Teaching Talks & Hands-On HuskyCT | Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning

You are invited to participate in a series of informal teaching talks. These are opportunities for participants to comfortably share teaching concerns and discuss techniques and strategies with colleagues, experts, and CETL staff. All sessions will take place online unless otherwise noted. All UConn instructors —graduate students, TAs, and APIRs, as well as adjunct, tenure-track and tenured faculty—are encouraged to attend.

Attend all the sessions or choose only those covering the topics that most interest you.

Contact Suzanne LaFleur if you have questions or would like more information.

September

Effectively Communicating with Students
Online Presenter: Wayne Trembly, CETL

We will discuss effective communication strategies such as:

Use of HuskyCT Discussion Board and other features
Effective listening
Giving useful and effective feedback
Communicating in bot a synchronous and asynchronous environment…

Tuesday, September 1, 6:45-7:45 pm
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1713

Tuesday September 22, 6:45-7:45 pm
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1714

Creating a Positive “Classroom” Environment
Thursday, September 3, 6:45-7:45 pm
Online
Presenter: Wayne Trembly, CETL

We will discuss:

Maintaining a positive attitude
Providing clear expectations and clear boundaries
Making a connection
Maximizing opportunities for active learning…

Mixing It Up- Adding Variety to your Class
Tuesday, September 8, 6:45-7:45 pm
Online
Presenter: Wayne Trembly, CETL

We will discuss:

Breaking up the lecture- how, why, and when
Small group discussion in distance learning
Brief activities to reinforce key concepts
Long term projects- how to make them work…

Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation
Tuesday, September 29, 6:45-7:45 pm
Online
Presenter: Wayne Trembly, CETL

We will discuss:

The role of choice
Engaging their passion and showing yours
Appropriate Levels of Challenge
Active learning
Class participation…

The Introvert/Shy Person as a Successful Instructor
Wednesday, September 9, 6:45-7:45 pm
Online
Presenter: Wayne Trembly, CETL

We will discuss:

Situations where you will thrive
Communication strategies
Shy or lacking confidence?
Embracing and best using your personality type
Strategies for easing stress…

Time Management in a Single Class
Monday, September 21, 6:45-7:45 pm
Online
Presenter: Wayne Trembly, CETL

We will discuss:

The plan and how to implement it
Being prepared to alter the plan
Fitting it in- what needs to fit, what can wait
Frequent time checks
Things happen
Start with the objectives…

Public Speaking/Presentation Skills
Monday, September 28, 6:45-7:45 pm
Online
Presenter: Wayne Trembly, CETL

We will discuss:

Similarities and differences between a presentation and a class
Interrupting the presentation in a positive manner
Effective use of PowerPoint
Speak the audience’s language
Humor- use it!
Make it relevant…

Dealing with Stress, Yours and Theirs
Wednesday, September 16, 6:45-7:45 pm
Online- https://uconn-cmr.webex.com/meet/wnt00001
Presenter: Wayne Trembly, CETL

We will discuss:

Causes
Solutions
Strategies to ease your stress

Managing student anxiety:

Be flexible
Listen
Communicate clear expectations
Make a connection…

The Actor’s Tools and How They Can Help You in Your Work with Students
Monday, September 14, 6:45-7:45 pm
Online
Presenter: Wayne Trembly, CETL

We will discuss:

The three main actor’s tools: Face, voice, body
Other tools such as energy, enthusiasm, expression, concentration, focus, confidence, presence…

Icebreakers

Online – Blackboard Collaborate – see event details / check email on the day of event
Presenter: Tina Huey, CETL

This workshop will introduce you to different ways to enhance student engagement with other students in the classroom through icebreakers. Some icebreakers are designed as on-the-spot, low-stakes games that don’t take a lot of time, while others are designed to support community building in more depth, over time. We will discuss how community and relationship building impacts learning online.

Tuesday, September 8, 6:00 p.m. -7:15 p.m.
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1729

Thursday, September 10, 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1730

Facilitating groups and teams
Thursday, September 10, 3:00-4:15
Online – Blackboard Collaborate – see event details / check email on the day of event
Presenter: Tina Huey, CETL

The thematic focus for this particular session is creating group work and teams in remote teaching.

Proposed Objectives:
• Discuss the affordances and limitations of group work in distance learning
• Share ideas for addressing the challenges of team projects
• Share what’s on your mind

Equitable participation in distance learning
Monday, September 14, 6:00-7:15 p.m.
Online – Blackboard Collaborate – see event details / check email on the day of event
Presenter: Tina Huey, CETL and Karen Skudlarek, CETL-EdTech

The thematic focus for this particular session is equity, inclusion, and diversity in teaching and course design.

Proposed Objectives
• Discover some practices to nurture an inclusive virtual classroom environment, assignments, and activities.
• Identify challenges to equity in remote teaching and discuss ways to approach those challenges
• Share what is on your mind

Designing for energetic online discussions
Tuesday, September 15, 9:00 a.m.-10:15 a.m.
Online – Blackboard Collaborate – see event details / check email on the day of event
Presenter: Tina Huey, CETL

What are Teaching Talks?
Join us for an hour of your day to connect with your colleagues. These sessions serve as a springboard for discussions around a topic related to teaching and learning but really give you the chance to share the success and challenges you are facing in our new teaching reality. Each session has a topical theme but are shaped by the participant’s discussion, needs, and interests.
The thematic focus for this particular session is designing for energetic online discussions.
Proposed Objectives:
• Discover fundamental techniques that help keep students engaged
• Discuss ways to use different modes and media to support discussion
• Consider ways to assess discussion contributions
• Share what is on your mind

Equitable & inclusive teaching in distance learning: a practical overview
Tuesday, September 16, 6:00-7:15
Online – Blackboard Collaborate – see event details / check email on the day of event
Presenter: Tina Huey and Martina Rosenberg, CETL

What are Teaching Talks?
Join us for an hour of your day to connect with your colleagues. These sessions serve as a springboard for discussions around a topic related to teaching and learning but really give you the chance to share the success and challenges you are facing in our new teaching reality. Each session has a topical theme but is shaped by the participants’ discussion, needs, and interests.
The thematic focus for this particular session is designing online activities and assessments that are inclusive.
Proposed Objectives:
• Discuss multi-modal activities and assessments for inclusivity
• Discuss simple things you can do and why they’re a good idea
• Review common pitfalls
• Share what’s on your mind

Student video and audio presentations
Wednesday, September 16, 1:00-2:15
Online – Blackboard Collaborate – see event details / check email on the day of event
Presenter: Tina Huey, CETL and Karen Skudlarek, CETL-EdTech

The focus of this workshop is designing video and audio assignments. If you can, please bring a brief description of a course objective or assignment you are thinking about.
Proposed Objectives:
• Review the value of, and some best practices for, video and audio assignments
• Discuss how to use multimodal assignments for formative and summative assessment
• Share what’s on your mind—brainstorm for a course you’re designing or redesigning for remote teaching.

Crafting a Teaching Philosophy Statement
Online
Presenter: Tina Huey, CETL

The thematic focus for this particular session is crafting a teaching philosophy statement.

Proposed Objectives
• Discuss the desirable elements of a teaching philosophy statement for job or PTR applications
• Begin drafting in response to prompts provided
• Share what is on your mind

Friday, September 18, 11:00-12:15
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1743

Thursday, September 24, 1:00-2:15
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1744

Wednesday, October 7, 10:00-11:15
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1745

Writing a diversity statement for job searches or PTR
Online
Presenter: Tina Huey, CETL

The thematic focus for this particular session is crafting a diversity statement.

Proposed Objectives
• Discuss the diversity statement as a part of, or independent from, a broader teaching philosophy statement
• Begin drafting in response to prompts provided for reflection on diversity commitments
• Share what is on your mind

Thursday, September 24, 2:30-3:30
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1746

Wednesday, October 7, 11:30-12:30
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1747

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HANDS-ON HUSKYCT Workshops and other EdTech Workshops

SEPTEMBER

Need help with HuskyCT? HuskyCT open session (basics, organizing, grade center, LockDown Browser, assessments, etc.)
Online – https://uconn-cmr.webex.com/join/kps05003

Did you try HuskyCT basics and still have questions? Did you try building your assessment in HuskyCT last week and still have questions? Do you plan to use LockDown Browser but have a few more questions? Need advice on Grade Center? EdTech will host a session for you to ask questions about HuskyCT features with which you continue to struggle. This will not be a training session, rather it will be an opportunity to ask a specific question related to HuskyCT features.

Presenter: Daniel Facchinetti, CETL-EdTech

Tuesday, September 1, 11:00-12:00
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1685

Tuesday, September 8, 11:00-12:00
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1686

Tuesday, September 15, 11:00-12:00
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1687

Tuesday, September 22, 11:00-12:00
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1688

Tuesday, September 29, 11:00-12:00
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1689

Presenter: Margaret Ascenzo, CETL-EdTech

Thursday, September 3, 2:00-3:00
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1690

Thursday, September 10, 2:00-3:00
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1691

Thursday, September 17, 2:00-3:00
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1692

Thursday, September 24, 2:00-3:00
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1693

Create short lecture videos for your class – Kaltura
Online
Presenter: Karen Skudlarek, CETL-EdTech

Some advantages of using video in your class include the following:
• Provides a way for students to review material
• Provides instructors another way to present content (i.e. flip the classroom)
• Record video “microlectures” before or after class to help with difficult concepts

Using UConn’s video platform, Kaltura, you can record lectures, store videos, create quizzes and share them in your HuskyCT course. In addition, students can use it for homework assignments or for discussions. The training will cover how faculty, staff or students can create, upload, edit, and share videos. Also included will be instructions on how to caption your videos.
Once registered and if you will be attending via online please plan to join 10 minutes before the session begins to make sure you connect successfully.

Tuesday, September 15, 12:00 – 1:00
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1700

Thursday, September 24, 10:00 – 11:00
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1701

Thursday, October 1, 10:00 – 11:00
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1702

Collaborate open session
Online
Presenter: Karen Skudlarek, CETL-EdTech

Did you try Collaborate and still have questions? Need advice on a new Collaborate feature? EdTech will host a session for you to ask questions about Collaborate features with which you continue to struggle. This will not be a training session, rather it will be an opportunity to ask a specific question related to Collaborate features.

Monday, September 9, 10:00 – 11:00
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1697

Monday, September 14, 11:00 – 12:00
Register https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1698

Tuesday, September 22, 1:00 – 2:00
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1699

WebEx open session Online
Presenter: Karen Skudlarek, CETL-EdTech

Did you try WebEx and still have questions? Need advice on a new WebEx featurer? EdTech will host a session for you to ask questions about Webex features with which you continue to struggle. This will not be a training session, rather it will be an opportunity to ask a specific question related to Webex features.

Wednesday, September 2, 2:00 – 3:00
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1695

Thursday, September 10, 10:00 – 11:00
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1694

Monday, September 21, 12:30 – 1:30
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1696

Using the new and improved Webex for your teaching needs Online
Presenter: Karen Skudlarek, CETL-EdTech

On September 2^nd, UConn rolled out the latest edition of Webex. The updates include some exciting new features that faculty and staff have been interested in seeing. Join us to learn all about the changes.

Friday, September 18, 1:00-2:30
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1703

Thursday, September 17, 9:00-10:30
Register – https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=1704

Contact edtech@uconn.edu if you have questions or would like more information.

Check out our Seminar/workshops page