You are invited to participate in a series of informal teaching talks throughout 2017. These are opportunities for participants to comfortably share teaching concerns and discuss techniques and strategies with colleagues, experts, and CETL staff. All sessions will take place in Rowe 319. All UConn instructors —graduate students, TAs, and APIRs, as well as adjunct, tenure-track and tenured faculty—are encouraged to attend.
Contact Suzanne LaFleur if you have questions or would like more information.
Wednesday, September 6 12:30 – 1:45 It’s never too early for feedback
We will share ideas for getting and giving feedback that you can start using right away, when you and your students still have plenty of time to act on it. Among the topics we will cover are:
– incorporating formative assessment
– in-class strategies
– creating electronic surveys using, for example, Google Forms, HuskyCT, and Qualtrics
– using response apps like Socrative and PollEverywhere (if you are not adopting iClickers)
– suggestions for Midterm feedback
Register here
Friday, September 8 1:30 – 2:45 Creating a Positive Classroom Environment
We will discuss such topics as:
Maintaining a positive attitude
Making students feel welcome and showing you care
Encouraging student participation and active learning
Giving choices and engaging student passion
Sharing the instructor’s passion for the subject
Providing opportunities for active learning
Celebrating success and celebrating failure
Using humor to make and/or emphasize a point
Register here
Tuesday, September 12 1:00 – 2:15 Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation
At this session, participants will discuss topics like
Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
The role of choice in motivation
Engaging student passion as a means of motivation
The importance of the teacher/student relationship in motivating students
Challenge and reward
The reluctant learner
Register here
Monday, September 18 1:00 – 2:15 Slow Learning for Deep Learning – Mindfulness Practices in the Classroom
Most instructors and students engage in a constant struggle against distraction. Simply banning electronic devices can create a false sense of focus, as students’ minds will continue wandering as they wonder about reactions to their latest Snap. Developing focus and increasing attention are only two of the many benefits of incorporating contemplative pedagogy into our classes. Mindfulness practices have been shown to help focus attention, suspend judgment, foster creativity, and enhance empathy and compassion. In this session, we will report on current research and share our own experiences and reflections on the use mindfulness practices.
Register here
Thursday, September 21 1:30 – 2:45 Public Speaking and Presentation Tips for Teachers
We will discuss topics such as:
Interrupting the lecture- small group discussion, large group discussion, questions- yours and theirs…
Effective use of PowerPoint slides
Speaking the students’, or audience’s language, and making the presentation fit the audience
Moving away from the board or the podium
Effective use of humor
Register here
Friday, September 22 10:00 – 11:15 It’s never too early for feedback (via WebEx)
We will share ideas for getting and giving feedback that you can start using right away, when you and your students still have plenty of time to act on it. Among the topics we will cover are:
– incorporating formative assessment
– in-class strategies
– creating electronic surveys using, for example, Google Forms, HuskyCT, and Qualtrics
– using response apps like Socrative and PollEverywhere (if you are not adopting iClickers)
– suggestions for Midterm feedback
Register here
Wednesday, September 27 2:00 – 3:15 Less Listening, More Active Participation (via WebEx)
At this session, participants will discuss topics like
When do I need to lecture, and when may I allow students to learn on their own?
Overcoming obstacles to active learning
Opening the lecture to increase active learning
Strategies to activate the classroom
Making students part of the planning process
Active learning through projects, problem solving activities, experiments…
Giving choices
Specific things to consider for the beginner
Register here
For more information, contact: Suzanne LaFleur at suzanne.lafleur@uconn.edu