2023 August Faculty Workshops Session Descriptions Archive
Session Dates
Wednesday, August 16
9:30 AM – 10:45 AM – Session One
SESSION 101: FIRST DAY OF CLASS: CENTERING EQUITY AND ACCESS FROM DAY ONE
Presenters: Gavin Frome (Graduate Assistant for Teaching & Learning, CTRL), Kathryn Grossman (Graduate Assistant for Teaching & Learning, CTRL) & Hannah Jardine (Teaching & Learning Specialist, CTRL)
The first day of class lays the foundation for the semester for us and our students. Join us for this interactive workshop to discuss various approaches to building community, setting expectations for positive, productive interactions, and creating and environment where all students feel welcome and included.
Watch the recording of Session 101
SESSION 102: CANVAS OVERVIEW
Presenter: Ashley Roccamo (Instructional Designer, University Library)
This workshop is designed to introduce Canvas to those who have never used it before. From navigating Canvas to developing your assignments, this workshop provides a high-level overview of basic functionality within Canvas and will prepare you to publish your first Canvas Course.
Watch the recording of Session 102
SESSION 103: PEOPLE, PLACES, AND PURPOSE: GETTING INVOLVED IN THE ALTERNATIVE BREAK PROGRAM
Presenters: Arianna Lopez (Assistant Director, Global Learning & Leadership, Center for Community Engagement and Services)
The AltBreak Program is a student-driven initiative that offers domestic and global experiential service-learning opportunities addressing critical social issues over the academic breaks. We seek faculty and staff to mentor student leaders to design, develop, and facilitate high impact community engagement and action. A variety of commitment levels are required for our volunteer roles, some including opportunities for travel!
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM – Session Two
SESSION 201: BEYOND THE GRADEBOOK: FACULTY PERSPECTIVES ON ALTERNATIVE GRADING
Presenters: Nicole Angotti (Associate Professor, CAS-Sociology), Mac Crite (Teaching & Learning Specialist, CTRL), Valentina Aquila (Assistant Professor, CAS-Environmental Science), Adam Tamashasky (Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer, CAS-Literature / Faculty Director of Complex Problems and University College) & Santiago Toledo (Associate Professor, CAS-Chemistry)
Are you curious about alternative grading practices, such as ungrading and contract grading, but don’t know how to get started? Join us for an interdisciplinary panel discussion featuring AU faculty who have successfully implemented alternative grading strategies. The panelists will share practical tips for implementation so you can get started tomorrow!
Watch the recording of session 201
SESSION 202: “WE DON’T BELONG HERE”: AN EXPLORATION OF IDENTITY THROUGH ARTIFACT-ELICITED INTERVIEWS WITH BLACK QUEER WOMEN
Presenters: Elizabeth Bartelt (Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, University at Buffalo) & Tiffany Monique Quash (Qualitative/Survey Research Methodologist, CTRL)
This workshop centers on Black Queer Women’s identity-related experiences, interweaving the benefits of the transformative qualitative methodology used to facilitate their narratives and the implications for addressing the impact of this emotionally heavy work on the research team. A qualitative study was conducted with 19 participants in the United States who self-identified as Black Queer Women and completed a terminal degree within the last 2 years. We will examine artifact-elicited interviews as a novel research methodology and provide approaches for decolonizing the research process. The second portion of the workshop will explore how researchers are often unprotected while doing identity- and trauma-based research and share how researchers can protect themselves from reliving trauma throughout the research process.
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM – Lunch Session
Lunch Session – Who are our AU Undergraduate Students? Implications for Teaching and Learning
Presenters: Raymond Ou (Vice President of Student Affairs), Evelyn Thimba (Vice President of Undergraduate Enrollment), Bridget Trogden (Dean of Undergraduate Education and Academic Student Services), Ashlie Prioleau (Assistant Vice President for Student Success and Retention), Jimmy Ellis (Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education) & Andrea Felder (Vice Provost for Undergraduate Enrollment)
Moderated by Amanda Taylor (Assistant Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion)
Join us for this luncheon panel conversation with AU’s new leaders in student affairs, undergraduate enrollment and education, and student success. Learn more about our undergraduate students (with an emphasis on our incoming class and students early in their time at the university), the trends in student development, and how you can facilitate student success!
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM – Session Three
SESSION 301: EXHAUSTED: AN OPEN CONVERSATION ABOUT SUPPORTING INSTRUCTORS
Presenters: Gavin Frome (Graduate Assistant for Teaching & Learning, CTRL) & Shed Siliman (Teaching & Learning Specialist, CTRL)
Adopting strategies to support our mental health and wellbeing is essential to ensuring that we can stay connected to our passion for teaching. Join us as we examine several strategies that support mental health and wellbeing and explore how we might incorporate them into our busy routines.
SESSION 302: R-STUDIO CRASH COURSE
Presenter: Eric R. Schuler (Senior Quantitative/Computational Research Methodologist, CTRL)
We will be going over the basics of R/R-Studio. We will cover how to import data, obtain descriptive statistics, and run univariate tests. We do ask that you join the workshop with everything installed on your computer (instructions will be emailed prior to the workshop).
Watch the recording of session 302.
SESSION 303: CANVAS ASSIGNMENTS, QUIZZES, AND GRADES
Presenter: Zac Schiffman (Sr. E-Learning Systems Administrator, University Library)
This workshop is designed to introduce you to some of the most important functionalities of Canvas – Assignments, Quizzes, and Grades. From creating assignments and quizzes to using SpeedGrader in Grades for effectively reviewing student submissions, this workshop provides a high-level overview of these key functionalities and will prepare you to create your first assignment and/or quiz.
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM – Session Four
SESSION 401: INTEGRATING SUSTAINABILITY IN YOUR COURSE TO ENHANCE CROSS-DISCIPLINARY CONNECTIONS
Presenters: Hannah Jardine (Teaching & Learning Specialist, CTRL) & Megan Litke (Director, Office of Sustainability)
Join us to explore how incorporating sustainability into your course can foster greater cross-disciplinary connections. We will share examples of effective guest lectures, cross-course collaborations, community partners, and course assignments that encourage a more comprehensive and impactful learning experience for students. Small-group discussions will facilitate brainstorming how you might apply these ideas in a class that you teach.
SESSION 402: DIGITAL SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT: MAKERSPACE AND AUDIO VISUAL EQUIPMENT FOR RESEARCH AND STUDENT PROJECTS
Presenters: Sean Casey (Media Services Manager, University Library) & Donna Femenella (Course Reserves Manager, University Library)
Are you considering incorporating non-written assignments into your course? Get an overview of some of the resources available to you and your students. From designing 3D printed objects, to large format posters for conference sessions, to video projects, the Makerspace and Media Services can help.
Thursday, August 17
9:30 AM – 10:45 AM – Session One
SESSION 501: BALANCING STRUCTURE AND FLEXIBILITY TO SUPPORT STUDENT THRIVING
Presenters: Mac Crite (Teaching & Learning Specialist, CTRL) & Hannah Jardine (Teaching & Learning Specialist, CTRL)
Today’s students thrive in structured, yet flexible, learning environments. Balancing the two can be challenging, but it is achievable! In this interactive workshop, we will explore how to provide students with structure and routine in our classrooms while also building in much needed flexibility and agency for our increasingly diverse student population.
SESSION 502: INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT: WHAT CAN COURSE RESERVES AND MEDIA SERVICES DO FOR YOU
Presenters: Sean Casey (Media Services Manager, University Library) & Donna Femenella (Course Reserves Manager, University Library)
Library resources can be directly linked to your Canvas Course Reserves. Articles, ebooks, videos all in one place so your students can find them with ease. Learn what physical and digital materials are available and how to request library materials. Meet the library staff that are here to help you.
SESSION 503: DATA PRIVACY CONSIDERATIONS FOR FACULTY
Presenters: Regina Curran (Director of Cyber Policy, Information Security) & Brian Hughes (Founding Co-Director, PERIL / Research Assistant Professor, SPA-Justice, Law & Criminology)
Campus partners in the Office of Information Technology and Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab (PERIL), will provide information on data privacy for faculty. Increasingly scholars who teach and publish on issues focused on marginalized communities/experiences, or politically “hot” topics are experiencing more negative attention through virtual means. While it may seem as though there is little one can do to protect their privacy online, there are basic steps we can all take in our digital lives to make us less vulnerable to unwanted attention.
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM – Lunch Session
Lunch Session -Artificial Intelligence and Higher Education – A Panel Discussion
Presenters: Arielle Bernstein (Senior Professorial Lecturer, CAS-Literature), Erran Carmel (Professor, Department of Information Technology and Analytics), Derrick Cogburn (Professor, School of International Service, Kogod School of Business) & Alison B. Thomas (Assistant Dean for Academic Integrity, Office of the Deputy Provost & Dean of Faculty)
Moderated by Betsy Cohn (SIS Faculty Coordinator for Teaching and Student Learning / Assistant Professor, School of International Service)
What do new artificial intelligence (AI) tools mean for higher education? Join us for a cross-disciplinary panel discussion exploring AI’s impact on AU and higher education. Our panelists will discuss the opportunities that arise for innovative pedagogy, the challenges of academic integrity, and most importantly, how to address these tools as educators and help our students navigate the complicated landscape of teaching, research, and learning in light of these powerful new tools.
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM – Session Three
SESSION 701: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) TOOLS AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: GUIDANCE AND ADVICE
Presenters: Alison B. Thomas (Assistant Dean for Academic Integrity, Office of the Deputy Provost & Dean of Faculty) & Betsy Cohn (SIS Faculty Coordinator for Teaching and Student Learning / Assistant Professor, School of International Service)
The Office of Academic Integrity team will discuss concerns about irresponsible use of artificial intelligence tools in the context of academic integrity. This session will offer insight about various AI tools and how we’ve seen students using (and misusing) them. Participants will leave with syllabus and assignment guidance, OAI resources, and information about submitting official AIC concerns.
SESSION 702: CANVAS UPGRADE: A STREAMLINED APPROACH TO TEACHING COMMUNITY-BASED COURSES
Presenters: Saagar Gupta (Coordinator of Community-Based Learning & Research (Center for Community Engagement & Service) & Josie von Fischer (Program Assistant for Community-Based Learning, Center for Community Engagement & Service)
AU ranked 17th nationwide in “Service-Learning”, an experiential learning style connecting Learning Objectives to real-world applications by partnering with local nonprofits. Thanks to an investment in GivePulse, which streamlines how Faculty and Nonprofits partner and track impact, Faculty can use Canvas to create a transformative educational experience that’s sure to engage students and create measurable community impact!
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM – Session Four
SESSION 801: CHATGPT: PEDAGOGICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR TEACHING
Presenters: Betsy Cohn (SIS Faculty Coordinator for Teaching and Student Learning / Assistant Professor, School of International Service) & Alison B. Thomas (Assistant Dean for Academic Integrity, Office of the Dean of Faculty)
ChatGPT can support or detract from students’ ability to achieve a course’s learning outcomes. This interactive workshop will examine the role of ChatGPT in higher ed, and faculty will discuss how they will, or will not, allow the use of ChatGPT. We will develop possible course policies and strategize on how to adapt assignments to allow, limit, or prohibit student use of ChatGPT.
SESSION 802: KALTURA WITHIN CANVAS
Presenter: Ashley Roccamo (Instructional Designer, University Library)
This session introduces you to the video creation and streaming software Kaltura and Kaltura Capture, and will prepare you to record mini-lectures, video feedback, weekly summaries, presentations, and more. You will learn not only the technical aspects of the software but also how to effectively integrate this technology into your class and how to use it as a teaching tool.
Wednesday, August 23
9:30 AM – 10:45 AM – Session One
SESSION 901: TRAUMA-INFORMED TEACHING
Presenters: Katharine Manning (Adjunct Instructor, SPA-Justice, Law & Criminology) & Shed Siliman (Teaching & Learning Specialist, CTRL)
Trauma can impact student learning, engagement, connection, and healing. This session will help faculty and staff to identify and support students experiencing trauma and develop ways to create an environment that cultivates collective healing.
SESSION 902: MAKING RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL OUTPUTS OPENLY ACCESSIBLE WITH THE LIBRARY’S NEW INSTITUTIONAL REPOSITORY
Presenters: Rachel Borchardt (Librarian, University Library) & Stefan Kramer (Associate Librarian, University Library)
The library’s new institutional repository, AU Research Archive (aura.american.edu), allows anyone at AU to self-deposit scholarly content for public discovery, access, use, and citation. Librarians will discuss the importance of open access to scholarship and education and demonstrate how to submit manuscripts, data, presentations, and more to AURA.
SESSION 903: ZOOM WITHIN CANVAS
Presenter: Shilpa Das Gupta (E-Learning Support Services Manager, University Library)
Zoom and Canvas are compatible tools that can help you collaborate with your students in class sessions, office hours, meetings, and group projects. There are several ways to integrate Zoom into your Canvas course to make facilitating meetings seamless. In this workshop, we will review these integrations so that you can replicate them in your own course.
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM – Session Two
SESSION 1001: INCORPORATING CURRENT EVENTS INTO YOUR TEACHING PRAXIS TO FOSTER CRITICAL SELF AWARENESS, TRANSFORMATION, AND BELONGING
Presenters: Brian McGowan (Provost Associate Professor, School of Education / Associate Director, CTRL) & Phelton Moss (Senior Professorial Lecturer, School of Education)
There are immense benefits to incorporating current events into your classroom praxis. Current events can be a tremendous tool in supporting students to understand classroom content as it adds real-world context to learning, resulting in more meaningful and enriching learning experiences for students. In this session, Professors McGowan and Moss illustrate how they incorporate current events into their courses including student insights, successes, and lessons learned through this process.
SESSION 1002: 60 DATABASES IN 60 MINUTES
Presenters: Katie Hut (Assistant Librarian, University Library), Clarissa Ihssen (Assistant Librarian, University Library), Olivia Ivey (Associate Librarian, University Library) & Kathryn Ray (Reference Librarian, University Library)
This session will provide a fun, fast-paced overview of databases you may have overlooked, never heard of, or simply forgotten about. With a range of niche and interdisciplinary, primary and secondary source databases presented, every attendee will discover new resources.
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM – CTRL Open House
CTRL Q+A Session
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM – Session Three
SESSION 1101: COMPASSIONATE RESPONSES: UTILIZING CALLING IN TO ADDRESS CHALLENGING COMMENTS
Presenters: Mac Crite (Teaching & Learning Specialist, CTRL) & Shed Siliman (Teaching & Learning Specialist, CTRL)
Many instructors are unsure of how to respond when students make uncomfortable or hurtful comments. Using “calling in,” we can respond to those moments by compassionately inviting students to reflect and grow. Join this interactive workshop to explore calling in and develop concrete strategies for applying it in our classrooms.
SESSION 1102: RESEARCH, DATA, AND METHODOLOGY SUPPORT AND RESOURCES FROM CTRL AND THE LIBRARY
Presenters: Jessica Breen (Program Director, Geospatial Research Support, University Library), Stefan Kramer (Associate Librarian, University Library), Tiffany Monique Quash (Qualitative/Survey Research Methodologist, CTRL) & Eric R. Schuler (Senior Quantitative/Computational Research Methodologist, CTRL)
Come learn about the various research, data, and methodological support and resources that are available to you from both CTRL and the Library. We will discuss what resources are offered, what support we can provide, and will have time for a Q&A session.
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM – Session Four
SESSION 1201: WHAT’S IN A HABIT?
Presenters: Becca Comfort (Assistant Director of AU Core), Brad Knight (Senior Director, AU Core & University College), Martyn Oliver (Senior Professorial Lecturer, CAS-Critical Race, Gender & Culture Studies / AU Core Faculty Chair) & Adam Tamashasky (Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer, CAS-Literature / Faculty Director of Complex Problems and University College)
This session will explore the concept of “habit” as a positive attribute that is developed at the undergraduate level. Special attention is paid to reflective and metacognitive tools and how we can move from concept to implementation in the classroom.
SESSION 1202: CANVAS OVERVIEW
Presenter: Zac Schiffman (Sr. E-Learning Systems Administrator, University Library)
This workshop is designed to introduce Canvas to those who have never used it before. From navigating Canvas to developing your assignments, this workshop provides a high-level overview of basic functionality within Canvas and will prepare you to publish your first Canvas Course.
