For a calendar view of events please go to: http://bit.ly/UTHSCal

Primarily Education-Focused Sessions and Resources

Twitter 101: What is it, and how can I use it?

Date: May 16, 2014
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: GEB B107 (computer lab)

Presenter: Kristy Conger (UTHSC Academic, Faculty, and Student Affairs – Education Specialist)

Session Overview:
Tweets, hashtags, followers, re-tweets…you may have heard these terms mentioned when people talk about Twitter. But, what does it all mean? This session is designed to introduce you to the world of Twitter and how it can be used as part of your academic and professional life.

Prior to this session please create your Twitter account (if you do not already have one) so we can dive right in and begin communicating in the Twitterverse.

To register for this session go to http://tinyurl.com/uthsccalendar

Opening the Box: Building Online Learning Communities with Multiuser Blogging Environments

Date: June 18, 2014
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: GEB A304

Presenter: Michael Wilder (University of Nevada)

Session Overview:

Although blogging is not new to education, current improvements to blogging systems have enabled this technology to be applied in innovative and creative ways. Instead of simply being mechanisms for individual reflection or announcement, newer features allow open-source blogging systems to become full-fledged virtual communities that enable sophisticated social interaction, collaboration, and peer evaluation.

A combination of the open-source blogging software, WordPress, with the free BuddyPress plugin, creates an environment in which students can create academic publications with a full-range of contemporary word-processing features (including the addition of images, video, and podcasts), share resources, work collaboratively, and comment and evaluate each other’s work.

At the same time, this system allows students to have direct control of their learning environment (through customized themes), to participate in Facebook-like social interactions (“friending,” “liking,” commenting, user profiles), to integrate social media (such as Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, Flickr), and to collaborate (via document sharing, group support, and wikis). In addition this educational practice allows mobile access (via smartphones and tablets) as well as badges and gamification.

Participants in this webinar will be able to:

• Describe some of the major affordances of multiuser blogging environments
• Evaluate application of this technology in education,
• List basic technological requirements and enhancements,
• Identify other institutions currently using this innovation.

To register for this webinar go to: http://tinyurl.com/uthsccalendar

Professional Sessions

Archive Available – Faculty Handbooks: Top Strategies for Policy Review

Date: Live session took place May 7, 2014

Presenter: Euphemia Thomopulos is an associate with Hirschfield Kramer, LLP, in the firm’s San Francisco office. Her practice involves all areas of higher education and employment and labor law. She is a member of the California Bar and is a graduate of Brown University and Columbia School of Law.

Session Overview:

This webinar presented by employment, labor law, and higher education attorney, Euphemia Thomopulos, will provide clear guidance on how to develop an up-to-date and comprehensive faculty handbook that communicates the expectations, policies, and procedures between faculty and your institution including:

• Drafting Your Faculty Handbook: Overview & Strategies for Compliance
• Critical Tools to Develop a Comprehensive Faculty Handbook in 2014
• Editing Your Handbook: What Stays, What Goes and What Gets Revised

Information related to accessing the archive of this session is located in the Professional Development course within Blackboard. Enrollment instructions for the Professional Development course can be found at http://tinyurl.com/profdevenroll

Please contact Kristy Conger (kconger@uthsc.edu / 901-448-2253) if you need assistance accessing the session archives.

Toastmaster’s Brain Builders UTHSC Chapter

Date: Every Tuesday
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Location: The Urban Child Institute, 600 Jefferson Avenue, 1st Floor Conference Room, Conference Room 4

A Toastmaster’s meeting is a learn-by-doing workshop in which participants hone their speaking and leadership skills in a no-pressure atmosphere. Everyone is welcome!

For more information about Toastmaster’s contact Detlef Heck (dheck@uthsc.edu).

Conferences

International Association of Medical Science Educators – IAMSE (Annual Conference)

Conference Dates: June 7-10, 2014
Location: Nashville, TN

Conference Overview:

The IAMSE meeting offers opportunities for faculty development and networking bringing together medical sciences and medical education across the continuum of health care education. Plenary topics for the 2014 meeting will include the use of simulation in medical education, giving effective and meaningful feedback, interprofessional education and the promotion of active learning in the classroom.

For additional details or to register for the conference please visit: http://www.iamseconference.org/

Additional Resources

2014: The Year of Active Learning at UTHSC
To access a variety of active learning resources visit https://academic.uthsc.edu/faculty/2014.php

UTHSC’s Faculty Resource Center
View schedule of professional development opportunities and read out latest blog post at https://uthsctlc.wordpress.com/