CTL News Archive

December 2008

• New Anti-Plagiarism Tool: SafeAssign
  The Florida State University Blackboard User Support Group is pleased to offer faculty the opportunity to participate in a pilot to compare the current Turnitin anti-plagiarism tool to the new Blackboard SafeAssign solution. Details about how to participate in the pilot will be announced soon. The Turnitin anti-plagiarism tool will continue to be available through the Spring 2009 semester. Learn more about SafeAssign at FSU.
  
  
• Call for Presentations:
  Teaching with Technology Showcase '09
  The Teaching with Technology Showcase is a one-day event held in conjunction with the Technology Fair sponsored by the FSU Computer Store. The Teaching with Technology Showcase will highlight the use of instructional technology and multimedia that supports student learning at The Florida State University.
  We invite faculty, librarians, and teaching assistants to share their experiences with instructional technologies that promote student-centered learning. The showcase will be held on Wednesday, February 11, from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and is open to all faculty, staff, and students. Submission deadline is December 17, 2008. More on suggested topics, presentation content, presentation format, and submission process.
  

November 2008

• Strategies for Effective Seminars for Undergraduates with Frank Gunderson, Ph.D.
  High expectations for learning can result in higher student performance. In this presentation, Dr. Gunderson will discuss successes and problems in creating a positive tension between an environment where the focus is on grades and one where learning is the desired outcome. Stimulating undergraduates to read, reflect, and discuss in seminar settings where there are no right or wrong answers is the key to Dr. Gunderson's success. Winner of a 2008 Undergraduate Teaching Award, Dr. Gunderson is an Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology in the College of Music.
  
  
• Virtual FSU: Learning and Research in Second Life
  Find out what’s going on with Second Life at FSU at a one-day conference sponsored by the Center for Teaching and Learning and featuring presentations by faculty from a number of disciplines across campus.
  
  
• Instruction at FSU: A Guide to Teaching and Learning Practices
  Read the chapters online, download the entire handbook, or request a printed copy.
  

October 2008

• Engaging Students with (and without) Technology featuring Dr. Joseph Calhoun
  Fostering student involvement and encouraging student participation can present challenges in any class, especially large classes. Dr. Calhoun will present methods that promote an atmosphere of student involvement including using technology to stimulate thinking and energize the class. While Dr. Calhoun specializes in leading large classes, his methods can be applied to a class of any size. Winner of a 2008 Undergraduate Teaching Award, Dr. Calhoun is a Lecturer in the Department of Economics in the College of Social Sciences.
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• 2009 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Nominations
  Nominations for Outstanding Teaching Assistant Awards (OTAA) are now being accepted for 2008-2009. If you feel that a teaching assistant has made a significant contribution to the quality of teaching and learning at Florida State University, please make a nomination.

September 2008

• Minimizing Risk and Maximizing Return: The Value of a Positive Attitude, Positive Reinforcement, and Sincerity featuring Professor William Woodyard
  The difference you make in your students during your teaching career will not be measured by test scores they achieve but by the conversations that take place around their supper tables 30 years from now. Your attitude and enthusiasm toward your discipline have a tremendous impact on students. Professor Woodyard discusses how to get your course off to a good start by focusing on the most important aspect of teaching - you. Winner of a 2008 Undergraduate Teaching Award, Professor Woodyard is an Associate in Business Law and Real Estate in the College of Business.
  
  
• "That's a very good question..." (now, how do I answer it?)
  We who teach college or university classes have all been asked questions for which we are completely unprepared, which we never expected, and which address the areas of our greatest knowledge deficits.
  
  
• Teaching Excellence Series
  Upcoming presenters, archived presentations, and perspectives of Teaching Award winners.
  
  
• Prepare to Teach Your First Semester
Prepare in advance for your first semester of teaching at Florida State University. Browse our checklists for tips, articles and related links to mandatory administrative policies, guidelines, and best practices that can be applied well in advance of the first day through the end of the semester.

August 2008

• PIE Fall Teaching Conference - August 20, 21, 2008
  Intended to supplement departmental Teaching Assistant (TA) training programs, the Program for Instructional Excellence (PIE) Fall Teaching Conference is free to participants and focuses on policies and services of the University as they relate to teaching. Presenters and participants include senior university administrators, Dean of Graduate Studies, Center for Teaching & Learning staff, Faculty and experienced TAs. See the agenda ( 52Kb).
  
• Appreciating Student Diversity
  FSU's commitment to research, service and excellence in teaching requires faculty to not just tolerate diversity but to embrace it. The concept, explained by School of Theatre Associate Professor Dr. Carrie Sandahl, is to foster an environment rich in intellectual and moral development based on a mix of ideas, backgrounds and perspectives.
  
• Dealing with Distressed and Distressing Students
  Recent studies show that about 18% of undergraduates and 15% of graduate students have seriously considered suicide. Director of University Counseling Center Dr. Nikki Pritchett laments mental health issues in universities across the country and identifies common stressors as students define themselves and their boundaries, and begin selection of a career path. Learn typical and atypical developmental patterns, what to do if you notice something that's troublesome and how to offer support to students in a changing and uncertain world.
  
• Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)
  University registrar Kim Barber explains the intricacies of FERPA, an educational act passed in 1974, and how it affects the lives of students and professionals while governing the safety and release of student records.
  
• Getting Started: Surviving Your First 3 Weeks
  CTL evaluation specialist Shenifa Taite advises teaching assistants to give what they expect to receive, be organized, remain organized, ask for help, and never lose sight of goals. Checklists created for beginning instructors outline before, during and after tips for remaining organized by class, week and semester.
  
• Issues in Testing & Grading Practices
  Don't insult your students by only requiring them to memorize. Teach them how to think. FSU's Department of Psychology instructor Dr. Jeanne O'Kon explains the huge responsibility of grading students and how it determines very important things about their lives such as majors and future placement. She encourages instructors to let students know their expectations, to be fair and consistent with a clear syllabus and objectives that provide structure and clarity for the class. Test items must be aligned with instructional objectives presented to the student along with the syllabus. She encourages the use of Bloom's Taxonomy for creating test questions that incite different levels of critical thinking. The goal is to measure achievement, not to trick your students or make them guess about what you are looking for.
  
• Maintaining Professional Classroom Relations
  Sixty-seven to ninety-three percent of your communication to students is nonverbal –what are you communicating in the classroom? Maximize student learning and your effectiveness as an instructor. FSU Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Mary Coburn and Associate Dean of Students Dr. Robin Leach examine classroom management issues and the role of the professional educator.
  
• Sexual Harassment & Sexual Battery Policy Training
  Ransom McClung from the Office of Audit Services presents hypothetical situations and explains how sexual harassment and/or sexual battery cannot and will not be tolerated at The Florida State University, whether by faculty, students, or staff, or by others while on property owned by or under the control of the University.
  
• Teaching Resources at your Command
  How do I get help with my teaching? How do I request library instructional sessions for my students? How do I place materials on reserve? How do I request a Bb site? How can I learn to use the equipment in the classroom? What should I do if I'm experiencing problems in the classroom? A camaraderie of frequently asked questions answered by various service groups on campus, with instructions for seeking more information.
  
• Test Reporting, Scoring, Security & Evaluation
  An overview of services provided by FSU's Center for Assessment and Testing from center director Jean-Marc Wise.

July 2008

• Fall Kick-Off Teaching Conference - August 13 and 14, 2008
  Join your colleagues in a forum to discuss best teaching practices at FSU. The two-day series is designed for instructors new to campus, new to teaching or just interested in learning and discussing innovative practices. Topics range from addressing the needs of today's students while maintaining effective classroom management to increasing and enhancing student engagement through technology. The sessions will be highly participatory and pragmatic, and will give you an opportunity to meet some of your colleagues from around campus while establishing contact with our team of instructional development consultants and CTL. Seating is limited. Please register early. See the agenda for a complete list of topics. (204 Kb)
• 2008 Teaching Award Winners
  FSU's undergraduate, graduate and distinguished teacher awards for 2007-2008.

April 2008

• Program for Instructional Excellence
  The Program for Instructional Excellence (PIE) was established to better prepare graduate teaching assistants (TAs) for their instructional roles at FSU.
• Announcing the 2008 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Awards
  See the 2008 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Awards, the Leadership Award, and the Research and Creativity Awards from the annual Celebration of Graduate Student Excellence.

March 2008

• Teaching Excellence Series: Writing to Learn, Dr. Susan Nelson Wood (requires Windows Media Player.)
• Teaching Resources for TAs
  FSU is committed to excellence in both research and teaching. To supplement TA training offered by your department or program, PIE has resources to help you improve your teaching.
• Resources for Departmental TA Development
  Departments that manage graduate assistantships effectively save time and effort for everyone. If your department needs support in developing TA training programs that prepare TAs for their instructional responsibilities, PIE will assist in training activities.

February 2008

• Teaching Excellence Series: How to Scream at Your Students and Get Away With It!, Dr. James Doran (requires Windows Media Player.)
• Testing in Higher Education
  Faculty should consider these elements when selecting tests for both face-to-face and online courses and when setting the conditions for administering them. Read more from Bonnie Armstrong, Pd.D., Assistant Director, APPS: Centers for Teaching & Learning and Assessment & Testing
• Announcing the 2008 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Nominees
  To encourage and recognize exemplary teaching by graduate student teaching assistants, CTL sponsors the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award program. Graduate students are nominated for the award by students, faculty and staff, and the selection is made by a university-wide committee of faculty and teaching assistants recognized for their teaching excellence. Each of the 10 OTAA award recipients receives $500. The nominees, recipients, and their departments will be recognized at the Celebration of Graduate Student Excellence, on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 from 3:30-5:00 at Dodd Hall Auditorium (DHA 103).
  This year we are pleased to announce there are 279 Outstanding Teaching Award nominations (262 student nominations, and 17 faculty/staff nominations). There are 84 individual TA nominees from 29 departments and 8 colleges.
  

January 2008

• 2008 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Nominee Information
  Eligibility requirements, criteria for exceptional teaching, guidelines and forms, workshops and deadline for submission.
  
• TechFair '08
  The FSU Computer Store in partnership with the Center for Teaching and Learning presents TechFair '08, a one-day technology fair and showcase. Faculty presentations will address a wide range of technologies, solutions and best practices. More on TechFair '08
  
• Teaching Excellence Series: Those Who Can Teach: How to Make Your Classroom Better, Mark Zeigler (requires Windows Media Player.)
• New Features: Blackboard 7.3
  You will find some important new features with the recently upgraded Blackboard version 7.3. Teaching consultants from CTL are available to provide assistance with this newest version. We will be glad to schedule an overview session with your faculty and/or teaching assistants on the new features as well as more in-depth, hands-on training in a group or individual consultation. E-mail or call 850-645-4895 for further information or to schedule a teaching consultant.
  View Quick Tutorials on Blackboard 7.3 or download Blackboard 7.3 Presentation slides.

 

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