As the semester winds down, the Center for Teaching Excellence has a full slate of learning opportunities next week spanning a wide range of topics. All of these opportunities are listed on our events calendar (www.grcc.edu/ctecalendar) and are open for registration at www.grcc.edu/ctereg. Sign up for one or sign up for all. Amid the end of semester stress, take an hour out of your day to come talk about teaching with your peers!
NEXT WEEK (4/15 – 4/19):
Introduction to Avatar: Monday, April 15 from 3:15 – 4:15 in 207 Sneden.
This session is an introduction to the Avatar materials.
“Avatar is the most powerful, purest self-development program available. It is a series of experiential exercises that enables you to rediscover your self and align your consciousness with what you want to achieve. You will experience your own unique insights and revelations. It’s you finding out about you.” From “What is Avatar?”. Star’s Edge International, http://avatarepc.com/html/whatis.html. Facilitated by Music Department faculty member, Brian Morris.
Showing Them How: Writing With Your Students: Tuesday, April 16 from 4:00 – 5:00 in 107 Cook.
If we agree that writing is a mode of thinking, then being transparent with students about your writing process can be integral in how effectively they transition to an academic mindset. Regardless of your discipline, students need to practice effective communication skills, whether for academic papers, discussion board posts, or email correspondence. Our digital age places more and more value on abbreviated, informal writing that is quite contrary to writing that college courses – and the workplace – require. This interactive session will discuss how writing with your students can break down the mystery of “good” writing for them. Faculty participants will identify three points in the semester when they can write with students, develop a protocol for sharing their writing with students at various points in the drafting process, and discuss the implementation of a collaborative writing assignment. Facilitated by Katie Kalisz from the English Department.
Universal Design Discussion Group: Wednesday, April 17 from 3:00 – 4:00 in 347 Main
In this final discussion of the semester, we will be looking at a Faculty Workbook that offers tips and assessments you can use to check your courses against Universal Design principles. More information can be found at www.grcc.edu/UDLDiscussion.
Got Stress? Surviving the Semester: Thursday, April 18 from 3:30 – 4:30 in 107 Cook.
Got stress? Too busy to even think about it? Take one hour for yourself to examine how you manage stress, and you’ll come away with at least one technique to improve your end-of-semester experience. Facilitated by Ann Alexander from the Business Department.
Using i<Clicker in the Classroom: Friday, April 19 from 9:00 – 10:00 in 351 Main.
i>clicker is GRCC’s campus standard for student response systems. This hands-on session will introduce you to i<clicker and will show you how they can be used effectively in the classroom to enhance your teaching. Facilitated by Lisa Gloege from the Social Sciences Department.
All sessions are open to both full-time and adjunct faculty. You can register for all sessions at www.grcc.edu/ctereg. You can also “like” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/teachexcellence to receive the latest information on sessions, news, conferences, and other noteworthy happenings.
If you have any questions or have problems registering, contact us at teachexcellence@grcc.edu. Register now, as space in each session is limited.
Thanks, and we hope to see you in the CTE!
The daily employee newsletter of Grand Rapids Community College 