Category: Events

November

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.

More October Events

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.

October Events

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.

Late September and Early October Events

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!

September’s Video Luncheon & Assessment Coffee Chat

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

Upcoming Events

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.

Lunch and Learn: Integrated Communication – March 28

The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) will hold a Lunch and Learn entitled “Integrated Communication” on Thursday, March 28 from noon-1.  During the next academic year, Michigan Tech will focus on assessing and improving the way communication is taught, both in general education and across all disciplines.

“Students will be able to communicate effectively, orally, in writing and in new media, to a wide variety of audiences.” – University Learning Goal #5

First, you will watch short videos of faculty and students initiating this effort, and select your lunch partners for further conversation.   Then, hear tips from programs that have already started this process, and learn about resources available!

To ensure an accurate count for lunch, register for this workshop at RSVP by Monday, March 25 or contact CTL at 487-2046. Once your register, you will receive an email confirmation that will give you the location and a reminder about the date and time.

February Coffee Chat: Interactions Unlimited

Thursday, Feb 21 from 3-4 PM in the library’s East Reading Room

Connected students are more likely to be retained.  This munch and learn session, in collaboration with Nilufer Onder’s NSF funded ENGAGE project, will help faculty explore ways to better connect with students.   Four speakers will initiate faculty discussions about connections in the classroom, through research, in career discussions, and in other small but effective ways.

Coffee and light refreshments will be provided to those who register by Monday 2/18. Please register by calling 487-2046, or click here to register online.

January Lunch and Learn

The first 2013 luncheon workshop, “Great Groups,” will be held from noon to 12:55 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 24. Lunch will be provided to those who register by Monday, Jan. 21. Click here to register.

Michigan Tech instructors use a wide variety of pedagogical and technological approaches to help motivate and guide student groups to learn interactively.  In this workshop, you will get time-saving ideas and gather best practices from eLearning staff and experienced faculty! Prior to the event, we will provide you with short videos of faculty describing their most effective techniques. You will have the opportunity to discuss your favorite topics from these videos during the luncheon.

To ensure an accurate count for lunch, register for this workshop at RSVP by Monday, Jan. 21, or contact CTL at 487-2046. Once your register, you will receive an email confirmation, which will give you the location and a reminder about the date and time.