Author: Margaret Landsparger

Teaching in Uncertain Times
UPTLC Virtual Workshop Series 20-21
Wednesday, August 26 @ 3:30 PM

Enhancing Pedagogical Impact Through Voice and Movement
Elizabeth Parks, LSSU Theater Department

Abstract: Teaching digitally has forced us into a conversation with our webcam. The camera doesn’t lie. Our verbal and nonverbal communication doesn’t lie. In this workshop we will explore vocal and physical strategies for maximizing our impact in the classroom through personal vocal and physical engagement. By exploring the psycho/social/physio-vocal training methodologies of Lessac Kinesensic Training and Margolis Method we will explore ways to make your digital teaching more effective and teaching in-person with a mask more effective. We will explore ways to strengthen your vocal prowess and ways to cultivate physical energy whether in an online format or an in-person format. Ultimately, energy is energy is energy and we will explore how energy is manifested in the classroom, in the teacher, and in the student in order for the teacher to craft the best experience for the student to maximize teaching and learning. 

Using Starpoint Activities in Online Chat as a Method of Engaging Students
Nadun Kulasekera Mudiyanselage, MTU Mathematics Department
Co-Presented with Jacob Blazejewski

Abstract: This past academic year two MTU graduate teaching instructors set out to improve student engagement through Canvas’ integrated online chat forum: Piazza.  We aimed to develop robust activities that helped build community among students and increase contact with the instructor beyond the stereotypical “post three observations from your reading and comment on two other observations.” These activities were graded using a simple ‘star points’ rubric and student’s participation counted as a portion of their final grade. We will share our rubric and demonstrate it live with an engagement activity.  Additionally, we will present data about the effectiveness and student’s perceptions of star points in Precalculus and Differential Equations from three in-person sections and two online sections. We hope attendees will be inspired to use our easily adaptable activities within their own courses of any subject area.

To register for this event, please click here.

Future events include:
September 8: Take it or Leave It? Student Engagement Techniques to Carry Forward Into Fall and Others that Can Stay In The Spring
How a Weekly Video Saved My Sanity
September 16: Empowering Students to Learn Without You
The Importance of Self-Care During a Pandemic | A New Path: Choose Wellness
October 13: Collaborating Group Testing Implemented Online Using Zoom
In Defense Of Distance Education Lessons Learned From Zoom
November 4: Healthy Professor: Incorporating Practices of Well-Being to Teach Fully and Engage Students Meaningfully Dealing With Distressed Students

May 13 at 3:00PM, CTL and Idea hub present: Online Education Session VIII: Tech Forward to Better: Lessons Learned during COVID-19

Over the past eight weeks, most everything about the way we engage with students changed as the pandemic challenged us to quickly put our classes online, identify new ways of assessing learning, and support students in their unique and varied situations–all while our homes became our offices, we experienced zoom fatigue, parents became teachers, and toilet paper became a precious commodity.

While we all envision a time when we can get back to normal, a look back through the chaos and uncertainty shows incredible stories of ingenuity, creativity and resilience. Times of crisis often lead to the biggest opportunities for innovation, and many of us have examples of things that we did in the online environment that we’re planning to keep and improve upon as we prepare for a Flex Fall.

Join us for the last in our spring 2020 series of virtual IDEA hub/CTL Online Education Sessions, on Wednesday, May 13 3:00 – 4:30pm, as we reflect back on the challenges of the semester, share our stories, and reframe our thinking around opportunities to go “forward to better” rather than “back to normal.” If you have a story you’d be willing to share, please respond to this brief google form by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Friday, May 8. Selected story tellers will be asked to prepare a one-slide, two-minute overview of their best practice, new idea, or lesson learned.

Whether you want to share a story or listen to the stories of others, click the link to register and be added to the calendar invite which will include the Zoom link. If you have questions or do not get the calendar invite, please email margaret@mtu.edu.

Immediately following the session, join us in our virtual IDEA Pub for an end-of-semester happy hour from 4:30 – 5:00! As always, this will be a chance to kick back with your beverage of choice, socialize, and connect with one another. We’ll provide some prompts to get the conversation going.

Once you have registered with this link, you will be sent the link to join the meeting via zoom.

IDEA hub/CTL Online Education Session I

Friday April 3, 2020 from 3:00PM to 4:00PM

In the last two weeks, everything changed. We’ve scrambled to put our classes online, reorganize our lives, and adjust to the new normal. We’ve felt overwhelmed and uncertain about the future. These last two weeks have shown us the importance of community and connection–if we can’t meet in physical spaces, we’ll gather in virtual ones.

Join us for the first in a series of virtual IDEA hub/CTL Online Education Sessions, Friday April 3 from 3:00 – 4:00. In this first session, you’ll hear from a student panel about their experience transitioning to online learning: what they are thinking and feeling, what is working and what isn’t. You’ll see online tools modeled that you can use in your classes. And you’ll have a chance to connect with one another to share insights, frustrations, successes, concerns, and coping strategies.

Immediately following the meet up, join us in our virtual IDEA Pub for a happy hour from 4:00 – 5:00! This will be a chance to kick back with your beverage of choice, socialize, and connect with one another. We’ll provide some prompts to get the conversation going.

To register, see this link

IDEA Hub series continued

Tuesday April 7, 2020 at 3:00PM, Amlan Mukherjee from Civil and Environmental Engineering will speak for the first 10 minutes about Break Out Rooms in Zoom. This will be followed by a question and answer session.

To register for April 7, use this link

Friday April 10, at 3:00PM, Nancy Barr from Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics will speak for the first 10 minutes about Giving feedback online. This will be followed by a question and answer session.

To register for April 10, use this link

Tuesday April 14, at 3:00PM, Roman Sidorsov from Social Sciences will speak for the first 10 minutes about Testing. This will be followed by a question and answer session.

To register for April 14, use this link

Friday April 17, at 3:00PM, Libby Meyer from Visual and Performing Arts will speak for the first 10 minutes about Using Media. This will be followed by a question and answer session. 

To register for April 17, use this link

Tuesday April 21, at 3:00PM, Facilitators: James DeClerk (MEEM) & Travis Wakeham (Biological Sciences)  will speak for the first 10 minutes. This will be followed by a question and answer session. 

To register for April 21, use this link

Friday April 24, at 3:00PM. In this session, we will reflect and debrief on what we have learned during this sudden immersion in online learning and plan for the future

To register for April 24, use this link

Thursday February 13, 2020 at 12:00PM the CTL will present a lunch and learn titled Teaching and Learning STEM Faculty Institute Kickoff

In collaboration with the College of Engineering, the CTL has procured 25 copies of Richard Felder and Rebecca Brent’s book on integrating research-based practices into STEM teaching.  
In this session, we’ll survey the book and break attendees into groups based on experience and goals. Then, we’ll make plans to read, meet, and discuss the book during 4 additional meetings during spring semester. Registrants should come prepared to discuss “good” meeting times and share their own background and goals regarding active learning and research-based teaching.

Please register online. Attendance will be limited to 25, with lunch available for those who register by Monday, February 10, 2020

Tuesday January 21, 2020 at 12:00PM the CTL will present a lunch and learn titled Ed Tech Roundup.

Start the new semester by checking out some new teaching tools and resources. There’s something for everyone!

UDL Workshops: EquatIO- Making Math Digital and More Accessible

Learn how EquatIO provides tools to create digital math expressions that are more accessible to all learners. Math expressions used is STEM courses are commonly presented as images in documents or web pages.  These can be difficult to interpret for students with learning disabilities like dyslexia or dyscalculia, and those who use assistive technology.  We’ll review the features of the EquatIO toolbar including the AI prediction supported equation editor, the LaTeX editor and conversion options, the handwriting and speech input tools, the Desmos graphing calculator, the EquatIO mobile input option, and the amazing and powerful screenshot reader. See how EquatIO provides learners options for how they interact with math expressions, allowing them to create, edit and listen to math in new ways to support their learning.

This workshop will be held:
Tuesday October 1, 2019. 10AM – 11AM in Library 242. Please use this link to register for that date.
Monday October 7, 2019. 3:30PM -4:30PM in Library 242. Please use this link to register for that date.

UDL Workshops: Ally- Helping Make Course Content More Accessible

See how Ally indicators provide a visual status of your course files and how to access and implement Ally guidance to improve access.  Learn about common accessibility issues like scanned and untagged PDF’s, missing headings, and alternative descriptions and how to fix these issues in your course materials.  See how Ally’s course accessibility report provides an overview of course accessibility issues and helps you prioritize planned improvements. This workshop is a great chance to get answers to your most pressing course accessibility questions. This workshop will be held in Library 242.

October dates for this workshop are:
Thursday October 3, 2019. 2PM – 3PM in Library 242. Please use this link to register for that date.
Wednesday October 9, 2019. 3:30PM – 4:30PM in Library 242. Please use this link to register for that date.

CTL Coffee Chat: Quality Online Learning at Michigan Tech

Online education offerings are increasingly scrutinized for quality; often more so than typical on-campus courses. While some requirements are external, on a basic level, meeting these expectations is also in the best interest of students enrolled in our online offerings. These requirements
also provide the best opportunity to ensure that we, as a university, present our expertise in the best possible light, and demonstrate our commitment to high quality education regardless of delivery method. Please join us to discuss how Michigan Tech is working to ensure the quality of online education and bring any questions that you have regarding online teaching, new qualifications, and the online course review process. Please use this link to register by September 27, 2019.

Jackson CTL: Choosing and Using Media

A variety of presentation media are now available in – or can be brought into – almost every classroom.  In this workshop, we’ll consider best practices for using common media.  We’ll also examine the advantages and disadvantages of several different classroom media across a number of educational dimensions with an eye toward optimizing the information conveyed.
Please use this link  to register for the October 17, 2019 lunch and learn

CTL Instructional Award Presentation Series

In the first presentation of our fall award series, we’ll hear from two of our four 2019 instructional award winners. Dr. John Jaszczak, Professor of Physics and Interim Chemistry Chair, will share his extensive experiences using a variety of methods of full-class assessment of learning in large classes. Dr. Tim Schulz, University Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering will then share his outstanding progress in online course curriculum and learning tool development. Following each presentation, we’ll recognize them with the 2019 CTL Award for Assessment (John) and Curriculum Development (Tim). Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from and recognize two important contributors to Tech’s teaching mission!
Please use this link to register for the October 22, 2019 coffee chat

Lunch and Learn: Tuning Up Your Course Content

Busy students value options for how they “consume” their course materials. Having options can improve the usability, accessibility, and flexibility of materials. This approach aligns with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principle of providing students multiple means of representation. Join us as we review two new tools available to Michigan Tech instructors that can help improve their digital course content.  You’ll see how Ally can help you identify access issues, prioritize improvements, and provide alternative formats for your students, and how EquatIO can help you create more accessible digital math. This event will be held Tuesday September 17, 2019.

Register by September 13 to reserve lunch.

UDL Workshops: Ally- Helping Make Course Content More Accessible

See how Ally indicators provide a visual status of your course files and how to access and implement Ally guidance to improve access.  Learn about common accessibility issues like scanned and untagged PDF’s, missing headings, and alternative descriptions and how to fix these issues in your course materials.  See how Ally’s course accessibility report provides an overview of course accessibility issues and helps you prioritize planned improvements. This workshop is a great chance to get answers to your most pressing course accessibility questions. This workshop will be held in Library 242.

This workshop will be held:
Tuesday September 24, 2019. 2PM – 3PM in Library 242. Please use this link to register for that date.
Thursday September 26, 2019. 10AM – 11AM in Library 242. Please use this link to register for that date.
Thursday October 3, 2019. 2PM – 3PM in Library 242. Please use this link to register for that date.
Wednesday October 9, 2019. 3:30PM – 4:30PM in Library 242. Please use this link to register for that date.

Graduate Teaching Assistantship Orientation

New GTA’s must attend orientation on EITHER Thursday, August 29 2019 OR Friday August 30 2019 from 8:30-Noon in Rehki G05.    Each session will be limited to a total of 60 participants.  To reserve your seat, please register through one of the links below:

Canvas Workshop: Pages and Modules

The Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is offering a workshop to familiarize instructors (and others who support instruction) with the Pages and Modules tools in Canvas and how they can best be used to support your instructional goals. After attending this workshop, participants will be able to do the following:

• Build different kinds of Modules and Pages
• Create a course structure using Pages and/or Modules
• Learn how to use pre-requisites and requirements in Modules
• Create links directly from a Page to other course content and activities
• Embed images and videos directly onto a Canvas page

Tuesday, August 27^th– 2 P.M. Use this link to register for Tuesday.
Wednesday, September 4^th– 2 P.M. Use this link to register for Wednesday.
Thursday, September 5^th– 10 A.M. Use this link to register for Thursday.

Canvas Workshop: Assignments and Grades in Canvas

The Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is offering a hands-on workshop to familiarize instructors (and others who support instruction) with the basics they need to create Assignments and Assignment Groups. These tools will build your gradebook columns and gradebook structure. After attending this workshop, participants will be able to do the following:

• Build basic assignments and quizzes
• Establish assignment group structure in an organized manner
• Calculate student grades accurately and efficiently
• Use Canvas grading features and SpeedGrader

Thursday, August 29^th– 10 A.M.  Use this link to register for Thursday the 29th.
Wednesday, September 4^th– 3 P.M.Use this link to register for Wednesday.
Thursday, September 5^th– 1 P.M. Use this link to register for Thursday the 5th.

UPTLC Pre-Conference Workshop titled “Reduce Those Pesky Problem Course Areas” will be conducted by Dr. Thomas Tobin, the Keynote speaker for the 2019 UPTLC on May 9, 2019 from 3:00PM to 5:00PM.

The keynote address will be “Reach Everyone, Teach Everyone, Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education” on Friday, May 10, 2019 from 9:00AM to 10:00AM, by Dr. Thomas Tobin, author of Reach Everyone, Teach Everyone, Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education.

Registration for both Pre-Conference workshop and UPTLC conference are required. https://www.mtu.edu/ctl/teaching-development/uptlc/