Author Archives: Peter Newbury

About Peter Newbury

Find me on Twitter @polarisdotca

My tweeps are coming with me

[Note: this post began as a comment I left on a post by Maria Anderson (@busynessgirl on twitter). She announced she’s heading to a new job. I recently did that, too…] As I announced recently, I’m leaving UBC and Vancouver … Continue reading

Posted in social media | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

A Tale of Two Comets: Evidence-Based Teaching in Action

We often hear about “evidence-based teaching and learning.” In fact, it’s a pillar of the approach to course development and transformation that we follow in the Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative. It’s a daunting phrase, though, “evidence-based teaching and learning.” … Continue reading

Posted in astro 101, peer instruction, teaching | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Situated Learning

[I wrote this review of situated learning, also known as situated cognition, in 2009 for the internal communications discussion board we use in the Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative. I go back to it often enough, mostly to find the … Continue reading

Posted in teaching | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to San Diego I go!

I have really exciting news: In August, I’ll be leaving UBC and Vancouver to take up the position as Associate Director of the Center for Teaching Development at UC San Diego! The new Director, Beth Simon, has gotten everyone fired … Continue reading

Posted in professional develpment, social media, teaching | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

Workshop on Effective Peer Instruction in Biology

I’m really excited to be running another peer instruction workshop with my colleague Cynthia Heiner. This time, we’re tailoring the content of the clicker questions to biology, thanks to the input (and organization) of our CWSEI colleague, Bridgette Clarkston (@funnyfishes … Continue reading

Posted in clickers, peer instruction, professional develpment, teaching | Tagged , , | 2 Comments