Foundations of College Teaching Workshop Series
This workshop series is a select set of hands-on, basic-level workshops that introduce and provide guidance on high-priority teaching skills for college instruction at Cal Poly. They are offered during Fall Conference week and the first two weeks of the Fall term so that what is learned can be applied right away in Fall Quarter classes.
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The workshops are designed for educators who have had modest amounts of mentoring or guidance on effective teaching. Workshops may be of special interest to faculty who are industry experts hired as lecturers with minimal or no prior college-level teaching experience, as well as to new PhDs from degree programs that had few opportunities to develop teaching skills. Any educator interested in updating and refreshing their teaching knowledge and skills is also welcome.
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Each workshop includes some hands-on work to provide opportunities to put the recommended teaching practices into action. The workshops are also opportunities to learn with faculty colleagues through sharing reflections, exchanging feedback, and participating in discussions.
- Each workshop is offered multiple times in recognition of the many obligations that newer faculty have during the Fall Conference. In addition, there are options for pre-recorded, online/zoom, and onsite workshops to maximize access.
NOTE: Workshops are listed in a table by title and then below that in a table listing them by date.
To register visit the CTLT Foundations of College Teaching registration webpage.
Workshops By Title
| Title | Description | Dates/Times | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canvas: Introduction |
Learn the basics of Cal Poly Canvas’ login, navigation, tools, and menus. Support resources such as; course templates, online self-paced courses, web resources, email, chat, and consultations. |
- Sept 9, 9-10am (Online/Zoom) - Sept 9, 2-3pm (Online/Zoom) - Also recorded webinar on demand
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Canvas: Assessment and Gradebook Setup |
Get an overview of Canvas Assessments tools and when to use them. Since all graded assessments will be added to the Gradebook, faculty will also learn about Gradebook settings and layout. |
- Sept 9, 10-11am (Online/Zoom) - Sept 9, 3-4pm (Online/Zoom) - Also recorded webinar on demand
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| Effective Syllabus | Learn about required and recommended elements of effective syllabi that will engage and motivate students in your courses. This is an opportunity to draft revised versions of your syllabus for reflection and feedback from colleague participants. |
- Sept 9, 10am-12pm (Bldg. 35, Rm 209) - Sept 9, 1-3pm (Bldg. 35, Rm 209) |
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| Active Learning |
Explore active learning methods using engaging and illuminating formative assessment activities. This is an opportunity to select and draft methods for immediate use. |
- Sept 13, 10am-12pm (Bldg. 35, Rm 209) - Sept 14, 1-3pm (Bldg. 35, Rm 209) - Sept 16, 10am-12pm (Bldg. 35, Rm 209) |
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| Class Climate Basics |
Inclusive learning environments are those in which all students feel valued and respected. We will explore strategies for connecting with students, learning about them and the challenges they face, connecting students to each other, and assuring students that you are there to support their learning and success. |
- Sept 13, 1-3pm (Bldg. 35, Rm 209) - Sept 15, 10am-12pm (Bldg. 35, Rm 209) - Sept 16, 1-3pm (Bldg. 35, Rm 209) |
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| Backward Course Design Basics |
Well-designed and purposeful assignments, activities, and assessments that are intentionally aligned with course learning objectives can greatly enhance student learning. We will explore backward course design theory, use it to reflect on your course's curriculum, and tighten your course delivery. |
- Sept 14, 10am-12pm (Online/Zoom) |
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| Preparing a Successful Course Launch |
This workshop covers a myriad of preparation considerations for launching a successful course and may prevent a few foreseeable issues that could cause problems down the road. Learn from the mistakes of those who came before you, and collect new ideas from your colleagues. |
- Sept 21, 10am-12pm (Online/Zoom) |
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| Accessibility Basics |
Empower students with disabilities to take ownership of their learning by providing equitable access and experiences. We will identify common barriers to learning in the classroom and discover solutions to remove those barriers. You can then identify barriers in your own classes and discuss solutions with your peers. |
- Sept 15, 1-3 pm (Online/Zoom) - Sept 21, 1-3 pm (Online/Zoom) - Sept 27, 10am-12pm (Online/Zoom) |
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| Warm Welcomes and Effective Communications |
Contact comes in many forms. We will explore setting an inviting tone, delivering timely announcements, filtering messages for student success, and preventing confusion about important course dates and expectations. |
- Sept 15, 1-3pm (Online/Zoom) |
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| Assignment Scaffolding |
One of the best ways to help students learn is to "chunk" your content and assignments into lower-stakes formative experiences over time, working up to those necessary, higher-stakes summative assessments. We will investigate this method of course scaffolding by analyzing your course's curricular arc. Getting from one level to the next in a steady, integrated way builds students' confidence and intrinsic motivation. |
- Sept 22, 10am-12pm (Online/Zoom) |
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| Team Learning Basics |
Successful group work, or teamwork, in your classes depends on team structure, expectations, management, and feedback. We will explore team learning models and methods, identify components of effective teams, and share resources to create and manage successful teams. You can then share team learning ideas with your peers for feedback. |
- Sept 23, 10am-12pm (Online/Zoom) - Sept 29, 1-3 pm (Online/Zoom) |
Workshops By Date
Pre-Fall Conference
| Date | workshops | Times | location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri Sept 9 | Canvas: Introduction | 9-10 am | Online/Zoom |
| Effective Syllabus | 10am-12pm | Bldg 35, Rm 209 | |
| Canvas: Assessment & Gradebook Setup | 10-11am | Online/Zoom | |
| Effective Syllabus | 1-3pm | Bldg 35, Rm 209 | |
| Canvas: Introduction | 2-3pm | Online/Zoom | |
| Canvas: Assessment & Gradebook Setup | 3-4pm | Online/Zoom |
Fall Conference Week
| Date | workshops | Times | location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon Sept 12 | Canvas: Introduction | Recorded webinar | Online |
| Canvas: Assessment and Gradebook Setup | Recorded webinar | Online | |
| Effective Syllabus | 10am-12pm | Bldg 35, Rm 209 |
| Date | workshops | Times | location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue Sept 13 | Canvas: Introduction | Recorded webinar | Online |
| Canvas: Assessment and Gradebook Setup | Recorded webinar | Online | |
| Active Learning | 10am-12pm | Bldg 35, Rm 209 | |
| Class Climate Basics | 1-3pm | Bldg. 35, Rm 209 |
| Date | workshops | Times | location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Sept 14 | Canvas: Introduction | Recorded webinar | Online |
| Canvas: Assessment and Gradebook Setup | Recorded webinar | Online | |
| Backward Course Design Basics | 10am-12pm | Online/Zoom | |
| Active Learning | 1-3pm | Bldg 35, Rm 209 |
| Date | workshops | Times | location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thur Sept 15 | Canvas: Introduction | Recorded webinar | Online |
| Canvas: Assessment and Gradebook Setup | Recorded webinar | Online | |
| Class Climate Basics | 10am-12pm | Bldg. 35, Rm 209 | |
| Accessibility Basics | 1-3pm | Online/Zoom | |
| Warm Welcomes and Effective Communications | 1-3pm | Online/Zoom |
| Date | workshops | Times | location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri Sept 16 | Canvas: Introduction | Recorded webinar | Online |
| Canvas: Assessment and Gradebook Setup | Recorded webinar | Online | |
| Active Learning | 10am-12pm | Bldg 35, Rm 209 | |
| Class Climate Basics | 1-3pm | Bldg. 35, Rm 209 |
Week 1 Fall Quarter
| Date | workshops | Times | location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon Sept 19 | Canvas: Introduction | Recorded webinar | Online |
| Canvas: Assessment and Gradebook Setup | Recorded webinar | Online | |
| Warm Welcomes and Effective Communications | 1-3pm | Online/Zoom |
| Date | workshops | Times | location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue Sept 20 | Canvas: Introduction | Recorded webinar | Online |
| Canvas: Assessment and Gradebook Setup | Recorded webinar | Online | |
| Warm Welcomes and Effective Communications | 10am-12pm | Online/Zoom | |
| Backward Course Design Basics | 1-3pm | Online/Zoom |
| Date | workshops | Times | location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Sept 21 | Canvas: Introduction | Recorded webinar | Online |
| Canvas: Assessment and Gradebook Setup | Recorded webinar | Online | |
| Preparing a Successful Course Launch | 10am-12pm | Online/Zoom | |
| Accessibility Basics | 1-3pm | Online/Zoom |
| Date | workshops | Times | location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thur Sept 22 | Canvas: Introduction | Recorded webinar | Online |
| Canvas: Assessment and Gradebook Setup | Recorded webinar | Online | |
| Assignment Scaffolding | 10am-12pm | Online/Zoom | |
| Preparing a Successful Course Launch | 1-3pm | Online/Zoom |
| Date | workshops | Times | location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri Sept 23 | Canvas: Introduction | Recorded webinar | Online |
| Canvas: Assessment and Gradebook Setup | Recorded webinar | Online | |
| Team Learning Basics | 10am-12pm | Online/Zoom |
Week 2 Fall Quarter
| Date | workshops | Times | location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon Sept 26 | Canvas: Introduction | Recorded webinar | Online |
| Canvas: Assessment and Gradebook Setup | Recorded webinar | Online |
| Date | workshops | Times | location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue Sept 27 | Canvas: Introduction | Recorded webinar | Online |
| Canvas: Assessment and Gradebook Setup | Recorded webinar | Online | |
| Accessibility Basics | 10am-12pm | Online/Zoom |
| Date | workshops | Times | location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Sept 28 | Canvas: Introduction | Recorded webinar | Online |
| Canvas: Assessment and Gradebook Setup | Recorded webinar | Online | |
| Date | workshops | Times | location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thur Sept 29 | Canvas: Introduction | Recorded webinar | Online |
| Canvas: Assessment and Gradebook Setup | Recorded webinar | Online | |
| Preparing a Successful Course Launch | 10am-12pm | Online/Zoom | |
| Team Learning Basics | 1-3pm | Online/Zoom |
| Date | workshops | Times | location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri Sept 30 | Canvas: Introduction | Recorded webinar | Online |
| Canvas: Assessment and Gradebook Setup | Recorded webinar | Online |
