THE 2004 CALIFORNIA GREAT TEACHERS SEMINAR The 26th annual California…

THE 2004
CALIFORNIA GREAT TEACHERS SEMINAR
The 26th annual California Great Teachers Seminar (CGTS) was held August 1-5 at the La Casa
de Maria retreat center in Montecito, near Santa Barbara. It was sponsored by the Community
College League of California and cosponsored by the Faculty Association of California
Community Colleges and the Academic Senate for the California Community Colleges.

SEMINAR LEADERS AND PARTICIPANTS

David Gottshall, retired faculty member from the College of DuPage in Illinois and founder of
the Great Teachers Movement, was the seminar director. He was assisted by community college
faculty members Kyle Chuah, Los Medanos; Rumi Hashimoto, Golden West; Cynthia
Mosqueda, El Camino; Dave Nakaji, Los Medanos; Dyan Pease, Sacramento City; James
"Robb" Robinson, San Bernardino Valley; Steve Smith, Richmond CC (North Carolina), and
Jim Webster, Marin.

Cindra Smith, Director of Education Services of the League coordinated the seminar and
represented the League. Paul Simmons represented FACCC and Beverly Shue represented the
Academic Senate.

Sixty faculty members from 40 colleges participated in the seminar. Three other states (Illinois,
North Carolina, and Washington) besides California were represented. The range of experience
included those with just a few months of experience to those with over 30 years in teaching.
Disciplines from almost all areas of the college were represented, including Anthropology, Art,
Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, Counseling, Dental Hygiene, Disabled
Student Services, Earth Sciences, English, ESL, Family and Consumer Science, Fine Arts,
Health, History, Human Development, Korean, Library Science, Math, Microbiology, Music,
Nursing, Physical Education, Physics, Political Education, Psychiatric Technology, Psychology,
Sociology, Speech Communication, Student Development, and the Writing Center.

SEMINAR ACTIVITIES
The seminar opened Sunday evening with an introduction to the seminar purpose, structure, and
approach, as well as a getting-to-know-each-other activity.

Monday morning was devoted to small group discussions of the innovation papers prepared by
participants (see the list). The Monday afternoon focused on small group discussions of
educational problems brought by participants and possible approaches to solving them.

Monday evening's large group meeting involved participants presenting their "tricks of the
trade:" quick, non-astounding teaching and classroom management techniques that lead to more
effective teaching and learning.
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Tuesday morning, participants were assigned to a third set of small groups discussions, and were
asked to either present another innovation or a second problem for which they wanted help.
Tuesday afternoon was a large group meeting to present the rest of the "tricks of the trade".

During the small group discussions on the first two days, the seminar staff identified topics in
which there was a great deal of interest. On Wednesday, participants reviewed the list of topics
and voted on those they wished to discuss further. The sessions were held on Wednesday
morning and topics were:
   · Collaborative Learning
   · Motivating Students
   · Making It Real
   · Student Responsibility in the Learning Process
   · Teaching to Many Levels
   · How am I Doing? How am I Coping?
   · Using Small Groups
   · Engaging Students in the Classroom
   · Making It Fun
   · Handling Dysfunctional Students
   · Going Beyond Lecture
   · More about "Less is More"

Wednesday afternoon was an opportunity for participants to individualize the seminar ­ some
organized their notes and reflected on their learning, while others gathered together in special
interest sessions including:
    ·   Microteaching: A Chance to Get Feedback
    ·   On-Line Learning
    ·   Diversity and the Changing Demographics of the Student Population
    ·   Healing Touch Seminar
    ·   Train Stations and History
    ·   Teaching Grammar
    ·   Paddling the Bay

Wednesday evening's session featured those who were in their first year of teaching. Participants
shared their thoughts and advice for successful teaching and counseling, and responded to
questions from the "rookies" about a wide variety of classroom and professional issues. The
evening session closed with a sorting exercise useful for creating community among students.

In addition to the structured seminar activities, participants found time to share ideas and
thoughts during meals, early morning walks through the neighborhood, afternoon relaxation and
swims, and late night trips into town. Many participants explored what Santa Barbara had to
offer, including the art museum, botanical visits, hiking, sailing, the Mission, meditation,
massage, and shopping.

The seminar closed on Thursday. The morning session included preparation for and
presentations of the "final exam." Groups developed presentations on "The Great Teacher" ­ all
of which were profound representations of the art and spirit of teaching and allowed participants
to summarize the most important concepts from the prior week's worth of activities.


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INNOVATION PAPERS
The following innovation papers were available on Tuesday afternoon; additional innovations
were presented by other participants in the small group sessions and distributed at other times.

Archer, Donna. Sierra College. Assessing Students Learning Needs through Listening and Feedback.

Bae, Youngmin. LA City College. El Perrito de las Preguntas: A Classroom Warm-Up Activity.

Baez, Elizabeth. Santiago Canyon College. Increasing Student Involvement in Learning through
Demonstrations.

Bailey, Michele. Ventura College. Telling Stories as a Teaching Strategy.

Baker, Dan. San Joaquin Delta. Learning Student Names Using Videotape.

Balien, Muriel. Glendale College. Providing Historical Context for American Music.

Carroll, Catherine. Santa Barbara City. Using the Myers Briggs and Personal Profiles to Create Diverse
and Effective Student Work Groups.

Carteron, Madeleine. El Camino College. On-line Counseling: Using E-Mail to Advise Students.

Chinn, Nancy. Santa Rosa JC. Jeopardy Review for Finals.

Dodge, Mark. Pasadena City College. Cultural Stereotype Exercise.

Dominik, Jane. San Joaquin Delta. Demystifying and De-Stressing Writing.

Duffy, Marjorie, Cosumnes River College. Using Online Quizzes to Improve Learning.

Dunsmore, Patricia. South Puget Sound Community College (WA). Group Assignment on Finding
Resources.

Edberg, Jane. Gavilan College. Taking Care of a Problem Student: Bending the Rules Just Once.

Elmore, Steve. Mt. San Antonio. "No Excuses" Needed Coupons for Late Work.

Fleming, Mike. San Bernardino Valley. Using Discussion to Give Feedback for Student Performance.

Flowers, April. Foothill College. Increasing Student Ownership of Learning through Self-Evaluations and
Grade Justifications.

Foster, Ted. Folsom Lake College. Creating a Lecture Supplement Book of Devices to Aid Student
Learning.

Frost, Gina. San Joaquin Delta College. Interactive Computer Modules and Internet Activities for Chapter
Reviews.

Gillis, Catherine. Napa Valley College. The Use of Quizzes to Increase Participation and Retention.

Guidry, Nancy. Bakersfield College. Getting to Know Students Via E-Mail.

Gunderson, Lynda. North Orange CCD. Introducing Lessons by Using Familiar TV Game Shows.

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Hargrove, Lynn. Sierra College. Increasing Success Rates Using Pre-Tests, Learner-Friendly
Environments, Checks, and Interaction.

Hert, Paul. Mt. San Jacinto College. Adapting Teacher Expectations to Student Skills.

Hert, Theresa. Mt. San Jacinto College. Problem-Solving Student Work Groups During Class Time.

Hoehn, Susan. Glendale College. Shifting Student Self Perceptions from "Victim" to "Creator."

Hong, Mickey. LA City College. Oral Presentations as Final Exams.

Hopkins, Kesa. Southwestern College. Using Jeopardy as a Study Tool.

Johannesen-Schmidt, Mary. Oakton Community College (IL). Post-Exam Pep Talk and Processing.

Johnson, Debra Jo. Southwestern College. Student Journals Provide Feedback on Student Learning.

Keller, Daniel. Modesto Junior College. Rhythmic Skills in the Music Curriculum.

Larsen, Irene. College of the Desert. Teaching Students to "Teach" in Small Groups.

Lawn, Bea. Gavilan College. Using Prompts for Writing Assignments.

Little, Mary. San Joaquin Delta College. Creating a Course-Pack of Instructor Created Handouts
(Including Student Contributions).

Madrigal-Son, Stella. Golden West College. Eliminating External and Internal Noise.

Mahoney, Anne. San Bernardino Valley College. Tracking Attendance and Dialoging with Students
through "Blue Book Journals."

Marchard, Lisa Phares. Cosumnes River College. Focusing on Context in Teaching Language.

Mattson, Carol. Cypress College. Student Interview Assignments and Use of Results in Student Panel
Presentations.

Nelson, Mary. Monterey Peninsula College. Creating Options for Student Projects Based on Learning
Styles and Needs. Using a Learning Competency Transcript.

Oviatt, Vinta. Orange Coast. Research and Citation in an Online World

Pacansky-Brock. Sierra College. Using Digital Format for Visual Presentations.

Pourzanjani, Omid. Golden West College. Using Humor in the Classroom.

Reid, Patricia. Chaffey College. Using Small Groups to Analyze Primary Source Documents.

Reynolds, Bob. Butte College. Responding to "When Will I Ever Use This?"

Riedel, Patricia. Cerritos College. Using Competition and Group Presentations to Demonstrate
Principles.

Rundquist, Robert. Chaffey College. Adapting Writing Workshop Formats to Student Need.


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Scalisi, Carlos. San Bernadino Valley. Engaging the Students through Enthusiasm, Movement, Visual
Aids, and Humor.

Shannon, Mary. Glendale College. Building Community for a Safe Learning Environment.

Shue, Beverly. LA Harbor College. Changing Laboratory Structure Increased Retention

Smith, Beth. Grossmont College. Test Analysis: A Learning Strategy that Works.

Stein, Jill. Santa Barbara City. Creating Relevance through Popular Songs.

Thompson, Dorene. Butte College. Presenting Materials by Student Work Groups.

Thompson, Inger. Glendale College. The Five Minute Group.

Zykowski, Dan. Napa Valley College. Combining "Millionaire" and "Family Feud" into a Learning
Game.


BIBLIOGRAPHY

The Seminar Library included the following books

Allen, Edward D and Rebecca M. Valette, Classroom Techniques: Foregin Language and English as a
Second Language, 1977.

Armstrong, Lance. Every Second Counts. 2003

Albom, Mitch. Tuesdays with Morrie. 1999.

Bayles, David and Orland, Ted. Art and Fear. 1993.

Behrens, Laurence and Leonard F. Rosen. Writing and Reading across the Curriculum, 2003.

Barry, Vincent. The Dog Ate My Homework: Personal Responsibility--How We Avoid it and What to do
About It. 1997

Barth, Roland S. Improving Schools from Within. 1990.

Bell, Inge. This Book is Not Required. 1985.

Benjamin, Ludy T., et al. (Ed.) Activities Handbook for the Teaching of Psychology.

Bogue, E. Grady. A Journey of the Heart: The Call to Teaching. 1991.

Brown, Dan. The Da Vinci Code, 2003.

Bourgeois, Pamela and Sandra Jackson. New Voices: A Collection of Student Essays. 2000.

Clifton, Donald O. and Edward "Chip" Anderson, StrengthsQuest, 2002.

Covey Stephen R. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. 1993

Covey, Stephen R. First Things First. 1994.
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Dillard, Annie. Pilgrim and Tinker Creek. 1974.

Fadiman, Anne. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. 1997

Finkel, Donald L. Teaching with Your Mouth Shut. 2000.

French, Jackie. Diary of a Wombat. 2002.

Fritz, Robert. The Path of the Least Resistance. 1997.

Hogan, Michael, Teaching from the Heart: US Education Abroad. 2003.

hooks, bell. Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom. 1994.

Hyams, Joe, Zen in the Martial Arts, 1979

Gallway, W.Timothy. The Inner Game of Tennis. 1997

Gilligan, Carol. In a Different Voice. 2001

Geldard, Richard. The Spiritual Teachings of Ralph Waldo Emerson. 2001.

Johnson, Spencer. Who Moved My Cheese, 1998.

Journal of Geoscience Education, National Association of Geoscience Teachers.

Laney, Marti Olsen, The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World. 2002.

LaPierre, Dominique. The City of Joy, 1985.

Larsen, Gary. There's a Hair in my Dirt! A Worm's Story, 1998.

Leamnson, Robert. Thinking about Teaching and Learning. 1999

Lovell-Troy, Larry and Paul Eickmann, Course Design for College Teachers, 1992.

McKeachie, Wilbert. Teaching Tips. 2002

Palloff, Rena and Keith Pratt. Building Learning Communities in Cyberspace. 1999.

Palmer, Parker. The Courage to Teach. 1998.

Paul, Richard and Elder, Linda. How to Improve Student Learning. 2002.

Reid, Joy. M, Teaching ESL Writing. 1993.

Rose, Mike. Possible Lives: The Promise of Public Education in America. 1995.

Saunders, Hal. When are We Ever Gonna Have to Use This? 1998

Simpson, Thomas K. Maxwell on the Electronic Field. 2001.

Smith, Lauren B. Unsent Letters: Writing as a way to Resolve and Renew. 2002

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Staw, Jane A. Unstuck: A Supportive and Practical Guide to Working Through Writer's Block. 2003.

Truss, Lynne. Eats Shoots and Leaves. 2003.

Wooden, John. My Personal Best. 2004


"DEFINING THE GREAT TEACHER" PRESENTATIONS
The eight presentations defining the great teachers included, but were not limited to: an example
of not-so-great teaching (Michele can always take up acting if she decides not to teach), teaching
as a tree of knowledge, mirrors that reflected all great teachers at the seminar, and the following:

GT Memories by Patty Reidel
David Gottshall is in the house
Facilitators, snacks and even a mouse

Tennis court games and Happy Hour
Howling coyotes at the midnite hour

Problems solutions, is that why we're here?
No, it's the pork and beef burritos and the Tecate beer

Greet, meet, then we eat
Back to La Casita and grab a seat

Tips and tricks and solutions to teaching
Less is more, so I'll stop my preaching

Well, its time to go, let's bid farewell
No I think I'll wait for the dinner bell

This has truly been an introspection
I think we've all made some kinda connection

Let's all rise and thank our great preacher
For he as exposed us all to the spirit of the Great Teacher.

The Great Teachers Hokey Pokey (sung to that tune)
Partial Chorus:
Reach up to the stars
But keep your feet upon the ground
.........................................

Put Your........
Less In
More Out

Passion In
Apathy Out
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Flexibility In
Laminating Out

Facilitating In
Dictating Out

Open Mind In
Fear Out.




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