CITIBeat is a bi-weekly publication designed by the Center for Innovative and Transformative Instruction (CITI) to share teaching and learning best practices. The information shared in this newsletter aims to inform faculty of upcoming events, scholarly resources, and innovative solutions to enhance teaching efficacy and student engagement in every course at WSSU.
Register for the Virtual Faculty Festival at FF 2021.
Excellence in Online Instruction
Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is excited to offer faculty a professional development opportunity with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) as part of our commitment to instructional excellence and student success. The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), in partnership with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), launched the Excellence in Online Instruction initiative to strengthen student engagement with online teaching and support student success. WSSU is one of seven TMCF member institutions that will participate in the initiative.
60 WSSU full-time and/or adjunct/contingent faculty members will be invited to participate in ACUE’s comprehensive course: Effective Online Teaching Practices. This 25-module course in evidence-based teaching practices is delivered fully online with a cohort of your colleagues and is professionally facilitated by WSSU faculty members. The program addresses all the core competencies defined in ACUE’s Effective Practice Framework© and is organized into five major areas of practice:
- Designing an Effective Course
- Establishing a Productive Learning Environment
- Using Active Learning Strategies
- Promoting Higher Order Thinking
- Assessing to Inform Instruction and Promote Learning
Faculty who complete the cohort-based program earn a nationally recognized Certificate in Effective College Instruction, the only college teaching credential endorsed by the American Council on Education (ACE), and will also earn digital badges, which can be added to curriculum vitae, used in online teaching portfolios, and displayed on LinkedIn profiles or webpages as a sign of your achievement. To apply, complete the online application form by Friday, June 4, 2021.
For information on the Excellence in Online Instruction initiative, please contact Dr. Wanda White, CITI Director, at whitewd@wssu.edu or Dr. Jeremiah E. Shipp, Faculty Development Specialist, at shippje@wssu.edu. You can also view the WSSU-ACUE website for more information.
Book of the Month
Arguing that teaching and learning goals should drive instructors’ technology use, not the other way around, Intentional Tech explores seven research-based principles for matching technology to pedagogy. Through stories of instructors who creatively and effectively use educational technology, author Derek Bruff approaches technology not by asking “How to?” but by posing a more fundamental question: “Why?”
📢 Teaching & Learning Conference
Elon University will host a free, virtual Teaching and Learning Conference (TLC) on Thursday, June 10, 2021. The conference theme is Teaching & Learning Beyond the Pandemic. For additional information and to register for the virtual event, select the Conference Registration link below.
💭 DLI Lunch & Learn Sessions
The UNC System Lunch & Learns are designed to explore specific digital tools and pedagogical techniques that help faculty to enhance their online teaching. These Friday lunch-hour sessions (12pm – 1pm) are a great way to participate in a learning community with other faculty.
💡Did You Know?
O’Kelly Library Liaisons are available to provide research and instruction support for your courses. By utilizing embedded librarians, you can bring the library into your Canvas course and provide the information sources your students need. Contact the library liaison for your department for assistance.
Collections feature a range of open access content, from educational texts, videos, slides, software, virtual labs, and other digital materials, which vary depending on the subject matter. The collections are curated by faculty teams from across the UNC System to support and enhance both face-to-face and online instruction. Each collection complements a high-demand course commonly offered across most UNC System institutions.
CITI is here to help You!
If you have questions, please contact any member of our team.
Credits:
Created with images by Matthijs Smit - "Shooting my friends drums." • Pexels - "apple smartphone desk" • Jaredd Craig - "Spent a week in Los Angeles with my friends and decided to visit the Last Bookstore as one of our stops. I came up with the idea of floating the book with help of my friend. I took two shots one without the book and one with the book being held up from my friend. Photoshopped his arm out of the shot later in post and this was the outcome." • Allie - "Zoom software starting a meeting on iPhone and laptop during the pandemic stay at home order"