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RECENT ACTIVITIES
Summer 2004
The Task Force kicked off its summer activities with an intensive Work Week held shortly after Commencement. During the week, the committee welcomed numerous guests. Associate Dean of Engineering Dick Yue shared perspectives from the Engineering Council on Undergraduate Education (ECUE). Dr. Lori Breslow of MIT's Teaching and Learning Lab joined the group for a discussion of recent pedagogical research at MIT and other institutions. EECS Professor Hal Abelson, instructor of 6.002X, and Professor Martin Culpepper of Mechanical Engineering, who teaches 2.000, joined Task Force members Dava Newman (16.00) and Kip Hodges (12.000) in sharing their experiences with utilizing hands-on, interactive learning in teaching their subjects.
In addition, the members spent considerable time reviewing the work of prior committees regarding the goals of an MIT education and the principles that guide the teaching of our students. Their discussion led to the formation of four working groups. These groups convened over the summer and are continuing their work this fall.
These groups are:
| Scientific and Technical Knowledge |
Membership: |
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Thomas Greytak, Chair
John Brisson
Liz Greenwood '05
Kip Hodges
Chris Kaiser
Tomas Lozano-Perez
Haynes Miller
Charles Stewart
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Questions to Consider: |
- How can we balance the following three objectives:
- Preparation for future study
- Education towards a decision of major
- Contribution to developing the educated individual?
- Is there something to add to the current suite of required fundamentals? Or should these be opportunities?
- How do we decide what to remove/add from the curriculum given the goals and the limited time in students' academic schedule?
- How can we address some of the follwoing areas of improvement:
- Use of passive modes of learning/Boredom among students
- Methods of assessment of student performance
- Retention of knowledge and application of learning to future subjects?
- What are some creative ways to provide students with an even better education in this area?
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| Social Responsibility, Ethics, and STS |
| Fundamental Modes of Analysis |
Re-Thinking Learning at MIT |
For more information about each group's membership and key questions to answer, click on the group name,
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