February 2013

Unless otherwise indicated, sessions occur in the Learning and Teaching Centre (LTC) Classroom in the Harry Hickman Building (HHB), Room 128.

If the register buttons are not working, please contact us by email.

UVic Teaching Awards Celebration
Tuesday, February 5, 2013 [Hosted reception]
4:30 PM University Club
Co-presented by the UVic Alumni Association, the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Learning & Teaching Centre
UVic celebrates teaching excellence in many ways, one of which is an annual event to recognize teaching award recipients across the university and beyond. Please join us to show appreciation of those who have been identified as exemplars of UVic's commitment to teaching and student success in 2012, including presentation of the Harry Hickman and the Gilian Sherwin Alumni Awards for Excellence in Teaching, along with the Andy Farquharson Awards for Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching.
Alumni Week

Why Do Students Misunderstand Academic Tasks and What Can We Do to Help Them? [Student Learning Series]
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
10:00 AM ~ 11:30 AM, HHB 128
Facilitators: Allyson Hadwin and Mariel Miller, Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies
This session will be useful for course instructors who continually find that students misunderstand instructions and assignments. We will overview key aspects of task understanding that pose problems for students. Then we will discuss strategies for guiding students to recognize and overcome misunderstandings about work we assign from course readings through to major assignments.
Student Learning Series

Strategies for the First Class [Teaching Tips Series #7]
Thursday, February 7, 2013
9:00 AM ~ 10:30 AM, HHB 128 (PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE)
Facilitator: Marty Wall, Department of Educational Psychology & Leadership Studies, and the Learning and Teaching Centre
As an instructor, you might be tempted to dismiss the special significance of your first meeting with your class and not take advantage of the opportunity that it provides to set a positive and engaging beginning to your course. First impressions are important and, particularly in a large class, difficult to change. We will discuss the "do's-and-don'ts" for the first class and consider the impact of different strategies. Come prepared to compare notes on how best to establish an optimal start to a course.
Teaching Tips Series Information

Toward New Models of Coherence: Responding to the Fragmentation of Higher Education [Technology Innovation in Education Series]
Thursday, February 7, 2013
11:00 AM ~ 12:00 PM, Medical Services Building 160 (IMP Lecture Hall), University of Victoria
Facilitator: Dr. George Siemens, Technology-Enabled Knowledge Research Institute, Athabasca University
Higher education faces periodic cycles of hype and predications of dramatic reform. In the past century, methods such as distance education and technologies such as radio and television have been touted as transformative to education and representing the future of learning. In spite of those proclamations, higher education enrolment continues to increase and governments continue to invest substantial resources in the traditional university model. Today, the language of change in higher education centres on the internet, online learning, and massive open online courses. Do these trends represent yet another hype cycle? This presentation argues that while hype is prominent in MOOCs and online learning, there is something new in this trend that has the potential to change higher education in ways that previous technologies have not. After reviewing the trends and technologies that are fragmenting the university model, the presentation will focus on alternative scenarios for the university system in the future.
Free and open to the public
Live stream information to be posted at http://tie.uvic.ca
Twitter back channel for discussion or to submit live questions available at http://twitter.com/search/tietalk or #tietalk
Flyer available at http://tie.uvic.ca/siemens.pdf
Technology Innovation in Education Information

Strong Writing [TWC Workshop]
Thursday, February 7, 2013, 1:00 PM ~ 2:20 PM, Library Room 129
~ OR ~
Friday, February 8, 2013, 3:30 PM ~ 4:50 PM, Library Room 210
Facilitators: The Writing Centre Staff
Learn how to write clear, concise sentences and paragraphs through a combination of lecture and hands-on practice. Topics include unity, transitions, academic wording, and conciseness.
Please bring with you five pages of your own writing on which to practice.

Please Note: For each workshop above, do not register for both days; they are the same workshops held at different times.
Please go here to register. If you are having problems using our online booking system to register for workshops, watch this tutorial: How to Register for The Writing Centre Workshops
Once a workshop is full, you can add your name to the waitlist by sending an email to TWCdir@uvic.ca. Please include your name plus the title and date of the workshop you would like to be waitlisted for.
Please note that you cannot register for a workshop through email.
TWC Workshop Information

Having Difficult Conversations [Critical and Respectful Discourse Series]
Friday, February 8, 2013
1:30 PM ~ 3:30 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Mary Anne Waldron, Faculty of Law
This experiential workshop will give faculty and graduate students the opportunity to practice the communication skills needed to help navigate those difficult conversations arising from a range of student-related concerns. Please join Professor Mary Anne Waldron for an engaging learning experience.
Critical and Respectful Discourse Series Information

Integrating L2 (Foreign Language) Typing in the Russian Language Classroom [Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Series]
Wednesday, February 13, 2013 [Brown Bag Lunch]
11:30 AM ~ 12:30 PM, HHB 128
Facilitators: Dorotka Lockyer and Julia Rochtchina, Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies
Technologies such as laptops, iPads and iPhones allow the increasingly ‘technologically-oriented’ beginner and intermediate L2 language student to communicate in and engage with the target language through diverse typing activities, including email correspondence with the instructor or TA and participating in online chat forums. Thus, typing skills on the foreign language keyboard are becoming increasingly more important to teach students in earlier stages of language acquisition. This presentation looks at the preliminary results of integrating L2 typing in SLAV 101 and 201 classes.
SoTL Series Information

Teaching Assistant Issues [TA ProD Series]
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
1:00 PM ~ 3:00 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Cynthia Korpan, TA Training Program Manager, Learning and Teaching Centre
Have you ever faced a classroom of disinterested students? Or had difficulty knowing how to grade that stack of papers? Or maybe you have been confronted by students about grades in tutorials or labs? These are just a few of the scenarios that we will discuss during this workshop. Bring your issues, questions and experience to share with fellow TAs as we discuss solutions to common TA issues.
TA/Graduate Student Workshops

Developing Your Teaching Dossier Workshop [Teaching Assessment Series]
Thursday, February 14, 2013
10:00 AM ~ 12:00 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Marty Wall, Department of Educational Psychology & Leadership Studies, and the Learning and Teaching Centre
Developing your teaching dossier is the most effective way to document your teaching for reappointment, tenure and promotion, as well as for winning awards. The most important part of the dossier is the narrative statement that guides the reader through the supporting documentary evidence. This workshop will discuss the role of the teaching dossier in the assessment process at UVic, assist you in developing your narrative, and outline an effective structure for organizing your materials. The workshop is also useful for graduate students who plan to apply for teaching jobs!
Open to all those who are involved, or plan to be involved, in instruction.
Teaching Assessment Series

Technology-Enabled Early Intervention in a Large First Year Course [Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Series]
Thursday, February 14, 2013 [Brown Bag Lunch]
12:00 PM ~ 1:00 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Martin Smith, Department of Psychology
Technologies such as clickers and online quizzes allow instructors to engage and provide feedback regarding student learning much earlier in a term than was previously possible. These technologies also facilitate the early identification of students who are struggling with the course requirements, making it possible to provide timely interventions such as notifications, suggestions, consultation, tutoring and special workshops to such "targeted" students. This presentation looks at the preliminary results of such an "academic intervention" project designed to identify and provide assistance to first year students in PSYC 100 classes.
SoTL Series Information

Advanced Research and Writing, Part 3: Presenting your research at the JCURA Fair or other conference [TWC Workshop]
Thursday, February 14, 2013, 1:00 PM ~ 2:20 PM, Library Room 129
~ OR ~
Friday, February 15, 2013, 3:30 PM ~ 4:50 PM, Library Room 129
Facilitator: The Writing Centre Staff
This workshop covers how to present your paper to others, including how to develop a catchy title, describe your research in one minute, answer questions about your research confidently, and design a poster with effective visuals.

Please Note: For each workshop above, do not register for both days; they are the same workshops held at different times.
Please go here to register. If you are having problems using our online booking system to register for workshops, watch this tutorial: How to Register for The Writing Centre Workshops
Once a workshop is full, you can add your name to the waitlist by sending an email to TWCdir@uvic.ca. Please include your name plus the title and date of the workshop you would like to be waitlisted for.
Please note that you cannot register for a workshop through email.
TWC Workshop Information

Presentation Foundations Workshop (for graduate students only)
Friday, February 15, 2013
In the Presentation Foundations Workshop, participants will learn and practice three essential aspects of presentations: developing material, organization and delivery. The format of the training will be customized to academic presentations, either in the university context (classroom, colloquium, or defenses) or at academic conferences.
The Presentation Foundations Workshop is divided into two parts:

Part 1: Made to Stick: how to present ideas
10:00 AM ~ 12:00 PM, HHB 120
Facilitator: Heather Ranson, Peter B. Gustavson School of Business
How do great presenters get their material across? How do they get the ideas to "stick" in their audience/participants' minds?  The authors of the book Made to Stick considered just this question when writing their book.  Come learn the six point "SUCCESs" model that will help you make any message sticky.  The model works for everything from scientific facts to literary analysis.  The two hour workshop will allow a lot of time to practice creating sticky messages.  Bring one topic and let's make it stick!  You do not have to read Made to Stick for this session.  Handouts will be available.

12:00 PM ~ 1:00 PM Potluck lunch shared with the whole group

Part 2: Presentation Practice
1:00 PM ~ 4:00 PM, HHB 120
Facilitators: Michael McGrath, Department of Curriculum and Instruction; and Cynthia Korpan, Learning and Teaching Centre
In the second part of this workshop, we will first discuss presentation concepts such as how to organize your presentation, fill the room with 'yourself,' maintain a positive atmosphere, employ techniques for holding attention, and use the three 'V's of verbal presentation. We will review audience analysis, pre-delivery preparation, creating an outline, and using technology efficiently. Participants will then take the sticky topic that they developed in Part 1 and give a 5-minute presentation to practice giving the topic to the group. All participants will receive constructive feedback about their presentation from the group.Participants who complete the full day course will receive a certificate in recognition of their accomplishment.
THE WORKSHOP IS NOW FULL

Pathways to Success – Professional Development and Career Transitions for Graduate Students
Monday, February 18 and Tuesday, February 19, 2013
9:00 AM ~ 4:00 PM, Social Sciences and Math building, room A120
This free, intensive, two-day program during Reading Break is packed with workshops and expert panels to help you launch your graduate degree into a satisfying career.
- Hear from experts in academic and other careers
- Improve your resume, CV and cover letter writing skills
- Explore work search strategies
- Learn about professional development opportunities
Registration is now open! Visit www.uvic.ca/coopandcareer/pathways  to sign up. Space is limited so don't delay.

Writing on the Wall: Rethinking Classroom Space
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
1:00 ~ 2:30 PM, HHB128
Facilitator: Tima Coad, Department of Greek and Roman Studies
Different classroom formations affect classroom activities and atmosphere, orienting teachers and learners ideologically as well as spatially. Instead of regarding the classroom as an unchangeable mold, this workshop will challenge instructors to use classroom space differently, even encouraging students to get up and write on the walls, in order to promote learning in a refreshing and interesting way.

Teaching with PowerPoint [Teaching Tips Series #8]
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
9:30 AM ~ 11:30 AM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Marty Wall, Department of Educational Psychology & Leadership Studies, and the Learning and Teaching Centre
PowerPoint can be an effective teaching tool but is instead often a distracting impediment to learning. We will focus on the differences between presenting and teaching in PowerPoint, the PowerPoint teaching strategy of “less-is-more,” the do’s and don’ts of teaching with PowerPoint, and guidelines for animating PowerPoint slides to enhance teacher-student communication. Participants are encouraged to bring questions and examples.
Teaching Tips Series Information

Can Labs be Used to Augment Undergraduate Psychology Classes? [Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Series]
Thursday, February 28, 2013 [Brown Bag Lunch]
12:00 PM ~ 1:00 PM, HHB 128
Facilitators: Reuven Sussman, Amanda McIntyre & Robert Gifford, Department of Psychology
The usefulness of labs in undergraduate psychology classes was evaluated in a two-year quasi-experimental study. This discussion will focus on the results of our study as they pertain to student learning, social outcomes, TA experience, professors’ evaluations and the overall costs of implementation.
SoTL Series Information

March 2013 Events