Br. Thomas Giumenta C.S.C.

TLC Tip of the Week: Using Failure as a Chance to Teach

November 11, 2016

The Shepard Academic Resource Center supports the learning of all students, and staff are always alert to news of promising classroom practices that get students to take responsibility for their learning. Learning assistance counselor Br. Tom Giumenta, C.S.C., assembled a brief essay that combines emerging insights from neuroscience with the Holy Cross charism of Hope. “So You Failed the Exam,” available at this link, describes the possibility of helping students cultivate a “growth mindset,” a conviction that grades are the consequences of effort and perseverance, rather than merely fixed ability. The strategy? Carefully orchestrated second chances. You can read the informal piece in the time in takes you to enjoy a cup of coffee.

If you have a teaching tip or conundrum you’d like to share with UP’s generous community of committed teachers, please contact Karen Eifler at eifler@up.edu.

Light on the First Day

August 12, 2016

The Teaching and Learning Collaborative (TLC) is committed to providing all faculty members weekly resources to support excellent teaching on campus. Members of the TLC represent many different units on campus: SARC, internationalization, technology, and educational theory. Resources published in upbeat are meant to be read in the amount of time it take you to enjoy a coffee or kombucha at your desk.

This week’s resource is a brief article by UP’s Learning Assistance Counselor Br. Tom CSC, Shepard Academic Resource Center. In his “Light on the First Day,” Br. Tom draws on neuroscience to explain what is actually going on in 18-year-old brains on the first day of class, and offers practical suggestions for discussing the syllabus with first year students.

If you have a particular topic you’d like to see covered, please contact Karen Eifler, Garaventa Center, at eifler@up.edu.

Learning Assistance for Summer

July 7, 2014

The learning assistance program which operates during the academic year will also be available on a limited basis for students taking summer classes. All students interested in developing skills of time management, test taking, reading strategies, note taking, and more are welcome to improve their abilities by contacting the learning assistance counselor, Bro. Thomas Giumenta, C.S.C., at 8716, beginning July 21. Faculty referrals are welcome.

Learning Assistance For Summer Session No. 1

May 12, 2014

During the initial weeks of the first summer session, the Learning Assistance Program will offer individual consults on time management, test taking, note taking, reading strategies, reduction of test anxiety, and memory skill development. Individual appointments may be made with Bro. Thomas Giumenta, C.S.C., at this link: http://tinyurl.com/kqm9ffn.

Learning Assistance For Summer

July 8, 2013

Advisory Committee On Inclusion

March 25, 2013

The Ad Hoc President’s Advisory Committee on Inclusion is hosting community listening sessions at the following times and locations:

Tuesday, April 2: Staff Listening Session with Stacey Watanabe and Br. Thomas Giumenta, C.S.C., noon to 1 p.m., Buckley 015
Wednesday, April 3: Faculty Listening Session with Gary Malecha and Elayne Shapiro, noon to 1 p.m., Franz 107
Wednesday, April 3: Student Listening Session with Austin Veiga and Lauretta Frederking, 7-8 p.m., Buckley 310
Thursday, April 4: Student Listening Session with Kirsten Rivera and Bob Duff, 5-6 p.m., Buckley Auditorium.

Any community members who cannot attend listening sessions may submit anonymous comments and suggestions using the form found at http://tinyurl.com/d7596dz. For ADA questions regarding accessibility of listening sessions or the anonymous survey contact Paul Myers, health center, at 7134 or myers@up.edu.