The course is non-traditional, that is it seeks innovative ways for students to learn. The professor knows and the students don't. I see myself and this course exploding that model. When students are struggling, I don't give them the answers. I help them find their own.
Topics range from critical thinking and problem formulation to public speaking and teamwork.
The workshops draw on non-traditional resources too. Last month, to illustrate how various disciplines come together to solve problems, alumnus Alvin Delgado, now a technical writer for Universal Instruments Corp., in Binghamton, conducted team-building exercises with the class. Delgado gave the students some final advice in a letter after his presentation. Learning to work in teams has been important for students. Early in the semester, they were grouped in teams and allowed to select one of the approved topics.