Events Archive

Past Offerings

For software training by ATUS staff for Office and Adobe products, see the TRAINING site.

For current events, see the Events page.

Fall 2019 Events & Professional Development

Monday Morning Mentor

Released each Monday morning; available through the following Sunday. See the WWU Monday Morning Mentor Canvas site for archives.

• 09/23: How Can I Increase Student Completion Rates in Online Learning?
• 09/30: How Can I Use Microactivities to Engage Students and Improve Learning Retention?
• 10/07: How Can I Build Community with My Online Faculty?
• 10/14: What Culturally Responsive Teaching Techniques Can I Use to Improve Learning?
• 10/21: How Can I Create Platform for Difficult Conversations in the Online Classroom?
• 10/28: How Can I Manage the Disconnect Between Faculty and Student Perceptions of Rigor to Increase Learning?
• 11/04: How Can I Ensure Academic Honesty in My Online Assignments
• 11/11: What Can Engagement in Games Teach Me About Engagement in My Courses?
• 11/18: How Can I Create an Effective Syllabus for My Online Class?
• 11/25: How Do I Design Effective Combinations of Gamified Elements to Encourage Deeper Learning?
• 12/02: How Does Consistency Improve Quality in Online Courses and Programs?
• 12/09: How Can I Teach Soft Skills to Better Prepare Students for the Workplace?

Webinar

Promoting Active Learning: 2-Part Webinar Series

NOTE: Both of these Webinars become available on the dates below; however, online access through an institutional license is available for one year after each event.

For more details and access information, see: ATUS/CIIA TLT Professional Development Click to "Join this Course."

Webinar 1 - Integrate Active Learning Strategies Into Large Classes: Tuesday, October 8 ~ 10:00-11:00 (PST)

The importance of active learning in higher education is well-established; research clearly shows that pedagogical strategies encouraging students to reflect, analyze, process and discuss course concepts lead to increased motivation, learning, critical thinking and engagement. Despite the plethora of benefits, transitioning teaching to embrace active learning can be challenging; a challenge that is intensified in large enrollment courses. This Webinar overviews a range of approaches that can be integrated into large enrollment courses to engage students as active collaborators in the teaching-learning dynamic. We will examine strategies for creating interactive lectures, utilizing in-class active learning strategies, engaging students via dynamic out-of-class assignments and the role of classroom assessment techniques for fostering active learning. Throughout our exploration, the emphasis will be on effective and efficient instructional strategies that allow you to embrace active learning in large enrollment courses.

Webinar 2 - 10 Technology Tools To Promote Active Learning & Engagement: Thursday, November 7 ~ 10:00-11:00 (PST)

The value of active learning is clear. When students are motivated to reflect, analyze, process and discuss course concepts, they report increased motivation, learning, critical thinking, and engagement. Despite embracing the pedagogical value of active learning, creating a classroom environment that supports and fosters active learning is a challenge. Students frequently approach classroom activities with a passive stance that leaves instructors struggling to pique their attention, foster interaction, or promote participation. This Presentation reviews ten technologies that can be integrated into the classroom to increase student engagement, create interactive lectures, facilitate classroom assessment techniques, and foster active learning. For each technology, we will explore pedagogical applications and considerations for implementation.

Online Ideas for Teaching and Learning

• Accessibility Primer for Instructors Click to "Join this Course."
• Getting Started with Screencast-O-Matic Click to "Join this Course."

Spring 2019 Events & Professional Development

Monday Morning Mentor

Mondays – 4/15-5/14, Noon-12:50, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

• 4/15: What 5 Play-Based Activities Can I Use to Create an Active, Learning-Centered Class?
• 4/22: Copyright Crash Course: How Can I Stay on the Right Side of the Law?
• 4/29: Why Should I Migrate from Traditional Resources to OER in My Classroom?
• 5/6: How Can Preparing to Teach Online Improve My Face-to-face Teaching?
• 5/13: How Can I Plan (or Revise) My Courses More Efficiently?

Week 3

Webinar: How to Make Online Discussion Assignments Manageable & Meaningful for Students & Faculty

Thurs., Apr. 18, 10-11:15 AM, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Wanting to make your online Discussions more meaningful and engaging for both you and your students? Join us for this Webinar presented by Eric Salahub, award-winning instructor and instructional coach for online, blended, and face-to-face courses. Learn how Discussions are a cornerstone to online teaching and how they can add meaningful learning opportunities to classes in any delivery mode. Join the CIIA/ATUS ProDev Canvas course to see details and to access the recording after the event.

Gratefully co-sponsored with Extended Education.

Week 5 

Discussion: Open and Inclusive Practices

Tues., Apr. 30, 3-4 PM, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)    

Join the “idea team” of instructional designers, technologists, and innovators from ATUS, CIIA, Extended Education, and Western Libraries for an open Discussion about supporting inclusive and open instructional practices. Inspired by a recent blog post in Educause Review, we will explore ideas and strategies, such as: How can we create equity through learning experiences? How can we communicate, engage, and assess knowledge in ways that value a variety of learners? How do open pedagogies and inclusive practices intersect? What are specific examples of inclusive practices and how does technology help or hinder the practice?

Week 6

Presentation: Liberating Yourself from the Classroom with Screencast-O-Matic

Fri., May. 10, 2-3 PM, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Back by popular demand! Explore how you can use Screencast-O-Matic’s powerful set of tools to open up the possibilities for delivering content. ATUS instructional designer, Kevin Dixey, will show you the intuitive user interface for recording your screen with audio and easy ways to share these videos online. Screencast-O-Matic might just become one of your favorite classroom (and office) tools!

Week 9

Presentation: The ABCs of Making Your Canvas Course Accessible

Wed., May 29, 10-11 AM, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Accessibility is essential for educators and institutions wanting fulfill their commitment to providing high quality content for all people. Join ATUS instructional designer Kevin Dixey to learn some easy-to-implement techniques for making your Canvas class open to all learners.

Week 10

Learning Event: Innovative Teaching Showcase​

Fri., June 7, 1-3 PM, Wilson Library 270

Members of the Western community are invited to learn about this year’s Showcase via interactive displays, videos, and conversation, and to honor this year’s featured instructors. The Learning Event celebrates the completion of this year’s “Open Educational Practices”-themed web issue, to be published in June by the Center for Instructional Innovation. The new issue will be available via the Innovative Teaching Showcase site.

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Winter 2019 Professional Development

Fall 2018 Professional Development

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Spring 2018 Professional Development

The CIIA continues this spring with Monday Morning Mentor (click "Join this Course" for offerings). Join us for the video, coffee/tea & Discussion. Each Monday (see below), a new online teaching strategy video is made available and accessible for 7 days. Even if you cannot join us, you can watch the videos on your own.

• 4/9: How Do I Earn Swift Trust in my Online Classes?
• 4/16: How Do Mini-lectures Improve Student Engagement?
• 4/23: How Can I Move my Teaching Forward at Midcareer?
• 4/30: How Can I Attract and Retain Adjunct Online Faculty?
• 5/7: How Can I Write Better Letters of Recommendation?
• 5/14: Copyright Crash Course: How Can I Stay on the Right Side of the Law?

Co-sponsored by the Center for Instructional Innovation and Extended Education.

Week 2

Empowering Tech: Writers Unblock with Markdown Text

Wed., Apr. 11, 3:30-4:30, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Markdown is an easy way to write text that is uniquely suited to sharing your writing through a variety of web and social media driven platforms. Because Markdown is simply text, the resulting files are small, portable, cross-platform and able to be edited using any number of free and open source text editors. Join Kevin Dixey for this session, part of the “Empowering Tech” series, where you will learn about ideas and tools to better organize for positive change..

Week 3

Webinar: Collaborative Learning Approaches that Support Neurodiverse Students

Thu. Apr. 19, 10-11, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

What strategies can you leverage to establish a classroom environment where ALL students feel comfortable contributing to collaborative learning activities? Join us as we tune in to watch this Webinar, led by​ Flower Darby, senior instructional designer and faculty at Northern Arizona University, for strategies to increase effectiveness of group activities and decrease the headaches and problems experienced when you’re not able to adequately anticipate and plan for students’ mental, emotional, and social challenges. After the live event, WWU will have access to this recording and supplemental materials for one year.

Week 4

Learning Tech Group: Accessibility Tips & Tricks in Canvas

Fri., Apr. 27, 10-10:50, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Join ATUS Instructional Technologist Chris Powell in exploring the tools and features in Canvas that assist with making courses accessible. You will learn about the Canvas Accessibility Checker, alt-text, color contrast ratios, PDFs, captioning, and how to make a course mobile friendly. This is part of our Teaching, Learning, & Technology office's on-going support for faculty to create accessible content for students. 

Week 5

Presentation: Tools & Strategies for Engaging Online Interactions

Mon. Apr. 30, 12-12:50, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Perhaps you were already motivated to explore methods for increasing faculty and student  interaction in online courses? If not, the newly enforced Department of Education requirements that online courses involve “regular and substantive interaction” might move you to action! Justina Brown and Andi Zamora of the ATUS Center for Instructional Innovation will share several ideas, tools, and strategies to create engaging Discussions and activities to inspire and set your mind at ease—whether for web-enhanced, blended, or online courses.

Learning Tech Group: Defensive Computing

Wed. May 2, 1-2, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Now more than ever, protecting your computer, mobile phone, and online accounts is imperative--and getting increasingly difficult to do. ATUS Technologist Chris Powell will be your guide in navigating unpredictable online waters. In this Workshop, you'll learn how to secure your mobile/desktop devices, how to protect your access to the internet at home and in public, and how to keep your email accounts safe. In addition, Chris will discuss the importance of a strong password and multi-factor authentication, the difference between a virus and malware, and how to identify 'phishing' emails.

Week 6

Learning Tech Group: The New Face of Lecture Capture

Wed. May 9, 3-3:50, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Take a few minutes with Kevin Dixey to look at a new option for lecture capture here at Western. Screencast-O-Matic is a lightweight yet full-featured lecture capture and editing tool that can help you open up the possibilities for a wide variety of your screen-casting and classroom video needs. With its simple and intuitive user interface and ease of exporting your finished videos to YouTube, Vimeo, or Google Drive, Screencast-O-Matic might just become one of your favorite tools!

Week 7

Empowering Tech: Protecting Yourself in the Social Media Jungle

Tues., May 15, 10-10:50, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Tools like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram offer us powerful ways to stay in contact with people and communicate ideas. Unfortunately, they can also leave us vulnerable to breeches of data if we are not careful. Join us for some straight forward and simple strategies to get the most out of our social media while keeping our data and identity safe. Join Kevin Dixey for this session, part of the “Empowering Tech” series, where you will learn about ideas and tools to better organize for positive change.

Week 10

Learning Event: Innovative Teaching Showcase

Wed., June 6, 11 AM - 1 PM, Wilson Library 270

Members of the Western community are invited to learn about this year’s Showcase via interactive displays, videos, and conversation, and to honor this year’s featured instructors. The Learning Event celebrates the completion of this year’s “Engaging Social Justice”-themed web issue, to be published in June by the Center for Instructional Innovation. The new issue will be available via the Innovative Teaching Showcase site.

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Winter 2018 Professional Development

Weekly

The CIIA continues this spring with Monday Morning Mentor (click "Join this Course" for offerings). Join us for the video, coffee/tea & Discussion. Each Monday (see below), a new online teaching strategy video is made available and accessible for 7 days. Even if you cannot join us, you can watch the videos on your own.

• 1/29: How Do I Create the Ideal Learning Environment for Modern Learners?
• 2/5: How Can I Teach Routine Courses with Energy and Enthusiasm?
• 2/12: How Can I Use Controversial Issues to Build Cognitive Skills in My Students?
• 2/19 (Online only due to the holiday): How Can I Leverage Force Multipliers in the Classroom?
• 2/26: How Do I Create Social Presence in my Online Classes?
• 3/5: How Do I Effectively Review Online Courses and Programs for Quality?
• 3/12: How Can I Make My Multiple-Choice Tests More Effective?
• 3/19: How Can I Be an Effective Mentor?

Co-sponsored by the Center for Instructional Innovation and Extended Education.

Week 2

Empowering Tech: Print - Rising from the Dead

Wed., Jan. 17, 4-5, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Print is one of the oldest forms of mass communication, even in the digital age, yet can still be a powerful and extremely effective method of communicating. Explore the basics of producing printed material such as posters, flyers, and booklets using a variety of simple-to-use and readily-available tools. Join Kevin Dixey for this session, part of the “Empowering Tech” series, where you will learn about ideas and tools to better organize for positive change.

Week 3

Learning Tech Group: Making Your Course Accessible

Tues., Jan. 23, 1-1:50, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Western is committed to providing accessibility on the web for people with disabilities. Updating syllabi and course content in the Canvas LMS is not only important, it’s also required. Join ATUS Instructional Technologist Chris Powell for an informative look in how you can make changes to your current content and better reach all of your students.

Week 4

Workshop: Design & Development of Online Testing

Fri. Feb. 2, 2-3, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Are your online quizzes versatile, valid, and reliable?  Using traditional assessment design and assessment techniques in conjunction with Canvas' built-in item analysis tools, you can improve your methods of measuring student learning. Join Michael Wilder, ATUS Assistant Director, and Justina Brown, instructional designer, for this collaborative Presentation and learn how Canvas quiz analysis can estimate reliability, difficulty, and discrimination for your multiple choice and true/false questions.

Week 5

Panel Discussion: Faculty Course Transformations via the Summer Grant

Wed. Feb. 7, 2-3:30, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Looking to transform a course using blended, online, flipped, alternative text, or other strategies? Please join us to get ideas and to learn more about the summer grant. With a reunion of 2017 “Summer Grant” participants, we will discuss course transformations that were implemented as a result of this grant work. Justina Brown will be available to answer questions for those interested in participating in the June 2018 Summer Grant Workshops.

Week 6

Learning Tech Group: Leveraging Mobile Tools in the Classroom

Fri. Feb. 16, 12-12:50, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

When students pay more attention to their phones than the world around them, what are some ways you can engage your students with course material and each other? ATUS instructional designers, Justina Brown and Kevin Dixey, will discuss new ways to collaborate in the classroom using digital technologies readily available to instructors at Western. These tools include the new Canvas Teacher App, Office 365 (OneNote Class Notebook), Google G Suite, and the Socrative Pro student response tool--as well as some of the built-in collaborative options in Canvas.

Week 7

Empowering Tech: MacGyverTech - Using the Tools You Have on You

Wed., Feb. 21, 3-4, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Did you know that your mobile phone can be a voice-activated personal assistant to help with your work and teaching tasks? This, and many other helpful ideas, are all part of MacGyverTech, a Presentation that shines the light on ways to level-up the technology you carry with you. Join ATUS Instructional Technologists AJ Barse and Chris Powell on an hour-long trip through the lesser-known capabilities of Windows and Mac computers and Android and iOS phones. Join us for this session, part of the “Empowering Tech” series, where you will learn about ideas and tools to better organize for positive change.

Week 8

Webinar: Incorporating 360-Degree Assessment into Your Classroom

Wed. Feb. 28, 10-11, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Join us as we tune in to watch this Webinar, led by​ Oliver Dreon, PhD, Associate Professor & Director of the Center for Academic Excellent at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. The goal of formative assessment is to monitor student learning and provide feedback, so students can grow and develop. But where should that feedback originate? Traditional formative assessment strategies involve instructor assessment, peer feedback, or self-reflection. 360-degree assessment is an improved approach that combines all three of these assessment strategies to support a greater culture of growth and foster student ownership and critical thinking skills. After the live event, WWU will have access to this recording and supplemental materials for one year.

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Fall 2017 Professional Development

Weekly

The CIIA continues this spring with Monday Morning Mentor (click "Join this Course" for offerings). Join us for the video, coffee/tea & Discussion. Each Monday (see below), a new online teaching strategy video is made available and accessible for 7 days. Even if you cannot join us, you can watch the videos on your own.

• 10/2 How Do I Create a Lively, Yet Functional, Online Classroom? -->This Monday!
• 10/9 How Should I Manage Conflict Within My Department?
• 10/16: How Can I Build Momentum for Change with Short-term Wins?
• 10/23 What Are the Secrets to Making Highly Effective Educational Videos?
• 10/30 How Do I Align Learning Objectives with Technology Using Backward Design?
• 11/6 How Do I Overcome Faculty Barriers to Online Teaching?
• 11/13 How Can I Make My Exams More Accessible?
• 11/20 How Do I Stay Calm When Students Push My Buttons?
• 11/27 How Do I Establish an Engaging Atmosphere in My Online Classroom?
• 12/4 How Can I Make My Exams More About Learning, Less About Grades?

Co-sponsored by the Center for Instructional Innovation and Extended Education.

Week 2

Learning Tech Group: Digital Collaboration in the Classroom

Thurs., Oct. 5, 1-1:50, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

ATUS Instructional Technologists David Hamiter and Chris Powell will demonstrate how you can use Western’s Microsoft Office365 and Google GSuite to eliminate email attachment overload and collaborate with students and colleagues all from your web browser. You will be shown ways to share documents online, view revisions and changes, and make your online document available in your Canvas course. Save time by making changes online instead of uploading or emailing the same document over and over again.

Week 3

Webinar+Discussion: Strategies for Personalized Adaptive Teaching and Learning + TLT Discussion of Mastery Paths in Canvas

Mon., Oct. 9, 10:00-11 (+30 for Mastery Paths), Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Join us as we tune in to watch this Webinar from Educause Learning Initiative, PLUS stay for a few extra minutes of Discussion with instructional designers, Kevin Dixey and Justina Brown, if you would like to learn more about the newly enabled feature in Canvas called Mastery Paths. Personalized adaptive learning presents students with an individual learning experience by allowing them to progress on distinct learning paths through a course. Webinar presenters from various institutions will share challenges and practical considerations for richer student assessment.

Week 4

Empowering Tech: Video & Audio: Telling Your Story

Wed., Oct. 18, 12-12:50, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Learn how to turn your smartphone into a mobile video and audio recording studio. Look at low cost solutions for setup, lighting, recording in high definition, editing software, transferring files from mobile to desktop, creating music with loops, hosting your finished product on the web for free, and much more. Join AJ Barse for this session, part of the “Empowering Tech” series, where you will learn about ideas and tools to better organize for positive change.

Week 5

Panel Discussion: Creative Uses, Challenges, and Discoveries with the Socrative Polling Tool

Wed., Oct. 25, 1:30-3, Viking Union 567

Contributors from the sciences, social sciences, humanities and more will take turns sharing their creative ideas and challenges faced in using the Socrative polling tool as a student response system. Since last year when WWU began a pilot of this tool that allows users to contribute via cell phone or web-enabled device, nearly 50 instructors have tried using the tool in their classes. Join this unique session to experience and learn the tool from those quickly becoming experts. Please contact Justina Brown if you would like to be added to the pilot!

Week 6

Webinar: Using Technology To Increase Student Engagement

Wed. Nov. 1, 10-11:30, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Join us as we tune in to watch this Webinar, led by Brad Garner, Director of Faculty Enrichment in the Center for Learning and Innovation at Indiana Wesleyan University. He will explore techniques and strategies for engaging students through classroom Presentation techniques, maximizing LMS tools, movie-making resources, assessment techniques, web-based tools, and open educational resources. Become inspired to create experiences and assessment strategies that engage students. After the live event, WWU will have access to this recording and supplemental materials for one year.

Week 7

Learning Tech Group: IFTTT Web Automation to Streamline Your Online Life

Wed., Nov. 8, 1-1:50, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Have you ever wished that things could be easier? Do you find that for all the power that our devices and their apps offer that it seems harder than ever to get things done? IFTTT is a free platform that helps you do more and do it more easily with your personal technology tools. With IFTTT you can create conditional statements known as applets that you can use to control your apps, devices, and a variety of web services. With thousands of applets to choose from there is something for everyone. Let us show you how IFTTT can make your digital life a little bit easier.

Week 8

Empowering Tech: Protect Your Online Life

Tues., Nov. 14, 12-12:50, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

How do you take steps to safeguard your personal and professional online life? You will learn the elements of a strong password, how to discern a legitimate email from one that is phishing, how to safely access wireless networks in public spaces like coffee shops, and how to safeguard your desktop and mobile device from being attacked from “the bad guys.” Join ATUS Instructional Technologist Chris Powell for a one-hour session, part of the “Empowering Tech” series, where you will learn about ideas and tools to better organize for positive change.

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Spring 2017 Professional Development

Weekly

Monday Morning Mentor: 20 Minute Video Series

Mondays during Spring Quarter, 9:30-10:30, Haggard Hall 154 / Faculty Drop-in Center (or on your own)

The CIIA continues this spring with Monday Morning Mentor (click "Join this Course" for offerings). Join us for the video, coffee/tea & Discussion or watch on your own. Each Monday (see below), a new online teaching strategy video is made available and accessible for 7 days. Even if you cannot join us, you can watch the videos on your own.

• 3/27: How Can I Evaluate Online Teaching if I Haven't Taught Online?
• 4/3: How Can I Design Copyright-Compliant Courses?
• 4/10: How Can I Get Useful Feedback to Improve my Online Teaching?
• 4/17: How Do I Monitor and Support Online Faculty?
• 4/24: How Do I Adapt an Online Faculty Peer Review Tool?
• 5/1: How Can I Identify and Overcome Obstacles to Change?
• 5/8: How Can Student Learning Begin Before the First Day of Class?

Week 3

LEARNING TECHNOLOGY GROUP: Portable Podcast Production

Mon., Apr. 10, 12-12:50 PM, Haggard Hall 222

Join AJ Barse and Chris Powell as they demonstrate how to implement podcasting into a class and record this session “live” as a podcast. Participants will see how their mobile-to-desktop workflow is used every week to produce their regular podcast. Podcasting has quickly evolved as an easy platform for anyone to have a voice on any topic. In academia, students can be empowered to see immediate value in their writing and research. By implementing podcasting into a class, we can help students leverage an active voice in their academic study.

Week 4

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Week 5

Empowering Tech: Print

Tues., Apr. 25, 12-12:50, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Join Kevin Dixey for this session, part of the “Empowering Tech” series, where you will learn about ideas and tools to better organize for positive change.

Print is one of the oldest forms of mass communication, even in the digital age, yet can still be a powerful and extremely effective method of communicating. Kevin will explore the basics of producing printed material such as posters, flyers, and booklets using a variety of simple-to-use and readily-available tools.

Webinar: G Suite for Academics

Wed., Apr. 26, 10-11 AM, ONLINE

Explore Google's G Suite (previously called Google Apps) in this interactive Webinar. With Michael Wilder, ATUS Assistant Director, as your guide, this session will provide an overview of the many G Suite applications (including Drive, Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Forms) as well as introduce some of the ways that these tools can enable active learning, collaboration, and engagement in higher education. Find out how to login to your account, create documents, work collaboratively, and share documents with peers in this hands-on Workshop.

Note: This session will be conducted entirely online using Zoom Web conferencing software. You will receive more information about downloading and installing the software when you confirm attendance. Webinar access link: https://zoom.us/j/352791880

Week 6

Learning Tech Group: Introduction to Virtual Reality

Mon. May 1, 12-12:50 PM, Haggard Hall 246 (Digital Media Center)

Step into the new world of virtual reality with AJ Barse and David Hamiter. The Student Tech Center is building upon their Intro to 3D Workshops into virtual reality with an all new immersive headset, made by HTC called the “Vive.” The Vive will be demonstrated at this session, along with easily accessible virtual and augmented reality tools available via your smart phone. Learn what this technology is, how to access and experience it, and how some WWU faculty are using it in their classes. Don’t miss this opportunity to try the Vive VR headset and possibly walk away with your own Google Cardboard viewer! 

Presentation: Introduction to Online Course Peer Review

Tues. May 2, 2-3 PM, Haggard Hall 222

Interested in improving your fully online or blended course? Join Michael Wilder, ATUS Assistant Director, for an exploration of faculty peer review, a method for improving online course curriculum. This Workshop introduces peer review models (such as Quality Matters) including established standards and processes. Find out how these strategies can benefit you and your academic unit.

Week 7

Empowering Tech: Audio

Wed., May 10, 12-12:50, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Join AJ Barse for this session, part of the “Empowering Tech” series, where you will learn about ideas and tools to better organize for positive change. 

Learn how to record audio with your smartphone, transfer files from mobile to desktop, access free audio editing software, create music with loops, host your music on the web for free, and much more.

Week 8

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Week 9

Empowering Tech: Video

Thurs., May 25, 12-12:50, Haggard Hall 154 (Faculty Drop-in Center)

Join AJ Barse for this session, part of the “Empowering Tech” series, where you will learn about ideas and tools to better organize for positive change.

Learn how to turn your smartphone into a mobile video recording studio. AJ will look at low cost solutions for lighting, setup, recording in high definition, video editing software, and hosting your finished product on the web with YouTube and Vimeo.

Week 10

Learning Event: Innovative Teaching Showcase

Fri., June 2, 1-3 PM, Wilson Library 270

Members of the Western community are invited to learn about this year’s Showcase via interactive displays, videos, and conversation, and to honor this year’s featured instructors. The Learning Event celebrates the completion of this year’s “Critical Thinking”-themed web issue, to be published in June by the Center for Instructional Innovation. The new issue will be available via theInnovative Teaching Showcase site.

With appreciation to the Learning Commons for use of this space!

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Winter 2017 Professional Development

The CIIA continues this winter with MONDAY MORNING MENTOR (click "Join this Course" for offerings). Join us for the video, coffee/tea & Discussion or watch on your own. Each Monday (1/23-3/13), a new online teaching strategy video is made available and accessible for 7 days. Even if you cannot join us, you can watch the videos on your own.

Mondays throughout Winter Quarter, 9:30-10:30, Haggard Hall 154 / Faculty Drop-in Center (or on your own)

Week 1

DEMONSTRATION: Using Socrative Pro for Student Response and Engagement

Wed., Jan. 4, 3-4, Haggard Hall 154 / Faculty Drop-in Center

Week 2

Blended/Online Learning Workshops (FULL)

5-week Blended/Online Course Development and Design
Jan. 10 to Feb. 8, 2017

2-week Blended/Online Course Revision and Redesign
Feb. 21 to Mar. 2, 2017

Week 3

LEARNING TECHNOLOGY GROUP: G Suite for Academics

Wed., Jan. 18, 1-2 PM, Viking Union 462A 

Join Chris Powell and Michael Wilder to explore Google's G Suite (previously called Google Apps). G Suite provides some innovative opportunities for both students and educators. This session will provide an overview of the many G Suite applications (including Drive, Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Forms) as well as introduce some of the ways that these tools can enable active learning, collaboration, and engagement in higher education.  Find out how to login to your account, create documents, work collaboratively, and share documents with peers in this hands-on Workshop.

Link to Webinar.

OPEN HOUSE: Digital Media Center

Fri., Jan. 20, 2-4 PM, Haggard Hall 246 / Digital Media Center  

Join Deran Browne, DMC Manager, for this chance to see the Digital Media Center in action. Watch the wonders of broadcasting live, get hands-on experience with the facility, and explore ideas for how you and your students can utilize this amazing resource. The DMC is a fully functional TV studio located on campus on the 2nd floor of the Library/Haggard Hall. Refreshments provided.

Week 4

Workshop: Introduction to Digital Media Production

Tues., Jan. 24, 1-2 PM, Haggard Hall 246 / Digital Media Center  

From shooting narrative dramas to live multi-camera events, video production offers many educational opportunities. By the end of this hands-on Workshop, led by DMC Manager, Deran Browne, you will be able to write a simple script, create a short television show or public service announcement, and navigate the basic technical operations of a television studio. Also, you will leave with ideas about how video/television can be seamlessly integrated into your classes.

Week 5

Presentation: Technology Foundations

Wed., Feb. 1, 11 AM-Noon, Haggard Hall 154 / Faculty Drop-in Center  
Space is limited; RSVP appreciated: cii@wwu.edu

Gain important skills to de-stress your relationship with technology. You’ll learn the elements of what makes a strong password, how to eliminate distractions and streamline your web browsing experience, and receive tips to organize and securely save your files. Be prepared for a great deal of information to improve both your work and personal computing life. Faculty, staff, and students are welcome! The Teaching, Learning, and Technology Center's Chris Powell will lead this session in the Faculty Drop-in Center.

Week 6

Presentation: Interviews, Storytelling, & Birdcalls:  an overview of portable audio recording techniques

RESCHEDULED FOR 2/17

Being able to capture sounds and store them electronically is an important skill to have in today’s digital world. After this short class, led by Classroom Services' manager Gary Malick, you will be able to choose the best microphone for your recording, understand the differences in audio file types and have a clear understanding of what the ATUS loan pool offers in the audio category.

Week 7

DEMONSTRATION: Using Socrative Pro for Student Response and Engagement

Thurs., Feb. 16, 2-3 PM, Haggard Hall 154 / Faculty Drop-in Center
Space is limited; RSVP appreciated: cii@wwu.edu

Join Justina Brown and Kevin Dixey to learn how to use Socrative Pro to ask students anonymous questions during class, complement Discussions, gauge student learning, and much more. This easy, web-based tool is free to students and instructors (ATUS will cover instructor license for 1 year). We will explore the basic features of quizzes, polls, and exit tickets, as well as the extra powers of the “pro” version, which expands student capacity per activity to 150 and allows for activities that are limited to your student roster. Find out how to get started and what makes this tool so engaging for students and instructors alike!

Presentation: Interviews, Storytelling, & Birdcalls:  an overview of portable audio recording techniques

Fri., Feb. 17, 2-3 PM, Haggard Hall 122

Being able to capture sounds and store them electronically is an important skill to have in today’s digital world. After this short class, led by Classroom Services' manager Gary Malick, you will be able to choose the best microphone for your recording, understand the differences in audio file types and have a clear understanding of what the ATUS loan pool offers in the audio category.

Week 8

Workshop: YouTube Basics for Education

Wed., Feb. 22, 11-12 AM, Haggard Hall 245 
Space is limited; RSVP appreciated: cii@wwu.edu

Video can be an extremely valuable tool in any educator’s toolkit. By the end of this hands-on Workshop, led by ATUS Assistant Director, Michael Wilder, you will be able to upload a video to YouTube, configure settings appropriately, and publish your masterpiece to the Web. Additional topics will include embedding YouTube videos on a web page or Canvas course as well as using contemporary mobile (smartphone) applications to produce simple videos.

LEARNING TECHNOLOGY GROUP: Alternative Text Panel Discussion

Thurs., Feb. 23, 1-2 PM, Viking Union 462A 

Please join us for a Panel Discussion with last year’s “Faculty Development Summer Grant” recipients who used the grant to develop alternative texts for their classes. Information will be available about the grant (call for proposals due March 17) as well as resources and ideas for using open educational resources. More information about the grant is available online: http://cii.wwu.edu/cii/award/

Week 9

Webinar: Designing Effective Rubrics: How To Align Learning Outcomes, Instructional Activities & Course Assignments

Thurs., Feb. 28, 10-11 AM, Viking Union 462A 

Join us for tea and treats—and a live, web-based Presentation by Dr. B. Jean Mandernach, Research Professor and Executive Director of the Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching at Grand Canyon University. With a background researching student learning through assessment, she will share ideas for using rubrics to efficiently grade student work in a manner that is clear and consistent, to align learning outcomes, and to facilitate communication with students—providing clear expectations to guide their work. Participants will explore various types of rubrics and learn how to design, integrate and utilize rubrics to foster student learning. Stay for optional Discussion of use of rubrics in Canvas from 11-11:30.

Co-sponsored by Extended Education and the Center for Instructional Innovation

Week 10

Workshop: Using Formative Assessments to Foster Critical Thinking
 

Wed., Mar. 8, 11-Noon, Haggard Hall 222 

Join Sarah McDaniel (Western Libraries Director of Teaching & Learning, and the Learning Commons) and Justina Brown (Instructional Designer, CIIA/ATUS) for an interactive learning session on using formative assessment, supported by various technologies, to deepen student learning. What simple activities can faculty use to slow students down to engage in critical thinking? What kinds of formative assessments provide opportunities for students to reflect on and give one another feedback? How can learning technologies make these activities more effective, inside and outside the classroom? Explore practical examples and best practices for your classes.

Co-sponsored by Western Libraries and the Center for Instructional Innovation