Welcome Back from LEARN and LTC!
Campus Instructors,
We hope that you had the chance to rejuvenate and we’re excited to welcome you back to the Fall semester! We just wanted to take a moment to let you know about a few upcoming events, share some quick tips for preparing for fall, and different ways you can get support.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Thank you to all of you who joined us this summer for various instructional development opportunities! From TEACH to the Institute for Online and Blended Teaching to the Flexible Blended Faculty Development Series to the Small Teaching Online Book Group to our technology sessions, we enjoyed exploring challenges and examining solutions with you.
There are still plenty of instructional development opportunities available before the beginning of the semester:
- Over the summer 234 instructors enrolled in TEACH. 78 have already completed and 18 are currently working on application projects that we will be sharing with the campus community! The first 300 Fall 2020 instructors who complete TEACH before Tuesday, September 15 will be eligible to receive a $100 stipend. In addition, we are able to fund 100 Fall 2020 instructors interested in completing an application project after finishing the TEACH modules with a $250 stipend. There is still time to do both! To get started, visit the following link: https://uwwtw.instructure.com/enroll/3DC8FD
- LEARN and LTC are offering a number of Welcome Back Week sessions. Those of interest may include: Hands-On Technology Training for First-Year Faculty and New Instructional Staff (8/20), Canvas Sessions (8/21. 8/25), Classroom Technology Sessions (8/21, 8/26), the ICIT Tech Open House (starting on 8/24), Teaching During a Pandemic (8/24), and the Academic Affairs Workshop on Flexibility, Interactions, and Assessments (8/25).
- An up-to-date list of technology training sessions can also be found in the LTC area of the sign-up tool and LEARN events (i.e. book groups and workshops) can also be found in the LEARN area of the sign-up tool!
Quick Tips for Fall Prep
- Get off to a great start! As there are many different types of modalities this semester, email your students to let them know what they can expect from your course before the semester begins to help ease the anxiety they may be feeling. Also, start thinking about how you can connect with students, create community among your students, and acclimate them to the course. Check out this article from James Lang about preparing for a great first day!
- Be prepared (and prepare your students) for a remote switch. We will be making a full university-wide switch to remote learning after Nov. 20. It could happen sooner for individual students or instructors. Make plans now and talk to your students about those plans so you’re ready! You might also think about how you’ll integrate flexibility into your course for students who may become ill or unable to complete assignments. Communicate your expectations/policies for missed classes, late assignments, what to do if they/you get sick, and available resources (e.g., health care, counseling, tutoring, and equipment check out that can be found on the Student Resources Website).
- Leverage technologies where it makes sense for your teaching and student learning. Canvas can help you share content and hold discussions with students, as well as serve as a place for you to collect and grade student assignments. Want to create a few videos for your students? No problem--use Kaltura that is integrated with Canvas and request free mechanical captions to make it more accessible! Webex Meetings and Teams can also help to enhance communication in your classes (note: Webex Meetings and Teams can also be used inside Canvas!).
Getting Help
As always, the LTC and LEARN are here to support you!
- The LTC is available to support your hybrid, remote, and online teaching, as well as help you with our technology tools that support your teaching and student learning. The LTC is available Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. via phone (262-472-1004) and email (ltc@uww.edu). Consultations via Webex, as well as face-to-face, can also be scheduled by appointment by contacting our phone or email listed above.
- The LEARN Center is available to discuss options and new ideas for activities or assessments via email (learn@uww.edu). You can also reach the LEARN Center via phone (262-472-5134).
Best,
Heather Pelzel (LEARN Center Director)
Nicole Weber (Director of Learning Technology)