Welcome to the weekly UTLC Newsletter supporting teaching and learning at UNCG.
Week of October 28, 2024
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TEACHING TIPS
This section is full of timely and evidence-based practices to apply in your teaching
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In honor of November being Native American Heritage month, this week's teaching tips focus on Indigenous Pedagogy.
Words Matter. The terms and language we use can have a direct impact on how students feel valued. When presenting information or research about Native communities, it is vital that we acknowledge the vibrant Native Nations, Tribes, and communities that are thriving today. Many Native students are faced with classrooms that unintentionally refer to Native communities in extinction-based language, as if they only existed in the past. This can have devastating effects on how Native students perceive their own identities, their value to our fields and disciplines, and even their value at UNCG. Taking time to reflect on your examples and language choices to include both historically inclusive narratives and modern communities is essential.
Make Native Stories Visible. When a student sees themselves represented in course content and materials, they see themselves as valued future scholars. However, Marie Battiste (2017) reminds us that the process of colonization is ongoing and alive in the continuation of educational practices rooted in cognitive imperialism. Through acts of mental manipulation, cognitive imperialism seeks to devalue/disconnect knowledge systems and histories of the colonized in favor of a Eurocentric model that “...asserts the distinction between [the colonizer and colonized] lies in the superior quality of the European mind or spirit...” (Battiste, 2017). This creates a space where Native students and the knowledge they bring are made invisible, in turn Native students can quickly feel isolated and believe that their knowledge is not welcomed within the academy. It is important that we examine our disciplines and challenge narratives that dismiss or do not include Indigenous Knowledge as an equal knowledge system.
Land Acknowledgement. Space is important in Indigenous culture. Acknowledging the theft of land from Indigenous tribes is another way to show respect. Consider acknowledging the original ownership of the land on which your establishment is built in your syllabus and other course materials. This native land map can show you whose land you are occupying, and the Native Governance Center website provides guidelines on how to craft your land acknowledgement. Such a statement shows your students you are aware of the injustices and indigenous people are not invisible in your classroom. The UNCG Sample Syllabus contains a sample land acknowledgement among other inclusive syllabus statements. You can also consider adding a land acknowledgement to your email signature.
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UTLC FEATURED ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Check out the latest updates and offerings from the UTLC.
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| Now Enrolling: Teaching with AI Spring 2025 Cohort
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The UTLC is excited to announce that we are now enrolling for the Spring 2025 cohort of the Auburn Teaching with AI Canvas course. This self-paced course takes 5-7 hours to complete and consists of 5 modules with engaging learning content, activities, and discussions. Participants who complete each of the discussion posts will earn the AI Experimenter badge. Completing this course is a great way to gain familiarity with AI tools, explore ethical considerations, and adjust course and assessment design. Space is limited so register today, and email utlc@uncg.edu with any questions.
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| Alumni Teaching Excellence Awards Call for Nominations
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The Alumni Teaching Excellence Awards recognize outstanding faculty members who have made a significant impact on student learning, mentorship, and overall educational excellence at UNCG. These awards honor faculty who demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching and who have earned the respect and admiration of their students, colleagues, and alumni. Access the nomination form to learn more about the award categories and eligibility criteria. The deadline to nominate is November 15, 2024.
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| Title IX Training | Complete by December 13
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All faculty and staff must complete a mandatory Title IX training by December 13. Last week, you should have received an email from Vector Solutions (email listed as @safecolleges.com). The email subject line would appear as "UNCG Approved Vector Solutions Training for Faculty and Staff." Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. As required by the 2024 Federal regulations, adopted August 1, 2024, all active University faculty and staff are required to complete Title IX training upon hiring and annually thereafter.
If you cannot locate your email invitation, you can login to the Vector Solutions portal directly using this link and using your UNCG email address as your username. If you have completed previous Vector Solutions trainings (i.e. DiversityEdu), you may need to reset your account password. If you have questions about this training, please contact Tina Chestnut, coordinator of Title IX, or if you need technical assistance with the Vector Solutions platform, please contact the UTLC.
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FACULTY ENGAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT
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Check out these upcoming opportunities from the UTLC and other partners on campus. Additional training opportunities are available at workshops.uncg.edu.
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Upcoming Events, Training, and Workshops
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| 🧑🏫 New Faculty Development Program | Syllabi for Spring 2025
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Led by the UNCG Provost Fellows with the UTLC, this workshop is part of a series that is open to all UNCG faculty and staff. Register below to receive full event details. Please use the Provost Fellows question form to contact the fellows about this and other initiatives.
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| ☕️ UTLC Fall 2024 Biergarten at the Faculty Center
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Celebrate the end of the semester with the UTLC! This is an opportunity to gather informally with colleagues and relax with hors d'oeuvres and beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be served).
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