More tech teaching, learning workshops on the way

The Center for Instructional Innovation and Assessment at Western Washington University has a number of professional development opportunities upcoming for faculty and staff:

11 a.m. to noon Jan. 20, Viking Union Room 567: Webinar - "Designing & Teaching a Course with a Critical Thinking Focus"

Join us for a live, web-based presentation by Linda Nilson, director of the Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation at Clemson University. This seminar will cover strategies to not only develop students' critical thinking skills, but also blend critical thinking lessons into an instructor's specific discipline and subject matter. We will explore the complex topic of critical thinking and get a perspective on how a student conceptualizes—and practices—critical thinking in the classroom. Learn more. Sponsored by CIIA.

Noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, Haggard Hall Room 122: Workshop - "Transforming Learning with Threshold Concepts"

What are the ideas that irreversibly changed the way you think about your discipline? Once you know them, you can make teaching decisions that transform student thinking. Threshold concepts involve identifying conceptual building blocks that potentially transform ways of thinking. Please join Carmen Werder and campus colleagues to explore disciplinary-based threshold concepts, hear case stories from a panel of faculty who have put this idea into practice, and have dedicated work time to identify threshold concepts in your courses. Light refreshments. RSVP appreciated via email to Justina.Brown@wwu.edu. Sponsors: CIIA, Writing Instruction Support and TLA

Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, Haggard Hall Room 122: "Learning Technology Group: Worried about Wearables?"

During this session, John Farquhar and several guest faculty members will discuss the topic of wearable technology (i.e. smartwatches and smartglasses). They will discuss concerns that faculty might have when wearable technology becomes more common place and implications for academic integrity. Resources will be available online.

Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, Haggard Hall Room 122: "Learning Technology Group: Geomapping with Google Tools"

Having explored the potential of Google's free experimental platform called ‘Fusion Tables,' Peter Agras will show how you can easily build online maps and share your data. In this session, he will demonstrate how you can get started with creating maps and customizing them to your needs. He will also look at how to set up your data to be shared with collaborators who can combine their own data with yours to create a single expanded data set. Resources will be available online.