Pew Faculty Teaching & Learning Center
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Director's NoteThe more things change, the more they stay the same. In reviewing the 2023 AAC&U report, The Career-Ready Graduate: What Employers Say About the Difference College Makes, I was struck by the extent to which employers of all types agree that the core tenets of a well-rounded liberal education help recent college graduates succeed in the workplace. Oral communication, collaboration, and critical thinking once again receive top billing in this iteration of their employer survey. The specifics are worth exploring, not only for our own affirmation but also for communicating the “why” of our courses and curricula to students.
Speaking of critical thinking, I draw your attention to a new page on our website, Generative AI in Education. You will be hearing more from us on this topic, but in the meantime, I wanted to share some notes and resources to support your fall semester preparations. The shortest possible story: spending time educating yourself and your students is a must. Piloting syllabus language, testing new assignments and expanded assignment guidelines will take some time and the more critical analysis and reflection that can be built into the coming year, the better.
Speaking of change, for the fiscal year that began July 1st, we have made some alterations to our Faculty Conference Grant program. In the face of increased demand on our grant funding, we have gone back to a single $700 opportunity and replaced the rolling deadline with a six-month window. For events held July through December, applications open May 15 and are awarded until funding is depleted. For events held January through June, applications open November 15 and are awarded until funding is depleted. Throughout the year, we will still offer select Sponsored Teaching and Learning Event opportunities to support travel to specific teaching conferences.
As we look forward to hosting the 30th Annual Fall Conference on Teaching and Learning on August 15th, I wanted to remind you that we are still accepting and reviewing concurrent session proposals. We have mixed things up a bit this year and have some new formats and themes. Two incredible keynote speakers will join us for the day, as well. Lauren Barbeau will be speaking about the observables of good teaching and John Warner will address AI in education. I hope to see you there, if not before then.
Enjoy the verdant summer, one breath and one moment at a time.
—Christine Rener
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It's not too late to register! The Humanity of Inclusive Practices – Teaching and Learning Academy Mini Course will run from July 8th to July 19th, with synchronous Zoom sessions scheduled on July 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, and 19 from 1:00pm to 3:30pm EST. These sessions will delve into crucial topics surrounding inclusive practices in education, offering valuable insights and fostering meaningful discussions. Register here for the miniseries (email PewFTLC@gvsu.edu for the voucher).
Upon completing the course, we will convene for a Post-Course Completion Meeting on Tuesday, July 23rd at 1:00pm in JHZ 3068. This gathering will provide an opportunity to reflect on the course content, share experiences, and discuss how we can continue to apply what we've learned moving forward.
If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Maggie Goss, Pew FTLC Assistant Director, at gossmar@gvsu.edu.
We're looking forward to your participation and the enriching discussions ahead.
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Strong Start Teaching Institute Continuing Series
We're halfway through our exciting workshop series inspired by the May 2024 Strong Start Teaching Institute, and there’s still time to join in and continue the conversation on small teaching practices to support our first and second-year students.
We encourage faculty to attend the remaining workshops, even if you missed the earlier sessions, as each workshop is designed to stand alone. Join us in-person at our downtown or Allendale locations, where the sessions are led by Dr. Maggie Goss, the new Pew FTLC Assistant Director. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your teaching practices!
Register Here for Workshop #2: Faculty Primer - Resource Intervention and Prevention
Thursday, July 11th 10:00 - 11:30am (411 Eberhard Center)
In this workshop, we will tackle issues related to student well-being, resource awareness and how best to connect students to resources. Participants will walk away with concrete strategies for preventing, or rather “priming” students to overcome obstacles throughout the semester. Participants will actively engage with the following questions:- What are some signs a student may be struggling?
- When do I intervene if it looks like a student may be struggling?
- I’ve pointed a student toward support resources, now what?
- What could I have done to intervene earlier in their struggle?
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Know Any New Colleagues?We are excited to welcome new faculty this coming Fall (2024)!
Orientation will focus on engaging new faculty in a collaborative learning experience focused squarely on student success, community building, and exploration of campus resources for both faculty and students.
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Thursday, August 15 | 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Eberhard Conference Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus
We are still accepting concurrent session proposals. We are seeking sessions on the following themes:
- Student Engagement Refresh: Successful strategies for better engaging students.
- Reclaiming a Liberal Education: Deeply engaging students in a liberal education.
- Scholarship of Teaching and Learning: Showcasing teaching excellence at GVSU.
- Equity-minded Approaches: Multicultural approaches to meeting all students' needs
- Experiential Sessions: Hands-on experiences in a colleague's classroom.
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