Week of April 14, 2014 – Professional Development Opportunities

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

Primarily Education-Focused Sessions and Resources

EDUCAUSE Live! Webinar – The EDUCAUSE 2014 Top-Ten IT Issues: Be the Change You See

Date: April 16, 2014
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Location: GEB A304

PresentersMark Adams (Vice President for Information Technology, Sam Houston State University); Susan Grajek (Vice President, Data Research, and Analytics, EDUCAUSE); David Hoyt (Chief Information Systems Officer, Collin County Community College District); Becky King (Associate Vice President for Information Technology, Baylor University)

Session Overview:
This year marks a turning point for higher education IT organizations, when the new ideas, solutions, and models that have been accumulating in higher education and technology will hit them—and the institutions they serve—fast and hard. Join EDUCAUSE Vice President Susan Grajek and three members of the IT Issues Panel (Mark Adams of Sam Houston State University, David Hoyt of Collin College, and Becky King of Baylor University) in a discussion of the themes and implications of the 2014 Top-Ten IT Issues and a deep dive into six of them.

Top-Ten IT Issues, 2014:
1. Improving student outcomes through an institutional approach that strategically leverages technology
2. Establishing a partnership between IT leadership and institutional leadership to develop a collective understanding of what information technology can deliver
3. Assisting faculty with the instructional integration of information technology
4. Developing an IT staffing and organizational model to accommodate the changing IT environment and facilitate openness and agility
5. Using analytics to help drive critical institutional outcomes
6. Changing IT funding models to sustain core service, support innovation, and facilitate growth
7. Addressing access demand and the wireless and device explosion
8. Sourcing technologies and services at scale to reduce costs (via cloud, greater centralization of institutional IT services and systems, cross-institutional collaborations, and so forth)
9. Determining the role of online learning and developing a strategy for that role
10. Implementing risk management and information security practices to protect institutional IT resources/data and respond to regulatory compliance mandates*
10. Developing an enterprise IT architecture that can respond to changing conditions and new opportunities*
* Tie

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

Creating Exceptional Interprofessional Teaching and Learning in Clinical Settings: The University of Toronto Journey (AIHC Webinar)

Date: April 17, 2014
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Location: GEB A104

PresentersMandy LoweLynne Sinclair, and Maria Tassone

Session Overview:
This webinar will focus on the approaches taken by the University of Toronto Centre for Interprofessional Education (IPE) to create exceptional interprofessional learning environments for students and health care professionals at the interface between education and practice.

Facilitators Mandy Lowe, Lynne Sinclair and Maria Tassone will share their experience of bridging the clinical environment to promote IPE – their institutional story, bumps on the road and wisdom learned along the way.  The webinar is aimed at educators, practitioners, leaders, policy makers and others from across both academic and practice settings who are interested in learning more about embedding IPE into practice, as well as strategies for successful leadership, impact and sustainability.

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

Can You Flip an Online Class? Yes, You Can! (Webinar)

Date: April 22, 2014
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: GEB A104

PresentersBarbi Honeycutt, Ph.D. and Sarah Glova

Session Overview:
During The Flipped Approach to Online Teaching and Learning, you won’t just learn what successful flipping looks like; you’ll experience it yourself because the seminar itself contains flipped components. That kind of firsthand experience that puts you in your students’ shoes is both rare and invaluable.

To learn more about this webinar please click here.

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

Collaborative Learning: How Technology Can Support and Improve the Online Learning Experience – Wiley Faculty Network Webinar

Date: April 28, 2014
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Register to participate from any location

Presenter: Bruce McLaren, Carnegie Mellon University

Session Overview:

The world of online education is going through a transformation, one that will only increase in speed and scope in the coming years. The landscape of online education since the 1990s has largely focused on individual students working primarily with text-based resources, related media assets and periodic assessments. Yet the world of the Internet has dramatically changed since the 1990s. Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are turning the Internet into a distinctly communal and collaborative environment. At the same time, researchers in the Learning Sciences are uncovering the advantages of students learning in groups, working with one another and with an instructor, sharing knowledge with one another. During this guest lecture, Dr. Bruce McLaren (Senior Systems Scientist at Carnegie Mellon University) will discuss this trend, exploring how we can design online learning experiences by leveraging existing technology and features that contribute to improving learning outcomes.

To register for this free webinar go to:http://wfn.wiley.com/pg/event_calendar/view/268214

Conferences

Sloan-C: 7th Annual Emerging Technologies for Online Learning International Symposium – Session Archives Now Available!

Conference Dates: Took place April 9th – April 11th

Conference Overview:
The Emerging Technologies Symposium is devoted to the emerging and innovative uses of technology designed to improve teaching and learning online. The conference focuses on the technologies that drive online learning effectiveness, highlighting research, applications and best practices of important emerging technological tools. We encourage submissions related to instruction, networking, assessment, open educational resources, new media and support services.

Information related to accessing session archives from this conference are located in the Professional Development within Blackboard. Enrollment instructions for the Professional Development course are located at http://tinyurl.com/profdevenroll.

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

International Association of Medical Science Educators (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: www.iamseconference.org

Professional Sessions

Biomedical Informatics Group (BIG) Meeting

Date: April 25, 2014
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Location: 910 Madison, Room 502

Presenter: Dr. Robert Williams, UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair in Computational Genomics, Center for Integrative and Translational Genomics

Session Overview:

Topic (Genetic and Genomic Resources at UTHSC to Study Experimental and Clinical Cohorts): Progression of virtually all human diseases are influenced by complex interactions between genetic and environmental (epigenetic) factors. The CITG at UTHSC has developed novel mouse experimental resources that incorporate a level of genetic complexity that mirrors that of a human populations. Many of our faculty are using these resources to build and test quantitative models of disease mechanisms, with a special focus on neurodegeneration (Alzheimer’s, stroke, and glaucoma), infectious diseases, addiction and neurological/psychiatric disease. The CITG, with help from NIH, is also developing powerful web services to study animal models and human cohorts (e.g. the CANDLE study). In this short presentation Rob will summarize some of the resources available to investigators and students at UT and provide pointers on how to exploit genomics and phenotype data sets.

Questions? Email Teresa Waters: twaters@uthsc.edu

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 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 our latest blog post at https://uthsctlc.wordpress.com/

From Passive Content Consumers to Active Learners

Multimedia course content, such as podcasts, narrated PowerPoint presentations, and videos, are playing a larger role in today’s educational environment. Multimedia content is also a great way to enhance active learning strategies within the hybrid or fully online class setting. However, watching a video or listening to an audio clip doesn’t always mean that learning has occurred.

In an article written for Faculty FocusEmily Moore provides suggestions to help increase the effectiveness of multimedia utilized as part of course content including the use of multimedia as a:

  • Guided lesson
  • Springboard for in-depth discussion
  • Springboard for critical thinking
  • Way to strengthen online research skills while driving conceptual understanding

Are you using multimedia as part of your course content? Has it helped to enhance active learning within your classes? Share your experiences and best practices in the comments section below.

 

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Image from: OpenClipArt (http://openclipart.org/detail/170476/play-button-by-diamonjohn-170476)

Week of April 7, 2014 – Professional Development Opportunities

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

Primarily Education-Focused Sessions and Resources

Learn, Eat, and Collaborate

Date: April 11, 2014
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Location: 920 Madison – Room 640

Speakers: Dr. Chasity Shelton, Teresa Britt and actual Standardized Patients

Series Overview:
This session will provide an overview of non-traditional use of Standardized Patients in Healthcare Education including information about various projects on the UTHSC campus utilizing actors to portray “simulated/standardized patients”. Come hear this information and see if this form of simulation could possibly be utilized in your curriculum.

Lunch will be served.
 
Please RSVP for luncheon reservations to : vclaxton@uthsc.edu

EDUCAUSE Live! Webinar – The EDUCAUSE 2014 Top-Ten IT Issues: Be the Change You See

Date: April 16, 2014
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Location: GEB A304

PresentersMark Adams (Vice President for Information Technology, Sam Houston State University); Susan Grajek (Vice President, Data Research, and Analytics, EDUCAUSE); David Hoyt (Chief Information Systems Officer, Collin County Community College District); Becky King (Associate Vice President for Information Technology, Baylor University)

Session Overview:
This year marks a turning point for higher education IT organizations, when the new ideas, solutions, and models that have been accumulating in higher education and technology will hit them—and the institutions they serve—fast and hard. Join EDUCAUSE Vice President Susan Grajek and three members of the IT Issues Panel (Mark Adams of Sam Houston State University, David Hoyt of Collin College, and Becky King of Baylor University) in a discussion of the themes and implications of the 2014 Top-Ten IT Issues and a deep dive into six of them.

Top-Ten IT Issues, 2014:
1. Improving student outcomes through an institutional approach that strategically leverages technology
2. Establishing a partnership between IT leadership and institutional leadership to develop a collective understanding of what information technology can deliver
3. Assisting faculty with the instructional integration of information technology
4. Developing an IT staffing and organizational model to accommodate the changing IT environment and facilitate openness and agility
5. Using analytics to help drive critical institutional outcomes
6. Changing IT funding models to sustain core service, support innovation, and facilitate growth
7. Addressing access demand and the wireless and device explosion
8. Sourcing technologies and services at scale to reduce costs (via cloud, greater centralization of institutional IT services and systems, cross-institutional collaborations, and so forth)
9. Determining the role of online learning and developing a strategy for that role
10. Implementing risk management and information security practices to protect institutional IT resources/data and respond to regulatory compliance mandates*
10. Developing an enterprise IT architecture that can respond to changing conditions and new opportunities*
* Tie

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

Creating Exceptional Interprofessional Teaching and Learning in Clinical Settings: The University of Toronto Journey (AIHC Webinar)

Date: April 17, 2014
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Location: GEB A104

PresentersMandy LoweLynne Sinclair, and Maria Tassone

Session Overview:
This webinar will focus on the approaches taken by the University of Toronto Centre for Interprofessional Education (IPE) to create exceptional interprofessional learning environments for students and health care professionals at the interface between education and practice.

Facilitators Mandy Lowe, Lynne Sinclair and Maria Tassone will share their experience of bridging the clinical environment to promote IPE – their institutional story, bumps on the road and wisdom learned along the way.  The webinar is aimed at educators, practitioners, leaders, policy makers and others from across both academic and practice settings who are interested in learning more about embedding IPE into practice, as well as strategies for successful leadership, impact and sustainability.

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

Can You Flip an Online Class? Yes, You Can! (Webinar)

Date: April 22, 2014
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: GEB A104

PresentersBarbi Honeycutt, Ph.D. and Sarah Glova

Session Overview:
During The Flipped Approach to Online Teaching and Learning, you won’t just learn what successful flipping looks like; you’ll experience it yourself because the seminar itself contains flipped components. That kind of firsthand experience that puts you in your students’ shoes is both rare and invaluable.

To learn more about this webinar please click here.

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

Collaborative Learning: How Technology Can Support and Improve the Online Learning Experience – Wiley Faculty Network Webinar

Date: April 28, 2014
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Register to participate from any location

Presenter: Bruce McLaren, Carnegie Mellon University

Session Overview:

The world of online education is going through a transformation, one that will only increase in speed and scope in the coming years. The landscape of online education since the 1990s has largely focused on individual students working primarily with text-based resources, related media assets and periodic assessments. Yet the world of the Internet has dramatically changed since the 1990s. Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are turning the Internet into a distinctly communal and collaborative environment. At the same time, researchers in the Learning Sciences are uncovering the advantages of students learning in groups, working with one another and with an instructor, sharing knowledge with one another. During this guest lecture, Dr. Bruce McLaren (Senior Systems Scientist at Carnegie Mellon University) will discuss this trend, exploring how we can design online learning experiences by leveraging existing technology and features that contribute to improving learning outcomes.

To register for this free webinar go to:http://wfn.wiley.com/pg/event_calendar/view/268214

Conferences

Sloan-C: 7th Annual Emerging Technologies for Online Learning International Symposium – Reserve your virtual conference seat!

Conference Dates: April 9th – April 11th

Conference Overview:
The Emerging Technologies Symposium is devoted to the emerging and innovative uses of technology designed to improve teaching and learning online. The conference focuses on the technologies that drive online learning effectiveness, highlighting research, applications and best practices of important emerging technological tools. We encourage submissions related to instruction, networking, assessment, open educational resources, new media and support services.

To see a list of online sessions that will be available to virtual attendees please go to: http://sloanconsortium.org/conference/2014/et4online/streamed_sessions

UTHSC has a limited number of logins available for online session access that will be streamed live from the conference taking place in Dallas, TX. Please contact Kristy Conger (kconger@uthsc.edu / 901-448-2253) to request login information.

International Association of Medical Science Educators (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: www.iamseconference.org

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 welcome!

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

Biostats Club

Date: April 9, 2014
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: 66 N. Pauline (Doctor’s Office Building), Room 400 (4th Floor Classroom)

Session Overview:

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has become widely adopted in biological research around the world.  This technology has revolutionized genomic science and contributed to numerous ground-breaking discoveries.  In this talk, we will focus on RNA-seq, one of the most common NGS approaches to transcriptome profiling.  Advantages and disadvantages of using this technology over DNA microarray technology will be mentioned. Finally, a practical application of RNA-seq will be demonstrated through a cohort of Acromegaly patients.

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 our latest blog post at https://uthsctlc.wordpress.com/

Tips and Advice for Productive Online Discussions

We have focused on the use of online discussion forums in some of our recent blog posts. We began by discussing the use of online forums as an active learning strategy in online/hybrid courses. We followed up with a couple of posts that focused on striking the right balance of instructor participation within online course activities and ways of engaging students in these activities…particularly within online discussion forums. 

How engaged are students in your online or hybrid course discussion forums? Would some recommendations and tips from experienced online educators help to further enhance the value of online discussions in your course? Wiley Faculty Network recently hosted a webinar (Discussion Board Best Practices) in which several resources and recommendations were shared. Experienced online instructor, DeAnna Kirchen, shared tips and best practices for teaching online including specific strategies for effectively incorporating discussion forums including creating groups, grading/rubrics, and setting expectations.

Do you have any tips or suggestions for enhancing online discussion forums? Please share your thoughts or experiences in the comments section below.

online

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image from: https://flic.kr/p/bvwXaM

 

Week of March 31, 2014 – Professional Development Opportunities

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

Primarily Education-Focused Sessions and Resources

IAMSE Spring Webinar Series (Innovations in Assessment) – Session Archives Available in Blackboard

Series Overview:
Innovations in health care education require the simultaneous development of creative new approaches to student assessment.  This IAMSE webcast seminar series will explore these issues and provide several examples of how schools are evolving with assessment approaches.

For more information about this webinar series including session overviews please go to: http://iamse.org/development/2014/was_2014_spring.htm

Accessing Session Archives:
Links to the archives for this series can be found in the Professional Development course located in Blackboard.

Enrollment instructions for the Professional Development course are located at http://tinyurl.com/profdevenroll.

Creating Exceptional Interprofessional Teaching and Learning in Clinical Settings: The University of Toronto Journey (AIHC Webinar)

Date: April 17, 2014
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Location: GEB A104

PresentersMandy LoweLynne Sinclair, and Maria Tassone

Session Overview:
This webinar will focus on the approaches taken by the University of Toronto Centre for Interprofessional Education (IPE) to create exceptional interprofessional learning environments for students and health care professionals at the interface between education and practice.

Facilitators Mandy Lowe, Lynne Sinclair and Maria Tassone will share their experience of bridging the clinical environment to promote IPE – their institutional story, bumps on the road and wisdom learned along the way.  The webinar is aimed at educators, practitioners, leaders, policy makers and others from across both academic and practice settings who are interested in learning more about embedding IPE into practice, as well as strategies for successful leadership, impact and sustainability.

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

Can You Flip an Online Class? Yes, You Can! (Webinar)

Date: April 22, 2014
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: GEB A104

PresentersBarbi Honeycutt, Ph.D. and Sarah Glova

Session Overview:
During The Flipped Approach to Online Teaching and Learning, you won’t just learn what successful flipping looks like; you’ll experience it yourself because the seminar itself contains flipped components. That kind of firsthand experience that puts you in your students’ shoes is both rare and invaluable.

To learn more about this webinar please click here.

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

Collaborative Learning: How Technology Can Support and Improve the Online Learning Experience – Wiley Faculty Network Webinar

Date: April 28, 2014
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Register to participate from any location

Presenter: Bruce McLaren, Carnegie Mellon University

Session Overview:

The world of online education is going through a transformation, one that will only increase in speed and scope in the coming years. The landscape of online education since the 1990s has largely focused on individual students working primarily with text-based resources, related media assets and periodic assessments. Yet the world of the Internet has dramatically changed since the 1990s. Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are turning the Internet into a distinctly communal and collaborative environment. At the same time, researchers in the Learning Sciences are uncovering the advantages of students learning in groups, working with one another and with an instructor, sharing knowledge with one another. During this guest lecture, Dr. Bruce McLaren (Senior Systems Scientist at Carnegie Mellon University) will discuss this trend, exploring how we can design online learning experiences by leveraging existing technology and features that contribute to improving learning outcomes.

To register for this free webinar go to:http://wfn.wiley.com/pg/event_calendar/view/268214

Conferences

Sloan-C: 7th Annual Emerging Technologies for Online Learning International Symposium – Reserve your virtual conference seat!

Conference Dates: April 9th – April 11th

Conference Overview:
The Emerging Technologies Symposium is devoted to the emerging and innovative uses of technology designed to improve teaching and learning online. The conference focuses on the technologies that drive online learning effectiveness, highlighting research, applications and best practices of important emerging technological tools. We encourage submissions related to instruction, networking, assessment, open educational resources, new media and support services.

To see a list of online sessions that will be available to virtual attendees please go to: http://sloanconsortium.org/conference/2014/et4online/streamed_sessions

UTHSC has a limited number of logins available for online session access that will be streamed live from the conference taking place in Dallas, TX. Please contact Kristy Conger (kconger@uthsc.edu / 901-448-2253) to request login information.

International Association of Medical Science Educators (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: www.iamseconference.org

Professional Sessions

New Faculty Orientation – Session Handouts and PowerPoint Presentation

Session Overview:
This session was held March 26, 2014 for all new faculty hired since January 2013 who DID NOT attend New Faculty Orientation in September 2013. Session handouts and PowerPoint presentation are located in the Professional Development course within Blackboard.

Need access to the Professional Development course? Enrollment instructions are located at http://tinyurl.com/profdevenroll.

Questions regarding New Faculty Orientation? Please contact Kristy Conger (kconger@uthsc.edu / 901-448-2253).

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 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 our latest blog post at https://uthsctlc.wordpress.com/

Can I do more to engage my students in online discussion forums?

We have dedicated a couple of our recent blog posts to active learning in the online classroom. One active learning strategy that we discussed implementing into the online classroom is the use of discussion boards. As mentioned in our February 24th post, well constructed questions that connect to course/learning objectives can facilitate engaged and purposeful discussion among the instructor and students. However, are you locked solely into a question-and-answer format within the discussion forum? Are there other types of activities that could be used within the online discussion forum setting that would effectively engage students as well as promote purposeful discussion?

In a recent Faculty Focus article written by Rob Kelly, activities that online instructors may not have previously considered to include as part of discussion forum activities (including role-play, debates, and web quests) are suggested as ways to engage students in a manner that moves past the simple read-and-respond level of engagement. Multimedia aspects can also be incorporated into online discussions such as allowing students to reply within discussion forums with a recorded audio or video response.

How about your online discussion forums? Have you tried any discussion activities in your online or hybrid courses that would help to move students to a higher level of engagement and interaction? Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments section below.

mac-keyboard

Week of March 24, 2014 – Professional Development Opportunities

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

Conferences

Sloan-C: 7th Annual Emerging Technologies for Online Learning International Symposium – Reserve your virtual conference seat!

Conference Dates: April 9th – April 11th

Conference Overview:
The Emerging Technologies Symposium is devoted to the emerging and innovative uses of technology designed to improve teaching and learning online. The conference focuses on the technologies that drive online learning effectiveness, highlighting research, applications and best practices of important emerging technological tools. We encourage submissions related to instruction, networking, assessment, open educational resources, new media and support services.

To see a list of online sessions that will be available to virtual attendees please go to: http://sloanconsortium.org/conference/2014/et4online/streamed_sessions

UTHSC has a limited number of logins available for online session access that will be streamed live from the conference taking place in Dallas, TX. Please contact Kristy Conger (kconger@uthsc.edu / 901-448-2253) to request login information.

International Association of Medical Science Educators (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: www.iamseconference.org

Primarily Education-Focused Sessions and Resources

IAMSE Spring Webinar Series (Innovations in Assessment)

Series Overview:
Innovations in health care education require the simultaneous development of creative new approaches to student assessment.  This IAMSE webcast seminar series will explore these issues and provide several examples of how schools are evolving with assessment approaches.

For more information about this webinar series including session overviews please go to: http://iamse.org/development/2014/was_2014_spring.htm

Login Information:
Log in to the webinar from wherever you are! Login information (posted the day before each session) can be found in the Professional Development course located in Blackboard.

Enrollment instructions for the Professional Development course are located at http://tinyurl.com/profdevenroll.

IAMSE Webinar Series Schedule:

March 27th (11:00 AM)

Topic: ACGME “Milestones”
Presented byWilliam Iobst

Understanding and Promoting Student Engagement in Distance Education – Wiley Faculty Network Webinar

Date: March 27, 2014
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Register to participate from any location

Presenter: Catherine Divingian, Santa Fe College

Session Overview:
Student engagement is important for the successful completion of any course; however it is vital when teaching online. In this Guest Lecture, professor and WFN Mentor, Catherine Divingian will share tips and tricks for understanding student engagement as well as practical strategies and techniques for promoting it in the online classroom. Catherine will share her first-hand experiences using a variety of methods such as teaching to multiple learning styles and ways to help students take responsibility for their learning. This Online Event is perfect for new or experienced distance educators!

To register for this free webinar go to: http://wfn.wiley.com/pg/event_calendar/view/266188

Hold the Date – Creating Exceptional Interprofessional Teaching and Learning in Clinical Settings: The University of Toronto Journey (AIHC Webinar)

Date: April 17, 2014
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Location: GEB A104

PresentersMandy LoweLynne Sinclair, and Maria Tassone

Session Overview:
This webinar will focus on the approaches taken by the University of Toronto Centre for Interprofessional Education (IPE) to create exceptional interprofessional learning environments for students and health care professionals at the interface between education and practice.

Facilitators Mandy Lowe, Lynne Sinclair and Maria Tassone will share their experience of bridging the clinical environment to promote IPE – their institutional story, bumps on the road and wisdom learned along the way.  The webinar is aimed at educators, practitioners, leaders, policy makers and others from across both academic and practice settings who are interested in learning more about embedding IPE into practice, as well as strategies for successful leadership, impact and sustainability.

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

Hold the Date – Can You Flip an Online Class? Yes, You Can! (Webinar)

Date: April 22, 2014
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: GEB A104

PresentersBarbi Honeycutt, Ph.D. and Sarah Glova

Session Overview:
During The Flipped Approach to Online Teaching and Learning, you won’t just learn what successful flipping looks like; you’ll experience it yourself because the seminar itself contains flipped components. That kind of firsthand experience that puts you in your students’ shoes is both rare and invaluable.

To learn more about this webinar please click here.

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

Professional Sessions

New Faculty Orientation

Date: March 26, 2014 (Wednesday)
Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: SAC 305

Session Overview:
This session is for all new faculty hired since January 2013 who DID NOT attend New Faculty Orientation in September 2013.

A light breakfast will be served beginning at 7:30 AM.

To register to attend go to: http://tinyurl.com/uthsccalendar

Questions regarding New Faculty Orientation? Please contact Kristy Conger (kconger@uthsc.edu / 901-448-2253).

Biomedical Informatics Group (BIG) Meeting

Date: March 28, 2014
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Location: 910 Madison – Room 502

Presenter: Teresa Waters, Ph.D.

Session Overview:

Claims data are an important source of detailed information about the medical care patients receive. Medicare claims provide information for almost all patients 65 years and older, plus several other important population groups. Claims files can be combined with clinical trial or epidemiological cohort data to provide an ‘extended picture’ or stand-alone files can be used to examine the impact of a program or policy change. I will provide a brief overview of the information available in Medicare claims files, how you can request Medicare data from the Research Data Assistance Center (RESDAC), and how much these files will cost to include in your next research proposal.

Questions? Email Teresa Waters: twaters@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 our latest blog post at https://uthsctlc.wordpress.com/

Week of March 17, 2014 – Professional Development Opportunities

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

Professional Sessions

New Faculty Orientation

Date: March 26, 2014 (Wednesday)
Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: SAC 305

Session Overview:
This session is for all new faculty hired since January 2013 who DID NOT attend New Faculty Orientation in September 2013. Registration to attend must be submitted by March 24th at 12:00 PM.

A light breakfast will be served beginning at 7:30 AM.

To register to attend go to: http://tinyurl.com/uthsccalendar

Questions regarding New Faculty Orientation? Please contact Kristy Conger (kconger@uthsc.edu / 901-448-2253).

Conferences

Sloan-C: 7th Annual Emerging Technologies for Online Learning International Symposium – Reserve your virtual conference seat!

Conference Dates: April 9th – April 11th

Conference Overview:
The Emerging Technologies Symposium is devoted to the emerging and innovative uses of technology designed to improve teaching and learning online. The conference focuses on the technologies that drive online learning effectiveness, highlighting research, applications and best practices of important emerging technological tools. We encourage submissions related to instruction, networking, assessment, open educational resources, new media and support services.

To see a list of online sessions that will be available to virtual attendees please go to: http://sloanconsortium.org/conference/2014/et4online/streamed_sessions

UTHSC has a limited number of logins available for online session access that will be streamed live from the conference taking place in Dallas, TX. Please contact Kristy Conger (kconger@uthsc.edu / 901-448-2253) to request login information.

International Association of Medical Science Educators (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: www.iamseconference.org

Primarily Education-Focused Sessions and Resources

IAMSE Spring Webinar Series (Innovations in Assessment)

Series Overview:
Innovations in health care education require the simultaneous development of creative new approaches to student assessment.  This IAMSE webcast seminar series will explore these issues and provide several examples of how schools are evolving with assessment approaches.

For more information about this webinar series including session overviews please go to: http://iamse.org/development/2014/was_2014_spring.htm

Login Information:
Log in to the webinar from wherever you are! Login information (posted the day before each session) can be found in the Professional Development course located in Blackboard.

Enrollment instructions for the Professional Development course are located at http://tinyurl.com/profdevenroll.

IAMSE Webinar Series Schedule:

March 20th (11:00 AM)
Topic: Assessment Review: Learning From Mistakes
Presented byBobbe Baggio

March 27th (11:00 AM)

Topic: ACGME “Milestones”
Presented byWilliam Iobst

Six Practical Strategies to Improve Your Online Course – Webinar archive available until March 20, 2014

This webinar (hosted by Magna Publications) was held February 18, 2014. The archived recording and session materials will be available for review through March 20, 2014.

Please visit the Professional Development course within Blackboard to view the recording and download materials. Need access to the Professional Development course? Please go to http://tinyurl.com/profdevenroll

PresenterDr. Oliver Dreon

Session Overview:
Spend an hour with Dr. Oliver Dreon, director of Millersville University’s Center for Academic Excellence, as he presents Six Practical Strategies to Improve Your Online Courses. You’ll come away with a tremendous “toolkit” of ideas for making your online classes even better than they are now.  You’ll learn how you can use a half-dozen research-based, easy-to-implement practices to help you create truly student-centered instruction.

Using a blend of lecture and case studies, Dr. Dreon shows how you can:

    • Create rich opportunities for students to interact with the course material, with you, and with one another
    • Provide learning resources that leverage the strengths of the online space
    • Apply innovative feedback and assessment strategies to deepen the learning experience for students
    • Align your instructional methods with course learning objectives and goals

Hold the Date – Creating Exceptional Interprofessional Teaching and Learning in Clinical Settings: The University of Toronto Journey (AIHC Webinar)

Date: April 17, 2014
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Location: GEB A104

Presenters: Mandy Lowe, Lynne Sinclair, and Maria Tassone

Session Overview:
This webinar will focus on the approaches taken by the University of Toronto Centre for Interprofessional Education (IPE) to create exceptional interprofessional learning environments for students and health care professionals at the interface between education and practice.

Facilitators Mandy Lowe, Lynne Sinclair and Maria Tassone will share their experience of bridging the clinical environment to promote IPE – their institutional story, bumps on the road and wisdom learned along the way.  The webinar is aimed at educators, practitioners, leaders, policy makers and others from across both academic and practice settings who are interested in learning more about embedding IPE into practice, as well as strategies for successful leadership, impact and sustainability.

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

Hold the Date – Can You Flip an Online Class? Yes, You Can! (Webinar)

Date: April 22, 2014
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: GEB A104

Presenters: Barbi Honeycutt, Ph.D. and Sarah Glova

Session Overview:
During The Flipped Approach to Online Teaching and Learning, you won’t just learn what successful flipping looks like; you’ll experience it yourself because the seminar itself contains flipped components. That kind of firsthand experience that puts you in your students’ shoes is both rare and invaluable.

To learn more about this webinar please click here.

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

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 our latest blog post at https://uthsctlc.wordpress.com/

Take a Moment to Reflect

The month of March signals a midway point through the academic term or semester for many students and faculty. This time can also be seen as a bit of a slump due to many factors including everyone being worn down by winter weather, packed schedules, and springing forward thanks to Daylight Savings Time. However, this academic midpoint can also be a time for faculty and students to step back, take a breath, and reflect on their performance to date.

We’ve shared several blog posts recently focusing on active learning in the classroom. Have you incorporated some of these strategies or activities into the courses you currently teach? If so, have you asked your students how they view the changes? Most often, course evaluations are conducted at the end of a term and don’t provide an opportunity to make adjustments that could help the students who submitted the feedback. Laura B. McGrath recently wrote a piece for Inside Higher Ed titled “Mid-Semester Evaluations” that offers some great suggestions and resources that can help obtain feedback from students and use that feedback to make adjustments now…not after a course has concluded. Also keep in mind that a midway check doesn’t have to focus solely on the course or the instructor. As part of this exercise, also include an opportunity for students to evaluate their performance.

How often do you ask for feedback? Take a moment and respond to our poll below.

Week of March 10, 2014 – Professional Development Opportunities

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

Conferences

International Association of Medical Science Educators (Annual Conference) – Call for Poster Abstracts Has Been Reopened!

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

Additional poster abstracts will be accepted March 1st – March 15th. To submit your abstract please go to: http://julnetconferences.com/index.php/iamse/iamse14/schedConf/cfp

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/

Primarily Education-Focused Sessions and Resources

The Role of Technology in Course Redesign – Macmillan Higher Education (Free Webinar)

Date: March 12, 2014
Time: 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Presenter: Mike Palmquist, Colorado State University

Session Overview:
Instructional technology—and in particular interactive tools, digital media, social media, and communication tools—have played an important role in changing how and what we teach in our courses. This webinar will focus on how to design courses that use instructional technology to support emerging and proven methods of challenging and engaging our students.

To register for this free webinar please go to http://www.macmillanhighered.com/Catalog/page/content.aspx?Title=13942

Flipping the Classroom – Macmillan Higher Education (Free Webinar)

Date: March 14, 2014
Time: 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM

Presenter: Eric Nelson, Missouri State University

Session Overview:
Where do you start in flipping your classroom? What first principles should guide you? What can your course look like if you use technology to enhance your student’s out of class experience? This webinar offers specific examples of how technology can help you to better prepare your students for class, give you feedback before class about what students are thinking, and create a dynamic classroom experience.

To register for this free webinar please go to http://www.macmillanhighered.com/Catalog/page/content.aspx?Title=13942

Designing Your Courses for Significant Learning – A New Edition – TLT Group (Free Webinar)

Date: March 14, 2014
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Presenter: Dee Fink

Session Overview:
Creating Significant Learning Experiences; An Integrated Approach to Designing College Courses” was first published in 2003. Dee Fink returns to talk about the new edition and will describe what he means by “significant learning.” In addition, Dee will also describe (a) how to design learning activities and (b) how to assess three of the less commonly addressed kinds of learning in the taxonomy of significant learning.

For more information about this webinar or to register go to http://tltgroup.roundtablelive.org/events?eventId=841343&EventViewMode=EventDetails

Six Practical Strategies to Improve Your Online Course – Webinar archive available until March 20, 2014

This webinar (hosted by Magna Publications) was held February 18, 2014. The archived recording and session materials will be available for review through March 20, 2014.

Please visit the Professional Development course within Blackboard to view the recording and download materials. Need access to the Professional Development course? Please go to http://tinyurl.com/profdevenroll

PresenterDr. Oliver Dreon

Session Overview:
Spend an hour with Dr. Oliver Dreon, director of Millersville University’s Center for Academic Excellence, as he presents Six Practical Strategies to Improve Your Online Courses. You’ll come away with a tremendous “toolkit” of ideas for making your online classes even better than they are now.  You’ll learn how you can use a half-dozen research-based, easy-to-implement practices to help you create truly student-centered instruction.

Using a blend of lecture and case studies, Dr. Dreon shows how you can:

    • Create rich opportunities for students to interact with the course material, with you, and with one another
    • Provide learning resources that leverage the strengths of the online space
    • Apply innovative feedback and assessment strategies to deepen the learning experience for students
    • Align your instructional methods with course learning objectives and goals

IAMSE Spring Webinar Series (Innovations in Assessment)

Series Overview:
Innovations in health care education require the simultaneous development of creative new approaches to student assessment.  This IAMSE webcast seminar series will explore these issues and provide several examples of how schools are evolving with assessment approaches.

For more information about this webinar series including session overviews please go to: http://iamse.org/development/2014/was_2014_spring.htm

Login Information:
Log in to the webinar from wherever you are! Login information (posted the day before each session) can be found in the Professional Development course located in Blackboard.

Enrollment instructions for the Professional Development course are located at http://tinyurl.com/profdevenroll.

IAMSE Webinar Series Schedule:

March 13th (11:00 AM)

Topic: Pivio: A New Records Management and Life-Long Learning Tool for the Medical Community
Presented by: Mary Drescher Halicki and Angelique Johnson

March 20th (11:00 AM)
Topic: Assessment Review: Learning From Mistakes
Presented by: Bobbe Baggio

March 27th (11:00 AM)

Topic: ACGME “Milestones”
Presented by: William Iobst

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 Toastmasters meeting is a learn-by-doing workshop in which participants hone their speaking and leadership skills in a no-pressure atmosphere. Everyone 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 a variety of active learning resources visit https://academic.uthsc.edu/faculty/2014.php

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