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Book Club: Engaging Ideas

Do you want your students to effectively articulate their ideas, analyze complex problems, and think more critically in your courses? 

You are cordially invited to join a cross-disciplinary instructor reading group focused on John C. Bean and Dan Melzer’s book, Engaging Ideas: The Professor's Guide to Integrating Writing, Critical Thinking, and Active Learning in the Classroom. Pick up a free copy at WING 160! 

This reading group is a space for us to explore practical, evidence-based strategies for using writing as a powerful tool for learning in any discipline. Whether you teach in the sciences, humanities, or arts, Engaging Ideas can give you a useful approach to enhancing student engagement and deepening critical thinking. 

The reading group is designed to be a rewarding and manageable commitment, consisting of three sessions spread across the spring semester to allow for reading, discussion, and, most importantly, application in your own classrooms. 

Meeting 1: The Why & How 

  • Date/Time: Thursday, February 19, 2026, 9:25-10:50 am 
  • Where: CATL Mini-Conference – Union 3105 
  • Reading: Introduction & Chapters 1-3 
  • Focus: Using writing to promote thinking, engaging all learners, and rethinking our approach to grammar. 
  • Goal: To develop a roadmap for designing and assessing a new writing assignment. 

 

Meeting 2: Assignments & Sequencing 

  • Date/Time: Monday, March 9, 2026, 8:50-9:45 am 
  • Where: WING Technology Center 161 (CATL conference room) 
  • Reading: Chapters 4-9 (pick and choose the chapters you want to read) 
  • Focus: Designing and sequencing engaging, low stakes writing assignments. 
  • Goal: To develop at least one low-stakes assignment to implement in one of your classes. 

 

Meeting 3: Responding & Grading Efficiently 

  • Date/Time: Monday, April 6, 2026, 8:50-9:45 am 
  • Where: WING Technology Center 161 (CATL Conference Room) 
  • Reading: Chapters 10-14 
  • Focus: Strategies for managing the paper load, giving effective feedback, and coaching writers in your discipline. 
  • Goal: To assess the assignment and consider revisions. 

Questions? Contact Chris McCracken, CATL Writing Fellow.

REGISTER TODAY.

Related campus initiatives

Transformational education

When

  • 9:25 to 10:50 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 19
  • 8:50 to 9:45 a.m. Monday, March 9
  • 8:50 to 9:45 a.m. Monday, April 6

Where

Multiple locations

UWL campus map for building location and nearby parking lots.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Multiple locations

If you go

  • Free, registration required
  • Details

Contact

For questions about this event or to request disability accommodations , contact UWL CATL at 6881 or CATL@uwlax.edu.

Parking

Payment may be required. No permit?
Use Passport Parking.

Additional parking info
Website for Parking | Email for Parking | Call for Parking

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