Fostering  Critical Thinking in an Inclusive Classroom

Join other graduate students and postdocs to discuss timely topics in teaching and learning.Our highly interactive workshops and events integrate the latest research and theory on student learning with best teaching practices. Our workshops are led by Searle Center staff, Graduate Teaching Fellows, and Workshop Leaders and aim to help graduate TAs and instructors address key issues within and across their disciplines.Workshops are always free to attend, but registration is requested.

Searle Center - Graduate and Postdoctoral Learning

A common goal among instructors is that all students are able to learn and succeed in their courses. Yet, in any given classroom, there are a number of differences among students - gender, family background, personality, etc. One way to work towards this goal of an inclusive classroom is by promoting the practice of critical thinking in the classroom. In this workshop, participants will reflect on the importance of critical thinking for inclusivity and develop concrete strategies for fostering it in their own classes. We will discuss elements of assignment design, barriers to critical thinking, and the use of active learning strategies to cultivate a healthy learning environment.
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Facilitators:
Kaitlyn Perez is a 4th year PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry and a Graduate Teaching Fellow. Her research focuses on the use of light to catalyze chemical transformations. She has been a teaching assistant for general chemistry lecture and laboratory courses at Northwestern.

Noran Mohamed is a 4th year PhD candidate in the department of French and Italian, pursuing a degree in French and Francophone studies. Her work focuses on the relationship between narrative and death in various francophone novels. She has taught 1st and 2nd year French and served as a teaching assistant for literature classes at Northwestern.