1202 W. Thomas Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85013
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"The Engaged Learner" is focus of Spring Faculty Convocation

Faculty from all of the Maricopa Community Colleges gathered at Phoenix College Friday to get energized for the upcoming semester.

A standing-room-only crowd of more than 700 instructors from all ten colleges heard Dr. Diane Halpern discuss The Engaged Learner: Why Learning Is Not a Spectator Sport. Dr. Halpern is Director of The Berger Institute at Claremont McKenna College and a leading researcher on applying the science of learning. She also addressed the assembly in the afternoon on the topic of Thinking Critically About Critical Thinking: How to Help Our Students Become Better Thinkers. In her remarks, Dr. Halpern discussed theories and research from the science of learning to suggest ways that instructors can direct learning activities to promote long-term retention and transfer of learning.

Other special guests and presenters included:

--Dr. Fred Gaskin, Chancellor, Maricopa Community Colleges
--Dr. Corina Gardea, President, Phoenix College
--Dr. Michael Crow, President, Arizona State University
--Dr. Pat Case, Counseling Faculty and Faculty/Staff Development Coordinator, Rio Salado College
--Rosemary Kesler, President, Faculty Association
--udy Boschult, English Faculty and Faculty Development Coordinator, Phoenix College
--Sharon Fagan, English Faculty and Faculty Development Coordinator, Chandler-Gilbert Community College

Spring semester classes will get underway at most campuses January 18.