An expert in improving student learning by teaching students metacognitive learning strategies will present two virtual workshops at Syracuse University this fall.
Saundra Yancy McGuire
Saundra Yancy McGuire will offer her expertise on Sept. 23 and Oct. 28 in conjunction with the Focus on Teaching and Learning: Lunch and Learn Series hosted by the University’s Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) and the University’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment (IEA).
McGuire is director emerita of the Center for Academic Success and retired assistant vice chancellor and professor of chemistry at Louisiana State University (LSU). She works throughout the world with university faculty and students to increase their understanding of the application of cognitive science and learning theory as a way to increase student academic performance.
Those wanting to participate can register to attend via Zoom. The sessions are as follows:
21st century students come to college with widely varying academic skills, approaches to learning and motivation levels. Faculty often lament that students are focused on achieving high grades but are not willing to invest much time or effort in learning. This session will focus on the importance of helping students acquire simple, but effective, learning strategies based on cognitive science principles. Participants will engage in interactive reflection activities that will allow attendees to experience strategies that can significantly improve student success by transforming students’ attitudes about the meaning of learning.
Motivating today’s students to actively engage in learning activities proves challenging for some faculty. Very often Generation Z students do not respond, as did students in the past, to extrinsic motivators such as bonus quizzes and extra credit assignments. However, it’s been shown that when the psychoacademic needs of students are met in creative ways, student motivation soars. This presentation will engage faculty in a discussion of addressing student needs for autonomy, competence, relatedness, self-esteem and enjoyment in order to significantly increase student motivation.
LSU, Cornell Honors
McGuire’s current interests include improving learning strategies used by university students, reform of pre-college and college teaching methods, and increasing the number of underrepresented minority and women students who are interested in and prepared to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. She has delivered keynote addresses or presented workshops at over 400 institutions in 46 states and 10 countries. Prior to joining LSU, McGuire spent 11 years at Cornell University, where she received the coveted Clark Distinguished Teaching Award.
The noted author’s book, “Teach Students How to Learn: Strategies You Can Incorporate into Any Course to Improve Student Metacognition, Study Skills, and Motivation,” was released in October 2015 and is a Stylus Publishing bestseller. The student version of this book, “Teach Yourself How to Learn: Strategies You Can Use to Ace Any Course at Any Level,” was released in January 2018.
Among many honors, she is an elected fellow of the American Chemical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Council of Learning Assistance and Developmental Education Associations. In November 2007 she was presented with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring in a White House Oval Office ceremony. Additionally, she has achieved Level Four Lifetime Learning Center Leadership Certification through the National College Learning Center Association.
McGuire earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern University in 1970 and a Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1983.
