Check out the latest on the faculty development front from the UTLC.
Check out the latest on the faculty development front from the UTLC.
Adapt 2022 announcement

Reminder: Adapt 2022 Call for Proposals

We are happy to announce that we are now accepting proposals for the Adapt 2022: Teaching in Transformative Times conference. This year, we are looking for content related to all delivery methods (face-to-face, hybrid, hyflex, and online). Full descriptions of each presentation format is available here on the Adapt Conference website. We look forward to reviewing your submissions!


Teaching Tips

We are mid-way through the semester and now is a good time to solicit students’ views of how the course is going from their perspective so any necessary changes can be made for the rest of the semester and hopefully improve your final course evaluations. A comprehensive guide from Vanderbilt University walks you through the importance of evaluations, best practices, and how to respond to feedback. Here are three suggestions for collecting mid-semester feedback:
  • Soliciting feedback. It is important to remember when soliciting views to make it quick and easy for the students to respond. Often the easiest way to request feedback (especially if you would like to have students do so anonymously) is to create a Google Form and send it out in a Canvas Announcement, email, and/or share in class. You can even consider asking students to complete the form before leaving class to increase your chance of a high response rate. Some common models to consider for mid-semester feedback include the four question model, start-stop-continue model (also known as stop, keep, start), or - if you’re feeling adventurous - you can use this bank of questions to develop your own survey. 
  • Responding to feedback. 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.
  • Staying 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.
Jochen Wirz came to teaching via the consulting industry and his mid-semester appraisals were always low until he started to apply business approaches in the classroom. To read more about his innovative approaches to student feedback click here.

What did you think of today's teaching tips?

UTLC Announcements & Opportunities

UTLC Events Calendar

UTLC CoffeeHouses Return after Spring Break!

We are excited to announce that CoffeeHouses will return after Spring Break. Save the dates below:

VOISES Panels Return after Spring Break!

These moderated panels allow faculty to hear perspectives of students from marginalized identity groups and reflect on issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion. This semester, we are excited to feature the experiences of Muslim students, Jewish students, international students, and LGBTQIA+ studens. Stay tuned for more information!
Save the date for the 16th annual Thomas Undergraduate Research and Creativity Expo on April 14, 2022!
  • Sign up here if interested in volunteering as a judge. Please consider this opportunity!
Minerva Mentions
Minerva Mentions Slideshow
We are pleased to announce the next Minerva Mentions nominee, Dr. Tetyana Ignatova! 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 at go.uncg.edu/minerva-mentions.

Faculty Development Opportunities

Ongoing Opportunities
Web Accessibility 101 now available in Canvas (enroll now). This asynchronous, self-paced course focuses on the fundamentals of making online content accessible.
Workshops and Events
Canvas New Quizzes Virtual Workshops | Various dates and times | Register here.
UNCG Libraries Professional Development Webinars | View previously recorded webinars and sign up for Spring 2022 offerings at uncg.libguides.com/webinars.
On-Demand Faculty Resources

Other Events

UNCG Faculty/Staff Spring Get Together at the Weatherspoon Art Museum
Thursday, March 17 from 4:30-5:30 pm

Join friends and colleagues for a gallery experience and enjoy refreshments in the Sculpture Courtyard. More information here.

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