2018 Building Bridges - Literacy: Framing the Future
Building Bridges Conference 2018 by Slidely Slideshow | Photos by Gary Graupman
Sessions
Reducing Remediation
Kim Flachmann (CSUB), Kimberly Bligh (BC), Brenda Freaney (BC), Kamala Carlson, (TC), and Joe’ll Chaidez (TC)In the wake of the mandates to reduce remediation on our campuses, we are all approaching the task in different ways, which we will describe and then open the floor to a discussion of our plans. We will also reveal our views of the potential consequences and challenges of our proposals.
Hybrid and Blended Learning with ERWC Kern Learn
Lori Campbell (KHSD)
The presenter will demonstrate the resources developed in a blended ERWC class that ensures fidelity to the program. Participants will see how to maintain discussion and peer evaluation in an asynchronous environment as well as more authentic assessment of students’ needs and abilities.
Human Rationality: Helping Students to Be More Rational People
Dr. John D. Eigenauer (TC)Recent advances in cognitive science have revealed surprising things about intelligence and rationality. These revelations have profound ramifications for education. This presentation speaks to this research to help educators interested in critical thinking redefine their understanding of and approach to cognitive goals for undergraduate students. The presentation will be followed by a guided discussion to consider the ways that rationality might be advanced in undergraduate courses.
Research Skills: Paper Need Not Apply
Katie McNamara (KHSD)This session will discuss utilizing technology to create fun and engaging products that strengthen research skills, but it does not require a written paper. This session will include Booksnaps and Flipgrid.
Recognizing and Overcoming Advanced Plagiarism Techniques
Laraine Rosema (BC, CSUB)Educators in the classroom are becoming more and more reliant on plagiarism checking websites and tools, such as turnitin.com, Safe Assign, and Turnitin Direct. However, because instructors are depending on these tools, students are becoming more adept at 'cheating' the system. Through an interactive presentation, instructors will learn some of the most advanced cheating techniques of the modern student, how to recognize these techniques, how to overcome instances of blatant plagiarism, and the steps necessary to ensure the academic integrity of their students.
Making Composition Accessible and Fun Fairy Tales: A Gateway to College Composition
Aerin Ridgway (PC)As a teacher of basic skills courses, Ridgway uses fairy tales to help students build skills for college reading and writing. She has found that using something familiar to students gives them a starting point with which they are comfortable; she can then build on that familiarity using critical analysis and other versions of the story. Most students also find working with fairy tales to be fun, which seems to keep them invested in the class. She will share her experiences using fairy tales as a foundation for a basic skills class.
Digital Tools and Multilingual Students Do No Harm: Digital Tools and Multilingual Student
Michael Westwood (BC)As online instruction becomes more prevalent, teachers of multilingual students must grapple with the ways in which they choose to embrace or reject it. With diverse student populations and a wide variety of implementation possibilities, this is no easy task. This presentation will explore types of digital tools currently in use as well as recent research on the subject. Finally, benefits and pitfalls of online instruction and technology use will be discussed.
Literacy Under Construction: College Ready Without Reading
Kamala Carlson (TC) and Abby Flachmann (CSUB)How can educators expect students to write critically without first being able to read well? In a time of new California state mandates and laws, with timelines and funding attached to success, while losing developmental reading and English courses in college, angst is real among educators. As a result, we are forced to reevaluate and redesign courses to ensure that reading stays at the forefront. This session will provide some strategies and assignments that instructors can implement in writing courses to make certain that reading is still a top priority, because as we know, students can never out-write their reading level.
Co-requisite Transfer-Level Composition Rigor without the Mortis: Using Instructional Scaffolding to Unleash Student Capacity
Melissa Long (PC)In this hands-on session, Long will discuss Porterville College’s co-requisite transfer-level composition course for students placed one level and two levels below transfer. She will focus on the design, implementation, and outcomes of the class as well as provide strategies for how she actually increases rigor with instructional scaffolding. With AB 705 on the horizon, the co-requisite model is a proven solution for how colleges can support “unprepared” students, help them complete the composition requirement in a single semester, keep the academic integrity of college-level courses, and have fun in the process!
Teaching Research with Fake News
Daniel Gomes (BC)The rise of so-called “fake news” presents yet another challenge to teaching research. The already precarious endeavor of finding reliable information online is now likened to a minefield of falsehood. This presentation will demonstrate the benefits of introducing students to the competing definitions of, and debates over, fake news in our contemporary moment as well as their resonance with historical anxieties over reportage. Additionally, the presentation will offer several in-class activities for students to critically engage with the concept of fake news and related concerns of rhetoric, authority, fact-checking, and search engines. Time will be allotted for attendees to share their own experiences with teaching research and media literacy.
Avoiding Plagiarism: Tips, Techniques, and Tutorials
Terri Smith (TC)This presentation addresses plagiarism from a non-punitive perspective. Teaching students what plagiarism looks like and how to avoid it at the beginning of a course can deter students from unintentional plagiarism. Using library resources, handouts, and interactive tutorials helps students to use sources ethically. Various tips, techniques, and tutorials will be addressed and shared.
Using Transition Words When Writing Across the Curriculum
Denise Canning (BC)This presentation is designed to discuss the use of transition words when writing across the curriculum. The goal is to provide opportunities for the audience to see how writing can be applied across the curriculum.
Teaching Online: Keep It Simple, Student!
Keith Kirouac (CSUB), Laraine Rosema (BC/CSUB), and Naomi Rutuku (BC)Kirouac will provide an introduction, arguing that electronic communications from instructors should model strong writing habits. Rosema will then discuss the application of those habits within the Blackboard learning management system. Rutuku will do the same for the Canvas learning management system.
Ownership and Learning: Teacher and Student Use of Rubrics for Clarity, Feedback, and Grading
Joshua Kunnath and Mindy Montanio (KHSD)This presentation will display a method in which teachers can use rubrics in the classroom to clarify student learning expectations, guide the teacher-student and student-student feedback process, and create accurate report card grades that represent student academic achievement of learning targets. The session will begin with a brief introduction to the purpose of rubrics and methods of rubric creation before moving to a more detailed account of in-class rubric use. Presenters will also delineate between the purposeful use of rubrics for feedback versus assessment. They will finish by addressing the question that teachers commonly pose when the topic of rubrics and feedback is brought up: "So, how do I grade it?" Examples of rubrics, peer and self-assessment, student exemplar work at different performance levels, and a teacher quarterly grade book will be provided.
A Continuing Discussion: Transitions from High School to College
Kim Flachmann (CSUB), Pamela Boyles (BC), and Kamala Carlson (TC)This open discussion session will focus on ways to help students transition from high school to college and will include an outline of college expectations and requirements.
Thank You
Academic Supporters
Bakersfield CollegeCalifornia State University, Bakersfield
Cerro Coso College
Kern High School District
Porterville College
Taft College
Raffle Prize Donors
Action Sports: Rock Climbing Party for 10 ($250)Shannon Foster: One Family Photo Sitting and Five Digital Downloads ($150)
Los Molcajetes Restaurant (2) ($50 each)
Dinner and a Movie Gift Card from Fandango
Ulta Gift certificate ($25)
Buffalo Wild Wings Gift Certificate ($25)
Target Gift Certificate (2) ($10 each)
Starbucks Gift Card ($10)
28th Annual Building Bridges Planning Committee
Bakersfield CollegeSheena Bhogal: English
Tracie Grimes: English
Jeannie Parent: English for Multilingual Students
California State University, Bakersfield
Emerson Case: Runner Reader
Kim Flachmann: Writing Program
Tracie Grimes: English
Yuri Sakamaki: Intensive English Language Center
Cerro Coso College
Gary Enns: English
Kern High School District
Julie Detloff: English
Porterville College
Elizabeth Buchanan: English
Taft College
Kamala Carlson: English, Reading
Jessica Grimes: English
Danielle Kerr: English
