Welcome! The Faculty Development Center looks forward to your attendance at our sessions this Spring 2023!
The Faculty Development Center provides opportunities for ongoing discussions about pedagogy and instructional design. These are accomplished in one-on-one and group settings through faculty consultations, classroom visits, faculty learning communities, workshops, and conferences. We collaborate with people and programs on Murray State’s campus and beyond to support the advancement of engaging pedagogy and effective instructional design. We support the university’s core mission of teaching excellence by helping cultivate an institutional climate that values, promotes and rewards teaching excellence at Murray State University.
WRITING GROUP CHALLENGE
Are you working on a publication or other writing projects? Interested in joining a group of faculty to work consistently toward your writing goals in a quiet virtual space? Need a challenge to get your work done?
Consider joining the FDC's Writing Group Challenge to get your work done! Whether you need to work on your articles, books, book chapters, grant, or other writing projects, you will be challenged to commit to your most important goals and receive encouragement, accountability, and much more along the way.
Facilitator: Dr. Firm Faith Watson, Director, Faculty Development Center
When: 5 Mondays: March 27; April 3, 1:30 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Where: Online: Via Zoom: https://murraystate.zoom.us/my/msufacdev
Register: https://forms.gle/M5SmiP4McbwUgUDU7
AN INTRODUCTION TO NEW QUIZZES IN CANVAS
Did you know that Canvas Quizzes offers a new quiz engine including brand new question types and improved workflow?
Meet New Quizzes!
In this session, we will explore new features exclusive to the New Quizzes quiz builder as well as discuss updates regarding the release of New Quizzes. We will demonstrate how to build and configure a New Quiz as well as discuss how to migrate Old Quizzes to New Quizzes.
This session will equip participants to do the following:
Explore the interface and menus of New Quizzes.
Review new terminologies and increased control of items such as muting grades and repositioning assignments
Build a New Quiz and migrate existing quizzes to the New Quiz environment
Use new question types exclusive to New Quizzes
Explain the connection between assignments, Gradebook and Speedgrader
Presenter: Academic Applications Solutions
When: Tuesday March 28, 2:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.
Wednesday, April 12, 10:30 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Where: Online: Via Zoom: https://murraystate.zoom.us/my/msufacdev
Register: https://forms.gle/M5SmiP4McbwUgUDU7
USING QUALTRICS SURVEY AND DATA ANALYSIS PLATFORM
Are you interested in using a robust platform for your data collection, analysis, and much more?
Qualtrics is a survey and data analytics platform that Murray State has recently acquired to replace SurveyMonkey. Qualtrics is a well-known and respected product that is useful for data collection, analysis and visualization of surveys and questionnaires. During this session, we will cover the basics of starting and creating a survey, and review some of the basic features of Qualtrics.
Presenters: Academic Application Solutions
When: Wednesday, March 29, 10:30 a.m - 11:20 a.m.
Where: Online: Via Zoom: https://murraystate.zoom.us/my/msufacdev
Register: https://forms.gle/M5SmiP4McbwUgUDU7
BOOK GROUP - TO KNOW AS WE ARE KNOWN: EDUCATION AS A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
Are you interested in reading a book on authentic education that explores how mind and heart can work together in the learning process?
Good news! This Spring, our book group will read the book that was selected by MSU faculty, titled To Know as We Are Known: Education as a Spiritual Journey, which explores how mind and heart can work together in the learning process. Moving beyond the bankruptcy of our current model of education, the author, Parker Palmer, finds the soul of education through a lifelong cultivation of the wisdom each of us possesses and can share to benefit others.
When: Thursdays, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm: March 30; April 6, 13, and April 27 (Lightning Session)
Where: Online: Via Zoom: https://murraystate.zoom.us/j/6750047777
Register now for us to order a copy of the book for you! https://forms.gle/M5SmiP4McbwUgUDU7
USING NOTIONS TO CREATE LEARNING COMMUNITIES
Do you struggle to get students engaged in class discussions? Do you find discussion boards fruitless?
In this session, Professor, Latricia Trites, will demonstrate how the program Notions can be used to create dynamic, digital learning communities in the classroom. Having used discussion boards on Learning Management Systems such as Blackboard and Canvas with dismal results, the use of Notions has been a game changer.
Session participants will be equipped to engage students in interactive discussions that will foster their understanding of class content and create digital learning communities in the classroom.
Presenter: Professor Latricia Trites, English and Philosophy
When: Thursday, March 30, 3:30 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.
Friday, April 14, 12:30 p.m.-1:20 p.m.
Where: Via Zoom: https://murraystate.zoom.us/my/msufacdev
Register: https://forms.gle/M5SmiP4McbwUgUDU7
USING PLICKERS TO ACTIVELY POLL CLASS RESPONSES
Are you looking for a technique to poll student responses to questions in class, while having them be more active than just pushing a button? Plickers may be a good option for your class.
Active learning is well established as a high-impact teaching technique. Receiving immediate feedback from students’ responses also allows a professor to immediately address misconceptions. While several different polling systems exist, most involve students simply pushing a button on an electronic device and some require a registration.
Plickers require no electronic devices, have no (or little) cost, and students do not need to sign up for an account. In addition, students are a little more active with Plickers than other polling systems. Individuals that sign up for this section at least one week in advance will receive a paper Plicker card via campus mail that they can use during the seminar (web camera required).
This session will equip attendees to do the following:
Set up a Plickers course.
Poll their classes’ responses.
Explore features such as graphing students' answers and gradebook.
Presenter: Dr. Jonathan T. Lyon, Assistant Professor, Chemistry
When: Tuesday, April 4, 2:00 - 2:50 p.m.
Thursday, April 13, 11:00 - 11:50 a.m.
Where: Via Zoom: https://murraystate.zoom.us/my/msufacdev
Register: https://forms.gle/M5SmiP4McbwUgUDU7
DESIGNING AND ORGANIZING MODULES IN CANVAS
Looking for insights to design or organize your face-to-face, web-enhanced, blended, or online course(s) in Canvas?
The Faculty Development Center and Academic Applications Solutions will facilitate a training session that introduces participants to best practices for designing Canvas modules to help students learn. In this session, participants will review strategies to do the following.
Design and organize modules in Canvas using course design principles
Choose the name and components for each module
Determine how students will progress through the course
Access a module layouts/templates that you can easily adapt in your Canvas courses
When: Wednesday April 5, 9:30 a.m. - 10:20 p.m.
Where: Online: Via Zoom: https://murraystate.zoom.us/my/msufacdev
Register: https://forms.gle/M5SmiP4McbwUgUDU7
STORIES WITH IMPACT: USING SOLUTIONS JOURNALISM STORIES IN YOUR CLASSROOM
Do you want your students to engage with impactful journalism around subjects such as climate change, education, health care, and democracy?
Join us in this session to find out how the Solutions Journalism Network's bank of current stories can be used in classes to engage students with current events and issues.
In any academic subject, students need to see connections between their studies and current events. By using stories from the Solutions Journalism Network, you can help your students to understand how to respond to challenges in our evolving world. The stories focus on a response to a problem with meaningful insights and evidence as well as limitations.
This session will introduce you to the concept of Solutions Journalism, defined as the rigorous reporting on responses to problems, and show you how you can use these types of news stories to engage students in critical and creative thought.
By the end of this session, you will be able to do the following:
Examine social issues through the lens of solutions journalism.
Use the Solutions Story Tracker to find stories of interest for your class.
Engage students in ways to think about social issues in a different way than the traditional news coverage.
Bring your laptop if you wish to explore the Solutions Story Tracker in real time.
Presenter: Leigh Landini Wright, Associate Professor, Journalism and Mass Communications
When: Wednesday, April 5, 10:30 - 11:20 a.m.
Tuesday, April 11, 3:30 - 4:20 p.m.
Where: Via Zoom: https://murraystate.zoom.us/my/msufacdev
Register: https://forms.gle/M5SmiP4McbwUgUDU7
USING CANVAS STUDIO TO EXPAND YOUR USE OF
VIDEO, SCREEN CAPTURE AND MORE
Do you want to expand your use of videos in your courses?
Canvas Studio is MSU’s newest video management tool that is conveniently integrated into Canvas. Studio allows you to create, edit, and store screen captures and video recordings for use throughout your Canvas courses. Additional features allow you to create closed captioning, back-up your existing video files for cloud-based storage, and more, to allow you to efficiently manage your video media and create engaging content for your course.
Academic Applications Solutions and the Faculty Development Center will facilitate a training session that will equip attendees to do the following:
Access Canvas Studio at the global and class level
Capture videos from your screen, webcam or both
Edit within the provided screencast-o-matic editor environment
Use Studio media in course content
Add closed captioning to Studio recordings
Backup your video files
Download existing Zoom videos and upload them into Studio
View video insights (individual participation metrics)
If time allows, additional features may be covered, and additional questions from participants will be explored.
When: Friday, April 14, 10:30 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Where: Online: Via Zoom: https://murraystate.zoom.us/my/msufacdev
Register: https://forms.gle/M5SmiP4McbwUgUDU7
What resources, ideas, and tips do you need to be an effective academic advisor?
The Academic Advising Series will allow academic advisors and support staff the opportunity to engage with presenters on important, pertinent and best practice academic advising topics. Participants will receive strategies to develop and refine their academic advising skills, review relevant resources and policies, and consider the needs of today's students to have more productive advising sessions.
Signs and Symptoms: Recognizing Students in Distress When you are Advising
Speakers: Dr. Angie Trzepacz, Director, University Counseling Services
Peggy Whaley, Director, Student Engagement and Success
When: April 20 at 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Where: Online: Via Zoom: https://murraystate.zoom.us/my/msufacdev
Register: https://forms.gle/M5SmiP4McbwUgUDU7
QUALTRICS SURVEY DEPLOYMENT AND REPORTING TOOLS
Are you currently using or interested in using Qualtrics Surveys for your research or instruction? This session will help you optimize your survey deployment and data collection processes.
In this session, we will explore the process of deploying Qualtrics Surveys as well as leveraging the data & analysis tools. We will explore how to generate streamlined reports directly from the Qualtrics dashboard for seamless review of survey data. Please note: If you are new to Qualtrics, we recommend attending one of the introductory “Using Qualtrics Survey and Data Analysis Platform” session first. Please check the FDC schedule for dates and times of these sessions.
This session will equip participants to do the following:
Explore the layout of menus and options related to deploying surveys built using Qualtrics.
Review data and analysis features to gain valuable insight from survey responses.
View and filter survey responses “at-a-glance” through the Results dashboard.
Generate custom reports for convenient review and distribution of survey data.
Presenter: Academic Applications Solutions
When: Wednesday, April 19, 1:30 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.
Friday, April 21, 12:30 p.m. - 1:20 p.m.
Tuesday, April 25, 12:30 p.m - 1:20 p.m
Thursday, April 27, 2:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.
Where: Online: Via Zoom: https://murraystate.zoom.us/my/msufacdev
Register: https://forms.gle/M5SmiP4McbwUgUDU7
TENURE AND PROMOTION FOR EARLY-CAREER FACULTY
Looking for guidance to help you start strong on your journey toward tenure and promotion?
In this session, Dr. Tim Todd, Murray State Provost; Dr. Bob Pervine, Associate Provost for Graduate Education; Riza Marjadi, Academic Systems Analyst, Academic Affairs and Research; and experienced MSU faculty will provide an overview of the tenure and promotion process and insights for getting a strong start toward tenure and promotion at MSU.
Participants will review:
the process for tenure and promotion at MSU (including the submission process)
strategies to plan for tenure and promotion
Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions and share relevant experiences.
Facilitator: Dr. Firm Faith Watson, Director, Faculty Development Center
When: Wednesday, April 26, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Where: Online: Via Zoom: https://murraystate.zoom.us/my/msufacdev
Register: https://forms.gle/M5SmiP4McbwUgUDU7
TENURE AND PROMOTION FOR MIDWAY-TO-TENURE FACULTY
Are you approaching the tenure application process? Looking for insights to help you achieve promotion and tenure?
In this session, Professor Ashley Ireland, Assistant Provost and Director of Online Learning; Professor Renee Fister, Associate Provost; Riza Marjadi, Academic Systems Analyst, Academic Affairs and Research; and faculty who have been awarded tenure and promotion will provide best practices for achieving tenure and promotion at MSU.
Participants will review:
expectations and evidence necessary to achieve tenure and promotion
the tenure and promotion submission process
strategies to strengthen their promotion and tenure portfolio
Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions and share relevant experiences.
Facilitator: Dr. Firm Faith Watson, Director, Faculty Development Center
When: Friday, April 28, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Where: Online: Via Zoom: https://murraystate.zoom.us/my/msufacdev
Register: https://forms.gle/M5SmiP4McbwUgUDU7
ANNOUNCEMENTS
APPLYING THE QUALITY MATTERS
RUBRIC (APPQMR) WORKSHOP
Quality Matters (QM) is an internationally recognized organization, dedicated to quality assurance in online education. QM has an evidence-based, peer reviewed Higher-Education Rubric that is focused on course design. If you are interested in taking your online course to the next level and would like to incorporate student-centered practices into your online teaching, please join us for this State System Subscription Applying the QM Rubric (APPQMR) Workshop.
This is an interactive workshop where faculty will work in groups to apply the QM knowledge and skills they are learning. After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:
Participants will receive the Applying the Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR) certificate.
When: March 24 and March 31, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm (Central Time)
Where: Online Via Zoom
Register: https://nku.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6lIxHB250YtsIHI
Registration deadline: Friday, March 3, 2023.
Registration is capped at 10 participants.
Find Out More: Visit the workshop web page
Got Questions? Contact Alicia Pennington at Alicia.Pennington@wku.edu
Are you interested in learning about being a Canvas Certified Educator (CCE)? Do you need additional help to make your course stronger and amp up your instructional techniques?
Good news! Our very own Dr. Melony Shemberger is a Canvas Certified Educator! She now helps facilitate courses in the CCE program and can help you!
Contact: Dr. Melony Shemberger
Department of Journalism and Mass Communications
211 Wilson Hall
270-809-6874
mshemberger@murraystate.edu
THE FACULTY DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY
Good news! We have organized the Faculty Development Academy (FDA), a virtual space (via Canvas) for you to access on-demand professional development resources in areas that include, but are not limited to, the following: Strategies for Teaching and Learning, Teaching Well With Technology, Scholarly Activities, Promotion and Tenure, Leadership, Wellbeing and Work-Life Balance.
What else is in this FDA for me?
In this self-paced academy, you have opportunities to do the following:
Access on-demand resources (e.g., session recordings and handouts)
Reflect on your learning (including personal application or plans to apply what you learned), and earn badges and certificates
Access the FDA featured sessions and more by self-enrolling in the FDA via Canvas: https://murraystate.instructure.com/enroll/WTGYHH
How would you evaluate the quality of a student's work? If you were to judge a chocolate chip cookie contest, how would you determine the winning cookie?
Most likely, you would be given a rubric to help you. Just as a rubric is important in deciding the best cookie, a rubric also can be instrumental in assessing a student's work. This micro-learning training will guide you through the main parts of a rubric and how to create a rubric in Canvas.
Session Objectives:
Presenter: Dr. Melony Shemberger, Associate Professor, Mass Communication
When: This is a self-paced multimedia video.
Where: This micro-learning opportunity was created in Adobe Captivate and uploaded in a Canvas course for participants to self-enroll at this link: https://murraystate.instructure.com/enroll/7G3KMT.
ACCESSIBILITY AND USABILITY RESOURCE SITE
Murray State subscribes to Quality Matters (QM), a non-profit organization that is focused on helping faculty with continuous improvement of online and blended courses.
QM created a research-based rubric to help faculty determine the quality of their online and blended course design.
The QM rubric standard number 8 indicates that "The course design reflects a
commitment to accessibility and usability for all learners."
To help you meet this standard, the QM community built the Accessibility & Usability Resource Site that addresses key accessibility and usability concerns such as:
The resource also includes forums that provide you with the opportunity to connect directly with accessibility experts. It also includes videos with step-by-step guidance to help you increase the accessibility of your course.
If you do not yet have a QM account, please follow the steps below.
FDC OPPORTUNITIES, RESOURCES AND SERVICES
Murray State University has subscribed to Quality Matters (QM), a non-profit organization focused on helping faculty with continuous improvement of online and blended courses.
Quality Matters created a research-based rubric to help faculty determine the quality of their online and blended course design.
Subscription Benefits includes (but are not limited to):
Access the QM Automated Rubric Tool
Faculty may conduct self-reviews of their online courses using the QM’s self-review tool. These reviews will be seen by only the faculty who conducts the self-reviews (unless the faculty decides to share the reviews). There is no limit on the number of self-reviews that each faculty may conduct. To access the self-review tool, complete the following steps:
SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTIONAL FEEDBACK (SGIF)
Need feedback to improve your students’ learning experiences and potentially improve your end-of-course ratings?
You might be interested in participating in the FDC's Small Group Instructional Feedback (SGIF).
About SGIF: SGIF provides the opportunity for faculty to work with a facilitator to gather feedback from groups of student in their course (for about 25-30 minutes) about what is helping them learn and what could be improved. It also places extremes student opinions in context which, in turn, increases the validity of students' feedback and improve students' motivation.
Facilitator: Firm Faith Watson, Director, Faculty Development Center
When: Midway in the semester
Register: https://tinyurl.com/SGIF-Registration
View Flier: https://tinyurl.com/SGIF-Flyer
1-on-1 Consultations
Do you need individual help (e.g., to design your face-to-face, online or blended courses)?
Please reach out to Dr. Firm Faith Watson to arrange one-on-one virtual consultations at fwatson2@murraystate.edu.