrine (disequilibrium) and dopamine (confidence) for an effective learning experience (Jeff Borden – Inter-Connected Education).
For Optimal Learning - Affection / Conation: This should include connection, caring, support, friendship. Affinity, mentors, pride, and systems thinking (Jeff Borden – Inter-Connected Education). This thinking lines up with our Ashford University core values of quality, innovation and caring in all we do.
Systems Thinking – Jeff Borden’s Model – Lions Share: Jeff did a great job sharing his views on alignment and how all the parts in our system must align in concert to create the best learning experiences for our students (Jeff Borden – Inter-Connected Education).
Military Students – Missing Class and Missing Deadlines: Active duty military may receive a “temporary duty assignment” (TDA) taking them away from their regular station. It may be called temporary duty travel” (TDT), “tempory additional duty” (TAD) in the Navy and Marine Corps (or TDI for “temporary duty under instruction”), or “temporary duty” (TDY) in the Army and Air Force. Be prepared to provide consideration and make necessary adjustments (Claire DeCristofaro, and Cole McFarren - Best Practices for Supporting Military Students in the Classroom).
Supporting Military Students: Invite students in to discuss potential issues and obstacles at the term start, and then ask students for updates throughout the class (Claire DeCristofaro, and Cole McFarren - Best Practices for Supporting Military Students in the Classroom).
SOAC - Student Organization Advisors Community: A networking and solutions driven community. All advisors to student organizations are invited to participate. Anyone eligible to serve as advisor and others interested in clubs at AU are welcome to participate if they have a need to share information or are curious about the advisor role (Dr. Lisa Johnson, Ben Gothia, Dr. Ron Beach, Lang Hagerdorn, Jaime King, Lynn Haines, Destiny Baker and Bill Davis – How do students, faculty, and programs benefit from online student organizations).
Benefits of SOAC - Student Organization Advisors Community: Ashford University online clubs promote equity, diversity and inclusion. They provide avenues for experiential learning. Finally, the clubs connect students across a broad range of disciplines and career areas (Dr. Lisa Johnson, Ben Gothia, Dr. Ron Beach, Lang Hagerdorn, Jaime King, Lynn Haines, Destiny Baker and Bill Davis – How do students, faculty, and programs benefit from online student organizations).
That is it for now! Looking forward to Wednesday, day # 2 of the Ashford University Teaching and Learning Conference. Kudos to Morgan Johnson and her CETL Team, and to The TLC Planning Committee, most of all, to Kate Johnson, Manager of Faculty Engagement and the TLC Planning Committee. You all work so hard to deliver this wonderful learning conference. Thank you! This is a super learning conference! Just super!!
Bill Davis
Assistant Professor and Program Chair,Forbes School of Business & Technology
Ashford University