The 2020–2021 FCTL curriculum innovation call for proposals is now open!
The FCTL Advisory Council is pleased to offer this faculty funding opportunity of up to $4,000 per successful applicant.
We are seeking proposals in the following areas:
Creating high-impact practices that enhance student learning.
High-impact practices, or HIPs are active learning teaching practices that promote deep learning and student engagement as measured by the National Survey on Student Engagement (NSSE). Priority will be given to proposals that address items in MSU’s institutional report that indicate target areas for improvement (i.e., student or instructor performance below comparable institution) including but not limited to student participation, self-regulated learning, and instructor feedback.
Incorporating inclusive teaching practices that advance diverse perspectives and classroom inclusion.
Proposals should emphasize inclusive teaching practices that ensure all students can fully participate in the learning process and practices that will help students develop a deeper awareness of diversity in all its forms. Proposals can focus on inclusive teaching practices (development of self) or incorporating course content and activities that advance students’ understanding of diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence (development of student).
Proposals should be submitted no later than Oct. 31, 2020.
For additional information and to submit a proposal, please visit the FCTL Curriculum Innovation Funding webpage.
Questions can be sent to Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning.
Recorded showcase sessions are now available!
The recorded Showcase Zoom sessions are now available in the Showcase Community on Blackboard. You will find them in the same location where you went to attend the Zoom session on August 12.
You will also find a Showcase Feedback Survey there as well. Please take time to complete the survey, we value and appreciate your feedback in helping us to improve Showcase and the delivery of other possible virtual events. The survey should take less than five minutes of your time. Thank you!
Schedule studio time online with this reservation new system
The FCTL is happy to announce the roll out of their new online reservation system for their Mediasite and Learning Glass studios. Faculty can now see availability and reserve a time to use these resources. Please note, because Learning Glass and first-time Mediasite users will need to schedule when staffing is available, and all reservation requests must be confirmed by the FCTL before reservations are finalized. The reservation system can be found on the FCTL website under the Support > Reserve a Time in Our Studio. We would like to extend thanks to Brooks Travis, with the Meyer Library for his assistance in getting this reservation system up and running!
Mini diversity talks
Social distancing vs physical distancing: Creating a community in our classroom
October 21 @ 12:00–1:30 pm.
We will share, exchange ideas and strategies to be intentional on maintaining a classroom sense of community while navigating both pandemics.
Microaggressions: Intent vs impact
November 18 @11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
This is an introductory workshop on understanding the basics of what a microaggression is, and how it affects the recipients regardless of their intent.
Research based projects and pedagogical strategies in my classroom
December 2 @ 12:00pm
This will be a space for faculty to showcase intentional inclusive practices that they chose to incorporate into their teaching.
Online course development boot camps offered in different formats
You have your choice of different types of online course development boot campus:
- Two-week virtual boot camp
- Self-paced boot camp
Register now for the two-week virtual boot camp
The FCTL boot camp is offered virtually providing you the opportunity to participate through an online experience much like students do when taking an online or blended class.
The FCTL boot camp will assist you with developing and teaching an online course, using technology to teach a blended course, and being prepared to use online teaching tools and strategies as necessary during the upcoming semesters.
Some of things you’ll learn during the FCTL Boot Camp include:
- Best practices related to online and blended courses and teaching
- Technology tools that are used in these modalities (lecture capture, test proctoring tools, and others)
- How to translate learning activities to the online and blended classrooms so they create opportunities for student collaboration and engagement
- Legal and ethical issues such as copyright, accessibility, and academic integrity
The FCTL Boot Camp is an immersive-style experience providing you hands-on training and a structured process for accomplishing these objectives.
Upcoming boot camp (broken up over the break):
- Week 1: December 14–18th
- Week 2: January 4–8th
Throughout the two-week time frame, you will participate both synchronous and asynchronously; synchronous sessions will be held most days during 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All synchronous sessions will be recorded for later review. After you register you will receive an outline of all FCTL Boot Camp sessions and activities. Throughout the two-weeks, you will receive feedback and support from the FCTL instructional designers.
For more information contact the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning or visit the FCTL website. Please register through My Learning Connection by searching for “two week virtual online boot camp”.
Online course development self-paced boot camp
Beginning June 1, 2020, the resources from the FCTL’s virtual online boot camps will be available as a self-paced course development boot camp. This self-paced version will cover many of the same things as the virtual and on-campus boot camps, but you will be participating at your own schedule and can contact the FCTL Instructional Designers at any time during this process. Their contact information is listed in the meet your instructional designers area of the modules.
What’s included in the self-paced course development boot camp
- Best practices related to online courses and teaching
- Different assessment options available in Blackboard
- How to remove potential barriers for students with disabilities.
- Strategies to foster community and engagement in the online classroom
- Strategies to prevent student cheating
- Copyright and fair use in distance education
How to find the self-paced boot camp (access begins June 1, 2020)
- Log into Blackboard and select the Community Tab at the top of the page.
- select Academic Community from the My Organizations module.
- Once in the site, on the main menu, locate “self-paced course development boot camp” to access the boot camp materials.
Upon completion of each of the activities within the module you will be able to print a certificate of completion.
Magna subscriptions available
MSU has an institutional license to the following on-demand resources.
- The Teaching Professor – access great articles and practical, evidence-based insights on strategies for creating a better learning environment. This online newsletter has been a trusted guide for educators for more than 30 years. Editor Dr. Maryellen Weimer has over 25 years of experience in college teaching. She has authored a number of books and is a highly-regarded proponent of effective teaching practices.
- Magna Commons – a content library of on-demand versions of many of Magna’s most popular Magna Online Seminars, covering a broad range of topics of interest to faculty and administrators.
- 20-Minute Mentor – a content library of on-demand versions of Magna’s popular 20-Minute Mentor programs, covering a broad range of faculty development topics.
Access these resources by activating your Magna subscription through the Academic Community located in Blackboard. Select the Academic Community from the Community tab in Blackboard, and from the Academic Community’s main menu, select Magna Subscriptions located under Professional Learning. Follow the instructions provided to activate your subscription.
Free resources for creating blended and online instruction
Check out these resources:
- EdSurge Digital Learning Network Higher Ed Home page
- Faculty Focus Home page
- IDEA Research and Resources Home page
- The K. Patricia Cross Academy Techniques Video Library
- OER Commons Home page
- Stanford – Tomorrow’s Professor Postings
- American Journal of Distance Education
- College Teaching
What is the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning?
The FCTL supports teaching excellence for faculty at all levels. Check out the many support services offered by the FCTL to see how you can benefit.
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