Facilitated small group reviewer training and feedback for one of your existing activities using the POGIL activity rubrics. Includes one pre-NCAPP videoconference (reviewing writing POGIL activities) and three sessions at NCAPP. Limited slots available.
Also known as idea exchanges or networking tables, Birds of a Feather Gatherings will be organized as part of the conference program. They are relatively small and informal discussion-based gatherings, aimed at building networks and exploring ideas. This is the only session type for which there is NO formal presentation. Instead, the facilitators ensure that there is time for introductions among those in attendance and come with questions or ideas to spark discussion around a particular topic.
What does a Birds of a Feather Session look like? At the beginning of the exchange, the facilitator will welcome attendees and ask each to introduce her or himself and to note their interest in the topic. The facilitator will likely pose a thought-provoking question or challenge, and from there, those in attendance are encouraged to share and discuss, to network, and to learn one from another. It is a 'meeting of the minds' and the time together will be whatever you make of it.
Facilitation fishbowls are 45-minute classroom simulations in which the presenter will facilitate an activity of their choice for 20 minutes. Conference participants will be involved in the fishbowls, either as an activity facilitator, student, or observer. The presenter will be selected through the application process. These sessions are designed to assist both presenter and participants in improving facilitation skills. This experience will provide participants with a number of different perspectives on which to reflect, including how different strategies impact the effectiveness of POGIL activities.
What does a fishbowl session look like? At least one month before the conference, fishbowl presenters will complete the Fishbowl Activity Form and submit their activity. This includes information about the intended student population, place in the curriculum, and prerequisite knowledge. This form also includes: one clearly stated content goal and one clearly stated process skill goal that can be achieved by “students” within 20 minutes. The process skill area (such as teamwork, management, assessment, communication, etc.) should be indicated in a parenthetical at the end of the goal. (Fishbowls are not intended to provide feedback on a classroom activity.) At the start of the session, a moderator will set up the fishbowl, separating the participants into fish (“students” who will work on the activity in teams) and observers. For the first half of the 45-minute session, you will conduct an activity as you would with regular students, with attendees acting as students and observers. Afterward, the moderator will facilitate a discussion about the strengths of your facilitation, missed opportunities, and any insights they gained from their perspective.
This time is designed to provide participants with a chance to network and work on collaborative projects in a variety of settings. In the virtual format, we will set up specific times and create breakout rooms based on participant requests. These sessions provide an opportunity to expand your network and develop new collaborations and projects in an informal setting. If you have an idea for a breakout session during informal networking, do a bit of research and communicate with the POGIL National Office before the conference so you can take the lead in heading up the session.
This formal graphic presentation of your topic, this year presented in a virtual Powerpoint format, offers an excellent opportunity for gathering detailed feedback on your work and reporting on evaluation results. A poster abstract should detail the focus of the presentation and the way(s) in which it contributes to the body of knowledge.
What does a poster session look like? All posters are presented during one of the poster sessions throughout the conference. Posters will be available on the NCAPP website during the event and a formal time for participants to discuss posters either one-on-one or in small groups will be arranged via Zoom. Some poster presenters also present supplemental materials with their posters and provide contact information for further follow up.
As part of 90-minute sessions taking place during the conference, professional development workshops provide instructors from both high schools and colleges/universities with an opportunity to obtain professional development and to gain new insights into teaching and learning. Professional Development workshops will be presented by a trained facilitator who is expected to have significant experience facilitating workshops in the subject area. Workshops will be selected by The POGIL Project from recently developed advanced workshops.
What does a professional development workshop look like? Professional Development Workshops are 90 minutes in length. Participants work together in small groups on facilitated activities designed for interactive learning. Participants receive take-home materials and have an opportunity for interaction with the facilitator and their peers.
Roundtables are 45-minute discussions that typically include 5-15 minutes of presentation, followed by 30-40 minutes of discussion and feedback. Roundtable presenters should bring targeted questions to pose to others in the session. Roundtable presentations are among the most flexible format offered at the conference, and may look quite different from session to session. The one thing that they have in common is that each allows for extended discussion within a small group. Roundtables are excellent venues for giving and receiving targeted feedback, engaging in in-depth discussions, and meeting colleagues with similar interests. Topics may include, but should not be limited to group formation, classroom management, metacognition research, feedback on SoTL research projects, facilitation issues, and writing activities. The abstract should detail the focus of the presentation.
What does a roundtable session look like? The session begins with a 5- to 15-minute presentation. Each presenter will be supported by a moderator to include an extended discussion component with ample time for questions. Most roundtable presenters provide supplemental materials illustrating their work. Roundtables are excellent venues for providing demonstrations of techniques, getting targeted feedback, engaging in in-depth discussions, and meeting colleagues with similar interests. While your attendees may be eager with questions, it is useful to have one or two prepared questions at the ready that you can use, if needed, to stimulate the discussion.
