Professional Development (PD) Week - Fall 2019
August 13-16, 2019
Download a Printer-friendly Schedule At-a-glance

 

Convocation

Monday, August 12, 8:30 a.m., CHARTS Theater - Faculty and Staff Convocation
For all full-time faculty, Deans, academic chairs and program directors, and any full-time staff who did not attend the August 2 session.
    o School and Department Meetings will occur after Convocation.

Thursday, August 15, 2:30 p.m., R.J. Wills Lecture Hall - Keynote: Assessment as Strategy: You are What You Measure
Dr. Jose Bowen, President of Goucher College and author of Teaching Naked: How Moving Technology out of your College Classroom will Improve Student Learning.
    o Full-time faculty are required to attend this session.

 

Tuesday, August 13 | Register here for Tuesday sessions

Assessment and the Gears of War (Part 1 of 4)
Nicolette Smith, Instructor of Philosophy and Interdisciplinary Studies, and Jonathan Purkiss-Jones, Instructor of English
9-9:50 a.m., CHARTS 403

A session for faculty which illustrates the key role they play in the student learning process and how to articulate the assessment process in a way that is meaningful to them and their students. This session helps new faculty to understand our assessment process and helps current faculty articulate our process with others. We will answer:

• What is assessment?
• Why do we do assessment?
• What is our assessment structure at the college?
• Who do you go to for help in assessment?
• Who do you go to for help in Nuventive?

Equal the Playing Field: Blackboard and Accessibility
Jasmine Williams, Curriculum, Assessment, and Technology Specialist
10-10:50 a.m., BTC 222

Online learning may be challenging enough for some students, learn how you can help equal the playing field by employing best practices of accessibility in your Blackboard course shell.

Mastering A & P (by invitation only)
Terry Austin, Faculty Adviser at Pearson and biology professor at Temple College
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., BTC 337

This training is for full-time and adjunct AP instructors. AP 1 faulty will be using Mastering A&P beginning this fall. Along with offering students the ease and convenience of digital assignments to enhance learning outside of the classroom, Mastering A & P can be used to create and administer standardized course assignments. The results of these standardized assignments can then be used to assess student learning. Training will cover student registration, deploying standardized assignments for lab and class, setting due dates for assignments, adding additional assignments, and other features. Note: Access accounts to Mastering A & P will be emailed to all AP faculty. Please login prior to the training session.

The Anatomy of an Appointment: Tips for an Effective Advising Session
Jonathan Purkiss-Jones, Instructor of English; Nicolette Smith, Instructor of Interdisciplinary Studies and Philosophy; and Kirsten Heintz, Instructor of Speech Communication
11-11:50 a.m., BTC 222

A session for faculty advisors to help in structuring effective advising sessions with case-management advisees. Learn what to do to prepare for a session, what resources to have available, what questions to ask, and how to handle frequently asked questions.

Note: This session is required for all new full-time faculty.

Purchasing and Contracts
Emily Fisher, Director of Purchasing, Inventory, and Travel; and Louise Branscomb, Grants & Contracts Administrator
11-11:50 a.m., Grand Hall B, Campus Center

This course will take you through the process of contracting with an outside vendor for goods and/or services. It will discuss procurement methods, thresholds, and more.

Bonus Points: Using Extra Credit to Reinforce Course and Institutional Objectives
Bradley Pierce, English Instructor
1-1:50 p.m., BTC 222

The issue of extra credit has become something of a hassle. We know students expect it, but it also seems a bit of a waste...rarely does extra credit help reinforce discipline or institutional objectives; instead, many use extra credit as an incentive for students to come to special events, or just as a cushion of points though not really enhancing actual course material. However, some students are simply unable to attend special events, and some extra credit assignments really end up becoming merely a type of grade inflation.

This session will address strategies that offer a new spin on extra credit in a way that both benefits the student and the teacher--through attaching bonus points to certain policy initiatives in the classroom (i.e., tardiness, absences, deadlines, etc...) for example, teachers help set professionalism standards that put extra credit in the reach of all students, incentivizing them to be more studious, and therefore more successful in the long run while also maintaining a level of flexibility while keeping rigor--an often delicate balance indeed.

Active Shooter (CRASE)
Jerry Best, Assistant Director of Police and Public Safety, and Lieutenant Calvin Grogan, Police and Public Safety
1-1:50 p.m., Grand Hall B, Campus Center

Three minutes. The average police response time to an active shooter event is 3 minutes. Help is coming but there are immediate actions that you can and need to take to maximize your personal safety until law enforcement can arrive and stop the threat. AVOID. DENY. DEFEND. Avoid, Deny, Defend is the platform of C.R.A.S.E. (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events) Training which began in 2001 in response to the 1999 tragic events at Columbine High School. C.R.A.S.E. is based out of the University of Texas and is the only training that has been deemed the gold standard by the F.B.I. for civilians to an active shooter event. While Run, Hide, Fight, (established by Homeland Security in 2006) is very similar to Avoid, Deny, Defend in action, C.R.A.S.E. also explains human behavior during a critical incident and teaches how to overcome the initial stress response to make clear and better decisions to maximize your personal safety.

Note: This training is required for all new employees, or anyone who hasn’t completed Active Shooter training since 2016. It is also available online, in PDI Online.

Blackboard Masters
Facilitator: Jasmine Williams, Curriculum, Assessment, and Technology Specialist, with a panel of faculty
2-3:20 p.m., BTC 222

Have you mastered an effective Blackboard Course shell structure? If you're teaching a General Education course or an introduction course often taught by several faculty, you may find it beneficial to collaborate with your fellow faculty to create a Course Master Shell. Join our group of panelists as they present their best practices for customizing Blackboard Master shells.

Travel Process and Procedures
Emily Fisher, Director of Purchasing, Inventory, and Travel; and Casey Johnson, Coordinator of Purchasing
2-3:20 p.m., Grand Hall B, Campus Center

This course is a “how-to” guide for traveling on state business. The course includes the travel process from beginning to end, form updates, and more.

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Wednesday, August 14 | Register here for Wednesday sessions

Effectively Incorporating Videos into Online Environment
Gary Winkler, Part-Time Faculty, Business and Information Technology
9-9:50 a.m., BTC 222

Sometimes students get burned out on constant reading. There is an unlimited source of videos on the Internet that can be used in an online class, regardless of the content. We will look at how to select the video, incorporate the video into the online class and ways to identify if a student has watched the video.

Requisition Processes and Procedures
Emily Fisher, Director of Purchasing, Inventory, and Travel; and Casey Johnson, Coordinator of Purchasing
9-9:50 a.m., Grand Hall B, Campus Center

This course is a “how-to” guide for entering requisitions, ordering office supplies (Goddess/Office Depot), ordering business cards, and much more. The course will provide an update on required documentation, rules and policies, understanding the approval process, timelines, and vendor setup information.

Blackboard Basics (certification)
Jasmine Williams, Curriculum, Assessment, and Technology Specialist
9-11:30 a.m., BTC 340 (computer lab)

This course guides instructors through the fundamentals needed to create, organize, customize, and manage a course shell in Blackboard. Instructors will learn the Blackboard use requirements minimums for displaying a syllabus, student handouts, assignments, readings, PowerPoints, hyperlinks, and test. Each instructor is required to create a development shell for one of their courses prior to granting of certification.

Note: This session is required for all new full-time faculty who are not already Blackboard certified. Seating is limited to 24, and preference will be given to new faculty. Current faculty are welcome to take the unfilled spots.

Creating a Classroom presence in Blackboard
Gary Winkler, Part-Time Faculty, Business and Information Technology
10-10:50 a.m., BTC 222

There are more ways to be present in an online environment beyond grading work and posting a response to a discussion question. We will look at some of the things you can do to show you are active in class such as a weekly agenda, weekly summary, announcements, etc.

Take a Minute: Shortcuts and Tips on Taking Minutes
Mary Gall, Training Coordinator,
11-11:50 a.m., BTC 222

UA-PTC follows Robert’s Rules of Order to expedite committee meetings. Should you use a recording device? Should you write down everything everyone says? What forms need to be used and where are they located? Learn shortcuts to taking minutes and get resources for Robert’s Rules of order.

If you are a recorder or secretary for a committee, please join us to learn when it is important to record information, how the information should be assembled and communicated, and when to provide the completed documents to committee members.

New Faculty Academy Luncheon (by invitation only)
12-2 p.m., Grand Hall B, Campus Center
This is the first session of the 2019-20 New Faculty Academy cohort. New Faculty Academy meets each month, August-April, for two hours. New faculty will be provided with tools, advice, and training focused on effective teaching. Topics include classroom management, student affairs, shared government, assessment, etc.

Note: This session is required for all new full-time faculty.

Setting up a Digital Portfolio: How and Why
Jennifer Atkins-Gordeeva, Instructor of English
1-1:50 p.m., BTC 340 (Computer lab)

The English division has responded to evidence that one can more accurately assess student outcomes through portfolio assessment, rather than through a single essay. Many post-secondary schools use portfolios to assess student progress across the curriculum, and there are many ways this is achieved.

As a result, many of us successfully piloted digital portfolios this Spring using different platforms. This hands-on workshop will offer participants a chance to quickly create and modify a three-item sample portfolio using Google Blogger as a platform. Participants will see samples and will leave with some support materials and their digital sample.

Decision-making at UA-PTC
Jasmine Ray, Director of Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness
1-1:50 p.m., BTC 222

Come learn everything you need to know about UA-PTC's Shared Governance structure and decision-making processes. This session will include an overview of shared governance and administrative decision-making, the connections between councils and committees, and the system used for managing it all. The Institutional Effectiveness Office asks that participants come ready to ask any questions they might have about decision-making at UA-PTC.

Robert's Rules of Order
Marico Bryant Howe, PhD, Dean, School of Science, Mathematics and Allied Health
2-2:50 p.m., BTC 222

The manual of Robert’s Rules of Order was originally published in 1876 by U.S. Army officer Henry Martyn Robert. It is still utilized to govern meetings across various organizations. In this training, you will become familiar the newly revised version of Robert’s Rules so that you conduct meetings more effectively and efficiently. You will learn the history of parliamentary procedures, order of business, the process of making decisions through a motion, and disciplinary procedures.

Note: This training is highly recommended for committee “chair” and “secretary.”

Lights, Camera, Actionable Feedback: An Introduction to Screencasting
Joan Dudley, Instructor of English
2-2:50 p.m., BTC 340 (Computer lab)

Need a better way to give students key information they will actually use?

• Learn how to use a simple screencast tool to create effective instructional support and clear feedback for students.
• Learn how to ensure students read and implement suggestions.

Download the program during the session and be ready to use it this semester.

Advising Thyself: When the Advisor Needs Advising
Robert Moore, Academic Advisor
3-3:50 p.m., Grand Hall B, Campus Center

As Academic Advisors, we dedicate our education and experience to helping students achieve their goals. However, despite the perception of being invincible from our students, we are far from it! We live and breathe just like everyone else! Therefore we must take care of ourselves to take care of our students.

In this presentation, we will explore when we should evaluate ourselves and take steps for improvement. Topics include: Looking at counseling or psychiatric services, utilizing your vacation hours, working around multiple doctor appointments, utilizing mindfulness, and basic wellness. This session is designed to be discussion heavy.

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Thursday, August 15 | Register here for Thursday sessions

Classroom Technology
Panel of veteran faculty
9-9:50 a.m., BTC 222

Do you Kahoot! A panel of veteran faculty will demonstrate some of the cool tools they use in their classroom.

Note: This session is required for all new faculty.

PTSD Anxiety Disorder
Lieutenant Mark Brasseur, UA-PTC Police and Public Safety
9-9:50 a.m., Grand Hall B, CCB

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder associated with serious traumatic events and characterized by such symptoms as survivor guilt, reliving the trauma in dreams, numbness and lack of involvement with reality, or recurrent thoughts and images. Post-Traumatic Stress is a normal reaction to an abnormal event. With our unique location next to the VA hospital and being the largest two-year college in the state, we have a very diverse cliental. Many of our students are veterans and they, along with others, may suffer from PTSD. Living with PTSD is not easy. It can be confusing, scary, and often stressful. Rates of current PTSD in college students is between 6-17%, which is higher than the general public. An individual with PTSD may display certain traits such as, withdrawal, restlessness, emotional outburst, being anti-social, suspicious, and drug or alcohol abuse. This course would help you to understand the causes of PTSD, some of the triggers, and some simple ways to handle disruptions so that we can co-exist and enhance every ones learning experience.

Early Alert - Lesson's Learned and Getting the Most Out of Your Alerts
Presenter: Mason Campbell, Dean of Student Affairs
10-10:50 a.m., BTC 222

In this session, you will learn helpful tops on utilizing the Jenzabar Early Alert System.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn the best way to submit an Early Alert
• Understand how retention managers handle interventions
• Learn how to submit progressive Early Alerts
• Learn the importance of Early Alert as it relates to student retention and success at UA-PTC
• Be able to identify specific tools within the Early Alert System
• Be able to submit and follow up on an Early Alert

Disability Services Procedures and ADA Website Compliance
Rochelle Redus, Disability Services Counselor, and Lennon Parker, Digital Communication Specialist
10-10:50 a.m., Grand Hall B, CCB

Making accommodations for students with disabilities is not just the right thing to do; it's the law. Chances are that some point you will have a student with a disability in your classroom. This session will cover Disability Services processes for documenting disabilities and making accommodations. You will also learn about ADA requirements for making communication through websites, online courses, and multi-media accessible.

Effective Teaching Practices (from the ACUE course)
Panel of veteran faculty
11-11:50 a.m., BTC 222

A panel of veteran faculty who have completed the ACUE course will demonstrate and/or discuss some of the techniques they learned in the course.

Situational Awareness Class
Officer Regina Boyd, Police and Public Safety
11-11:50 a.m., Grand Hall B, Campus Center

This class will focus on ways to improve your ability to identify, process, and comprehend information about how to survive in an emergency situation, at home or work, by being aware what is going on around you. There will be demonstrations, along with hands-on training and exercises that will strengthen the ability to improve your situational awareness and survive in the event of an emergency or life threatening event. You will learn de-escalation skills and verbal de-escalation techniques to use with students. The session will also include practical exercises and self-defense instruction.

Planning Better Instructional Videos
Jason Green, Director of Academic Technology, and Jonathan Childs, Digital Media Production Instructor
1-1:50 p.m., BTC 222

Even though webcams and smart phones have made creating video easier than ever, planning can make your instructional videos even more effective. Learn about key steps in video planning, including scripting and storyboarding.

Keynote: Assessment as Strategy: You are What You Measure (Full-time faculty are required to attend this session)
Dr. Jose Bowen, President of Goucher College and author of Teaching Naked: How Moving Technology out of your College Classroom will Improve Student Learning
2:30-3:30 p.m., RJ Wills Lecture Hall

Assessment has to be a part of any strategy—it is how we get better. I propose a framework for how we rethink the value and use of assessment to create a culture that supports risk, evaluation and constant improvement. The real challenge is motivating ourselves to redesign courses with clear learning outcomes, serious thinking about motivation and environment, and of course, assessment. Students develop best when we combine high standards with a very supportive environment where failure can lead to change; the same applies to us. We need new structures to re-evaluate the value of what we do and the importance of course design.

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Friday, August 16 | Register here for Friday sessions

ACUE Cohort 3: Introduction to the Course on Effective Teaching Practices
Barbara Rodriguez, PhD, Regional Director of Academic Programs, ACUE
9 a.m.-12 p.m., BTC 222

This session is required for anyone who is participating in this year’s offering of the ACUE Course on Effective Teaching Practices. During this session, you will get an introduction to the course and will work through the first module, as a group.

Note: This session is open only to ACUE Cohort 3 participants, who are required to attend. Please bring your laptops.

CPR Rodeo!
Harold Shray, Program Director of Emergency Medical Science; Tim Rinehart, Instructor of EMS; and Dennis Mitchell, Instructor of EMS
9 a.m.-12 p.m., Grand Hall B, Campus Center

The CPR Rodeo is a series of repeatable sessions beginning new every 30 minutes to offer exposure to CPR methods. If you need a quick refresher or want basic information regarding CPR, stop by to learn about this life saving skill. NOTE: This is not certificate training but geared to bring knowledge of the skills to more employees on campus.

Note: This is not certificate training but geared to bring knowledge of the skills to more employees on campus.

This session will provide an overview of the process used for the review of all UA-PTC's programs and services. Come learn about the review cycles, timelines, self-assessment guidelines, peer evaluation steps, and most importantly the value of meaningful program review!

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