My favorite part about Faculty Development has been learning about the innovations and great work going on across campus. I get to hear about new developments all the time, but I want you to share with the whole campus and region at the 2016 CELT conference. Don’t keep your idea a secret. Today’s tip is an encouragement to share your innovations. The submission deadline is on Friday, but submitting is easy. To get you started, I have a list of things I have heard about the past few years I would love to see at the conference.
- Team teaching including interdisciplinary education is something we talk about at meetings, but very few of us know how to do it well. Teach us!
- Are you utilizing a new technology? Faculty across campus are experimenting with Zoom video and finding their own open source software. Tell us about it!
- Who has had a great idea go bad? I once participated in a redesign that went almost nowhere and many of us have good ideas that don’t work. Share your failure with the group (I promise it is therapeutic)!
- Who is already working with the new University priorities on Civic Engagement and Diversity in their classroom? Enlighten us with your vision!
- Are you struggling with how to manage political conversations in your classroom? Put together a panel on teaching in a divisive election season!
- Got something to say on national controversies? Put together a few people with opposing ideas on affirmative action, campus speech codes, or reconciling institutional history with contemporary goals!
- Textbooks are getting more expensive every year. Tell us about how you found open source material or pieced together course readings out of available research!
- Do you work with graduate students or mentors? Share best practices with us!
- Is your classroom a dimly lit dungeon with chairs bolted to the floor? Put together a group on teaching in difficult spaces and places!
- Are you collaborating with Advising or Student Life and Leadership to improve learning? Tell us about how you are building bridges!
The CELT conference is a free opportunity to share your innovations and thoughts on critical campus and national issues. In 2015 we averaged 15 attendees per session and we are looking for even broader exposure this year. Last year I learned things about personal productivity from Dustin Bakkie and what it takes for students to turn around their education after struggling from Josh Whittinghill and students in EOP that have changed my behavior this year. Don’t miss your opportunity to make your voice heard. Submission takes a few minutes, but the lessons learned can last a lifetime.
Got feedback on this tip? Leave a comment or email it to us. Got an idea for a tip? Send it along.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Caffeinated Cats podcast! The newest episode is on the strike that wasn’t. Link to it on soundcloud, itunes, overcast, or follow the podcast on facebook.
