Professional Week Zoom Links
Starting from Monday, August 21, Fall 2023 Opening Week presents an array of professional development opportunities for faculty and staff members. These sessions, organized by the College and ELITE, are designed to help you start the semester with a flourish of Learning, Working, and Growing Together.
All ELITE-sponsored events will be held on Thursday, August 24, via Zoom. Our focus is to enable you to reflect, grow, and gear up for the upcoming fall and beyond as we continue to evolve and transform over the past few years.
We invite you to explore the schedule of events and register using the embedded Workday links.
Presenter(s): Christopher Verdak and Niyati Pandya
Students’ success, in academic and professional life, relies on their ability to effectively locate, critically evaluate, and ethically use and share information. Hear how information literacy skills map to student outcomes and see how MC Library information literacy content can be used to supplement student learning.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Tom Cantu
Are you looking for ways to help your students retain key knowledge and skills throughout the semester? Cumulative quizzes are regular quizzes that include questions on key topics from previous weeks or units. The questions used in those quizzes can be quickly repurposed into practice tests.
By adding an incentive to take the practice test multiple times and a way for students to identify their weak areas, the combination creates a powerful strategy that helps students retain key knowledge and skills all semester long.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): David Youngberg
Do you feel as if you don't have time to make your course everything you want it to be? This workshop provides faculty members with various "productivity hacks" designed to streamline course management, and thus enhance your ability to optimize your teaching practices. Some of the items covered include efficient grading, syllabus communication, and student evaluations.
The workshop will incorporate interactive discussion to further develop the ideas presented in the workshop and for participants to share their own best practices.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Megan Calvert
We all get stuck in our wrong assumptions sometimes, but in the college classroom, that tendency can directly impact students’ ability to learn. How can you help students to rethink their original ideas and develop new ones that better align with research? In this workshop, inspired by the recent book Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know by Adam Grant, we will explore practical strategies you can use to expand students’ thinking about the content you teach.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Carolien Annick and Phil Bonner
Do you like control over your own professional growth and development? In this workshop we discuss the power of teacher reflection. Whether through journal writing, video-taping one’s story, or any other way of recording, with or without technological tools, teachers who systematically document and analyze the curriculum and instruction of their courses enhance their own professional growth and development. They also experience improved job satisfaction. Students benefit from a reflective instructor since the instructor systematically examines and implements innovation for greater student success.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Gloria Barron
Join us for an enlightening conversation on how MC's Hypothesis power users are utilizing digital social annotation to create a positive impact. This workshop aims to assist faculty members in identifying and exploring new ways to leverage the capabilities of Hypothesis.
During this session, the Hypothesis team will guide participants in exploring how collaborative annotation with Hypothesis can be effectively incorporated into their specific disciplines and teaching objectives.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Richard Forrest & Megan Cooperman
This workshop is designed to help participants gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the mental health and wellbeing of students. With an emphasis on sharing experiences, participants will learn about the various factors that can impact a student's mental health and wellbeing and discuss different ways to support them effectively. During the workshop explore different strategies for promoting positive mental health, including mindfulness practices, stress management techniques and self-care activities.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Michele Knight
As we enter a new academic year, this workshop will examine trending tech tools in higher education. These tools were featured in ELITE's vibrant Tech It Out community during the last year. We will demonstrate some of the tools and show how they can enhance our effectiveness as we learn, work, and grow together. Participants will receive resources to learn more about the tools discussed during this workshop.
A schedule for upcoming Tech It Out sessions will be provided to help participants stay up-to-date with the latest tech tools in higher education throughout the academic year.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Lucy Laufe, Jojo Dong, Tom Chen, and Kate Monzo
Letters of recommendation are key components to getting into transfer institutions, receiving scholarships, and getting a job. This workshop will review the criteria and literature discussing best practices regarding what makes an effective letter of recommendation. It will also cover tips to help students ask for letters and get strong references. Focus points include: knowledge of student, evaluation of student – intellectual and character -using examples to back up noted traits or strengths, avoiding clichés, finding ways to emphasize strengths other than academic/intellectual. Strategies for supporting students who did not do well in your class will also be explored.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
- Disability Support Services for Students - Shalawn Childs
- Grants 101 - Patricia Maloney
- Integrative Learning Rubric – Angela Lanier
- Quality Assurance – Marcy Jackson
- Voiance over-the-phone interpretation system – Stacey Gustavson
Access Zoom Roomnew window
With the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and its integration into the educational sector, staying updated with the latest technologies is crucial. This special session delves deep into one of the leading conversational AI models, ChatGPT, and explores its multifaceted potential in the educational domain.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Introduction to ChatGPT: Get acquainted with the basics of
- ChatGPT, its underlying technology, and its evolution.
- Pedagogical Applications: Explore real-world case studies of how
- ChatGPT enhances teaching and learning experiences.
- Digital and AI Literacy: Unpack strategies to seamlessly embed AI literacy within your curriculum and prepare students for the digital future.
- AI Detection Software: Equip yourself with the latest tools and practices to ensure academic integrity when students interact with AI tools.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Elevating School Culture: The Three Pillars That Make a Great School Culture
Lasada Pippen, affectionately known as LP, has a truly remarkable journey that embodies perseverance, passion, and the power of positive change. Growing up facing adversity as the youngest child in a family struggling to make ends meet, LP's determination led him to become a bilingual 1st generation college graduate and a successful Senior Level Tech and Engineering Expert.
However, LP's journey took a transformative turn when he realized his genuine calling was in public speaking. With a dynamic personality and a gift for sharing relatable stories, LP now dedicates his time to inspiring the next generation and the professionals who lead them, including educators and school staff.
In this captivating session, LP will speak from the heart, drawing upon his personal experiences to encourage and support the creation of a dynamic school culture that fosters growth, inclusivity, and a sense of belonging. PL will highlight the three pillars that form the foundation of an elite school culture, which will help us understand what it takes to thrive as educators and staff:
POSITIVITY – Cultivate positive relationships with students and fellow staff members to enrich the school culture and create an environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated.
ENGAGE & EMPOWER – Embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth. Learn to empower ourselves and our students, understanding that failure is not final, but a stepping stone towards success.
ACCEPTANCE – Nurture a place of acceptance that encourages inclusion and celebrates diversity. Our school community should be a safe haven where everyone feels heard, respected, and supported.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
- Checking for Understanding: Guiding Questions - Anna Donohoe
- Faculty Sabbatical Information Session - Carla Ammerman
- Free, Diverse, and Abundant - Exploring the MC Library Resources for Your Personal and Professional Development - Richelle Charles & Elizabeth Schlackman
- Microsoft Bookings: Easy Office Hours and More – Megan Calvert
- Voiance over-the-phone interpretation system - Stacey Gustavson
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Carolien Annink
Do you want to supplement your lectures with some activities but don’t know how? In this workshop, five techniques (for in-person and online teaching) will be presented that will ensure that students are engaged, and will remember your course content longer than just until the next test. Many studies have shown that the use of active and collaborative teaching techniques lead to significant and lasting learning. All students, but especially historically underrepresented students benefit when you teach with these techniques. Join us for ideas and to exchange experiences.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Angela Lanier
Museums are institutions that invite inquiry, creativity, reflection, and diversity. Drawing on these values, an interactive virtual exhibit can provide students with an integrative and experiential learning experience and create opportunities for open pedagogy. During this workshop, participants will Preview samples of interactive exhibits in different formats, Play with one of the samples, share Perceptions of the experience, and Plan an interactive exhibit of their own.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Megan Calvert
“I’m just not cut out for this.” When students and professors bring fixed mindset words and thoughts like these into the classroom, it decreases the likelihood of student learning, engagement, persistence, and achievement. Small shifts towards a growth mindset, however, can have big impacts on student success. In this workshop, we will examine essential research and concepts that all instructors should be aware of and explore strategies that you can easily weave into your classes.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Michele Knight
A new academic year provides an opportunity to refresh or prepare a new Blackboard Course. As faculty prepare to use a Blackboard course with their students, reminders will be provided on how to ensure the course is ready for the start of a semester. Resources will be provided for faculty use after the session to ensure their Blackboard site is ready for the start of the semester.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Cynthia Mauris
Knowing you need to speak to someone about a tough topic is easy to avoid by delaying it, ignoring it, or hoping the person will change or go away. Ultimately though, you must speak to the person if you want the behavior, attitude, or situation to change. But that creates another anxious moment: how do you begin the conversation? Learn several approaches and practice so the next time you must have a difficult conversation, you are prepared.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Anna Donohoe
This one-hour workshop will explore the critical role that community, collaboration, compassion, and celebration play in achieving success at MC. Participants will learn practical strategies for building strong relationships with colleagues, cultivating a culture of collaboration, and demonstrating compassion in their interactions with others. The workshop will also highlight the importance of celebrating successes and milestones as a way to build morale and reinforce the value of teamwork. Learn from and with each other about the benefits of the 4 Cs to cultivate a culture of connection!
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Lucy Laufe, Jojo Dong, Kate Monzo, and Steve Wheatley
This workshop is intended to inform STEM Faculty members about the Honors Program at MC and the requirements and benefits of offering honors opportunities in their disciplines. The workshop will also provide ideas for how to develop engaging honors curriculum in STEM. The goal is to expand STEM faculty and student participation in Montgomery College's Honors Program.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
- 2023-2024 Learning Pathways: Choose Your Own Professional Learning Adventure – Richard Forrest
- 2023-2024 Pedagogical Discussion Series: Trends and Realities in Higher Education – Phil Bonner
- Fall 2023 Academy for Teaching Transformation Offerings – Carolien Annink
- Leadership Development Opportunities: Become A Part of an MC Tradition – Cynthia Mauris
- MC Cares/Compsych Benefits - Megan Cooperman
- Tech it Out Overview – Michele Knight
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Anna Donohoe
This workshop will introduce participants to tips and tricks to use Microsoft Teams more efficiently and effectively. These tips and tricks will help keep your Teams channels, chats, and files organized and your Teams calls running smoothly. This workshop is open to all levels of Teams users who want to save time and better understand the range of uses of this tool.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Angela Lanier
Recent movements toward Open Pedagogy and Decolonizing the Curriculum challenge educators to think differently about the role of the traditional learning materials and identify alternatives that value students’ voices, experiences, and contributions to the curriculum and assessment.
This workshop will define what it means to have students co-create, give examples of what that looks like in practice, and highlight the benefit for both students and faculty.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Paul Miller
In this session, participants will explore the world of High-Impact Practices (HIPs) in education. HIPs have shown significant educational benefits for all students, especially those from demographic groups historically underserved by higher education. The session will explore the nature of these practices, their importance, and how they can be adapted across various institutional contexts.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Gloria Barron
Adding hypothesis as an external tool to readings in Blackboard supports student success by placing active discussion on course readings, enabling students and instructors to add comments and start conversations in the margins of digital texts.
This workshop is an excellent opportunity to learn about the potential of social annotation as a learning tool and discuss creative ways to increase engagement in your courses.
Attend this session to get everything you need to begin your implementation of hypothesis assignments. Create engaging and interactive reading assignments in Blackboard or expand your knowledge with the new ability to access Blackboard files and create student groups.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Phil Bonner
The TPACK framework describes the intersections of the three knowledge areas needed by college instructors to integrate technology into classroom instruction meaningfully. The areas of knowledge are technological, pedagogical, and content, and effective instruction in the twenty-first century requires expertise in all three. In this one-hour class, participants will learn how to use the TPACK model as a guide to provide engaging and memorable learning experiences.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Tom Cantu
The use of Zoom is now commonplace. Many college events have participants attending both in-person and remotely. A HyFlex course is designed to maximize flexibility, where appropriate, by allowing students to choose on a class-by-class basis whether to attend in-person or remotely. This can be a welcome relief for working professionals fighting D.C. traffic. This demonstration will highlight the features of a HyFlex lab and the HyFlex teaching model.
Rockville Campus, MK 318
Presenter(s): Anna Donohoe
Digital Fundamentals for Teaching and Learning Open Lab gives you the opportunity to drop in anytime during open lab hours to have your questions answered by our Instructional Designers.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Presenter(s): Michele Knight
YuJa is a college-sponsored resource for uploading video content that takes care of these issues. YuJa allows you to upload videos without using your personal YouTube account while providing a similar value in creating auto-captions with the ability to edit those captions. YuJa is a resource for uploading a video that is commercial-free, college sanctioned, and the software provides a simple interface for editing videos.
Access Zoom Roomnew window
Access Zoom Roomnew window
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Paul Miller, Professional Development Director, ELITE.