2009-2010 Provost Lecture Series
The Educational Benefits of a Diverse Learning Environment and the K-State Virtual Tilford Project
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Hemisphere Room
Hale Library
Doug Benson
Biographical Sketch
Doug Benson has taught Spanish language and Spanish and Spanish-American culture and literature for over forty years, thirty of those at K-State. Since his arrival here in 1980, he has been deeply involved with the diversity work of the university as well, beginning with his partiicpation on the American Ethnic Studies secondary major development committee in 1984. He has an international reputation in the fields of Spanish poetry, and has published on Chicano poetry and foreign language pedagogy as well. Among other honors, he is the recipient of the Commerce Bank Presidential Awards for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching (1999) and for Distinguished Services to Minority Students (2000), and the Dr. Ron and Rae Iman Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching (2008).
Abstract:
- A broad overview of research in the last fifteen years on the enhanced learning skills which develop in a diverse learning environment and the characteristics of such an environment.
- A look at the new Tilford Group web site and the Virtual Tilford Multicultural and Diversity Center in Second Life to be launched in the fall.