This Semester's Forum Events:

Check back in fall 2008 for updates

What is the Lehigh Lab Forum?   

Forum Events for Spring 2008 

Elizabeth Samet on Teaching at West Point

February 7, 2008 at 4pm
Linderman 200.
Please join us for a talk by Elizabeth Samet on her experiences as a professor at West Point. Samet is the author of Soldier's Heart: Reading Literature through Peace and War at West Point. If you love literature and value a liberal education, you'll want to hear her. If you're curious about what goes on in today's elite military academies, you'll want to hear her. She really demonstrates how literature can broaden and deepen one's appreciation of moral strength in the midst of ambiguity and pressure. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Lehigh Libraries, the Office of Faculty Development, the English Department and the Humanities Center.

Exploring Second Life Basics for Educators: Webcast

Thursday, March 20, 2008 :: 1:00 – 3:00
Location TBD
Join us for this online presentation by Academic Impressions to build a foundation for further exploration of virtual worlds. You will gain a broad understanding of the educational potential of Second Life and be offered a streamlined approach for gaining sufficient mastery of virtual worlds to begin designing effective learning experiences. RSVP required

HPC (High-Performance Computing) Day at Lehigh

Friday, April 4th, 2008 various events all day. 8:30-4:30
Keynote Address 1:10pm - 2:15pm, RBC 91

Petascale Phylogenetic Reconstruction of Evolutionary Histories

David A. Bader, Executive Director of High-Performance Computing, College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology

For more information and to register, visit http://www.lehigh.edu/computing/hpc/hpcday/2008/

Mapping Bethlehem
May 9 2008
Maginess 102
12 noon

Please join the Digital Scholarship Center and guest lecturer, Anne K. Knowles, Associate Professor of Geography at Middlebury College, for a discussion on trends in historical Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the launch of the Beyond Steel: An Archive of Lehigh Valley Industry and Culture mapping project of early 20th-century Bethlehem residents and businesses.

Forum Events for Fall 2007 

Introducing "Beyond Steel" Digital Archive

Wed Oct 24, 12-1:30 Linderman Library Room 200

Lehigh History professor John Kenley Smith has provided the primary scholarly guidance for the newest library digital site, Beyond Steel: An Archive of Lehigh Valley Industry and Culture. Smith will use the site's digitized letters, books, photographs, and oral histories to illustrate how this new resource can illuminate researchers' understanding of the area's industrial boom in the mid 19th century and the later decline of heavy industry.Cookies and coffee will be provided; bring a lunch if you wish. No RSVP required. Visit the site at http://digital.lib.lehigh.edu Co-sponsored with the Friends of the Lehigh Libraries.

Report on Technology and Teaching at Lehigh

Fri Nov 16, 12-1:30 Sinclair Auditorium

The Forum will have two parts:
1) A report by Greg Reihman on "Technology Support for Lehigh's Learning-Centered Mission," including an overview of the "Teaching, Learning, Technology Survey" conducted at Lehigh in Spring 2007.
(2) An opportunity for you to discuss and ask questions about this self-study report and survey.
This forum, and the document on which it is based, grow out of work done by a subcommittee comprising faculty representatives from all four colleges, students (a graduate and an undergraduate), and staff representatives from LTS and student affairs. The subcommittee-- co-chaired by Bruce Taggart, Ed Gallagher and Greg Reihman--has worked over the past 18 months to better understand how technology is being used in teaching and learning at Lehigh, to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the current model for supporting such uses, and to offer specific recommendations for how Lehigh might become even more effective at using technology to support learning.

Symposium on Teaching and Learning

Thu Nov 29, 10:30-3:00 Linderman Library, Bayer Galleria

The purpose of this Symposium is to highlight new, interesting, and effective approaches to teaching and learning at Lehigh. We hope to disseminate good ideas, inspire others to try new approaches, and recognize the work of those who have made successful changes to their teaching. This event will also be an opportunity to showcase the work of outgoing Lehigh Lab Faculty Fellow Ed Gallagher's work as Fellow and mark the transition to our new Faculty Fellow, Natalie Foster. Please click here for details.

Forum Events for Spring 2007   

Villainy Detected! A New Digital Library Project

Wed Feb 7, 12-1:30 Sinclair Aud

Come hear Faculty and Digital Library staff introduce Lehigh's newest Digital Library Project, "Villainy Detected!" The materials on this site illustrate eighteenth and nineteenth century crime and punishment practices in America and Britain. On both sides of the Atlantic, prison and judicial reform was debated while writers analyzed and sensationalized the criminal. This site presents a number of these writings, along with the reflections of Lehigh University scholars. (from the site at http://digital.lib.lehigh.edu/crime) Refreshments will be provided.

Open CourseWare: MERLOT, MIT, and More

Thurs Mar 15 12-1:30 Maginnes 101

Many university faculty are making their course materials freely available for others to use. (See MERLOT and MIT's OpenCourseWare for examples.) Come learn about these resources and discuss ways you can benefit from or contribute to these projects. Lunch will be provided -

Educational Uses of Gaming: 'Second Life' and 'Close Combat'

Fri Mar 23, 12-1:30 Coppee 101

The MacArthur Foundaton recently launched a $50M, five year study into how digital technologies are changing the way students learn. The Serious Games Initiative is exploring this question by studying how computer games can enhance education. Here at Lehigh, Faculty are testing the waters. Come hear Greg Reihman (Philosophy), John Pettegrew (History) and others discuss some of the promise and perils of using computer games in the classroom. **Lunch will be provided -

Clickers in Lehigh's Classrooms

Fri Mar 30, 12-1:30 Coppee 101

In Fall 2006, several large lecture classes at Lehigh tested the use of clickers. (See the Lehigh Lab Notes article for background.) Come hear Diane Hyland (Psychology) and Gary DeLeo (Physics) discuss how they used the clickers and pick up pointers on how to use these tools effectively.

iTunesU @ Lehigh

Mon Apr 16 12-1:30 Sinclair Auditorium

Lehigh has recently become an iTunesU campus. Come learn what this means and hear some ways iTunes is being put to use in classes across campus. -Learn more about using iTunes

High Performance Computing Day

Fri Apr 27, various events all day.

Click here for more information

Sound Advice: The Uses of Digital Audio to Enhance Instruction

Fri Oct 6, 12-1:30 Maginnes 105

Want to hear what some Lehigh faculty are doing with digital audio in their classes? Looking for ways to enhance your classroom by taking advantage of new tools that simplify the production, distribution, and acquisition of digital audio? Curious about how you might use iPods and iTunes? Come join us for a presentation and conversation. Lunch will be provided.

Teaching the Millennial Lehigh Student

Fri Oct 13th, 12-1:30 UC 409

In this forum, we'll discuss ways of bridging the generational gap between faculty and students by discussing the experience and perspectives of current college students--the “millennials.” Who are they? How do they learn? What are their perspectives? How can faculty modify teaching styles to more effectively engage and educate this generation of students? Lunch will be provided.

Beauty and Utility: Building Bridges Together

Wed Oct 18th 4:10-6pm Chandler Ulmann Aud.

Come join in a conversation about a variety of physical and conceptual bridges being built at Lehigh. Tony Viscardi will discuss his work with students in his 'Dream Bridges' course; Tom Peters will discuss his Chinese Bridge project; and Julia Maserjian and Ilhan Citak will discuss 'Digital Bridges,' a 21st century web resource for the study of 19th century bridges. (Part of "Beauty and Utility: Envisioning InterDisciplinary Bridges," an All-University Fourfold Colloquium Open to Faculty, Students, & Staff, co-sponsored by Faculty Development, ArtsLehigh, Asian Studies, LUAG, LTS and the Humanities Center and Art and LTS.) 

Conferencing Tools

Wed Oct 25th 12-1:30 Rauch 85

Want to collaborate with distant colleagues more simply? Want to bring a speaker to campus without flying them in? Come learn about various conferencing tools available to you and see specific examples of how they are being put to use by others at Lehigh. Lunch will be provided.

You are Here: Scholarship & Geographical Information Systems

Thurs Nov 9 4:00 Sinclair Aud.

Learn how Lehigh faculty, staff, and students are using GIS software and databases to enhance science and social science research. Environmental Initiative Computing Consultant Mike Chupa will coordinate talks about three cutting edge projects. (Co-sponsored with the LTS Friends of the Libraries)

Diversity in the Classroom/Teaching Diverse Classes

Tues Nov 14th, 4:00-5:30 Location Maginnes 101

This Forum will focus on the issue of diversity in the classroom. We will specifically focus on the way that all classes provide opportunities to increase awareness of diversity and multicultural issues. This includes the way we treat students, the types of examples and cases you use in class, and the way we deal in class with highly charged issues such as racism and sexism. Lunch will be provided. (Co-sponsored with Lehigh's Joint Multicultural Program)

Digital Songs, Stories, and Histories

Fri Dec 1st 12-1:30 location TBD; optional visit to the Digital Media Studio 1:30-2:30)

How can we best teach students to use new media to explain, argue, and persuade? How can our courses tap the talents of digital librarians and media specialists? “Digital Songs, Stories, and Histories,” a first-year writing course wrought in the Lehigh Lab, answered these questions by bringing together a professor, a digital librarian, and a new Digital Media Studio.

Spring 2006

Managing Quizzes and Homework
Thu Feb 2 12-1 MAG 480

FALL 2005

Teaching Creatively: Disciplinary Perspectives

Thurs Sept 29, 12-1:30 @ Zoellner, Lower Art Gallery.

The first in a yearlong collaboration with ArtsLehigh, this session will focus on creative approaches to teaching. Presenters: Ricardo Viera (Art), Todd Watkins (Economics) and Rick Vinci (Materials Science). Moderators: Norman Girardot, Bill Newman, Greg Reihman. Lunch provided, RSVP required.

What Is It and Why Should I Care? The Apple iPod

Wed Oct 12, 12-1:30 @ Neville 3. Come see how the Apple iPod works and learn about some instructional uses of this device.  After a short presentation, we will hold an open discussion on whether and how it might be useful to you in your courses.  We hope the presentation and discussion will spark some good ideas, raise interesting questions, and help you become familiar with technologies that promise to enhance teaching and learning on our campus. Presenters: Robin Deily, Ilena Key, Jason Slipp.Lunch provided, RSVP required.

More on What the Best College Teachers Do 

Wed Oct 26, 12-1:30 @ Location UC 409

A discussion of chapters 1-3 of Ken Bain's "What the Best College Teachers Do," moderated by Greg Reihman. Lunch provided, RSVP required, open to Lehigh faculty.

Terrascope: Freshman Interdisciplinary Learning:

Fri Nov 4th, Time and Location TBA

Professor Kip Hodges (Director of the Earth System Initiative at MIT) will discuss a course he co-teaches with faculty from Civil Engineering that challenges students to solve complex, interdisciplinary problems. RSVP required.

Teaching about Creativity

Wed Nov 9, 4-5:30 @ ArtsLehigh House

The second in our yearlong collaboration with ArtsLehigh, this session will focus on some ways faculty teach to inspire creativity in their students. Presenters: Anna Chupa (Design Arts), Tony Viscardi (Architecture)  and Graham Mitchell (CBE Entrepreneurship Program) . Moderators: Norman Girardot, Bill Newman, Greg Reihman RSVP required. .

Academic Integrity: The Role of Turnitin

Fri Dec 2, 12-1:30 Location TBA

This session will discuss academic integrity at Lehigh, with a focus on appropriate and effective uses of Turnitin, a web-based pagiarism prevention tool that detects unoriginal material in written work.  Bring a lunch; drinks will be provided, RSVP required.

SPRING 2005

The Who, the How, and the Why of Blogging
Date: Tuesday, February 8th
Time: 4:00 pm
Room: Media Center Classroom, EWFM Library 379
Amardeep Singh has his own blog, Bob Rosenwein studies them, John Lennon will have students do one this semester, Matt Weintraub is an obsessive blog reader.  So, what's a blog and how can you use one? Come learn more from these and other faculty members, and discuss some of the many ways that blogs are being used by Lehigh faculty.

Laying the Groundwork for Student Research in the  Age of Google
Date: Thursday Feb 24
Time: 12 Noon
Room UC 303, lunch provided
How do students approach research projects and what can faculty do to improve students' research skills?  This session will highlight the results of the ‘Research Skills Assessment,' taken by 534 incoming Fall '04 Lehigh students.  After briefly reviewing what the Assessment reveals about student research abilities and attitudes, we will offer suggestions for designing assignments that teach research skills, discourage plagiarism, and enhance student learning.

Fostering Great Discussions and Improving Student Participation
Date: Thursday, March 17th 
Time: noon
Location: UC 403
Every class meeting has the potential for high quality discussion, but faculty are often frustrated when student participation feels sluggish or shallow.  In this workshop, we'll discuss ways to establish the conditions for productive discussions and explore techniques that initiate and sustain great participation. Please join us for an interesting discussion.  Lunch will be sponsored by Faculty Development.

Integrating Research into Undergraduate Education
Date: Monday March 21st 
Time: noon
Location: UC 303
What role can research play in undergraduate education? How can one design courses and assignments that more actively involve students in research projects?  David Anastasio and Susan Szczepanski will present highlights from a recent conference on these topics (hosted by SUNY Stony Brook's Reinvention Center) and lead a discussion among Lehigh faculty. Please join us for an interesting discussion.  Lunch will be sponsored by Faculty Development.

Exemplary Uses of Blackboard
Date: Friday, April 1st
Time: 12:00
Room: UC 303
Roughly 80% of Lehigh faculty use Blackboard but most never have a chance to peek inside others' courses to get ideas for using this tool more effectively.  Come see what other faculty are doing with Blackboard, hear what's working well…and be sure to bring along your own suggestions to share. Please join us for an interesting discussion.  Lunch will be sponsored by Faculty Development.

Using the Financial Services Lab as a Teaching Resource
Date: Wednesday April 6th
Time: 4:00 pm
Location: Financial Services Lab, Rauch Business Center
The new Financial Services Lab is available for Lehigh faculty to use for class activities, but how can faculty (both in CBE and beyond) take advantage of this resource?  Come meet with David Myers, Director of the FSL, to learn more about the opportunities the Financial Services Lab offers to faculty, and participate in a discussion how you might incorporate the Lab into your teaching or research.

Scientific Computing
Date: Thursday, April 21
Time:  4:10 PM   
Location: Media Center Classroom, EWFM Library 379
This session will provide a general overview of the scientific computing resources available at Lehigh (GRIDs, Beowulf Clusters and SMP systems) and what they can do for faculty.  The discussion will be led by Paul Ryan and Gale Fritsche, from LTS, Jeff Linderoth and Ted Ralphs, Asst. Professors of Industrial Engineering, and Adam Balgach, a CS Grad student.  The session will include an overview on accessing the systems, charging mechanisms, the benefits of each system and some examples of jobs that can be run.