Zeigler Outstanding Educator Lecture

Title
“Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) framework for evidence-based teaching practices.”

Date: Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: MRDC Seminar Room 4211

The presentation will be followed by a brief Q&A session and lunch reception.

Abstract 

The “Gurukul” concept, a practice of ancient Indian education systems, facilitated the transfer of knowledge, social skills and human values by a “Guru” to his disciples (students). The “Guru” in those days, not only used to teach the vocational skills needed but also instill social and ethical values in his disciples.  With continuous increases in science / technology information and systematic compartmentalization of knowledge, the teaching practices in higher education have continuously evolved over generations. The basic information processing theory of learning for example has limitations as it neglects conscious reasoning and thought-process during learning. Situated cognition model on the other hand is a theoretical approach to learning that supports the idea that learning takes place when an individual is interactively doing something through situated activity that has social, cultural, and physical contexts. The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) is a systematic inquiry into student learning which is situated in context and the instructor’s own teaching practices. SoTL involves methodically sound application of appropriate research methods in classroom teaching and dissemination of the evidence-based research results as scholarly work. Some of these evidence-based teaching practices will be discussed in the lecture.

Bio

Raghu Pucha is a Principal Lecturer at the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. He obtained his PhD from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He held post-doctoral research positions at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and Purdue University, and West Lafayette before coming to Georgia Tech in 2000. His current research includes developing Integrated Analytical, CAD/CAE Tools for the design, analysis and manufacturing of random heterogeneous materials. Dr. Pucha teaches Engineering Graphics, CAD/CAE, Mechanics and Manufacturing related courses. With 19 years of teaching experience and over 7000 students at Georgia Tech, he has published many SoTL papers on engineering education and received number of teaching awards and recognitions including College of Engineering Inaugural Outstanding Teacher Award in 2022, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award in 2020, Geoffrey G. Eichholz Faculty Teaching Award in 2015, and Undergraduate Educator Award in 2012 from the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at Georgia Tech.