During this session, Susan Gallanis will demonstrate how to retrieve a Blackboard Test and convert it to a Word document. The process uses the software Respondus 4.0 (test builder) and is now available to all Concordia faculty. Participants will also learn how to troubleshoot the most common errors.  

Here are the resources for this program that was held on Wednesday, October 19, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern:

Respondus 4.0 Resources

Recording

Here is where to find the formatting requirements if you want to import a test from a Word document into Respondus 4.0

Summer 2021

Beg, Borrow or Steal – Why Plagiarism Matters to Students and Faculty

Monday July 19, 5:30 – 7:30 pm Central/5:30 – 8:30 pm Eastern via Zoom

Brought to you by the CELT

During this session we will discuss the common types of plagiarism, and share strategies and activities to help students understand and avoid plagiarism. We will also share best practices for talking to students about plagiarism, discuss the university reporting process and share related resources. Joining the session includes Elizabeth Polzin, Assistant Vice President of Academics Student Success; Elaine Gustafson, Instruction Reference and Research Support Librarian; and other guests.

Two Faculty Development Programs offered during Summer, 2021.

These sessions are required for full and part-time faculty who did not attend the Course Design and Pedagogy session or the Blackboard for Effective Course Delivery session offered during Summer 2020. Faculty who did attend these sessions in Summer 2020 are welcome, but not required to attend.

Both session are 90 minutes and offered via Zoom.

Introduction to Four Instructional Methods at CUWAA

Beginning Spring 2020, Concordia modified course development and instruction to meet the challenges presented by the pandemic. We utilized a variety of instructional delivery methods during the last year. In this session, we will build upon what we learned during COVID to remain resilient, flexible, and prepared for the future.

This session is an overview of four instructional methods used at CUWAA: 100% Virtual, Polysynchronous, Face-to-Face with Occasional Zoom, and Online Asynchronous teaching. The session will focus on how you can most effectively plan and deliver your course in any of these four methods. The goal is to share best practices and resources for teaching and for communication with students. This session is required for full and part-time faculty who did not attend the Course Design and Pedagogy session offered during Summer 2020. Faculty who did attend the session in Summer 2020 are welcome, but not required to attend.

Registration is required for this event. Register for one of the sessions below (each registration link is specific to the session date):

• Wednesday June 16, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Central/Noon – 1:30 pm Eastern
• Thursday July 22, Noon – 1:30 pm Central/1:00 – 2:30 pm Eastern
• Monday August 9, 9:00 – 10:30 am Central/10:00 – 11:30 am Eastern

After submitting your registration, you will receive a registration confirmation, the Zoom meeting link, and the option to add this event to your calendar.

Blackboard for Effective Course Delivery 2021

The focus of this session is using your Blackboard course site as a tool for organizing course content and communicating with students. Topics include faculty expectations for Blackboard, including using assignment “drop boxes” for all students to submit their assignments, using the Content area effectively, and more. We will highlight important features of the Grade Center, share a sample Blackboard course template, explain how to avoid hitting the course size maximum, and provide an effective course review checklist. This session is required for full and part-time faculty who did not attend the Blackboard for Effective Course Design session offered during Summer 2020. Faculty who did attend the session in Summer 2020 are welcome, but not required to attend.

Registration is required for this event. Register for one of the sessions below (each registration link is specific to the session date):

• Wednesday June 16, 2:00 – 3:30 pm Central/3:00 – 4:30 pm Eastern
• Thursday July 22, 9:00 – 10:30 am Central/10:00 – 11:30 am Eastern
• Monday August 9, Noon – 1:30 pm Central/1:00 – 2:30 pm Eastern

After submitting your registration, you will receive a registration confirmation, the Zoom meeting link, and the option to add this event to your calendar.

Christian Vocation and Personal Meaning: Supporting Student Mental Health

Tuesday August 17, 10:00 – 11:30 am Central/11:00 am – 12:30 pm Eastern via Zoom

Facilitator: Rachel Pickett, Professor of Psychology, First Year Experience Director

This session will focus on the concept of Christian Vocation as a way to engage students in exploring meaning and purpose as a tool to foster positive psychological well-being. A brief foundation on the impact of COVID19 and student mental health will be provided along with research supporting the link between meaning, purpose, and well-being. Resources on vocational discernment, campus outlets/referral processes, and discussion techniques grounded in humanism will be presented. Participants will explore ways to incorporate vocation in their interactions with students. This workshop can apply to the NetVUE grant.

Fall 2021

Fall Book Group for Faculty and Staff: Living Vocationally: The Journey of the Called Life

Led by Rachel Pickett on Zoom

All take place Fridays, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 Eastern the following dates:
September 17, October 15, November 12

Book included. Limit 20 persons. Open to Faculty and Staff
Registration Deadline: Tuesday September 7, 2021 5:00pm Central/6:00pm Eastern

As Christians we have a rich history of “vocation” as the way to live out our lives in service. The God who called Israel and sent Jesus has something in mind for us. God’s call challenges us, and opens us to personal and spiritual development throughout our lives. Living Vocationally, by Paul Wadell and Charles Pinches is the NetVUE Big Read; the books have been provided by NetVUE, part of the Council of Independent Colleges.

The first meeting focuses on Part I, “Preparing for the Journey,” which considers the benefits of living vocationally, and biblical traditions of call. In October, we will consider Part II, “The Journey of the Called Life” which examines why vocation pertains not only to careers, but indeed touches every dimension of our lives and encompasses our full journey through life. Part III, for the November meeting, considers the virtues we need to live the called life well: attentiveness, humility, gratitude, fidelity, justice, courage, hope and patience.

Fall Book Group for Mequon Faculty: A Guide to Effective Studying and Learning: Practical Strategies from the Science of Learning [CUW only]

Led by Kate Robertson in R006 on the Mequon Campus

All take place Mondays, 2:00 – 3:00 pm Central in R006 on the following dates:
September 20, October 11, October 25, November 15, November 29.

Book included. Limit 20 faculty.
Registration Deadline: Tuesday September 7, 2021 5:00pm Central

Do your students know how to study effectively? Are you looking for strategies to share with your students on studying and learning that actually work? Then join this semester’s CELT book group in which we will explore A guide to effective studying and learning, based on ideas grounded in research on learning. Topics such as metacognition, elaboration, imagery, cues, and spaced practice will be addressed. Each chapter contains a tangible “tips you can use” section, plus many practice activities and demonstrations. Participants will gain knowledge of recommended learning techniques that will help their students and guide their teaching.

Book information: Rhodes, M.G., Cleary, A.M., & DeLosh, E.L. (2020). A guide to effective studying and learning: Practical strategies from the science of learning. Oxford University Press.

Aligning Assignments [CUAA Only]

Tuesday September 14, 3:30 – 4:30 Eastern Time
Location: Zimmerman

Facilitator: Erin Laverick

In this session, we will discuss best practices for aligning assessments in a course syllabus and Blackboard. Participants are encouraged to bring their laptops.

Faculty Roundtable: Time Management

Wednesday September 15, 2:00 – 3:00 pm Central/3:00 – 4:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Facilitators: Kate Robertson (CELT) and Julie Dresen (ORSP)

All faculty are welcome to attend; programming is specifically geared toward faculty with 3-5 years of experience at CUWAA. Meant to be a follow up to Year 1 and Year 2 faculty programming, this month’s Faculty Roundtable will explore strategies for effective time management in both grading and scholarship work. Helpful resources will be shared. Bring your own ideas to share and learn additional tips.

Supporting Student Wellness and Mental Health with Steve Gerner and Beth DeJongh [CUW only]

Thursday September 16, 12:15 – 1:00 pm Central via Zoom|

Presenters: Steve Gerner, Beth Dejongh

Attend this Zoom session to learn how the Mequon Campus provides support to students for their wellness and mental health, including our expanded JED Campus efforts. Learn your role as faculty and staff in supporting students and how we reach students through the CU App.

Faith and Learning Lunch ‘n Learn: The Family with Harald Tomesch [CUW only]

Wednesday September 22, 12:10 to 1:00pm in the Lakeshore Room

Luther did not use the two kingdoms doctrine employed by later Orthodox theologians. He rather used the three economies. All these economies are under tremendous stress but none like the Family as God designed it. This session will explore the role of biblical marriage, Christian identity and how family life shapes the larger institutions of church and state. Especially, with the family, according to Scripture, some areas are non-negotiable.

Concordia Faculty Seminar: Michael Toppe and Mike McKinnis – Recent Doctorates

Wednesday September 29, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Please plan to join us on Zoom to learn about the research conducted by two colleagues who recently completed their doctoral degrees: Michael Toppe and Mike McKinnis

• Michael Toppe, of the CUW Physician Assistant Studies program, recently completed his Doctor of Medical Science degree from the University of Lynchburg (VA) with a dissertation entitled “Faith Based (FB) Community Health Workers (CHWs): Hidden CHWs, Hidden Outcomes?”.
• Mike McKinnis, of the CUW Occupational Therapy Program, completed his Ph.D. in the Spring of 2021 at Cardinal Stritch University with a dissertation entitled “The Lived Experiences of Acute Care Occupational Therapists When Implementing Fall Prevention Assessments, Interventions, and Documentation.”

Concordia Faculty Seminars are informal interactive presentations and conversations on faculty and staff projects including grants, research, and service designed to promote scholarship, spark new ideas, provide opportunities for meaningful discussion, and increase collaboration. Faculty, staff and students are welcome at attend.

Asset-based Education [CUAA Only]

Monday October 4, 3:30 – 4:30 pm Eastern
Location: Zimmerman

Facilitator: Erin Laverick

Asset-based education calls on teachers to consider students’ individual strengths when lesson planning and creating assessments. Come and learn more about how to better meet your students where they are at.

The Concordia Writing Collaborative: Coming Soon to A Classroom Near You with Stephanie Guedet, Writing Collaborative Coordinator

Wednesday October 6, 12:15 – 1:00 pm Central/1:15 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Presenter: Stephanie Guedet

This program is for faculty. Our efforts to improve student writing are taking a step forward this year with the establishment of the CU Writing Collaborative. Learn what this new approach means and how you can participate in helping students be “attentive” to their writing in your classes.

Practices & Processes: Syllabus Submission to Provost and Banner Course Information Form

With Elizabeth Evans and Allison Wolf.
Friday October 8, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

This session introduces the new process and materials for submitting the official course syllabus to the Provost Office, where to find information about the syllabus format and effective course descriptions, and when to complete the Banner Course Information (BCI) form. The audience for this program is department chairs, program directors, academic support staff, and deans.

Meet the New Methodologist: Wayne Thompson

Monday October 11, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Meet and greet our new methodologist supporting faculty in research: Dr. Wayne Thompson. Previously a faculty member at Carthage and Concordia Chicago, Dr. Thompson is available to meet with faculty to support them in their research, including developing research questions, identifying proper methodologies, sampling and data collection, using SPSS, and writing for publication. Dr. Thompson works for the Office of Sponsored Research; Julie Dresen will also be present for this meet and greet.

Concordia Faculty Seminar: Launch MKE and COVID-19 Ambassadors: The Work of Dr. Kenneth Harris

Brought to you by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP)
Thursday October 14, 12:15 – 1:00 pm Central/1:15 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Presenter: Dr. Kenneth Harris

Dr. Harris will discuss his two projects with the campus community. The first, Launch MKE, is focused on creating an online course for new, underrepresented entrepreneurs. Dr. Harris will also discuss the COVID-19 Ambassadors project, which is creating a program to train community workers to become vaccine ambassadors.

Concordia Faculty Seminars are informal interactive presentations and conversations on faculty and staff projects including grants, research, and service designed to promote scholarship, spark new ideas, provide opportunities for meaningful discussion, and increase collaboration. Faculty, staff and students are welcome at attend.

Faculty Roundtable: “Challenging” Students

Monday October 18, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Facilitator: Kate Robertson (CELT)

All faculty are welcome to attend; programming is specifically geared toward faculty with 3-5 years of experience at CUWAA. Meant to be a follow up to Year 1 and Year 2 faculty programming, this month’s Faculty Roundtable will explore strategies for dealing with “challenging” students. Various meanings of “challenging” will be identified and discussed. Helpful resources and strategies will be shared. Bring your own ideas to share and learn additional tips.

Faith and Learning Lunch ‘n Learn: Forgiveness and Vocation with Aaron Moldenhauer [CUW only]

Monday October 25, 12:10 – 1:00 pm in the Lakeshore Room
Lunch included: maximum is 15 paid lunches, through the cafeteria line

How do people live together when those people are sinners and do things that hurt one another? Scripture holds forth forgiveness as the answer, and calls people in all vocations to forgive one another. Yet we live in an age where forgiveness is becoming increasingly rare. This presentation will look at how we might practice forgiveness with others in our vocations here at Concordia and beyond. We will consider what forgiveness is, the reasons Scripture gives to forgive others, and why forgiveness is becoming increasingly rare.

Academic Advising Training [CUAA Only]

Tuesday October 26, 3:30 – 4:30 pm Eastern
Location: DMC

Facilitator: Kate (Katherine) Robbins

Come and learn about best practices for advising undergraduate students.

QPR Training for CUW Faculty [CUW only]

Thursday October 28, Noon – 1:00 pm Central Time

Presenter: Laura Acompanado, MSSW, LCSW

This is part of how the Mequon Campus provides support to students for their wellness and mental health, including our expanded JED Campus efforts. For this session, Concordia has partnered with the QPR Institute to teach the faculty of Concordia University Wisconsin—i.e. the lay and professional “gatekeepers” of students’ mental and emotional well-being—about the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond.

Gatekeepers can include anyone who is strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide (e.g. parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, police officers). The process follows three steps:

1. Question the individual’s desire or intent regarding suicide
2. Persuade the person to seek and accept help, and
3. Refer the person to appropriate resources.

Attendees will learn how to recognize someone at risk for suicide, intervene with those at risk, and refer them to the appropriate resource.

Practices & Processes: Classroom Observation of Faculty

Friday October 29, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Presenter: Susan Gallanis

During this session, we will explore and discuss the teaching observation process and form used for summative faculty observations. We will also share effective strategies observers can use while observing and during the post-observation discussion. The audience for this program is department chairs, program directors and deans.

Meet and Greet: Diana Belscamper, Online Teaching and Learning Specialist in CELT [CUW Only]

Wednesday November 3, Noon – 1:00 pm Central on Zoom

Faculty development and encouragement of faculty teaching fully online courses is now housed in the CELT. Meet Diana Belscamper, formerly post-traditional advisor and center director, who is now an instructional development specialist working to communicate with faculty about their work with students and plan faculty development for teaching online. Audience: Program Directors/Department Chairs and Faculty in Fully Online or Blended Online Programs.

Concordia Faculty Seminar: Cindy Lund and Brenda Jobe – Recent Doctorates

Thursday November 4, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Please plan to join us on Zoom to learn about the research conducted by two colleagues who recently completed their doctoral degrees: Cindy Lund and Brenda Jobe.

• Cindy Lund, of the Speech and Language Pathology Department at the Mequon Campus, recently completed her Ph.D.in Health Sciences from Northern Illinois University. The title of her dissertation is “Physiological Stability during Oral Feeding in Preterm Infants: Associations with Feeding Behaviors and Cues”.
• Brenda Jobe, from our School of Nursing at CUW, completed her DNP from Marquette University. Her final project was titled “Improving Blood Pressure Accuracy in Pediatric Primary Care: A Quality Improvement Project.”

Concordia Faculty Seminars are informal interactive presentations and conversations on faculty and staff projects including grants, research, and service designed to promote scholarship, spark new ideas, provide opportunities for meaningful discussion, and increase collaboration. Faculty, staff and students are welcome at attend.

Practices & Processes: Approval Frameworks and Forms for Academic Program Change

Tuesday November 9, 3:00 – 4:00 pm Central/4:00 – 5:00pm Eastern via Zoom

With Tammy Ferry and Andy Dunn from the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, and Tom Davila, Director of Continuing Education

As Concordia continues to review and revise academic programs to maintain relevant curriculum and offerings for today’s learners, all Program Directors and Department Chairs should be aware of our internal change processes for new programs, revising programs, and establishing new professional development programs. The role of the Academic Program Support Team (APST) will be included. Please register to attend if you are new to your role, or want an update on the most recent improvements to our processes.
This program is for Program Directors, Department Chairs, and Faculty from Mequon and Ann Arbor.

Eight Habits of Mind for Successful College Writers

With Stephanie Guedet, Writing Collaborative Coordinator
Wednesday November 10, 3:00 – 4:00 pm Central/4:00 – 5:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Join this session to learn and share how to support your students’ attention to effective writing in any course. What practices have you already incorporated to install habits of mind that make writing a learning experience for students? This program is for faculty at both campuses.

Faith and Learning Lunch ‘n Learn: Living in the Two Kingdoms with Jason Lane [CUW only]

Thursday November 11, 12:10 – 1:00 pm in the Lakeshore Room
Lunch included: maximum is 15 paid lunches, through the cafeteria line.

The Bible teaches that God operates in the world through two powers or two kingdoms: the kingdom of the law and the kingdom of His grace. In this Lunch and Learn we will explore what it means to be subjects of God in these two kingdoms and how we are called as Christian scholars and teachers to live in these realms with faith toward God and love toward our neighbor.

Campus Connections: Familiarizing Faculty with Resources to Facilitate Student Success

Monday November 15, 5:30 – 7:00 pm Central/6:30 – 8:00 pm Eastern via Zoom
Presented by the CELT and Student Support Leaders

During this presentation, faculty will learn about student support services provided by Academic Advising, the Academic Resource Center (including Tutoring), and Library. We will discuss the important role of faculty as a primary connection to Concordia for students, especially for students who may never physically visit the Mequon or Ann Arbor campuses. This session is primarily for faculty teaching classes fully online or through the Centers (face-to-face or virtually). However, all faculty are welcome to attend.

Faculty Roundtable: Working Toward Your Next Promotion

Tuesday November 16, 8:00 – 9:00 am Central/9:00 – 10:00 am Eastern via Zoom
Facilitators: Kate Robertson and Elizabeth Evans (CELT)

Representatives of the faculty committees who manage the faculty promotion process will share the requirements for promotion. Includes: What you should be thinking about to document your success in teaching, scholarship and service in the important years leading up to your next opportunity to apply for promotion; tips from some colleagues who have navigated this process. Bring questions and ideas. All faculty are welcome to attend; programming is specifically geared toward faculty with 3-5 years of experience at CUWAA. Meant to be a follow up to Year 1 and Year 2 faculty programming.

CU Ventures Lunch n’ Learn [CUW only]

With Dan Sem, Curt Gielow, and Joe McGraw
Thursday November 18, Noon – 1:00 pm Central in the Lake Shore Room
Up to 20 free lunches through the cafeteria line.

The program is for CUW Faculty. What is CU Ventures? How can you get involved? When a university employee or student develops a marketable idea using university resources, the idea—the “intellectual property”—belongs to the university. At Concordia, CU Ventures has been formed to create opportunities to access financial resources and expertise to help get such businesses going. At this meeting, faculty will learn about CU ventures and how to find investor funding for their inventions or start-up ideas. Sponsored by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

Practices & Processes: Hiring Full-time Faculty

With Leah Dvorak and Kim Masenthin
Monday November 22, Noon – 1:00pm Central/1:00 – 2:00pm Eastern via Zoom

This session covers how to request a position, develop the job description, the position posting and screening, the interview and vetting process, and negotiating the hire. Audience: Department Chairs, Program Directors, Deans

January 2022

Practices and Processes: The Successful Department Chair/Academic Program Director

Friday January 7, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern
Presenter: Leah Dvorak

Audience: Department Chairs, Program Directors

What are the expectations for the role of Department Chair or Academic Program Director? An effective chair or academic program director manages faculty, staff, programs, courses, and processes vital to student success. The effective chair also fosters a healthy departmental culture and establishes efficient, collaborative decision-making processes. A strong department chair or program director uses both management skills and leadership skills to create and sustain a successful department in which faculty and staff feel engaged and energized.

New and Returning Faculty Development Day

Tuesday January 11, 8:15 – 4:00 Central/9:15 – 5:00 Eastern
All sessions are via Zoom

Schedule

Designing Your Course and Syllabus – Kate Robertson, Joanna Pheifer, and Elizabeth Evans
8:15 – 9:45 am Central/9:15 – 10:45 am Eastern

• Learn about and incorporate best practices in syllabus development and course design. Discussion will include the Concordia University syllabus template, including the latest revision for this fall, how to demonstrate connection to Global Learning Outcomes and what is required to document the credit hour policy.

Blackboard Basics – Susan Gallanis, Justin Frisque
10:00 – 11:30 am Central/11:00 am – 12:30 pm Eastern

• Learn how to add content, Blackboard Assignments (“dropboxes”) and set up the gradebook for a Spring course! This is an ideal session for faculty new to using Blackboard.

Engaging Your Learner – Susan Gallanis, Kate Robertson, and Diana Belscamper
11:45 am – 12:45 pm Central/12:45 – 1:45 pm Eastern

• Effective teaching fosters learning; students need to be engaged for learning to happen. This session introduces strategies to engage students in multiple instructional modes.

Blackboard Tests and Respondus LockDown Browser with Monitor with Susan Gallanis and Justin Frisque
1:00 – 2:30 pm Central/2:00 – 3:30 pm Eastern

• The first half of this session will show how faculty can create Blackboard Tests using three commonly used question types. The second half of the session will cover Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor. Faculty will learn the difference between LockDown Browser and Monitor, and how to enable the appropriate settings based on where students take the test.

Faculty Resources – Elizabeth Evans, Susan Gallanis, and Wayne Thompson
3:00 – 4:00 pm Central/4:00 – 5:00 pm Eastern

• Learn what resources are available to you as faculty, including research/scholarship support, where to find them, and who to contact if you need more help.

After submitting your registration, the CELT Student Worker will send you an Outlook invitation for each session you registered for and it will include the Zoom link. Please accept the invitation(s) as you will not receive a separate email confirmation.

SoTL Workshop with Erin Laverick [CUAA only]

Wednesday January 12, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm Eastern
In person on the Ann Arbor campus

This session is for Ann Arbor faculty. During this workshop, we will define and discuss SoTL (scholarship of teaching and learning) and share ideas for designing SoTL projects. There will also be time devoted to writing research questions and planning a study. Morning refreshments and lunch is included. Participants will also receive a copy of Bishop-Clark and Dietz-Uhler’s book Engaging in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.

Tentative Schedule:

9:00-9:30 Coffee and Pastries
9:30-10:00 Freewrite & Discussion about SoTL in general
10:00-11:30 Defining and Designing SoTL Projects
11:30-12:30 Lunch
12:30-2:00 Workshop time -writing research questions and planning a study

Workshop for CIRG Applicants

Wednesday January 12, 1:00 – 2:00 pm Central/2:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Presenters: Natasha Irish, Rachel Heil

Note: First-time CIRG applicants must attend this workshop to be eligible for grant funding.

This workshop is to help faculty with the CIRG grants application process. The workshop will focus on the following:

1. Budget Development (Ensuring that your budget is appropriate, addresses necessary resources, and is justified)
2. Objectives and Outcomes (Developing goals, objectives, and outcomes)
3. Efficient and professional writing (Ensuring that your proposal is concise, specific, and clearly communicates your intent)

The purpose of these grants is to support scholarly activity among interested full-time Concordia University faculty. These grants are intended to function as seed money in obtaining additional funding from outside sources. If you are unsure if your idea is eligible, please review the definition of scholarship described in the CU Faculty handbook, or review the application for further information. CIRG is a faculty committee, and full-time faculty in all disciplines are encouraged to apply for a grant. Examples of past successfully funded proposals can be found in the portal link faculty page under the “research and scholarship” tab, along with the application.

Traditional Adjunct Orientation [CUW Only]

Thursday January 13, 5:00 – 7:00 pm Central time over Zoom
Presenters: Elizabeth Evans, Dan Paavola, Elizabeth Polzin, Susan Gallanis, Andrew Wahl, Jan Chapman

This orientation session is for new and returning traditional adjuncts teaching in-person at the Mequon campus.

Faculty Discussion of Academic Freedom

Three options, choose one:

• In-person at Ann Arbor – Thursday January 13, 1:00 – 2:30 pm Eastern time in the Music Lecture Hall, Kreft Arts Center. Leader: Charles Schulz.
• In-person Mequon – Tuesday January 18, 2:00 – 3:30 pm Central time in the Friends of Concordia Room. Leaders: Jordan Beck and Dan Sem.
• Zoom for both campuses – Thursday January 20, 2:00 – 3:30 pm Central/3:00 – 4:30 Eastern. Leaders: Jordan Beck and Dan Sem.

Sponsored by the Academic Freedom Task Force (Jordan Beck, Dan Sem, Arletta Frazier, Charles Schulz, Mikaely Schmitz, Angus Menuge)

Academic freedom, indicating the unfettered pursuit of truth through research and the exchange of ideas, is a cherished value on American university campuses. At the same time, Concordia University has always understood the exercise of academic freedom within the context of its commitments as a Lutheran University. Moreover, political and social discourse raise questions about, if not challenges to, the limits of academic freedom.

The Academic Freedom Task Force has produced a document in an effort to articulate what academic freedom means for us at Concordia University. We desire to trace the foundation of our understanding and exercise of this freedom to our commitment as Christian educators to pursue truth in teaching and learning. Our goal is to arrive at a consensus about the content of this document, which can then be used to evaluate or further develop our policies and procedures around academic freedom. We also hope to generate discussions and promote insights which lead us all to greater clarity and confidence in the exercise of academic freedom at Concordia.

In this session, faculty will gather to discuss academic freedom generally, respond to the task force document, and highlight discipline-specific issues related to the topic.

Blackboard Tests: Beyond the Basics

Friday January 14, 10:00 – 11:00 am Central/11:00 am – 12:00 pm Eastern

Presenter: Justin Frisque

This session is for faculty who are responsible for setting up their own course in Blackboard and are familiar with setting up a Blackboard test. During this session participants will learn how to set up tests using pools of questions using random blocks and question sets, how to use the “categories and keywords” section of a test question, and how to copy a test to another course.

Practices & Processes: Academic Program Assessment of Student Learning

Friday January 14, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Presenters: Elizabeth Evans, Tammy Ferry and Susan Gallanis

Audience: Department Chairs, Program Directors, Program Coordinators, Assessment Coordinators, and Supporting Staff

This session highlights the support available for curriculum mapping, the academic cycle of continuous improvement and assessment reporting processes, alignment of Program Learning Outcomes and Global Learning Outcomes, Focus GLOs each year, the EAC tool in Blackboard, how to find resources in the Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes portal channel, and quality indicators of effective academic program assessment process at Concordia.

Comprehensive Budget Management

Two sessions, choose one:
Wednesday January 19, 1:00 – 2:00 pm Central/2:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern via Zoom
Thursday January 20, 10:00 – 11:00 am Central/11:00 am – Noon Eastern via Zoom

Presenter: Andy Dunn

Audience: All budget managers and administrative assistants who are responsible for entering and/or overseeing the budget of an academic program or administrative area.

This presentation will cover:

• The FY23 budget process
• Budgeting tips
• 2 types of analysis that budget managers can use as they prepare their budgets:
  • Using the budget dashboard tool in Pyramid
  • Using our Banner system

Christian Vocation and Personal Meaning: Supporting Student Mental Health

Thursday January 20, 11:30 – 1:00 Central/12:30 – 2:00 Eastern via Zoom

Presenter: Rachel Pickett, Professor of Psychology, Department Chair

This session will focus on the concept of Christian Vocation as a way to engage students in exploring meaning and purpose as a tool to foster positive psychological well-being. A brief foundation on the impact of COVID19 and student mental health will be provided along with research supporting the link between meaning, purpose, and well-being. Resources on vocational discernment, campus outlets/referral processes, and discussion techniques grounded in humanism will be presented. Participants will explore ways to incorporate vocation in their interactions with students. This workshop can apply to the NetVUE grant.

Blackboard Discussion Boards

Friday January 21, 10:00 – 11:00 am Central/11:00 am – 12:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Presenter: Susan Gallanis

This session is for faculty who are responsible for setting up their own course in Blackboard. Learn how to set up two different types of discussion boards: one where the entire class participates on a discussion board and another where the class is split into groups and each group has its own discussion board.

Spring 2022

Faith and Learning Faculty Book Group: Spirituality of the Cross

Three Mondays on Zoom: February 14, March 7, April 25, 2022
2:00 – 3:00 pm Central/3:00 – 4:00 Eastern

Book: Gene Edward Veith’s Spirituality of the Cross, 3rd edition (2021)
Led by Jim Pingel, Dean of the School of Education

Audience: Faculty on either campus, or teaching online, virtually, or at centers

Join with faculty to discuss Lutheran theology and how it might be used in your teaching.
Books are included. Deadline to register: Friday Feb 4, 2022

Prior to each session, please read the following chapters

• Session 1: Introduction through Chapter 2 (pp. 17-80), Introduction, Justification, Means of Grace)
• Session 2: Chapters 3-4 (pp. 81-122) Theology of the Cross, Christology
• Session 3: Chapters 5-7 (pp. 123-204) Vocation, Living in Two Kingdoms

Concordia Faculty Seminar: Jennifer Thorpe and Kemery Sigmund – Recent Doctorates

Wednesday February 2, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Please plan to join us on Zoom to learn about the research conducted by two colleagues who recently completed their doctoral degrees: Jennifer Thorpe and Kemery Sigmund

• Jennifer Thorpe, Assistant Professor in our CUW Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program, has recently defended her dissertation for a PhD in Health Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her dissertation title is “The Use of a Biopsychosocial Framework in Evaluating and Treating Patellofemoral Pain.”
• Kemery Sigmund, Assistant Professor in the Health and Human Performance (HHP) department at the Mequon campus, has recently defended her dissertation for her Ph.D. in Biomechanics from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her dissertation title is “Central Sensitization, Muscle Function, and Knee Kinematics in Females with Patellofemoral Pain.”

Concordia Faculty Seminars are informal interactive presentations and conversations on faculty and staff projects including grants, research, and service designed to promote scholarship, spark new ideas, provide opportunities for meaningful discussion, and increase collaboration. Faculty, staff and students are welcome at attend.

QPR Training for CUW Faculty [CUW Only]

Wednesday February 9, Noon – 1:00 pm Central Time
Presenters: Vaynesia Kendrick, PSGM and Jeremy Triblett, PSGM

This is part of how the Mequon Campus provides support to students for their wellness and mental health, including our expanded JED Campus efforts. For this session, Concordia has partnered with the QPR Institute to teach the faculty of Concordia University Wisconsin—i.e. the lay and professional “gatekeepers” of students’ mental and emotional well-being—about the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond.

Gatekeepers can include anyone who is strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide (e.g. parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, police officers). The process follows three steps:

1. Question the individual’s desire or intent regarding suicide
2. Persuade the person to seek and accept help, and
3. Refer the person to appropriate resources.

Attendees will learn how to recognize someone at risk for suicide, intervene with those at risk, and refer them to the appropriate resource.

Practices and Processes: Updating the Catalog

Friday February 11, Noon – 1:00 pm Central, 1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Presenter: Karen Ruona and Erik Halling, Registrar’s Office

This session describes the types of information updated by departmental representatives in the next catalog and how to use the CourseLeaf application, including Deans, Department Chairs, Program Directors, Academic Administrative Assistants or others supporting this work. The 2022-2023 catalog opens for changes March 7, and all updates must be completed by June 6, 2022.

Best Practices for Rubric Design

Wednesday February 16, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern

Presenter: Susan Gallanis

This session is for faculty. During this session, we will explore the four main features of a rubric, look at two basic rubric types, and discuss how to approach rubric development. This session will not cover how to build an electronic rubric in Blackboard. Rather, the goal is to share best practices for developing a quality rubric used for grading student work.

Practices and Processes: Difficult Conversations and Faculty Challenges

Friday February 25, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Presenter: Leah Dvorak

Audience: Department Chairs and Program Directors

All organizations have some people who are difficult to work with, are poor performers, or who cause dissention and discord. If these behaviors are not addressed, there are often negative repercussions for the entire team. This session provides department chairs and program directors with specific strategies for managing challenging faculty.

Concordia Faculty Seminar: Amber Gray and Tom Scholz – Recent Doctorates

Wednesday March 2, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Please plan to join us on Zoom to learn about the research conducted by two colleagues who recently completed their doctoral degrees: Amber Gray and Tom Scholz.

• Amber Gray, MBA program director and faculty member in the School of Business at the CUAA campus, has recently defended her dissertation, “Accounting Students and Practicing Auditors: Differences in Emotional Intelligence.” She received her Ed.D. – Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement from Concordia University Wisconsin-Ann Arbor in December.
• Tom Scholz, faculty member in the School of Business at the Mequon Campus, completed his PhD in International Development at the University of Southern Mississippi with a dissertation entitled “Improving the Measurement of Economic Freedom” in December.

Concordia Faculty Seminars are informal interactive presentations and conversations on faculty and staff projects including grants, research, and service designed to promote scholarship, spark new ideas, provide opportunities for meaningful discussion, and increase collaboration. Faculty, staff and students are welcome at attend.

Stewardship and Citizenship: Service and Global Citizenship (GLO #2)

With Charles Schulz (Theology, Ann Arbor) and Jeff Walz (Political Science, Mequon)
Tuesday March 8, 3:00 – 4:00 pm Central/4:00 – 5:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Listen to faculty colleagues share their classroom strategies for teaching stewardship and citizenship as part of the curriculum that addresses Global Learning Outcome #2 Service and Global Citizenship “Our graduates are globally-minded citizens.” Also learn about the framework for assessing GLO #2 through the following types of student work.

• Service: Demonstrate Christ-like care, help, respect when providing service, or knowledge of how to serve others.
• Engagement with Diverse People: Recognize the diversity of God’s creation through cultural understanding of others and knowledge of self. (includes ULAO 2b)
• Stewardship: Recognize the free and joyous activity of managing life’s resources for God’s purposes. (includes ULAO 2c)
• Citizenship: Use political and non-political processes to promote quality of life in the community. (includes ULAO 2a/2d)

How Faculty Can Impact Student Success Using Blackboard Reports

Thursday March 10, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom
Presenter: Susan Gallanis

One way faculty can help students succeed is by learning how frequently students interact with their Blackboard course content. In this session faculty will learn how to access this information from their Blackboard course. We will also take a closer look at Blackboard rubric and test question data with a Blackboard tool called EAC and how it can be used to improve student learning.

Part I CUAA Peer Classroom Observations [CUAA only]

Wednesday March 23, 3:30 – 4:30 pm Eastern in the Manor Ballroom
Facilitator: Erin Laverick

In this session, faculty will learn how to observe a peer’s teaching, using the CUWAA observation form. They will also find a partner and plan for days/times to collaborate on the peer observation process.

Faculty Roundtable: Work-Life Integration

Tuesday March 29, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Does it seem like your personal life gets in the way of your job life? Are you rushing from thing to thing without a moment to take a breath? Join faculty Beth DeJongh (Pharmacy) Beth Buckley (Pharmacy) and Natalie Ross (Nursing) for this conversation about strategies for making our work-life integration as faculty more manageable. Prior to this session, you will be asked to rate the influence of your own challenges in faculty work-life integration.

Practices and Processes: Hiring Adjunct Faculty

Thursday March 31, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom
Presenters: Eric Schulz (HR), Laurie Doty (Provost Office), Sandy Hannemann (HR), Erin Laverick (VPAA – Ann Arbor)

Audience: Deans, Department Chairs/Program Directors, Academic Administrative Assistants
Join your colleagues to learn about the hiring process for Adjunct Faculty in three phases: 1) Job Posting & Applications; 2) Screening, Interviewing & Selection; and 3) Candidate Approval, Hiring and Onboarding. This session includes updated work flow and instructions document, how to find the paperwork, roles played by Deans, Department Chairs/Program Directors or Designee, Academic Administrative Assistants, and HR.

Faculty Roundtable: Teaching + Studying = Learning: Tips to Help Our Students Learn Inside and Outside the Classroom

Thursday April 7, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm via Zoom
Presenters: Kate Robertson and Nicole Muth

Finals are approaching! This session will share best practices for classroom instruction, as well as effective study strategies for faculty to recommend to students, that can lead to optimum student learning and performance.

Part II CUAA Peer Classroom Observations [CUAA Only]

Wednesday April 20, 3:30 – 4:30 pm Eastern in the Manor Ballroom
Facilitator: Erin Laverick

Prior this meeting, faculty will complete the peer observation so they can come together and discuss what they learned/gained from the peer observation process. They will also reflect on how they will apply what they learned in their future teaching.

Organic Chemistry, Indiana Jones and Ragdolls with 2021 – 2022 Faculty Laureate Scott Van Ornum

Thursday April 21, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern

Scott Van Ornum will share strategies for teaching his organic chemistry course that have been developed over the past ten years at CUW. He will address faith and learning concepts and how his hobby of Indiana Jones plays a role in his curriculum in keeping students engaged.

Summer 2022

Summer Faculty Book Group – Distracted: Why Students Can’t Focus and What You Can Do About It

Register by Friday, May 27 (end of day) to receive a free copy of the book

Tuesdays June 7, 21 and July 12: 11:00 am – Noon Central/Noon – 1:00 pm Eastern on Zoom
With Erin Laverick and Elizabeth Evans

Why is it so hard to get students to pay attention? The answer is not just to eliminate distractions, but to “rethink the practice of teaching.” This book by James N Lang, reveals “how educators can structure their classrooms less as distraction-free zones and more as environments where they can actively cultivate students’ attention. Brimming with ideas and grounded in new research, Distracted offers an innovative plan for the most important lesson of all: how to learn.”

Improve Your Spring Course Workshop

Wednesday May 18, 9:00 – 11:00 am Central/10:00 – Noon Eastern on Zoom

Presenters: Kate Robertson and Elizabeth Evans

Whew! Congrats! You finished the whirlwind known as the end of the semester. This is the perfect time to review one of your courses and plan improvements for next time. Bring your “student results” (your outputs) and your syllabus and your course “inputs” to this session. What does your course look like from the student’s POV? How did the course results align with your hopes/ goals? How did your organization, delivery of content, communication, evaluation strategies and instructional strategies make for effective learning? After review of a course, participants will identify changes to make for next time. You can use the plan developed here as an example of your continuous improvement in your upcoming annual faculty evaluation in June. Discussion and workshop time are included. This workshop fits any course delivery, including online.

Learn to use Voicethread for Student Engagement on Blackboard

Thursday May 19, 10:00 – 11:00 am Central/11:00 am – 12:00 pm Eastern on Zoom

Presenters: Susan Gallanis, Janice Weisenbach

Faculty will learn how to use Voicethread, a tool in Blackboard that takes the idea of an online discussion board to a new level of engagement. Participants will learn how to narrate media such as a PowerPoint, then share with students. Students can add audio, video, or text-based comments. We will also show how to create a Voicethread that can be graded in Blackboard.

Learn to Use Panopto

Thursday May 19, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern

Presenter: Justin Frisque

This session for faculty focuses on using Panopto for recording content on a laptop. Participants will learn how to record and share a Panopto recording, do basic video editing, share a video link, and add Panopto to your Blackboard course. Also covered is how to upload a Zoom recording to Panopto and set up a Blackboard Assignment (drop box) for students to submit their Panopto video assignment.

Concordia Faculty Seminar –Hannah Baker and Anne Martin – Recent Doctorates

Wednesday June 1, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Please plan to join us on Zoom to learn about the research conducted by two colleagues who recently completed their doctoral degrees:

• Anne Martin (Occupational Therapy, Mequon) recently completed her post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Creighton University with a project entitled “Occupational Therapy Practitioners’ Use of Standardized Assessments in Acute Care.”
• Hannah Baker (Physical Therapy, Mequon) recently defended her dissertation towards the Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences from Northern Illinois University. Her dissertation was entitled Exploring the Intersection of Nursing Home Culture, Improvement, and Documentation-Related Attitudes.

Concordia Faculty Seminars are informal interactive presentations and conversations on faculty and staff projects including grants, research, and service designed to promote scholarship, spark new ideas, provide opportunities for meaningful discussion, and increase collaboration. Faculty, staff and students are welcome at attend.

Ally Information Sessions

Friday May 20, 12:30 – 1:00 pm Central/1:30 – 2:00 pm Eastern. 
Thursday June 2, 1:00 – 1:30 pm Central/2:00 – 2:30 pm Eastern.
Monday June 13, 11:00 – 11:30 am Central/Noon – 12:30 pm Eastern.
Wednesday June 29, 9:00 – 9:30 am Central/10:00 – 10:30 am Eastern.
Tuesday July 19, 3:00 – 3:30 pm Central/4:00 – 4:30 pm Eastern.

Ally is a tool in Blackboard to help instructors make their content more accessible. Your class is full of diverse students with unique learning abilities, needs and devices. Course content created with this in mind can benefit not only your students with disclosed disabilities such as visual impairments and dyslexia, but improve the learning experience for all of your students.

During this information session, we will show the Ally accessibility indicators, explain Ally instructor feedback report including the built-in instructions to improve the content accessibility.

Behind the Screens: Engagement and Retention in Virtual and Online Classes

Wednesday July 20, 6:00 – 7:00 pm Central/7:00 – 8:00 pm Eastern via Zoom
Presenters: Diana Belscamper, Sandra Jahns, Kate Robertson

Target Audience: Faculty who teach non-traditional courses (fully online, virtual, accelerated), but all faculty are welcome to attend. Keeping students engaged and motivated is one of the challenges of teaching across distance – asynchronous online or virtually via Zoom. Many of our faculty and students experience screen fatigue, especially in the past few years. This interactive session will provide an opportunity to share your own best practices, and will highlight theories and methods for engaging students, including

• how to effectively plan a long Zoom session;
• adapting face-to-face methods to the online environment;
• ways to provide thoughtful and constructive feedback efficiently.

Document Improvement Days

Two dates to choose from; Attend on Zoom or in Rincker 213 (Mequon Campus only)
Thursday July 21, 10:00 am – Noon Central/11:00 am – 1:00 pm Eastern
Wednesday July 27, 3:00 – 4:00 pm Central/4:00 – 5:00 pm Eastern

Presenter: CELT Staff

Faculty can get help with making your course content more accessible by attending a Document Improvement Day session. CELT staff will be available to help you edit your documents using Ally. We can also help with and demonstrate some of the common fixes that are included in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.

After submitting your registration, the CELT Student Worker will send you an Outlook invitation for this event. Please accept this invitation as you will not receive a separate email confirmation. The day before the event, we will send a reminder. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Gallanis.

Universal Design for Learning

Tuesday July 26, 1:00 – 2:00 Central/2:00 – 3:00 Eastern via Zoom

Presenters: Janis Chapman, Kathleen Hoppa-Grady, Taylor Richards, Susan Gallanis

During this session for faculty, we will provide an overview of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), explain who it benefits and how UDL looks in higher education. We will share and faculty will discover UDL practices that they already use. We will also share resources and tips for expanding UDL principles when working with students.

After submitting your registration, you will receive a registration confirmation, the Zoom meeting link, and the option to add this event to your calendar. The day before the event, we will send a reminder. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Gallanis.

New and Returning Faculty Development Day

Wednesday August 10, 8:15 – 4:00 Central/9:15 – 5:00 Eastern

Session descriptions are below. Register for all that you are able to attend.  After submitting your registration, the CELT Student Worker will send you an Outlook invitation for each session you registered for and it will include the Zoom link. Please accept the invitation(s) as you will not receive a separate email confirmation. The day before the event, we will send an email reminder. If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Evans.

Designing/Refreshing Your Course and Syllabus – Kate Robertson and Elizabeth Evans
8:15 – 9:45 am Central/9:15 – 10:45 am Eastern
Learn about and incorporate best practices in course design, and syllabus development. Discussion includes how to improve your objectives, align course objectives with assessments, the Concordia University syllabus template latest revision, and how to connect to program and Global Learning Outcomes.

Blackboard Basics – Susan Gallanis
10:00 – 11:30 am Central/11:00 am – 12:30 pm Eastern
Learn how to add content, Blackboard Assignments (“dropboxes”) and set up the gradebook for a Fall course! This is an ideal session for faculty new to using Blackboard. Session is for those who set up their own Blackboard courses.

Engaging Your Learners – Susan Gallanis, Kate Robertson, and Diana Belscamper
11:45 am – 12:45 pm Central/12:45 – 1:45 pm Eastern
Effective teaching fosters learning; students need to be engaged for learning to happen. This session introduces strategies to engage students in multiple instructional modes.

Blackboard Tests and Respondus LockDown Browser with Monitor – Susan Gallanis
1:00 – 2:30 pm Central/2:00 – 3:30 pm Eastern
The first half of this session will show how faculty can create Blackboard Tests using three commonly used question types. The second half of the session will cover Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor. Faculty will learn the difference between LockDown Browser and Monitor, and how to enable the appropriate settings based on where students take the test.

Faculty Resources – Elizabeth Evans, Susan Gallanis, and Wayne Thompson (primarily for full-time faculty)
3:00 – 4:00 pm Central/4:00 – 5:00 pm Eastern
Learn what resources are available to you as faculty, including research/scholarship support, where to find them, and who to contact if you need more help.

Learn Ally and Tips for Improve Your Course Documents

Thursday August 11, 9:30 – 11:00 am Central/10:30 am – Noon Eastern via Zoom

Presenters: Susan Gallanis, Taylor Richards

Ally is a tool in Blackboard to help instructors make their content more accessible. Your class is full of diverse students with unique learning abilities, needs and devices. Course content created with this in mind can benefit not only your students with disclosed disabilities such as visual impairments and dyslexia, but improve the learning experience for all of your students.

During this information session, we will show the Ally accessibility indicators and Ally instructor feedback report. We will also demonstrate common fixes in Microsoft Word that can help make your content more accessible for all students.

After submitting your registration, you will receive a registration confirmation, the Zoom meeting link, and the option to add this event to your calendar. The day before the event, we will send a reminder. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Gallanis.

Voicethread for Newbies

Friday August 12, 10:00 – 11:00 am Central/11:00 am – Noon Eastern via Zoom

Presenters: Susan Gallanis, Jan Weisenbach

Voicethread is a tool in Blackboard that takes the idea of an online discussion board to a new level of engagement. Participants will learn how to access and navigate the Voicethread options, create a basic instructor introduction, comment on a Voicethread using audio, video or text, and set up a graded Voicethread assignment.

After submitting your registration, you will receive a registration confirmation, the Zoom meeting link, and the option to add this event to your calendar. The day before the event, we will send a reminder. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Gallanis.

Practices and Processes: Building an Effective Curriculum

Friday August 12, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Presenter: Elizabeth Evans

This interactive session for faculty leaders, department chairs, and program directors suggests strategies for development of effective curricula for academic programs. These strategies could be applied to new programs or to improve and refresh existing programs.

After submitting your registration, you will receive a registration confirmation, the Zoom meeting link, and the option to add this event to your calendar. The day before the event, we will send a reminder. If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Evans.

Blackboard Online Discussions

Wednesday August 17, 1:00 – 2:00 pm Central/2:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Presenter: Susan Gallanis

Faculty will learn how to create, engage in, and grade Blackboard online discussion boards.

After submitting your registration, you will receive a registration confirmation, the Zoom meeting link, and the option to add this event to your calendar. The day before the event, we will send a reminder. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Gallanis.

Mequon Traditional Adjunct Orientation

Wednesday August 17, 5:00 – 6:45 pm

Presenters: Elizabeth Evans, Diana Belscamper, Dan Paavola, Susan Gallanis, Jan Chapman, Andrew Wahl

Are you ready for teaching the fall semester beginning August 29? This session for Mequon traditional adjuncts teaching in-person points you to vital information, including effective first session strategies, finding policies and resources, Academic Resource Center (ARC) services, taking attendance, Faith and Learning, classroom AV resources, and what is required in Blackboard/how to find Blackboard Resources.

After submitting your registration, you will receive a registration confirmation, the Zoom meeting link, and the option to add this event to your calendar. The day before the event, we will send a reminder. If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Evans.

Fall 2022

Fall 2022 Mequon Faculty Book Group – In Person on Mequon Campus

Four meetings on Thursdays, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
September 15 in RP 201; October 6, October 27, November 10 in the Lakeshore Room
Led by: Catherine (Kate) Robertson and Holly Griskell

Book is included. Maximum participants: 16. Registration deadline: Friday, September 2.

The book: Cavanaugh, S.R. (2016). The spark of learning: Energizing the college classroom with the science of emotion. West Virginia University Press.

How do students’ emotions impact their learning? In The Spark of Learning, Sarah Rose Cavanagh explains how college faculty can leverage students’ emotions and personal experiences to improve attention and learning in the classroom. This book contains a blend of practical applications, research evidence, and classroom activities for energizing and engaging students, while also supporting students’ mental and emotional well-being. This session is in person on the Mequon campus.

Reading Assignments: September 15: Preface, Intro, and Chapters 1 & 2, October 6: Chapter 3, October 27: Chapters 4 & 5, November 10: Chapter 6 and conclusion.

Practices and Processes: The Successful Department Chair/Academic Program Director

Friday September 9, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Presenter: Leah Dvorak

The audience for this program is Department Chairs and Program Directors. What are the expectations for the role of Department Chair or Academic Program Director? An effective chair or academic program director manages faculty, staff, programs, courses, and processes vital to student success. The effective chair also fosters a healthy departmental culture and establishes efficient, collaborative decision-making processes. A strong department chair or program director uses both management skills and leadership skills to create and sustain a successful department in which faculty and staff feel engaged and energized.

Concordia Faculty Seminar: Steve Hendrix and Josh Locklair – Recent Doctorates

Thursday, September 15, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Please plan to join us on Zoom to learn about the research conducted by two Arts and Science colleagues who recently completed their doctoral degrees: Steve Hendrix (Ann Arbor) and Josh Locklair (Mequon).

• Steve Hendrix, Assistant Professor of Political Science at our Ann Arbor campus, successfully defended his dissertation, A Road Less-Traveled? A Qualitative Study of Personal Characteristics and Formative Experiences Leading College and University Graduates Into Public Sector Service Careers in April at the University of Oklahoma, where he received a Ph.D. in Instructional Leadership and Academic Design with a concentration in Political Education.
• Josh Locklair, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the Mequon campus, has completed his Ph.D. in Information Technology at Capella University. His dissertation title is Undergraduates’ Behavioral Intentions Toward Mobile Learning in the United States: A Quantitative Study.

Concordia Faculty Seminars are informal interactive presentations and conversations on faculty and staff projects including grants, research, and service designed to promote scholarship, spark new ideas, provide opportunities for meaningful discussion, and increase collaboration. Faculty, staff, and students are welcome to attend.

Faculty Discussions of Academic Freedom Policies

Choose from four options

• Mequon (in person): Monday September 19, 2:00 – 3:30 pm in the Friends of Concordia Room
• Mequon (in person): Tuesday September 20, 1:00 – 2:30 pm in the Lakeshore Room
• Zoom for Both Campuses: Wednesday September 21, 10:00 – 11:30 am Central/11:00 am – 12:30 pm Eastern
• Ann Arbor (in person): Tuesday September 27, 2:00 – 3:30 pm in the Music Lecture Hall

With Jordan Beck and the Academic Freedom Task Force

In this session, members of the academic freedom task force will facilitate discussions of the newly proposed academic freedom policies. We will take a case study approach where we attempt to apply the policies to topics and actual cases of interest to our faculty. There will be time allotted for open discussion where faculty can raise concerns about academic freedom challenges within their disciplines.

Academic Freedom Book Group: The Coddling of the American Mind

Led by Jordan Beck at Mequon and Josh Kittleman at Ann Arbor
Deadline to Register: Monday September 26.

Three options:

• Option 1: In-person Mequon in the Lakeshore Room, Tuesdays 2:00 – 3:00 pm Central: October 11, October 25, November 8, November 22.
• Option 2: Zoom both campuses, Wednesdays 1:00 – 2:00 pm Central/2:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern: October 12, October 26, November 9, November 30.
• Option 3: In-person Ann Arbor in Science 101, Tuesdays 3:00 – 4:00 pm Eastern: October 11, October 25, November 8, November 22.

The Academic Freedom Task Force is pleased to invite you to a book club to discuss The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas are Setting Up a Generation for Failure by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt (https://www.thecoddling.com/). A free copy of the book will be provided to the first 30 people to register thanks to a grant from FIRE.

Over the course of four sessions, we will work our way through The Coddling of the American Mind, with collegial discussions of our agreements and disagreements of the arguments presented by the authors; please read these sections prior to each session.
Session 1: Intro & Part I: Three Bad Ideas
Session 2: Part II: Bad Ideas in Action
Session 3: Part III: How Did We Get Here?
Session 4: Part IV: Wising Up

The first session kicks off the discussion with three “untruths” presented in Part I: the untruth of fragility, the untruth of emotional reasoning, and the untruth of ‘us versus them’. The second and third sessions focus on the consequences of these untruths on campuses across the US and the forces that led to these consequences. Finally, in the last session, we will discuss the authors’ suggestions for “Wising Up” (Part IV).

The Task Force encourages you to register if you are interested in current trends of campus culture, specifically related to issues of academic freedom and free expression. We want to have a wide range of opinions and experiences expressed during these book club discussions. So, we want you to register!

Fix Your Content Fast: Universal Design for Learning Basics

Friday September 16, Noon – 12:30 pm Central/1:00 – 1:30 pm Eastern on Zoom

With Taylor Richards and Susan Gallanis

During this 30-minute session, faculty will learn several fast, easy fixes to their documents that can make content more accessible for all students.

Practices & Processes: Classroom Observation of Faculty

Friday, September 23, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Presenters: Susan Gallanis and Catherine (Kate) Robertson

The audience for this program is Department Chairs, Program Directors, and Deans. During this session, we will review and discuss the teaching observation process and form used for summative faculty observations, whether for in-person, blended, or online courses. We will also share effective strategies for the observation itself and the post-observation discussion. Best practices for sharing constructive feedback, and tips on how to use the form for formative, peer observations will also be shared.

Trying to Leap Buildings in a Single Bound? You Need Scaffolding!

Friday September 30, Noon – 12:30 pm Central/1:00 – 1:30 pm Eastern

Presented by Taylor Richards and Susan Gallanis

Are you surprised by the poor quality of work you are seeing from students? High expectations are still possible when you provide adequate scaffolding. Spend 30 minutes with CELT and learn how you can help students raise their quality of work. This is especially relevant at the start of the school year when students are adjusting to new courses, new challenges, and higher expectations. Scaffolding assignments is a principle of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

Practices and Processes: Academic Timeline, Program and Continuing Education Approval Frameworks

Friday October 7, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

With Brooke Johnson, Tammy Ferry and Sarah Pecor

The annual academic timeline/schedule of operational activities and our internal change processes are important planning tools for all academic leaders. Have you wondered . . .How and when do I make changes to my program? Which changes require approval? How do I initiate a continuing education program? The role of the Academic Program Support Team (APST) will be included. This program is for Program Directors, Department Chairs, Academic Administrative Assistants, and interested faculty from Mequon and Ann Arbor.

Practices & Processes: Hiring and Orienting Full-time Faculty

Friday October 14, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 Eastern via Zoom

With Leah Dvorak and Erin Laverick

This session covers how to request a position, develop the job description, position posting and screening, the interview and vetting process, and negotiating the hire. In addition, learn about our new three-year orientation process which begins this year. Audience: Department Chairs, Program Directors, Academic Administrative Assistants, Deans.

New! Convert Your Blackboard Test to a Word Document

Wednesday October 19, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern

During this session, Susan Gallanis will demonstrate how to retrieve a Blackboard Test and convert it to a Word document. The process uses the software Respondus 4.0 (test builder) and is now available to all Concordia faculty. Participants will also learn how to troubleshoot the most common errors.

Concordia Faculty Seminar – Chris Cunningham

Wednesday October 26, 12:10 – 1:00 pm in the Lakeshore Room

Concordia’s Chris Cunningham is teaming with a professor at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in a grant recently awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to investigate a pharmaceutical product that could ameliorate withdrawal symptoms from prolonged use of opioids. Dr. Chris Cunningham is Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Science and Director of Concordia’s Center for Structure-Based Drug Design & Development. Chris will be introduced by Tonya Bartoletti of the Office of Sponsored Research (ORSP).

Concordia Faculty Seminars are informal interactive presentations and conversations on faculty and staff projects including grants, research, and service designed to promote scholarship, spark new ideas, provide opportunities for meaningful discussion, and increase collaboration. Faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend.

UDL Small Bites: Choice Assignments

Friday October 28, Noon – 12:30 pm Central/1:00 – 1:30 pm Eastern
With Taylor Richards and Susan Gallanis

It is often inappropriate to provide choice of a learning objective itself, but it is often appropriate to offer choices in how that objective can be reached. Offering learners choices can develop self-determination, pride in accomplishment, and increase the degree to which they feel connected to their learning. Spend 30 minutes with CELT and learn how to construct choice assignments that are interesting, rigorous, and easy to grade.

UDL (Universal Design for Learning) is a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how people learn.

Modular Lesson Planning Lunch n’ Learn [CUAA Only]

Wednesday November 2, Noon—1:00 pm Eastern
With Erin Laverick

Faculty are invited to attend a CELT Lunch n’ Learn about modular lesson planning.  The session will begin promptly at 12:00.  Faculty are welcome to go through the cafeteria line and bring their lunches to the CMAX for this session.

Faith and Learning Lunch n’ Learn: Top Ten Faculty [CUW Only]

Wednesday November 9, 12:10 – 1:00 pm Central in the Lakeshore Room (Mequon campus)

Facilitated by Sandra Jahns

Colleagues from among the Top Ten faculty, as rated by students, share their strategies and methods for connecting faith and learning in the classroom. Liz Paly (Physical Therapy), Stacy Stolzman (Physical Therapy), Heather Fortuine (Rehab Science), Carol Lueders Bolwerk (Undergrad Nursing), and Steven Witt (Graduate Education) are joined by facilitator Sandra Jahns (Communication).

Joining the Conversation – How to Generate Connections in the Multi-Generational Classroom

Tuesday November 15, 6:00 – 7:00 pm Central/7:00 – 8:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

With Diana Belscamper, Sandra Jahns, Kate Robertson and Special Guests

As trends in higher education continue to change, we find more learning environments – whether face-to-face, virtual, or online – now have multiple generations in the same classes. “Traditional” students are not necessarily just young adults, and “non-traditional” students may not be only working adults. Technology, schedule flexibility, cost, and location availability have allowed or required students to find various options for their learning. Differences in life stages, work experiences, and general knowledge can pose challenges for collaborative learning.

Join us for this engaging, activity-based session to learn how to improve connections and communication among various generations in your classes. We will practice facilitation of discussions and engaging students from various age groups into relatable, thought-provoking dialogue. Conversation and fellowship among your colleagues will kick off the session!

This session is primarily for those teaching in face-to-face and virtual learning environments, but online faculty and anyone else interested are welcome!

Practices and Processes: Course Scheduling for 2023-2024 with Allison Wolf, Registrar’s Office

Tuesday, November 22, 1:00 – 2:00 pm Central/2:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Our Registrar’s Office will share information about how to review course offerings from previous academic years to prepare for scheduling for 2023-2024. We will also review the new academic calendar, deadlines for submitting schedule information for 2023-2024 scheduling, and how to submit a change to your schedule after it is finalized. The instructions for completion will have been sent out a few days before this session, so after you read those, bring your questions.

This session is for those managing schedules for academic courses, including department chairs, program directors and academic administrative assistants. Deans and faculty may also be interested.

Spring 2023

Faculty Workshops with the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs

Thursday January 5, 9:00 am – 2:30 pm Central/10:00 am – 3:30 pm Central via Zoom

Sessions led by: Janessa Doucette, Tonya Bartoletti, and Wayne Thompson
Audience: Full-time faculty on both campuses

9:00 – 10:00 am Central/10:00 – 11:00 am Eastern: How to Get The Most Out Of Your ORSP
In this introductory session, you will learn about all the things the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs offers to faculty, including: our new Service Request Portal, assistance with everything from IRBs to grant proposals, and unconditional love and support.

10:15 am – 12:15pm Central/11:15 am – 1:15 pm Eastern: Using Design Thinking to Chart Your Research Course
You can walk away from this session with shiny new things: research questions, a timeline and plan, project collaborators, and more. We will practice a creative approach to project planning and rekindle the research twinkle in your eye.

12:15 – 1:00 pm Central/1:15 – 2:00 Eastern: Break for Lunch. ORSP will be online for relaxed Q&A

1:00 – 2:30 pm Central/2:00 – 3:30 Eastern: What to Do with All That Data
In this session, you will get to explore the new features we are using on Qualtrics. We will analyze a real dataset together, talk about analysis strategies, and learn how to make reports and dashboards to show off our beautiful analysis. Our methodologist Wayne Thompson will be on hand to answer statistics and project design questions.

Evaluating Programs Through Collaborative Faculty Assessment of Student Learning

Friday January 6, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom
With Elizabeth Evans and Susan Gallanis

This session will highlight effective practices for assessment of student learning at the program level at Concordia. This session is part of our leadership development series for department chairs and program directors.

New and Returning Faculty Development Day January 2023

Wednesday January 11, 2023
8:15 – 4:00 Central/9:15 – 5:00 Eastern. All sessions are via Zoom

Five sessions offered throughout the day. Register for each session you are planning to attend.

After submitting your registration, the CELT Student Worker will send you an Outlook invitation for each session you registered for, and it will include the Zoom link. Please accept the invitation(s) as you will not receive a separate email confirmation. The day before the event, we will send an email reminder. If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Evans.

Designing/Refreshing Your Course and Syllabus – Kate Robertson and Elizabeth Evans
8:15 – 9:45 am Central/9:15 – 10:45 am Eastern

Review and incorporate best practices in course design and syllabus development to ready your syllabi for this semester, including how to write/improve your objectives, align teaching activities and assignments with course learning objectives, use the Concordia University syllabus template and resources, and align your course with the “big picture” of Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs), Global Learning Outcomes (GLOs), and University Liberal Arts Outcomes (ULAOs).

Blackboard Basics – Susan Gallanis
10:00 – 11:30 am Central/11:00 am – 12:30 pm Eastern

Learn how to add content, Blackboard Assignments (“dropboxes”) and set up the gradebook for a Spring course! This is an ideal session for faculty new to using Blackboard. Session is for those who set up their own Blackboard courses.

Engaging Your Learners – Susan Gallanis, Kate Robertson, and Diana Belscamper
11:45 am – 12:45 pm Central/12:45 – 1:45 pm Eastern

Effective teaching fosters learning; students need to be engaged for learning to happen. This session introduces strategies to engage students in multiple instructional modes.

Blackboard Tests and Respondus LockDown Browser with Monitor – Susan Gallanis
1:00 – 2:30 pm Central/2:00 – 3:30 pm Eastern

The first half of this session will show how faculty can create Blackboard Tests using three commonly used question types. The second half of the session will cover Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor. Faculty will learn the difference between LockDown Browser and Monitor, and how to enable the appropriate settings based on where students take the test.

Faculty Resources – Elizabeth Evans, Susan Gallanis, and Wayne Thompson (primarily for full-time faculty)
3:00 – 4:00 pm Central/4:00 – 5:00 pm Eastern

Learn what resources are available to you as faculty, including research/scholarship support, where to find them, and who to contact if you need more help.

Practices and Processes: Online Programs, Courses and Faculty

Friday January 13, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom
With Madelyn Kempen, Susan Gallanis and Diana Belscamper of the CELT

Audience: Department Chairs and Program Directors, Deans, Academic Administrative Assistants

This session features the current practices used in most programs for planning, development and support for online programs, courses and faculty by the CELT and departments, including the development and deployment of master courses; responsibilities of department or program staff (for hiring, textbook examination copies, and pay); faculty development for teaching online; and faculty responsibilities and support during the online course. This session provides updates to the many changed institutional practices related to online instruction after the implementation of FLAC, the move of the Instructional Design Team to the CELT, and the move of Blackboard Support to the HELP Desk.

Respondus 4.0 Test Builder

Tuesday January 17, 2:00 – 3:00 pm Central/3:00 – 4:00 pm Eastern via Zoom
Led by Susan Gallanis

Respondus 4.0 Test Builder software is available to CUAA faculty to create and manage tests offline. Tests can be printed to paper or published to Blackboard. During this session participants will learn how to retrieve a Blackboard exam and convert it to an MS Word document. We will also demonstrate how to import test questions from an MS Word document into Respondus, then upload to your Blackboard course.

Copyright for Faculty

Wednesday January 18, 11:00 am – Noon Central/Noon – 1:00 pm Eastern via Zoom
Led by Maria Becker (CUW Library) and Susan Gallanis (CELT)

During this session, the presenters will provide a brief overview of copyright and fair use. We will discuss how this applies to content shared with students both in the classroom and in your Blackboard course.

Using Rubrics for Assessment and for Better Teaching with Kyle Chuhran [CUAA Only]

Wednesday January 18, 10:00 – 11:00 am Eastern in SB 101 

In this session, we will discuss the use of rubrics for both formative and summative assessment.  We will explore ways to create valid and reliable tools to make evaluation and grading accurate, purposeful, and unbiased.  We will also consider how rubrics can help you to monitor students’ progress and to make instructional decisions that promote learning. 

Preparing for your First Week of Class with Erin Laverick [CUAA Only]

Wednesday January 18, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm Eastern in SB 101 

Kathleen Gabriel (2009) has argued that the first week of class is the most important week of the semester for our students and us.  It’s our time to set expectations, get students excited about learning, and engage, engage, engage.  In this session, we will discuss best practices for creating an engaging first week of classes.  Participants are asked to bring syllabi, assignments, lesson plans, and anything else applicable to the first week of class. 

Designing and Implementing Formative Assessments with Sara Clemm Von Hohenberg [CUAA Only]

Thursday January 19, 11:45 am – 12:45 pm Eastern in SB 101 

Join Sara as she shares various learning strategies and formative assessments found to be effective with our students.  Take away engaging tools just in time for the new semester! 

ARC Services Q & A with Kim Bentley [CUAA Only]

Thursday January 19, 1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern in SB 101 

Join Kim Bentley, assistant director of the ARC, to learn about how to best serve students with accommodations.  This session will be an informal Q & A, so please bring a list of questions. 

Spring 2023 Mequon Faculty Book Group – In Person on Mequon Campus 

Four meetings on Thursdays, Noon – 1:00 pm in PH 205 (bring your own lunch) 

February 2, February 23, March 9 and March 30 

Led by: Adam Paape 

Book is included. Maximum participants: 16. Registration deadline: Friday, January 20. 

The book: Badley, K. (2023). Engaging college and university students. Routledge. 

What makes an engaging lesson? In this captivating book, Ken Badley provides professors with a vast toolkit of methods to engage their learners. Reading this book will help teachers in higher education as they work with curriculum, assessment, and instruction. Badley writes with wit, wisdom, and humor. This incredibly practical book is based on Ken’s extensive experiences in the world of teaching and learning.  This session is in person on the Mequon campus. 

Leadership Challenges: Uncomfortable Conversations

With Leah Dvorak
Friday February 17, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom.
Audience: Department Chairs and Program Directors

Effective leaders balance building positive relationships with delivering challenging information that needs to be communicated. When change is needed in individual performance or in the way a group works together, uncomfortable conversations may follow. This session provides department chairs and program directors with specific strategies for managing uncomfortable conversations while maintaining positive relationships with their faculty and staff.

Universal Design for Learning

Led by Janis Chapman, Director of Accessibility Resource Center
Monday February 20, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Expand your understanding of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and how it looks in higher education. Incorporating UDL principles can benefit all students, not only those with a disability.

UDL Small Bites: Scaffolding Part 2, Practical Examples and Q&A

With Taylor Richards
Thursday February 23, 2:00 – 3:00 pm Central/3:00 – 4:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

This is a continuation from the Scaffolding session held Fall 2022. All are welcome even if you could not attend part 1! Scaffolding assignments helps students raise the quality of their work. During this session we will have some hands-on exploration of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Scaffolding IRL (in real life) as the kids say! Bring your questions and examples. We’ll have some examples to share as well.

Flipping the Classroom and Time Management Strategies

Led by Diana Belscamper, Catherine (Kate) Robertson and Sandra Jahns
Thursday February 23, 6:00 – 7:00 pm Central/7:00 – 8:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Join our conversation regarding a creative and effective way to increase engagement with students, while maximizing class time: “flipping the classroom.” We will discuss what this means, and how best to implement it in our longer virtual and face-to-face classes. In addition, we will share strategies for efficient grading and substantive feedback on assignments in Blackboard. Attention will be given to the balance necessary for adjunct faculty who might find short grading turnaround challenging, while also maintaining a full-time job. Our target audience is virtual and face-to-face faculty, but all are welcome. Come with your questions and suggestions and join in collaborative learning with your peers!

ChatGPT: Threat or Opportunity?

With Elizabeth Evans and various faculty
Monday February 27, 3:00 – 4:00 pm Central/4:00 – 5:00 pm Eastern on Zoom

AI is now able to write essays and pass exams. As faculty members, we need to learn about and address this new development. Do we ban it or embrace it? Please come to learn more about ChatGPT, to share your thoughts and experiences, and to help develop suggestions about how we might deal with this in our teaching, individually, and collaboratively.

• How do we build effective assignments in light of new AI?
• Should we develop a standard statement for syllabi?
• Does our Academic Integrity Policy address this?

Leadership Challenges: Models and Measures of Teaching Effectiveness

With Elizabeth Evans, Susan Gallanis and Kate Robertson of CELT
Friday March 3, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Audience: Department Chairs and Program Directors

In order to support our faculty, CELT has investigated and used multiple models of teaching effectiveness which frame evaluation and feedback to faculty on their teaching. Learn about models in use, where we can obtain data on elements of these models, and how you can provide challenge and support through feedback to faculty through the teaching observation process and reviewing syllabi and courses. Future reports from Blackboard Learn will also be discussed.

Time Management for Efficient Grading

Led by Diana Belscamper
Wednesday March 8, Noon – 12:30 pm Central/1:00 – 1:30 pm Eastern via Zoom

Our discussion will focus primarily on strategies for efficient grading and substantive feedback in asynchronous online classes. Attention will be given to the balance necessary for adjunct faculty who might find short grading turnaround challenging, while also maintaining a full-time job. Our target audience is online instructors, but all are welcome. Come with your questions, suggestions, and best practices to share with your peers!

UDL Small Bites: Learn More about Ally and Document Remediation

With Taylor Richards and Susan Gallanis
Thursday March 30, 2:00 – 3:00 pm Central/3:00 – 4:00 pm Eastern via Zoom

Ally is a tool to help instructors make content more accessible and has been used at CUWAA since July, 2022. This session includes a brief overview of Ally where we will highlight new features including a Course Accessibility Report. We will also demonstrate additional ways instructors can format documents using best practices of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

Leadership Challenges: Faculty Effectiveness and Evaluation with Leah Dvorak

Wednesday April 19, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom
Audience: Department Chairs and Program Directors with full-time faculty

This session will review CUWAA’s full-time faculty annual evaluation form, process and timeline. We will discuss sources of evidence used to ensure that our faculty are effective teachers addressing the mission of Concordia, productive scholars, and contribute service to the university, church, community and/or profession. We will also cover the many resources CUWAA provides to help faculty achieve their goals, including the CELT (for teaching), and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (for research, grants and scholarship), the full-time faculty onboarding process, and how department chairs/program directors can (and should) be involved in observing, mentoring and supporting their faculty

Assessing the Impact of Optional Enrichment Materials on Students’ Exam Performance 

Thursday April 20, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom 

Presented by Faculty Laureate Michael Brown, Pharmacy 

The pharmacy law course at Concordia University was rebuilt from scratch for the Fall 2022 semester.  Content, assessments, and enrichment questions were developed to align with the competencies for the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE) pharmacist licensure exam.  Required course elements included lectures, post-lecture assignments and five exams.  Optional enrichment included more than 450 lectures/MPJE Competency-aligned Jeopardy-style practice questions. Enrichment also included the ability to repeat archived assignments after their due dates before exams dates.  This session will describe the methods used to develop and deliver the course, as well as share the data assessing the impact of the optional enrichment materials on students’ exam performance. 

UDL Small Bites: Student Feedback and Universal Design for Learning 

Thursday April 27, Noon – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern via Zoom 

With Taylor Richards 

Not sure where to begin with incorporating UDL principles into your course? Student feedback is a great place to start! During this session we will discuss how student feedback can guide your UDL practices.  

Copy Your Blackboard Course 

Wednesday May 17, 11:00 – 11:30 am Central/12:00 – 12:30 pm Eastern via Zoom 

Presenter: Susan Gallanis 

This session is for faculty who build and edit their own course in Blackboard (example: traditional face-to-face courses). We will walk through the steps of a course copy, including common errors made and critical adjustments that must be done after the course copy is complete. 

Improve Your Spring Course Workshop 

Wednesday May 17, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Central/12:30 – 2:00 pm Eastern on Zoom 

Facilitators: Kate Robertson and Elizabeth Evans 

Whew! Your grades are in and you’ve finished the whirlwind of the semester. This is the perfect time to review and reflect on one of your courses and plan improvements for next time.  Bring your reflections captured throughout the course, your “student results,” your syllabus and your course materials, teaching strategies and assignments to this session. 

What does your course look like from the student’s POV? How did the course results align with your hopes/ goals?   

How did your organization, delivery of content, communication, evaluation strategies and instructional strategies make for effective learning?  

After review of your course, you will develop at least three actionable changes to improve the student learning experience next time.  You can use the plan as an example of your continuous improvement for your upcoming annual faculty evaluation in June. Discussion and workshop time are included. This workshop fits any course delivery, including online. 

Assessment Tools, Resources, Support 

Thursday May 18, 2:00 – 3:00 pm Central/3:00 – 4:00 pm Eastern via Zoom 

With Elizabeth Evans, Susan Gallanis and Kate Robertson 

This year the university is focusing on the continuous improvement process for learning in your program connected to your Program Learning Outcome aligned with GLO #6 Analytical Fluency.  This session is for anyone who wants information on the tools, resources and support available for this work. We will also highlight the instructions for this year’s reporting focusing on GLO #6 due no later than 10-01-2023, and plans for next year (2023-2024) program assessment focusing on GLO#3 and GLO #1.