 |
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to the weekly UTLC Newsletter for October 5, 2021.
Highlights:
|
|
|
|
|
Teaching Tips
This section is full of timely and evidence-based practices to apply in your teaching. Given that we are approaching the halfway point of the semester, this week we are revisiting popular teaching tips on responding to data collected through mid-semester feedback:
- Ask and you shall receive. The core advice for mid-semester feedback is that you should only be asking questions for which you are interested in acting on the feedback that you receive. For example, you should not ask about assignments unless you are willing to make some changes to them based on the student feedback. In practice, this means that careful consideration of your questions in advance is important. Specific questions lead to more focused feedback, which makes the task of following up on the feedback more manageable.
- Stay balanced. Soliciting feedback is often viewed as an exercise to collect negative reactions to a course, but it is also a time for students to tell you what is working for them and what they would like to see emphasized going forward. It is important to ask questions that allow for this type of positive feedback as well such as including at least one question about what students think they’ve done well and what they could improve upon in their own approach to the course for the remainder of the semester. This practice opens up a more balanced conversation about improving student learning going forward.
- Quick, visible follow-up. The most important part of showing students that their feedback matters is picking some actionable feedback to address as quickly as is reasonable. If students are saying that they need more structure in their small group conversations, then consider making changes to how you set up those conversations – perhaps with one clear goal/product per breakout session – and then be clear that this change is addressing student feedback when you introduce the change. Not all changes are conducive to quick changes, but showing your students that you are being critically reflective about their feedback lets them know that their voices are heard and their suggestions are being considered as you work to support their learning.
To view this and all other previously published teaching tips, please visit this page.
| |
Featured UTLC Opportunities
- The registration deadline for the Intentional Hybrid Course Development experience has been extended to Friday, October 8. Participants will receive guidance and coaching from experienced UNCG faculty in developing a hybrid course and gain access to sample materials. Full details and registration information is available here.
- Sign up for the next Applying the Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR) workshop taking place on October 15 and 22. Free to all UNCG faculty and staff.
- The UTLC:TIO is currently enrolling instructors for Online Learning Level 1, which begins on October 18. For more details and registration information, please visit our Online Learning Levels webpage.
- Join us at the next CoffeeHouse this Thursday, October 7 at 9am at the Faculty Center.
| |
|
|
We are pleased to announce the next Minerva Mentions nominee, Dr. Sandra Echeverria! This segment features instructors who exemplify excellence and innovation in teaching. Click the image above to read the nominee's "Words of Wisdom" including what they love about teaching, a favorite tip to share, and a helpful resource to consider.
If you would like to nominate yourself or a colleague, please complete the form available at go.uncg.edu/minerva-mentions.
| |
Other Announcements- Designing Effective Online Courses (DEOC) is an online workshop to support faculty and staff across the UNC System in moving their courses to an online format or using digital tools in their physical classrooms. The Fall 2021 session will begin Monday, October 25, 2021. This will be the only time this is offered this semester. Registration is now open. The workshop is free, but space is limited, and registration is required. Learn more and register.
In Case You Missed It
The International Faculty and Staff Network is a newly formed group at UNCG open to all professional members of UNCG including faculty/instructors, staff, and visiting international scholars.To get involved in the community, please join the network on Canvas to meet other members, receive updates about future events and meetings, and contribute your ideas!
- Apply to a UNCG Online Teaching Fellow! For best consideration, please apply by Friday, October 8 (deadline extended). Please email Samantha Harlow, Online Learning Faculty Senate Committee Chair, slharlow@uncg.edu with any questions. Click the following link for more information and to apply to be an UNCG Online Teaching Fellow.
- New update for Canvas Quizzes! "New Quizzes," is now available to enable in your Canvas courses. This virtual workshop from ITS Learning Technology explains what's happening with quizzes in Canvas and demonstrates how to enable New Quizzes, how to migrate existing quizzes to New Quizzes, how to create a quiz with New Quizzes (including three new question types!), and how to use its exciting new accommodations feature. With plenty of time before Canvas sunsets classic quizzes, now is a great time to get started and make the transition a smooth one.
| |
| We want to hear from you!Want to highlight excellent teaching? Have a resource or announcement to share? Hope to see more teaching tips related to a specific topic? Click the button below to send your suggestions. We're excited to hear from you!
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
