CCTNetwork7Apr14

Critical and Creative Thinking Graduate Program

CCT Community Open House


Conceptual change--an ongoing challenge to critical & creative thinkers--and to their teachers: A dialogue on the occasion of Carol Smith's imminent retirement
Monday, April 7, 2014
6:30-9:00pm, ET
UMass Boston, Campus Center room 2540 with option to join from a distance via Google+ Hangout or Skype. RSVP to cct@umb.edu for instructions and reminders.
Open to the general public and CCT community.

Agenda:
6:30: Gathering and refreshments
7:00: Formal program begins

For those at a distance:
Join the event live via Google+ Hangout - try this link first:
https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/hoaevent/AP36tYdsQy_69mgSr_cjRb3La6QW94xl0Dez0ihTTajsOr1J2SfNjg?authuser=2&hl=en

The link above allow for up to 10 participants. If you try that first and get a message that the session is full, you may still view the streamed, live session (without interactive participation) here:
http://youtu.be/CE2z2_Frueo

Preparation:
Participants are welcome, but not required, to read one of the following in preparation:
Carey, S. & Smith, C. (1993). On understanding the nature of scientific knowledge, Educational Psychologist, 28, 235-243

Arthur B. Millman & Carol L. Smith (1997). Darwin's Use of Analogical Reasoning in Theory Construction. Metaphor and Symbol 12(3): 159-187 (abstract

Carol L. Smith (2007) Bootstrapping Processes in the Development of Students' Commonsense Matter Theories: Using Analogical Mappings, Thought Experiments, and Learning to Measure to Promote Conceptual Restructuring, Cognition and Instruction, 25:4, 337-398, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07370000701632363

Tributes:
From Pat Davidson, CCT director ('87-94)
A Tribute to Prof. Carol Smith
in Honor of her Many Years of Service
to the Critical and Creative Thinking Graduate Program,
University of Massachusetts Boston


Patricia S. Davidson
Professor Emerita of Mathematics
Former Director, CCT Graduate Program

C (Caring) Carol consistently took CCT students into her guardianship with the
greatest of care, concern, and guidance.

A (Articulate) As a teacher and colleague, Carol always expressed her ideas
clearly and effectively.

R (Respectful) Carol treated everyone (students, graduates, faculty, and
administrators) with the greatest of courtesy and respect.

O (Optimistic) Carol always sought positive and futuristic solutions to
problems and challenges.

L (Loyal) Carol was always loyal to the CCT Program, amidst changes in
leadership, requirements, and direction.


S (Significant) Carol has made a significant and distinctive mark on the CCT
Program, especially in the area of cognitive science.

M (Memorable) When I was Director of the CCT Graduate Program, 1987 –
1994, I remember well a presentation that Carol gave about long-term and
short- term memory, and it indeed went into my long-term memory!!!

I (Intellectual) Carol is always pursuing rational and creative ideas and enjoys
matters of the intellect.

T (Thoughtful) Carol is thoughtful in both meanings of the word—always
thinking about possibilities and ideas, and always considerate and kind to
others.

H (Humble) For someone as accomplished as Carol, she is unusually humble,
modest, and unpretentious.

Dear Carol, I am sorry that I cannot be present at this special event. You are in my thoughts tonight as everyone celebrates in your honor.
With warm wishes and my sincere appreciation, Pat

Dear Carol,
First, thank you, for being such a devoted, caring colleague and friend over the years, to me, to all of us in the CCT program. Hard as it is to find just the right words, please know how very much I have valued your many kind hearted, fair-minded, clear-headed insights and perspectives over twenty-nine years of having the privilege of being your colleague - no matter what the issues - personal or professional. And for all those students you mentored and learned from you over the years – how fortunate they’ve been to have you there to support them in successfully navigating many formidable challenges of transformative learning.

Carol, I regard you as a model for what it means to be an effective thinker and problem solver. (And I mean it!!)You’re one in a million who can zero in, effortlessly, on the crux of a thinking matter, on what’s important to think about, why, and how. A gift that is manifest in your many, multi-faceted contributions to the CCT program: for example, how quickly you could clarify key thinking directions a synthesis student needed to take in the process of pursuing their capstone work.

Quintessentially, you’re what it means to be open to new and different perspectives, fair-mindedness, readiness to change one’s ideas, strive for deeper insights, maintain objectivity and balance, explore ideas deeper and wider. All of which happens with enviable ease of style, compassion and good will toward others.

I wish you all good things in your retirement, continued gratification and success in intellectual pursuits and lots of loving time with grandchildren and family.

Huge hug of thanks and congratulations. Savor these vibrant next chapters in creative life!
Love to you,
Nina