The Maricopa Institute for Learning (MIL) is a fellowship for residential faculty in any discipline who are interested in examining significant issues in their teaching fields and contributing to the scholarship of teaching and learning through classroom research projects and making their work public. Its secondary purpose is to create a community of scholars that will engage in conversations about the scholarship of teaching and learning.
The program supports the Fellows with time and resources to conduct their research and provides them varied opportunities to engage in scholarly thought, reflection, and dialogue about effective teaching and learning practices. This one-year commitment includes release time and special professional development opportunities.
Meet the 2002-2003 Fellows
Trey Cox
|
Trey Cox, Mathematics, Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Students historically have had a difficult time being able to understand and to apply mathematics. They also commonly dislike math because of their experiences in school. I plan to develop innovative writing projects and incorporate them into courses to help guide students at the College Algebra and PreCalculus levels toward a deeper conceptual understanding as well as to improve their views and attitudes about mathematics. The projects will be written in a creative and fun manner and set in a realistic, open-ended context. Cartoon characters, movie stars, and famous people will "write" letters to the students seeking their expert mathematical advice. Students will be asked to use technology and their mathematical knowledge to work in groups of three or four and provide a written response in letter format that explains the math at a foundational level.
Stephanie Fujii
|
Stephanie Fujii, Counseling, Estrella Mountain Community College
My project's focus is an examination of the process by which students integrate learning of diversity principles into personal principles. My understanding of diversity education is that it is not merely about culture, gender, and sexual orientation, but is about the general theme of how people deal with differences.
With my project, I seek to do two things. The first will be to research and analyze student learning and teaching in diversity education and values development. I will explore the extent, impact and influence of the diversity constructs of in-group/out-group dynamics, personal identity/social identity (saliency of each), and privilege. The second component of the project will be to identify and create experiential teaching activities that incorporate the diversity constructs mentioned above. I am hoping that these experiential exercises will help students move from thinking about diversity to the integration of diversity principles into their own thinking and processing.
Susan Miller
|
Susan Miller, English, Mesa Community College
I am conducting a research project to investigate the effective design and delivery of web-based writing courses. I will investigate which design and delivery options students prefer in web-based learning environments and what students need both on the screen and in a general learning environment in order to succeed in an online writing course. I plan to conduct a usability case study of students participating in web-based writing classes.
To date, little empirical research has examined this area, and such research could have a tremendous impact on teaching and learning by encouraging better course design and delivery that would help students achieve success in distance learning environments. In addition, this study will add to discussions of distance learning course usability in the disciplines of rhetoric and composition, instructional technology, human computer interactions, and graphical user interface design.
Jonelle Moore
|
Jonelle Moore, English, Mesa Community College
During my Fellowship, I will develop strategies for community-based research and writing instruction; projects that encourage civic engagement through implementation of community action plans; and materials and activities that support community-based learning. I will also create a video to document the process.
The assumption underlying my research questions is that while conducting academic research about real problems and seeking solutions, the students will realize a broader implication for their learning beyond an academic setting and they will develop civic skills and better understand the necessity for civic participation.
Cindy Ortega
|
Cindy Ortega, Reading, Phoenix College
The overall purpose of my project is to set my students on the journey to becoming life long readers. To reach my goal, I will create materials and activities that build and activate background knowledge (schema) necessary for effective reading; develop and test out opportunities for shared and independent interpretation of text (through dialogue and writing); and influence students' attitudes toward reading. It is my belief that students will truly be engaged in the process of reading and may recognize the true essence and importance of reading.
It is also my intent to extend reading beyond the classroom -- to create and encourage participation in a reading community for students. I will accomplish this through book discussion groups, visits to bookstores and libraries, and participation in community literacy activities.
Pushpa Ramakrishna
|
Pushpa Ramakrishna, Biology, Chandler-Gilbert Community College
The main goal of my project is to research how visualization of structures and dynamic processes enable students to develop a better understanding of biological concepts and to determine if there are specific combinations of modalities for teaching (e.g., hands-on activities, role playing, web animation, etc.) that are more effective for certain specific biological concepts.
During my fellowship, I will develop collaborative activities using visualization as a vehicle around a humorous real life scenario. These activities will encourage students working in a team to think critically to solve problems in an inquiry-based approach. Each activity will incorporate visualization and at least one modality of teaching.
 Maria Harper-Marinick, Ph.D.mcli
Maricopa Institute for Learning (MIL)
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/mil/
| 
