Lightning Talks Spring 2023: Writ Large: The Place of Writing in University Learning
Co-hosted by Digital Learning & Innovation (DL&I) and The Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL), the Spring 2023 Lightning Talks are a learning and reflection forum where Boston University faculty and invited guests identify areas of challenge and opportunity and share strategies for engaging educational experiences for all students.
Writ Large: The Place of Writing in University Learning
The central place of writing in university learning and intellectual life is not disputed. But our definition of what constitutes writing continues to evolve, along with our teaching approaches and tools. In a world of multiple Englishes, new writing technologies like ChatGPT, and expectations in the workplace of collaborative writing, what should we as educators know about the place of writing in the university and beyond? Join us for informative presentations and spirited conversation with colleagues on the evolving place of writing in higher education.
Thursday, April 27, 2023
12:15- 1:15 pm
Held via Zoom
Register HereEvent lineup:
Listening more and measuring less: Student and Faculty perspectives on social narratives in care for older adults.
Presenter: Megan Young, Assistant Professor, Section of Geriatrics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
The My Life My Story (MLMS) project was started through the Veterans administration in 2013 with the goal of bringing the patient’s voice to the medical record. All medical students at Boston University now participate in the MLMS during their geriatrics rotation. Dr. Young will outline student and faculty perspectives on these written narratives including how the process impacts care they provide for patients and how it influences the physician students become.
Writing in Neuroscience
Presenter: Kyle Gobrogge, Lecturer, Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, College of Arts & Sciences
College writing in neuroscience is an essential component of any program that focuses on the study of the brain and nervous system. Writing in this field involves both technical and creative skills, as students must be able to analyze and interpret complex scientific data while also communicating their findings in a clear and concise manner. In addition, writing in neuroscience often requires familiarity with specific scientific writing conventions and terminology, as well as the ability to integrate information from multiple sources. With the right guidance and support, students can develop these critical skills and become effective communicators in the field of neuroscience.
Collaborative scientific writing for engineering undergraduates
Presenter: Darren Roblyer, Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
Engineering students at BU participate in a yearlong capstone project in their senior year. In Biomedical Engineering, this capstone project involves student teams tackling a clinical, preclinical, or basic science problem. In this presentation, Associate Professor Roblyer will describe how we guide these student teams in creating collaborative scientific writing that follows the structure of professional grant proposals and scientific publications. Associate Professor Roblyer will explain how students create and refine their writing assignments through iterative processes involving feedback from instructors and peers. Additionally, associate Professor Roblyer will highlight how writing tutors from BU's writing program collaborate with the teams to ensure that their writing is clear and accessible to diverse audiences with varying levels of knowledge and expertise.
Fostering an Inclusive Classroom for the Multilingual Writer
Presenter: Kimberly Shuckra, Master Lecturer, CAS Writing Program
Inclusive teaching is essential to a welcoming and equitable classroom environment. Research shows that when students feel welcomed and valued in their learning communities, they are more likely to excel in their academic work. While creating a sense of belonging in the classroom is essential for all students, multilingual students may face an acute sense of cultural and social isolation, given the additional challenges they may face. Focusing on key areas such as name learning strategies, community building exercises, and well-planned group work will cultivate culturally responsive communities within our classrooms. Students will feel a true sense of belonging and achieve academic success, not only in their writing classes, but also in other classes.
ChatGPT: What Now? What Next?
Presenter: Matt Parfitt, Associate Professor, Rhetoric Division, BU College of General Studies
ChatGPT and other Natural Language Generators have arrived and they’re not going anywhere. We need to think differently about how we teach writing and about the role that writing plays in our courses. And we need to look ahead, not only to the future of AI but to the future workplaces of our students. The technology is moving quickly, so our task is formidable — but also inescapable. And the news is certainly not all bad. Associate Professor Parfitt's purpose is not to sound the alarm but to consider how the technology can help our students learn and help us teach.
Moderator: David Shawn, Master Lecturer in the CAS Writing Program and Associate Director for Writing in the Disciplines
David Shawn works with BU faculty and students across all disciplines to support and foster diverse experiences of undergraduate student writing. He directs the Tutoring Writing in the Disciplines program and has helped inaugurate Writing Plans in CAS academic units. He is a member of the Association for Writing Across the Curriculum and a former Board member of the International Writing Center. David has a PhD in American Studies from Boston University and teaches writing courses on rhetoric, oratory, the American presidency, politics, and the tutoring of discipline-specific writing.
About the Lightning Talk Format
Fast, peer-driven, and information-rich. Lightning Talks showcase four-to-five presenters—each exploring innovations in teaching and technology at BU. All speakers will adhere to a maximum three-slide format for a short, focused, five-minute presentation. After all presentations, the moderator will encourage and facilitate cross-disciplinary conversation on the topic.
Missed a Lightning Talk? Access the Lightning Talks Video Library
Check out the library of recordings and learn how Boston University faculty foster classroom community, build an inclusive classroom, manage long block or large lecture classes, and more. View the Lightning Talk recordings and presentations here.
Learn more about Boston University’s Digital Learning & Innovation and The Center for Teaching & Learning. Questions? Email digital@bu.edu.