Category: Events

September

The William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning schedules events for faculty and instructional staff to provide opportunities to learn new instructional strategies and tools and meet colleagues from other departments. 

Coffee Chat — Barbara Oakley — Looking Back on MOOC Development: Challenges and Opportunities (9/3): Dr. Barbara Oakley (author of “A Mind for Numbers”) returns to Michigan Tech this fall after successfully delivering a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), titled “Learning How to Learn,” through Coursera to nearly a million students.  During this chat, Michigan Tech instructors will gain insight into her experience developing and delivering this MOOC as well as discuss metacognitive techniques all instructors can teach their students. (This event is partially sponsored by the Visiting Women & Minority Lecturer/Scholar Series (VWMLS), which is funded by a grant to the Michigan Tech Office of Institutional Equity, from the State of Michigan’s King-Chavez-Parks Initiative.) Coffee and light refreshments will be provided to those who register by Monday, August 31.  Join us for this event on Thursday, September 3 from 2:00 to 3:30pmClick here to register.

Coffee Chat — Faculty Learning Communities: An Effective Change Agent? (9/10): In this coffee chat, we’ll explore the nature, intent, and structure of a Faculty Learning Community (FLC) and explore the process of starting one here at Michigan Tech. To prepare for this discussion, participants will be asked to read two short articles by Milton Cox, who has used FLCs for over 20 years at Miami University as a way for faculty to learn about and become campus leaders on a wide variety of topics. His recent research demonstrates that FLCs are among the most effective ways to introduce and retain evidence-based instructional methods across campuses. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided to those who register by Friday, September 4.  Join us for this event on Thursday, September 10 from 3:30 to 4:30pmClick here to register.

Lunch and Learn — Metacognitive Strategies (9/16): As information becomes increasingly accessible, higher education is challenged to be more intentional in helping students hone strategies for learning. The explicit teaching of metacognitive strategies, which encourage students to examine their own thinking and approaches to learning different types of content, can improve retention and motivation. In this session we’ll examine and practice several metacognitive teaching skills, with an eye toward integrating them across virtually any discipline. Participants will be asked to read a short article in preparation for this workshop. Lunch will be provided to those who register by Friday, September 11. Join us for this event on Wednesday, September 16 from noon to 1:00pmClick here to register.

April

Global Literacy Learning Goal Luncheon – April 8

During the next academic year, Michigan Tech will focus on assessing and improving the way Global Literacy (learning goal #3) is taught, both in general education and across all disciplines. This event is designed to get faculty ready. Participants will be asked to do some preparation about one week before this event. The goal committee will then lead discussions on assessment criteria, sample assignments and other ideas to weave Global Literacy skills into any program. Sign up here.

Plagiarism Education Week 2015

Turnitin’s 2015 Plagiarism Education Week conference, Copy/Paste/Culture, examines how current global trends are affecting our values, especially those related to education, and proposes strategies on how we can address these challenges. The Office of Academic and Community Conduct is partnering with the Center for Teaching & Learning to host 45-minute webcasts devoted to sharing ideas and best practices with educators and students about plagiarism and academic integrity. Premier thought leaders will include educational experts, passionate educators and Turnitin All-Stars, all of whom will share their perspectives, lessons, and research. These webcasts will be recorded and a link will be made available at a later date. All faculty, staff and students are invited to attend! For more information please contact Rob Bishop via email (rmbishop@mtu.edu) or phone (487-1964).

Monday, April 20, 2015 at 1 pm, Admin Bldg – Room 404
Changing Culture to Promote Integrity: Why Progress Is Possible
David Callahan, author of The Cheating Culture: Why More Americans Are Doing Wrong to Get Ahead

Monday, April 20, 2015 at 4 pm, Admin Bldg – Room 404
A Student-Centered Culture: Promoting Integrity One Conversation at a Time
Michael Goodwin, Academic Integrity Coordinator at Kennesaw State University

Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at 1 pm, Admin Bldg – Room 404
Narcissism and Extrinsic Values: Understanding Student Trends that Impact Plagiarism and Cheating
Jean Twenge, author of The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement

Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at 4 pm,, Admin Bldg – Room 404
Wikipedia in the Classroom: Authority, Trust, and Information Literacy
LiAnna Davis, Director of Programs at Wiki Education Foundation

Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at 1 pm,  MUB – Alumni Lounge
Improvisation and Plagiarism: Fostering a Culture of Creativity
Teresa Fishman, Director of the International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI)

Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at 1 pm,  MUB – Alumni Lounge
The Cultural Implications of Contract Cheating
Tricia Bertram Gallant, Director of Academic Integrity at UC San Diego

Thursday, April 21, 2015 at 1 pm,, Admin Bldg – Room 404
Decisions on Deadline: A 21st Century Gaming Approach to Teach Plagiarism and Ethics
Samantha Grant and Brittney Shepherd, co-producers of A Fragile Trust

February

The William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning schedules events for faculty and instructional staff to provide opportunities to learn new instructional strategies and tools and meet faculty from other departments. 

Balancing Work and Life: Great Teaching and Time for You (2/26): New methods of teaching allow communication with students from virtually any place at any time.  How do you find a balance that meets student needs but leaves time for family and personal needs?   The Michigan Tech Work-Life Advisory Committee and the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning co-hosts this coffee chat in which we’ll explore tips and techniques for balancing the many demands on today’s instructors.  We’ll also brainstorm ways the committee can advocate for the flexibility and resources to keep instructor roles balanced. This coffee chat event is scheduled for Thursday, February 26 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided to those who register by Monday, February 23. Click here to register.

January

The William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning schedules events for faculty and instructional staff to provide opportunities to learn new instructional strategies and tools and meet faculty from other departments.  Coffee Chat- Testing Center: Input for Continued Growth and Change (1/20): The Michigan Tech Testing Center has been in existence for just over a year. In that time, it has experienced exponential growth and rapid technological change. In this session, we’ll discuss some of the challenges faced and look for instructor input to optimize resources to handle an expanding repertoire of sponsored exams, an increasing number of accommodated exams, and new security challenges. This coffee chat event is scheduled for Tuesday, January 20 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided to those who register by Friday, January 16. Click here to register. Luncheon – Terrific Tools for Blending and Active Learning (1/27): High and low tech tools are being invented constantly to help keep students active and provide instructional flexibility. In this workshop, we’ll survey some of the best tools available and then give participants a chance to explore those that might work best for them. This luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27 from noon-1 p.m. Lunch will be provided to those who register by Friday, January 23. Click here to register.

November

The William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning schedules events for faculty and instructional staff to provide opportunities to learn new instructional strategies and tools and meet faculty from other departments. 

Lunch and Learn — International Students: How Can We Help Them Succeed in the Classroom? (11/13): International students bring unique skills, perspectives, opportunities, and challenges to our classrooms and programs.  Prior to this blended seminar, you’ll watch video interviews with instructors and administrators who have experience working with international students at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Then, you’ll select those facilitators you’d like to engage during a lunchtime discussion. This luncheon is scheduled for Thursday, November 13 from noon-1 p.m. Lunch will be provided to those who register by Monday, November 10.  Click here to register.

Coffee Chat — How Learning Works (11/18): Dr. Susan Ambrose of Northeastern University recently published a book entitled How Learning Works: 7 Research-based Principles for Smart Teaching.    During this coffee chat, we’ll discuss the 7 principles and how best to apply them to create a learner-centered classroom. Prior to the coffee chat, participants are asked to watch a 52-minute webinar, featuring Dr. Ambrose and recorded as part of WEPAN’s Engineering Inclusive Teaching Project, to inform the conversation. This coffee chat event This coffee chat is scheduled for Tuesday, November 18 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided to those who register by Thursday, November 14.  Click here to register.

October

The William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning schedules events for faculty and instructional staff to provide opportunities to learn new instructional strategies and tools and meet faculty from other departments. 

Coffee Chat — Organizing STEM Education Research (10/2): A growing number of instructors on campus have expressed interest in measuring the effects of classroom reforms. The Pavlis Honors College, the Graduate School, the Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences, the Engineering Fundamentals Department and others have begun working together to formalize programs and centralize resources in order to better support this kind of work. This discussion will include a summary of efforts to-date, a review of a potential campus-wide grant proposal, and opportunities for you to share your input on future directions. All with an interest in STEM Education research are encouraged to attend! This event is scheduled for Thursday, October 2, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided to those who register by Monday, September 29.  Click here to register.

Coffee Chat — Information Literacy Learning Goal (10/7): Join the Information Literacy Goal Committee for a collaborative primer about integrating information literacy instruction effectively and efficiently in your course or degree program. Reminder: The Information Literacy University Student Learning Goal (USLG) will be assessed university wide this year. This timely workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided to those who register by Thursday, October 2.  Click here to register.

Lunch and Learn — Jackson Blended Learning Grant Showcase (10/16): Through a generous gift from William G. Jackson in 2013, the CTL awarded $1000, $5000 and $10,000 grants to teams of instructors for blended learning projects at Michigan Tech. This luncheon will showcase these grant projects, which include travel to blended learning conferences as well as small-to-extensive course development or expansion projects, delivered using blended and online learning techniques. Participants will be invited to explore the kinds of work funded by previous grants prior to the luncheon and then select facilitators for further conversation. The goal is to encourage participants to initiate their own blended learning projects and/or propose a grant during the second solicitation, planned for November 2014. This luncheon is scheduled for Thursday, October 16 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided to those who register by Monday, October 13.  Click here to register.

Workshop and Luncheon — On Thursday, Oct. 23, staff from TechSmith, makers of popular video recording/editing software, will be at Michigan Tech for one day only to showcase their tools and share their expertise. The William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning invites faculty and instructional staff to attend two TechSmith events. For instructors new to recording and editing videos or screen capture, a Video Tools Overview is scheduled for 9:30 to 11a.m., so instructors can see what can be done with TechSmith tools, ask questions and learn how to get started. Those already using Camtasia or other TechSmith tools are encouraged to register for an afternoon Advanced User Workshop to get an expert’s help on projects. To register, click on the links above or contact the CTL for assistance at 7-3000.

September and Early October

The Center schedules events for faculty and instructional staff to provide opportunities to learn new instructional strategies and tools and meet faculty from other departments. 

Coffee Chat — Dr. Barbara Oakley (9/11): Dr. Oakley (Antarctic adventurer, Russian translator, engineering professor, and author) will be in Houghton for a series of lectures at both Finlandia University and Michigan Tech.  This event provides instructors a unique opportunity to learn about her recent research on learning math and science that is presented in her book “A Mind for Numbers”.  Discussion will focus initially on her “10 Rules of Good and Bad Studying” and how they might apply to class design, but topics are expected to range widely! Coffee and light refreshments will be provided to those who register by Monday, September 8.  Join us for this event on Thursday, September 11 from 3:30 to 4:30pm. Click here to register.

Lunch and Learn — Student Accommodations (9/16): A growing number of Michigan Tech students are eligible to receive extra time, quiet space, or other accommodations during class activities. This trend has raised concerns among instructors. In this event, we will explore the process through which student accommodations are granted and the resources available to help instructors appropriately, consistently, and fairly accommodate students. Prior to this blended seminar, participants will watch video interviews with several faculty and administrators involved in this process and then select those most relevant for lunchtime discussion. Lunch will be provided to those who register by Thursday, September 11. Join us for this event on Tuesday, September 16 from noon to 1pm. Click here to register.

Luncheon and Gamification Workshops — Todd Wilmore (9/23): Todd Wilmore is a dynamic speaker and organizational consultant, as well as an adjunct professor at both Central Michigan and Saint Leo Universities. During his visit to Michigan Tech on Tuesday, September 23, he’ll offer both a lunchtime session on the changing role of instructors in higher education and a 75-minute workshop on using game theory in class design (gamification). The gamification workshop will be offered twice (one morning session and one afternoon session), but enrollment will be limited to 40 for each workshop session. All are encouraged to attend the luncheon event. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore innovative techniques with an expert that you can use to motivate your students! To register for any of these events, please call 487-3000 or register online using the links above. Lunch will be available for those who register by Thursday, September 18.

Coffee Chat — Organizing STEM Education Research (10/2): A growing number of instructors on campus have expressed interest in measuring the effects of classroom reforms. The Pavlis Honors College, the Graduate School, the Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences, the Engineering Fundamentals Department and others have begun working together to formalize programs and centralize resources in order to better support this kind of work. This discussion will include a summary of efforts to-date, a review of a potential campus-wide grant proposal, and opportunities for you to share your input on future directions. All with an interest in STEM Education research are encouraged to attend! This event is scheduled for Thursday, October 2, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided to those who register by Monday, September 29.  Click here to register.

Coffee Chat — Information Literacy Learning Goal (10/7): Join the Information Literacy Goal Committee for a collaborative primer about integrating information literacy instruction effectively and efficiently in your course or degree program. Reminder: The Information Literacy University Student Learning Goal (USLG) will be assessed university wide this year. This timely workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided to those who register by Thursday, October 2.  Click here to register.

 

End-of-Semester Grade Submission

The Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning will be conducting two Grade Submission workshops on Friday, April 25 from 10-11am and Tuesday, April 29 from 2-3pm.  Submitting grades via Banner Self Service and via Canvas and CourseTools will be covered. Instructors and instructional staff unable to attend either these workshops are always welcome to call or stop by the Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning in the Van Pelt and Opie Library for help with grade submission.  You can find out how about eLearning Walk-In hours, online help, and how to contact support on Canvas One Stop.

March and Early April

* Luncheon — Scientific Teaching (3/27)
* Luncheon — Assessment at Tech: Information Literacy (4/8)

____________________________

Lunch and Learn — Scientific Teaching: Mark Decker is a co-director and Teaching Associate Professor in the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota. Last summer, he was a facilitator for the National Academies of Sciences Summer Institute (NANSI) for Undergraduate Biology Education.The Scientific Teaching approach, which can be applied in virtually all STEM disciplines, advocates several elements including active learning. Mark has been a key player in the design, implementation, and faculty development for new active learning, technology-rich classrooms that seat more than 100 students at the University of Minnesota. Mark’s presentation will focus on how this approach and space has changed his teaching and his students’ learning. Lunch will be provided to those who register by Monday, March 24. Join us for this event on Thursday, March 27 from noon to 1pm. Click here to register.

Lunch and Learn — Assessment at Tech/Information Literacy: Learn how faculty collaborate with librarians to integrate information literacy skills into their classes. This event is co-sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning. Lunch will be provided to those who register by Thursday, April 3. Join us for this event on Tuesday, April 8 from noon-1pm. Click here to register.