News

December 2 Teaching & Learning Newsletter

Dec 2, 2016, 09:09 AM

 

View the CITL Teaching & Learning Newsletter December 2 Issue

Announcements

Wishing You a Successful Completion of Fall 2016

As the fall term nears completion, we hope the wish we shared in August for an inspiring, productive and enjoyable semester rings true. In this edition of our newsletter, we promote announcements, tips and events to assist you in completing end-of-the-semester activities as well as to help raise awareness about teaching & learning developments on our campus and enrich perspectives on higher education. We want to thank you all for working with us, sharing your stories, your challenges, and your care for your students. This has been inspiring to all of us here at CITL.

Looking Forward to Spring 2017

As we close out 2016, we are already looking forward to continuing our relationship with you in Spring 2017. We will continue to offer the Junior Faculty Series and Teaching with Technology Seminar Series each with new and returning topics. We also look forward to our end of the year Celebration of College Teaching event. If you have any ideas on workshops or events you would like to see, we would love to hear from you. Please send them to citl-info@illinois.edu and we can see what we can do. 

CTEN Yoga Stress Buster

Stressed out about finals? Trying to balance preparing your students for their finals while preparing for your own? Join the College Teaching Effectiveness Network (CTEN, http://uoficten.weebly.com/) for a stress busting yoga session led by the Art of Living (AOL) - UIUC Chapter (http://aoluiuc.wixsite.com/home).  Feel free to bring your own yoga mats.  A limited number of yoga mats will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. This event is free, but please register so that we can ensure we have enough space.

CITL Events & Workshops

Workshops

Wed Dec 07
Teaching with Technology Seminar Series: The Power of Maps
12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M., room 428 Armory Building
Speaker: Jamie Nelson (CITL)

Thu Dec 08
CTEN Yoga Stress Buster
3:30 P.M. - 4:00 P.M., room 314B Illini Union
Hosted By: Donovan Bisbee (CTEN President)


Technical Training

Fri Dec 09
Illinois Compass 2g Grade Center Workshop
1:00 P.M. - 2:30 P.M., room 428 Armory Building
Speaker: Jordan Branham (CITL)

Mon Dec 12
Illinois Compass 2g Grade Center Walk-In Clinic
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M., room 428 Armory Building
Speaker: Jordan Branham (CITL)


Wed Dec 14
Illinois Compass 2g Grade Center Walk-In Clinic
1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M., room 428 Armory Building
Speaker: Jordan Branham (CITL)

Mon Dec 19
Illinois Compass 2g Grade Center Walk-In Clinic
3:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M., room 428 Armory Building
Speaker: Jordan Branham (CITL)

Training Opportunities Across Campus

Friday, Dec 2
Photoshop CC: Image prep lab
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M., room 27 Illini Hall
Speaker: Fast3/Webstore Training Services

Monday - Wedneday, Dec 5 - 7
InDesign CC:: Level 2
1:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M., room 27 Illini Hall
Speaker: Fast3/Webstore Training Services

Monday - Wedneday, Dec 12 - 14
Photoshop CC: Level 2
1:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M., room 27 Illini Hall 
Speaker: Fast3/Webstore Training Services


Tuesday, Dec 13
Newsletter in a Day
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M., room 27 Illini Hall 
Speaker: Fast3/Webstore Training Services

Teaching Tips

Final Exam Review Ideas

In a study of student perceptions of teacher misbehaviors, Kearny, Plax, Hays and Ivey (1991) report that a common complaint by students involved “unfair testing” practices. Faculty misbehaviors related to tests as reported by students were trick questions, ambiguous questions, tests too difficult, and no exam reviews.  Here are some ways to help students prepare for the final exam and to reduce student anxiety. (Weimer, 1998).

School’s Out! Almost. Strategies for the Last Day of Class

The first day of class usually gets all the attention, and the last day of class is often neglected. By the end of a semester, the energy of most students and instructors has waned, and both have settled into comfortable routines. Too often, activities (if there are any) for the last day of class are cobbled together the night before, or the instructor gives a bland ‘wrap-up’ lecture summarizing the previous weeks. This is the challenge: how to create a last day of class that leaves students thinking about what a great course they took, and leaves you wanting to teach it again next year. Here are ways to make the last day substantive, engaging, and meaningful.