Center for Teaching and Learning Blog

Category: CTL News

Contains news and topics of interest to faculty and instructional staff at Michigan Tech.

New Testing Center and Facility

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The Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning is pleased to announce the opening of the Michigan Tech Testing Center (MTTC).  The new center, located on the second floor of the Van Pelt and Opie Library in room 226, offers testing services including proctored, computerized and accommodated testing.  The MTTC coordinates facilities at two locations: the 40-seat computerized testing lab (Rekhi 215) as well as a 10-seat facility in the new center (Library 226).

With two testing facilities, the MTTC is able to offer expanded testing services. The MTTC coordinates the use of the 40-seat computerized testing lab in Rehki 215 that many professors use to give exams in Canvas or other computerized systems. The new specially designed, 10-seat facility in the library is ideal for accommodated exams for students who require extra time or a quieter space. The MTTC location can also be scheduled for makeup and overflow exams that are either computerized or pencil and paper. Proctoring is available for on-campus courses (and for OTHER universities’ online courses for a fee). Sponsored exams, like the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE), will be scheduled in this space soon.

The MTTC will maintain the following office hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9:00AM – 3:00PM
Wednesday 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Friday 9:00AM – 1:00PM

Additional hours may be arranged to accommodate evening exams, and additional facilities can be reserved for a larger number of computerized examinees. To learn more about the MTTC and schedule exam times and accommodations online visit the MTTC website. Instructors are encouraged to contact the MTTC (906) 487-1001, techtesting-l@mtu.edu) to schedule additional time or with questions about any of your exam needs.

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William G. Jackson Gift Funds Blended Learning Grants

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The recent generous gift from William G. Jackson gives the Center for Teaching and Learning the ability to solicit proposals for blended learning project grants. Academic departments or teams of instructors are invited to propose projects that support course/program reform or expansion and use blended and online learning techniques. Grants will be awarded at the following levels:

$1000 grants: individual conference travel to learn blended/online techniques and share with our instructors OR  a small scale course development or outreach project

$5000 grants: development of a moderate course/program or portion of a large course in a blended/online format (predicted impact >60 students per term)

$10,000 grants: development of a large course or program in a blended/online format (predicted impact >200 students/term)

Selected projects can also request/expect substantial support from the eLearning staff and students, both in terms of design consultation and course implementation.   Total award amounts are expected to be $50,000 each year for two years (2013-14, 2014-15). For additional information, refer toBlended Learning Grant Program

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November

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Blended Learning Grant Program: Please see the associated website for important information and (the fast approaching!) deadlines (Oct 31 & Nov 3) regarding this new grant opportunity.

New Module: Incorporating Information Literacy into Instruction: The Van Pelt and Opie Library and the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) invite faculty and graduate students to attend a new module that is part of the CTL’s University Teaching and Learning (UTL) Seminars program (see here for full curriculum). “Incorporating Information Literacy into Instruction” consists of three one-hour workshops on sequential Mondays (starting Nov. 4) presented by Instruction and Learning Librarian Sarah Lucchesi. This module will explore the library’s information resources, digital tools for keeping current in a field of study, and assignment elements that allow students to practice information literacy skills. Click here to register.

Coffee Chat – Ownership and Authorship: The recent campus visit by Chuck Valauskas, a Blended Learning IP lawyer, raised awareness of the need to clarify ownership and authorship rights and obligations at Michigan Tech. The University Senate Academic Policies committee, charged with writing a clear copyright policy, seeks faculty input through this coffee chat. For this coffee chat event on Tuesday, Nov 5, from 3:30-5pm, faculty will be asked to review several policies that might serve as a model, and come prepared for discussion. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided to those who register by Friday 11/1. Click here to register.

Coffee Chat — Communication Learning Goal: Are you addled by assessment? Rattled by rubrics? Confounded by communication? Join the Communication Learning Goal Task Force for a collaborative primer about applying the communication rubrics in your course and program. Reminder: The Communication University Student Learning Goal (USLG) is going to be assessed university wide this year. Join us for this timely workshop on Tuesday, November 12, from 3:30-5pm. Click here to register.

Lunch n’ Learn — Student Devices in the Classroom: Surveys show that more than 90% of students now carry an Internet connected “device” – a smartphone, tablet, or laptop – into classes.  During this session on Thursday, November 14, we’ll explore ways that these devices can be used for student/instructor interaction.  We’ll also discuss the challenges that accompany engaging or ignoring “devices”. Click here to register.

Faculty Orientation to the New Experimental Education Environment: Faculty, instructors and other interested educators are invited to learn about the features and uses of a new space dedicated to promoting innovation and testing of teaching strategies, technologies and creative learner-instructor arrangements. Sponsored, in part, by the Herman Miller Corporation, the overview sessions will be held throughout the day on Tuesday, Nov. 19. More information about the Experimental Education Environment (E3), as well as details regarding scheduling that space, can also be found on the same page with the registration links. Click here to register.

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More October Events

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Coffee Chat – Blended Learning at Tech: Over the next two years, the Jackson grant will put $100,000 in the hands of departments and faculty to build classes that blend face to face and online formats in innovative and strategic ways. Come to discuss what “strategic” means for Tech, ask questions about your potential proposal, or learn more about how blended courses might work. Click here to register.

Lunch n Learn – Classroom Spaces: Many on campus have invested significant time and resources in designing unique learning environments. Watch pre-session videos that describe how some instructors are using unusual spaces and review plans for new spaces. Then, meet on October 21, with faculty of your choice at a luncheon to discuss what kinds of spaces we should be building in the future. Click here to register.
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October Events

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Speaker and Luncheon – Blended Learning IP: At the request of the University Senate, Chuck Valauskas, a lawyer from the Chicago firm Valauskas Corder LLC, will visit on October 2 to speak on legal issues surrounding the ownership and use of university class materials developed by faculty and staff. Chuck has spoken internationally on this subject and currently works with more than 32 universities in this rapidly changing field. Chuck’s visit is made possible through a gift by William G. Jackson; don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from his expertise! Click here to register.

Apple iPad Workshops: On Tuesday, October 8, Lisa Wyka and Dave Pugh from Apple Education will lead hands-on workshops to share new ways that iPads and MacBooks are being used in higher education. Devices will be available! Both the beginner’s session (9-11:30am) and advanced session (1-3:30pm) have limited seating, so register soon!

Lunch n Learn – Classroom Spaces: Many on campus have invested significant time and resources in designing unique learning environments. Watch pre-session videos that describe how some instructors are using unusual spaces and review plans for new spaces. Then, meet on October 21, with faculty of your choice at a luncheon to discuss what kinds of spaces we should be building in the future. Click here to register.
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Late September and Early October Events

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Coffee Chat – Assessment at Tech: Assessment is a process that supports the continuous improvement of curricular and other university systems intended to help students achieve University Student Learning Goals.  It is an increasingly important part of our responsibility as teachers.  This chat is an opportunity for instructors to ask questions about Michigan Tech’s intentional approach to assessment, discuss progress, explore challenges and learn about resources to support student learning. The Coffee Chat is on Tuesday, September 24 from 3:30-4:30pm. Click here to register.

Speaker and Luncheon – Blended Learning IP: At the request of the University Senate, Chuck Valauskas, a lawyer from the Chicago firm Valauskas Corder LLC, will visit on October 2 to speak on legal issues surrounding the ownership and use of university class materials developed by faculty and staff.  Chuck has spoken internationally on this subject and currently works with more than 32 universities in this rapidly changing field.  Chuck’s visit is made possible through a gift by William G. Jackson; don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from his expertise! Click here to register.

Apple iPad Workshops: On Tuesday, October 8, Lisa Wyka and Dave Pugh from Apple Education will lead hands-on workshops to share new ways that iPads and MacBooks are being used in higher education.  Devices will be available! Both the beginner’s session (9-11:30am) and advanced session (1-3:30pm) have limited seating, so register soon!
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September’s Video Luncheon & Assessment Coffee Chat

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Lunch and Learn – The Versatility of Video: The explosion of hand held mobile devices with cameras provides powerful opportunities for both instructors and students to communicate using videos.  In this session, we’ll compose a video discussion and look at several ways videos can be effectively used as part of a course. The only pre-work for this session is that participants should arrive prepared to summarize in 60 seconds or less ONE (high or low tech!) teaching technique that they’ve found works well for them. Luncheon Workshop is Monday, September 16 from noon-1 pm. Click here to register

Coffee Chat – Assessment at Tech: Assessment is a process that supports the continuous improvement of curricular and other university systems intended to help students achieve University Student Learning Goals.  It is an increasingly important part of our responsibility as teachers.  This chat is an opportunity for instructors to ask questions about Michigan Tech’s intentional approach to assessment, discuss progress, explore challenges and learn about resources to support student learning. The Coffee Chat is on Tuesday, September 24 from 3:30-4:30pm. Click here to register
Center for Teaching and Learning
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Alumni Gift Funds Center Initiatives

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This month William G. Jackson, a Michigan Tech alumnus and the president of CableAmerica, presented the Center with a generous $1 million donation. This gift will fund many instructional support initiatives, which have the potential to transform student learning at Michigan Tech.

With this gift the Center, now named the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning, will bring together a full suite of technological tools to upgrade teaching, learning, learning assessment and student assessment of teaching. Plans include $435,000 for classroom technologies that will allow faculty to easily bring more content into the classroom and record classes for later student review. An additional $395,000 will be devoted to meeting faculty needs: providing staff to help with course development; creating an online system to evaluate student learning; providing tablet computers for experimentation and practice; initiating a new master’s program in educational technology; and supporting awards, travel, lectures and training related to the new learning technologies. A secure testing center for standardized tests, such as the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, will also be installed at a cost of $170,000.

William G. Jackson has a long-standing affinity with Michigan Tech, evident in the guidance, resources and support he has extended to the University over the years. Jackson, of Scottsdale, Arizona, graduated from Michigan Tech in 1958 with a BS in Electrical Engineering and is a member of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Academy. In 1999, he and his wife, Gloria, established the William G. and Gloria J. Jackson Endowed Scholarship. Jackson has received the Board of Control Silver Medal and Michigan Tech’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

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Upcoming Events

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During the fall and spring semesters, faculty and instructional staff will be invited approximately monthly to either a lunchtime workshop or coffee chat on a topic of current interest.  eLearning workshops are also available year round to help you use technology to enhance your courses. These events provide an opportunity to network with faculty from other departments, learn new instructional strategies and tools, and become aware of instructional policy changes.  Please contact us with ideas and suggestions for future events.

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Coffee Chat – For and About Graduate Teaching Assistants

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What’s Working, What’s not, and What’s needed?

Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) are often on the front lines of Tech’s important undergraduate hands-on teaching mission.  This discussion-based session, which will be held on Thursday, April 11 from 3-4pm, will give GTAs  and their supervisors an opportunity to share both what is working for them and what further support is needed to make their teaching mission a success.

Please register online here or call 487-2046.

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