Fulton Schools of Engineering Education Seminars (SEEdS) – Pedagogy of Engagement with Karl Smith & Kristen Peña

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SEEdS

Fulton Schools of Engineering Education Seminars (SEEdS) – Pedagogy of Engagement: Design and Implementation of Interactive Learning

Guest Speakers: Karl Smith and Kristen Peña

Date: February 21, 2025 | 12:00 – 1:00pm MST

Location: Zoom

Seminar Description: Fostering engagement and collaboration in the classroom is more critical than ever. This seminar explores the Pedagogy of Engagement, focusing on the transformative impact of cooperative and interactive learning. Framed by major shifts in engineering education and principles of how learning works, the session will delve into cooperative learning strategies—informal, formal, and base groups—and highlight evidence-based practices that foster student collaboration and deeper learning.

 

Karl A. Smith is Emeritus Cooperative Learning Professor of Engineering Education, School of Engineering Education, at Purdue University. He is also Emeritus Professor of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering, Morse-Alumni Distinguished University Teaching Professor, and Faculty Member, Technological Leadership Institute at the University of Minnesota. He joined the University of Minnesota in 1972 and started his academic career as a materials processing engineering researcher. In 1991 he changed careers to focus on engineering education research and in 2006 he accepted a part time position as Cooperative Learning Professor, School of Engineering Education, Purdue University to help start the engineering education PhD program in the College of Engineering. His research and development interests include building research and innovation capabilities in engineering education; faculty and graduate student professional development; and the role of cooperation in learning and design. Karl has over 40 years of experience working with faculty to redesign their courses and programs to improve student learning. He adapted the cooperative learning model to engineering education and has helped many faculty and graduate students with implementation. He wrote or co-wrote eight books including How to model it:  Problem solving for the computer age, Cooperative learning:  Increasing college faculty instructional productivity, New paradigms for college teaching, Strategies for energizing large classes: From small groups to learning communities, Active learning: Cooperation in the college classroom, and Teamwork and project management. His bachelor’s and master’s degrees are in metallurgical engineering from Michigan Technological University and his Ph.D. is in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota.

 

Kristen Peña serves as the Senior Program Manager, Learning Initiatives at the Fulton Schools of Engineering (FSE) Learning & Teaching Hub (LTH). In this role, she leads the planning, development, and delivery of faculty professional learning programs, including communities of practice, workshops, quick-reference guides, and other resources designed to support engineering instructional staff and faculty. Peña has held various positions in higher education, focusing on student development, faculty-directed initiatives, and entrepreneurial experiential learning. As a first-generation college graduate, she earned her Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation from Arizona State University (ASU). Her research interests center on faculty professional development, faculty-student interactions, first-generation college student experiences, and strategies for retaining students in STEM fields.

 

More about Fulton Schools of Engineering Education Seminars (SEEdS) 

LTH will continue to host monthly guest speaker seminars for the community to regularly learn about and discuss topics related to Engineering Education. The seminars, formerly known as the Teaching Community of Practice (TCP), are open to anyone interested in the FSE community. See our professional learning calendar for the most up to date information and other opportunities.

Spring 2025 | Third Fridays | 12pm-1pm MST | via Zoom