This document provides an agenda and materials for an academic interactions class. It includes conversation starters on topics like education systems and technology use. It discusses checking students' chosen PSU classes and observing them. Examples of observation videos are linked. Students are encouraged to take comprehensive notes on the videos for extra credit. Presentation tips and things to avoid are discussed. Homework includes setting up a class observation and completing an English Central goal.

1. Academic Interactions 130
Spring 2016, IECP, Nikki Mattson

2. Collect CS Revision HW

3. Agenda
• Conversation Starters
• Check PSU course preferences (130A)
• Review PSU Observation Rubric
• PSU Video Examples

4. Conversation Starters 130A
• Finland is consistently one of the highest performing
developed countries on the Program for International
Student Assessment (PISA), an important tool for
measuring educational systems worldwide. There are
several reasons why Finland’s educational system
succeeds. One of the typical features in Finland is that
all teachers must get a master’s degree in education or
in their field of practice. The level of education of
teachers ensures that they are good at what they do in
the classroom and also that they understand how
teaching and learning in their school can be improved.
What is the educational system in your country like?
(Tram Nguyen – Education)

5. Conversation Starters (130A)
• Technology plays a big role in our lives. As
students, we depend on it in certain ways. We
use it every day to complete tasks. From
checking emails and doing homework to gaining
information. We take many information from the
internet, which is type of technology, to support
our knowledge. For example, I take my fitness
information from the internet. What kind of
information do you usually get from the internet?
and does it support your knowledge? Why/why
not?
• (Faisal A, Software Engineering)

6. Conversation Starters 130B
• Today, the connections between different countries are
increasing . Contact between people is occurring more
and more. However, there are still many barriers
between individuals who come from different countries
and speak different languages. So people need methods
to bridge the gap between different languages and
cultures. Do you think that all people in the world using a
common language in the future would be a good idea?
Why/why not?
• (Juan, Business)

7. Conversation Starter 130B
• As a humanities major, you'll gain the
ability to reason critically, communicate
effectively, and make connections across
broad fields of knowledge. Nowadays,
people believe women and men should
have equal rights. However, people often
say that ladies should go first. How do you
think having a “Ladies first” mentality
affects gender equally?
• (Steven, Undecided)

8. Choosing a PSU Class
• Check each other’s classes…
– Do you have 3 classes?
– Have you collected all of the necessary
information for the 3 classes?
– Do all of the classes meet at a time other than
during the time when IECP classes meet?
– What are the classes that you are interested
in observing? Why did you choose them?

9. PSU Observation Video
Examples

10. Note Taking for Extra Credit
• The 3 most organized and comprehensive
notes = 3 points of extra credit
• Note categories:
comprehension, classroom environment,
academic interactions, and personal
reflection

11. Video 1
• https://psu.voicethread.com/share/6572209/

12. Video 2
• https://psu.voicethread.com/share/6121744/

13. Discussion analysis
• How did the two presentations compare to
each other?
• What did you see in the presentations that
you might want to do in your presentation?
• What did you see in the presentations the
you might NOT want to do in your
presentation?

14. Presentation Tips
• In your group, make a list of 5
presentation tips and 5 things to avoid in
presentations. Then you can share your
ideas with the class.
• Tips Things to Avoid

15. HW
• Set up your class observation
• English Central Goal 1 = DUE Sunday by
7 PM