Deadline: November 8, 2014
Pay Grade: 30E
Context of the Job:
Under the general direction of the Director, the Preceptor will implement the educational program of the Interdisciplinary Science Learning Laboratories (ISLL; see <http://www.cas.udel.edu/isll/>) to engage students in Problem-Based Learning across interdisciplinary courses involving various combinations of biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and physics and to study the learning gains of various pedagogical innovations. Preceptors who have a strong background in one discipline will be expected to collaborate closely with colleagues in cognate disciplines with the goal of delivering world-class interdisciplinary and collaborative science curriculum in cutting edge facilities. The Preceptor will work in integrated courses that draw on multiple scientific subject areas; so interdisciplinarity is crucial and a preceptor will need to have a strong interest in learning new material from disciplines outside one’s expertise.
Within the prescribed guidelines of the Interdisciplinary Science Learning Laboratories’ learning environment, the Preceptor will work with the Director, faculty, graduate student teaching assistants, undergraduate student peer tutors, laboratory technicians, and instructional technology support staff to provide an open-ended inquiry environment for collaborative student learning.
The Preceptor provides a welcoming environment for visitors such as external evaluators, administrators, volunteers, interns, and observers. All classrooms and laboratories will maintain an open-door policy.
Major Responsibilities:
- Facilitating learning in classrooms and labs a minimum of thirty hours per week and work with up to 144 students per semester (3 sections of 48 students that meet for ten hours of classroom/laboratory work per week) during the two full semesters. The load also includes single classes in two of the three short sessions (Winter, Summer I, and Summer II).
- Participate in the co-planning, review, and implementation of laboratory, studio, and classroom activities that are designed to engage students in experimental design, data collection and observation, quantitative analysis of results, hypothesis testing, presentation, and peer review. This involves the creation of laboratory and studio handouts.
- Work daily with colleagues and staff members to address the learning needs of students, helping them develop scientific skills of investigation, quantitative analysis, evidence-based reasoning, communication, collaboration, and peer review as well as growth in scientific knowledge, creativity, and reflective self-criticism. Preceptors do no grading so that when they help students understand underlying concepts and purposes of labs and other course activities, students feel free to ask questions.
- Develop weekly/monthly educational plans in collaboration with collaborating faculty.
- Hold regular office hours and runs exam review sessions.
- Attend and contribute effectively to the Interdisciplinary Science Learning Laboratories' staff meetings, workshops, and professional development sessions.
- Collaborate with the lab prep team personnel to make sure that information about labs is communicated in a timely manner to assure that labs are completely equipped.
- Study and maintain knowledge of current research literature in science, mathematics, and engineering education and educational technology.
- Assign duties to and supervises graduate student teaching assistants and undergraduate student peer tutors (“Studio Fellows”). Assists both in improving their own teaching expertise.
- Mentoring and advising students on academic planning and career preparation.
- Conduct formative evaluation of student learning throughout courses and participate in iterative improvement of courses based upon what is learned from these evaluations.
- Participate in research projects directed by University of Delaware’s Center on Teaching and Assessment of Learning as well as with faculty and graduate students on student learning.
- Maintain student records, contribute to recommendations for individual students, and participate in decision making for undergraduate research opportunities.
- Write comprehensive annual reports on their professional activities, publications, conferences, workshops, etc.
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree required, PhD. or D.Ed. is preferred, and minimum of two years’ teaching at the college or university level. Degree in a Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or Technology (SMET) discipline or in a Discipline Based Educational Research program in STEM preferred.
- Good quantitative background and familiarity with real-time data acquisition laboratory-field equipment as well as a variety of software for analyzing data.
- Knowledge of Problem-Based Learning or another very similar problem-solving approach to engaging students in open-ended inquiry in a collaborative learning environment.
- Familiarity with research literature on SMET education, PBL, and progressive 21st century learning expectations.
- Ability to write effectively in order to help students learn in a writing-intensive learning environment.
- Effective verbal communication skills.
- Ability to analyze data about students’ progress, strengths, and weaknesses and use that information to develop strategies to help students learn.
- Ability to explain difficult concepts in terms that students with different learning styles and heterogeneous talents can understand and appreciate.
- Ability to provide a supportive and caring environment for students.
Special Requirements
Requires compliance with Delaware regulations including applicable laws and regulations. Successful completion of criminal background check, child protection and adult abuse registry checks, health examination and TB test.
