Breakout Sessions, Round 1
Hinton Building | 9:15-10:00 a.m.
Option 1: Hinton 201 - Recommended for Attendees of All Ages, Including High School and Undergraduate Students
Total Eclipse: Safe Observing and Fun Activities | Dr. Patricia Reiff (45 minutes)
The presentation will feature an overview the basics of the upcoming total eclipse and the ways to observe it safely. Plus, it will include fun activities to do, rain or shine!
Dr. Patricia Reiff is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Rice University.
Total Eclipse: Safe Observing and Fun Activities | Dr. Patricia Reiff (45 minutes)
The presentation will feature an overview the basics of the upcoming total eclipse and the ways to observe it safely. Plus, it will include fun activities to do, rain or shine!
Dr. Patricia Reiff is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Rice University.
Option 2: Hinton 202
Teaching Metacognition | Dr. Todd Primm and Treston Smith (20 minutes)
Effective learners exhibit high metacognition, constantly monitoring and adjusting their learning strategies with persistence. Given this, we are testing interventions to increase student metacognition as part of an Engaged Learning Fellowship at Sam Houston State University. Initial work across five courses in two disciplines (biology and psychology) shows that student often over-predict their exam scores ,and their predictions usually don’t get more accurate across the semester. Our interventions involved an exam wrapper tool and resources from the Learning Scientists and videos from Stephen Chew. Self-reported exam anxiety did decrease over the semester and student estimate of preparation did correlate with exam performance. Students also reported increasing use of learning strategies that are evidence-based, like elaboration, retrieval practice, and sketching diagrams. Preliminary evidence is encouraging, and interventions need to be enhanced to train students to enhance their learning effectiveness.
Dr. Todd Primm is a Professor of Biology at Sam Houston State University. Treston Smith is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Sam Houston State University.
Using Scientific Research as a Tool in the Development of Student Self Identity | Drs. Curtis Henderson and Illya Medina (20 minutes)
Undergraduate research experiences (URE) are powerful educational tools for STEM majors. Students greatly benefit not only from the hands-on experiences that research provides, but also from the confidence that working through scientific problems can instill. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a large proportion of Houston Christian University (HCU) STEM students are underrepresented minorities and/or first-generation college students. Despite matriculation through rigorous STEM programs, students in these populations are often hesitant to think of themselves as student-scientists. Research experiences not only help solidify academic concepts that are covered in numerous class lectures, but also help build a sense of scientific identity and belongingness in students. HCU is a recent recipient of National Science Foundation grants that have provided funding to offer research experiences for students in the College of Science and Engineering. In this presentation, we will explore insights that show how these grant-funded programs have succeeded in fostering the developing scientific identify of participating students.
Dr. Curtis Henderson is a Professor of Biology at Houston Christian University. Dr. Illya Medina is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Houston Christian University.
Teaching Metacognition | Dr. Todd Primm and Treston Smith (20 minutes)
Effective learners exhibit high metacognition, constantly monitoring and adjusting their learning strategies with persistence. Given this, we are testing interventions to increase student metacognition as part of an Engaged Learning Fellowship at Sam Houston State University. Initial work across five courses in two disciplines (biology and psychology) shows that student often over-predict their exam scores ,and their predictions usually don’t get more accurate across the semester. Our interventions involved an exam wrapper tool and resources from the Learning Scientists and videos from Stephen Chew. Self-reported exam anxiety did decrease over the semester and student estimate of preparation did correlate with exam performance. Students also reported increasing use of learning strategies that are evidence-based, like elaboration, retrieval practice, and sketching diagrams. Preliminary evidence is encouraging, and interventions need to be enhanced to train students to enhance their learning effectiveness.
Dr. Todd Primm is a Professor of Biology at Sam Houston State University. Treston Smith is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Sam Houston State University.
Using Scientific Research as a Tool in the Development of Student Self Identity | Drs. Curtis Henderson and Illya Medina (20 minutes)
Undergraduate research experiences (URE) are powerful educational tools for STEM majors. Students greatly benefit not only from the hands-on experiences that research provides, but also from the confidence that working through scientific problems can instill. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a large proportion of Houston Christian University (HCU) STEM students are underrepresented minorities and/or first-generation college students. Despite matriculation through rigorous STEM programs, students in these populations are often hesitant to think of themselves as student-scientists. Research experiences not only help solidify academic concepts that are covered in numerous class lectures, but also help build a sense of scientific identity and belongingness in students. HCU is a recent recipient of National Science Foundation grants that have provided funding to offer research experiences for students in the College of Science and Engineering. In this presentation, we will explore insights that show how these grant-funded programs have succeeded in fostering the developing scientific identify of participating students.
Dr. Curtis Henderson is a Professor of Biology at Houston Christian University. Dr. Illya Medina is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Houston Christian University.
Option 3: Hinton 206
Advancing from Awareness to Practice: Establishing a Pedagogy of Cultural Responsiveness in Your Classroom | Dr. China Jenkins (45 minutes)
Culturally responsive teaching is gaining significant traction in higher education discourse, responding to the imperative of effectively educating an increasingly diverse student body. Although educators recognize the importance of this approach, many remain unaware to the deep-rooted mindsets and pedagogical structures that can obstruct meaningful engagement with marginalized and underrepresented students. This workshop aims to enlighten faculty members, employing interactive activities and reflection discussion as tools. By participating in this session, educators will delve into the essential elements of culturally responsive teaching and acquire tangible strategies for application within their classrooms. Through this process, faculty will not only enhance their teaching methods but also foster an inclusive learning environment that empowers students from all backgrounds to thrive.
Dr. China Jenkins is the Dean of Academic Support and Resources at Houston Christian University.
Advancing from Awareness to Practice: Establishing a Pedagogy of Cultural Responsiveness in Your Classroom | Dr. China Jenkins (45 minutes)
Culturally responsive teaching is gaining significant traction in higher education discourse, responding to the imperative of effectively educating an increasingly diverse student body. Although educators recognize the importance of this approach, many remain unaware to the deep-rooted mindsets and pedagogical structures that can obstruct meaningful engagement with marginalized and underrepresented students. This workshop aims to enlighten faculty members, employing interactive activities and reflection discussion as tools. By participating in this session, educators will delve into the essential elements of culturally responsive teaching and acquire tangible strategies for application within their classrooms. Through this process, faculty will not only enhance their teaching methods but also foster an inclusive learning environment that empowers students from all backgrounds to thrive.
Dr. China Jenkins is the Dean of Academic Support and Resources at Houston Christian University.
Option 4: Hinton 207
Learning to Live on Another Planet: My Experience Becoming an Instructional Designer | Lisa Covington (45 minutes)
In a post 2020 world where the demand for online and hybrid learning opportunities has soared, instructional design has emerged as an increasingly popular field. As more and more individuals look to make this professional transition, there are lots of questions about what it is, how to prepare for it, and ultimately, how to do the work. In this session, the presenter will share her experience making this transition, provide some resources that can help others looking to make a professional transition themselves, as well as a few tips and tricks learned along the way.
Lisa Covington is an Instructional Designer for Christian Brothers Automotive, as well as a graduate of Houston Christian University's Master of Science in Learning, Technology, and Design program.
Learning to Live on Another Planet: My Experience Becoming an Instructional Designer | Lisa Covington (45 minutes)
In a post 2020 world where the demand for online and hybrid learning opportunities has soared, instructional design has emerged as an increasingly popular field. As more and more individuals look to make this professional transition, there are lots of questions about what it is, how to prepare for it, and ultimately, how to do the work. In this session, the presenter will share her experience making this transition, provide some resources that can help others looking to make a professional transition themselves, as well as a few tips and tricks learned along the way.
Lisa Covington is an Instructional Designer for Christian Brothers Automotive, as well as a graduate of Houston Christian University's Master of Science in Learning, Technology, and Design program.
Option 5: Hinton 209 - Doctoral Student Lightning Round
A Christian Leader's Servant Leadership: Its Influence on Culture in Texas Public Schools Receiving Title 1 Funds | James Alexander (15 minutes)
Based on Houston Christian University’s Sixth Pillar, this study focuses on the connection between a campus leader’s Christian faith, servant leadership, and its effect on culture in public schools. Because Christians cannot wholly separate their beliefs from who they are, there is no absolute separation of church and state in public schools. A considerable gap in the literature indicates the need for further research regarding Christian campus leaders working in taxpayer-funded schools. Furthermore, while there is plentiful evidence of successful implementations of servant leadership in private and parochial schools, very little literature chronicles servant leadership in public schools.
The research explores the origins of servant leadership, discussing Jesus and how His style of leadership influenced Christian disciples. Furthermore, the work highlights faith as a vehicle for motivating action in people. The qualitative phenomenological multiple case study includes individual in-depth interviews of campus leaders from a purposive sample to obtain an anecdotal perspective.
James Alexander is a doctoral student in the EdD in Executive Educational Leadership program at Houston Christian University.
The Effects of Conflict Caused by Dysfunctions in Administrative Leadership and Its Relationship with Teacher Morale and Student Achievement | Joyelle White (15 minutes)
The purpose of this proposed quantitative research study is to determine the relationship between conflict caused by dysfunctions in administrative leadership teams and teacher morale based on the results of a social emotional survey and student performance on the reading and math sections of the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR). Elementary school principals and assistant principals from Title I and non-Title I schools in an urban public-school district in southeast Texas will participate in the study. The variables used in this study will include dysfunctional conflict (an independent variable), student achievement, and teacher morale (dependent variables). A quantitative survey research design will be used because it allows for the examination of relationships between variables.
Joyelle White is a doctoral student in the EdD in Executive Educational Leadership program at Houston Christian University.
Lifting as We Climb: Lived Experiences of High School Principals Who Impact Black Male Student Achievement | Courtney Riley (15 minutes)
Modern college students seem to be lacking effective writing and research skills. Online students in particular may face challenges as opposed to students in residency due to a lack of access to and training on academic resources. This presentation will include a review of potential causes of the problem and offer effective strategies to engage online students on this topic. Employment of these strategies will help educators teach students how to conduct quality research, which will then equip them to produce quality writing.
Courtney Riley is a doctoral student in the EdD in Executive Educational Leadership program at Houston Christian University.
A Christian Leader's Servant Leadership: Its Influence on Culture in Texas Public Schools Receiving Title 1 Funds | James Alexander (15 minutes)
Based on Houston Christian University’s Sixth Pillar, this study focuses on the connection between a campus leader’s Christian faith, servant leadership, and its effect on culture in public schools. Because Christians cannot wholly separate their beliefs from who they are, there is no absolute separation of church and state in public schools. A considerable gap in the literature indicates the need for further research regarding Christian campus leaders working in taxpayer-funded schools. Furthermore, while there is plentiful evidence of successful implementations of servant leadership in private and parochial schools, very little literature chronicles servant leadership in public schools.
The research explores the origins of servant leadership, discussing Jesus and how His style of leadership influenced Christian disciples. Furthermore, the work highlights faith as a vehicle for motivating action in people. The qualitative phenomenological multiple case study includes individual in-depth interviews of campus leaders from a purposive sample to obtain an anecdotal perspective.
James Alexander is a doctoral student in the EdD in Executive Educational Leadership program at Houston Christian University.
The Effects of Conflict Caused by Dysfunctions in Administrative Leadership and Its Relationship with Teacher Morale and Student Achievement | Joyelle White (15 minutes)
The purpose of this proposed quantitative research study is to determine the relationship between conflict caused by dysfunctions in administrative leadership teams and teacher morale based on the results of a social emotional survey and student performance on the reading and math sections of the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR). Elementary school principals and assistant principals from Title I and non-Title I schools in an urban public-school district in southeast Texas will participate in the study. The variables used in this study will include dysfunctional conflict (an independent variable), student achievement, and teacher morale (dependent variables). A quantitative survey research design will be used because it allows for the examination of relationships between variables.
Joyelle White is a doctoral student in the EdD in Executive Educational Leadership program at Houston Christian University.
Lifting as We Climb: Lived Experiences of High School Principals Who Impact Black Male Student Achievement | Courtney Riley (15 minutes)
Modern college students seem to be lacking effective writing and research skills. Online students in particular may face challenges as opposed to students in residency due to a lack of access to and training on academic resources. This presentation will include a review of potential causes of the problem and offer effective strategies to engage online students on this topic. Employment of these strategies will help educators teach students how to conduct quality research, which will then equip them to produce quality writing.
Courtney Riley is a doctoral student in the EdD in Executive Educational Leadership program at Houston Christian University.
At the conclusion of the sessions, please be certain to complete one survey (available via QR code and linked HERE) for all the sessions you attended (including the keynote session). You will receive a certificate for four CPE (continuing professional education) units after submitting your feedback on all sessions.
Please also be certain to post pictures of your experience at the 2023 Dr. Dawn K. Wilson Teaching, Learning, and Research Symposium to social media using the hashtag #hcutlrs2023!
Please also be certain to post pictures of your experience at the 2023 Dr. Dawn K. Wilson Teaching, Learning, and Research Symposium to social media using the hashtag #hcutlrs2023!