Primarily Education-Focused Sessions and Resources

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

Faculty Development Seminar: Active Learning and the Flipped Classroom

Dates: June 25 – 26, 2014

Location: College of Medicine TBL Room

Session Overview:

The UTHSC College of Medicine and the Office of Academic, Faculty and Student Affairs will be hosting a two-day seminar led by Deirdre Bonnycastle from the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine. Ms. Bonnycastle has been involved in adult education and program development for 42 years. In her former position as a faculty member in the Extension Division, University of Saskatchewan, she researched the effects of disabilities on participation in university programs and worked extensively in the development of online credit courses. For the last 10 years, she has been responsible for faculty development at both the UGME and PGME level at the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine and regularly delivers faculty development seminars on topics focusing on teaching in preclinical and clinical settings, incorporating active learning, and strategies for flipping the classroom.

Ms. Bonnycastle summarizes the best practical information from the international literature in her popular blogs: Medical Education Blog (Teaching in Medicine) and Medical Education Canada

Sessions taking place during this two-day seminar will be interactive, will require group discussion/work, and will focus on:

• Learning objectives (Creating student-centered learning objectives and creating assignments that align with learning objectives)
• Creating an effective flipped learning environment (Using out of class time for teaching and how to use class time in a flipped classroom)

Use the following links to register to attend:

Day 1 (June 25, 2014; Tentatively scheduled for 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM) – http://tinyurl.com/facultydevday1

Day 2 (June 26, 2014; Tentatively scheduled for 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM) – http://tinyurl.com/facultydevday2

In order to have a better understanding of what it means to be a student in a flipped environment, select prereading materials have been made available by Ms. Bonnycastle at http://words.usask.ca/medicaleducation/2014/04/18/flipped-workshop/

Sloan-C Webinar: Best Practices for Designing and Assessing Online Discussion Questions

Date: July 30, 2014
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: The online webinar format allows you to participate from any location

Presenters: Dr. Andrea McCourt, Dr. Jillian Yarbrough, and Dr. Marcus Tanner – Texas Tech University

Session Overview:

Online discussion can provide students with the opportunity to express ideas, think about course content, apply course concepts to real-world situations, interact with classmates and faculty, and reflect on attitudes or values. However, it can be challenging to create discussion questions that engage students in critical thinking and encourage robust interaction. It is additionally challenging to assess different aspects of online discussion and provide students with meaningful qualitative and quantitative feedback. This webinar will provide strategies and tips for meeting these challenges.

To learn more about this webinar or register go to: http://sloanconsortium.org/institute/webinars/2014/7/bestpracticesfordesandassessonlinediscuss?{{$par}}

New Issue – Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks

Overview:

The Sloan Consortium and the Editorial Board of JALN are pleased to announce the publication of a new issue of the Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks. In this issue a collection of articles provides much needed insight into the state of online faculty development; comparative dynamics of classroom and online performance; support for student interaction in online environments, and emerging legal issues crucial to online educators and their institutions.

Table of Contents:

A National Study of Training Content and Activities for Faculty Development for Online Teaching
Katrina A. Meyer, University of Memphis
Vicki Murrell, University of Memphis

A Study of Personal Information Management Strategies for Online Faculty
Lorna R. Kearns, University of Pittsburgh
Barbara A. Frey, University of Pittsburgh
Christinger Tomer, University of Pittsburgh
Susan Alman, San Jose State University

An Analysis of the Cost and Cost-Effectiveness of Faculty Development for Online Teaching
Katrina A. Meyer, University of Memphis

A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of Teaching Presence within Online Professional Development
Melinda G. Miller, United States Air Force Academy
Debbie L. Hahs-Vaughn, University of Central Florida
Vicky Zygouris-Coe, University of Central Florida

Thematic Analysis of the “Games” Students Play in Asynchronous Learning Environments
Thalia MacMillan, Empire State College
Michele Forte, SUNY Empire State College
Cynthia Grant, Concordia University Chicago

Investigating Asynchronous Online Communication: A Connected Stance Revealed
Susan J Wegmann, Baptist College of Florida
Joyce K. McCauley, Sam Houston State University

Applying a Model of Communicative Influence in Education in Closed Online and Offline Courses
Caleb T. Carr, Illinois State University

How Much “Group” is there in Online Group Work?
Susan Lowes, Ph.D., Institute for Learning Technologies

Comparing Student Performance in Online and Face-to-face Delivery Modalities
Jeffrey L. Helms, Kennesaw State University

Round One? Judge Issues Rulings in Long-awaited Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Against Georgia State University*
Linda K. Enghagen, University of Massachusetts at Amherst

Professional Sessions

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).

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/