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Task Force on the Undergraduate Educational Commons

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  Summer 2004
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RECENT ACTIVITIES
Summer 2004

The Task Force kicked off its summer activities with an intensive Work Week held shortly after Commencement. During the week, the committee welcomed numerous guests. Associate Dean of Engineering Dick Yue shared perspectives from the Engineering Council on Undergraduate Education (ECUE). Dr. Lori Breslow of MIT's Teaching and Learning Lab joined the group for a discussion of recent pedagogical research at MIT and other institutions. EECS Professor Hal Abelson, instructor of 6.002X, and Professor Martin Culpepper of Mechanical Engineering, who teaches 2.000, joined Task Force members Dava Newman (16.00) and Kip Hodges (12.000) in sharing their experiences with utilizing hands-on, interactive learning in teaching their subjects.

In addition, the members spent considerable time reviewing the work of prior committees regarding the goals of an MIT education and the principles that guide the teaching of our students. Their discussion led to the formation of four working groups. These groups convened over the summer and are continuing their work this fall.

These groups are:

Scientific and Technical Knowledge
Social Responsibility, Ethics, and STS

Membership:

 

Charles Stewart, Chair
Rafael Bras
David Mindell
Bob Redwine
Mark Schuster
Chris Suarez

Questions to Consider:

  • How do we define each of the components of this category?
  • What do we know about teaching social responsibility and ethical behavior?
  • How do we get faculty to embrace the importance of these areas of development?
  • Is it a university's responsibility to teach this?   If so, is it a responsibility of the curriculum or other aspects of the educational experience?
  • How do other higher education institutions address this issue?
  • How do we ensure that all MIT undergrads are exposed to these areas?   Should this transcend academics and include student life?
  • What could be obstacles to implementing these initiatives?
  • How can we overcome these obstacles?

 

Fundamental Modes of Analysis

Re-Thinking Learning at MIT

For more information about each group's membership and key questions to answer, click on the group name above.

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