GIFT Exchange

GIFT

GIFT Exchange

GIFT Exchange

 

GIFT Exchange

No matter your mode of instruction, the GIFT (Great Ideas for Teaching) Exchange has a GIFT for you. All faculty and staff interested in teaching are invited to join us for these HyFlex events focused on creating an integrated course using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles.

Please register to attend these events by the following requested deadlines. Once registered, you will receive an invitation to the event. Session recordings will be available about a week after the event.

 

Spring 2023 GIFT Exchange Schedule

AI in Academics

Tuesday, February 7, 12:15 pm-1:00 pm
Faculty Resource Center, Columbine 203 (HyFlex format option)
Nathan Bullock, Executive Director for Online Operations
Melinda Lien, Senior Instructional Designer
Angie Dodson, Faculty Development Coordinator

AI in Academics initiates a more formal conversation about the pros and cons of using artificial intelligence tools in higher education. Join us for an interactive session to witness first-hand how AI generates intellectual responses to varied prompts, and then, offer ideas and strategies to proactively embrace this state-of-the-art technology.

Register by Friday, February 3

The Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project and High-Impact Practices

Wednesday, February 15, 10:00 am-10:45 am
Faculty Resource Center, Columbine 203 (HyFlex format option)
Tre Wentling, PhD, Assistant Professor, Gender & Sexualities Studies Certificate Coordinator Women's and Ethnic Studies Program

Have you heard about the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project? Are you considering (re)designing high impact teaching and learning practices? Join FRC Teaching Fellow and WEST Assistant Professor, Tre Wentling, in this GIFT session as he offers lessons learned from leading students (in two different courses across two semesters) in their contributions to the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project.

Register by Friday, February 10

Ungrading | Shifting Focus from Making the Grade to Facilitating Inclusive Learning

Tuesday, February 21, 11:00-11:45 am
Faculty Resource Center, Columbine 203 (HyFlex format option)
Amy Anderson, PhD, Lecturer, Art History, Visual and Performing Arts
Angie Dodson, MEd, Faculty Development Coordinator, Faculty Resource Center
Brandon Poulliot, MS, Instructional Designer/Technologist, Faculty Resource Center
Kacey Ross, MA, Senior Instructor, English, Director of Writing Across the Curriculum, Assistant Director of First-Year Rhetoric and Writing

In this session, a discussion panel brings forth the ideas and principles of ungrading and some strategies for implementing it.

Register by Friday, February 17

Critical Reflections in Coursework

Thursday, April 13, 12:15-1:00 pm
Faculty Resource Center, Columbine 203 (HyFlex format option)
Shannon K. Johnson, PhD, MSW, MPP, Assistant Professor of Social Work, College of Public Service

Join Shannon as she shares her method of incorporating meta-cognitive thinking and reflexivity practice in the educational process. Her method incorporates the three steps of the DEAL model by Ash and Clayton (2004): Step 1 - Describe, Step 2 - Examine, and Step 3 - Articulate Learning. It then adds metacognitive thinking as a fourth step. Use of reflexivity practice and intentional metacognitive thinking will be discussed as ways of encouraging deep processing, supporting consciousness raising processes, and increasing student intentionality as related to ownership of one’s own learning journey.

Register by Friday, April 7

Student Retention

Date TBD
Faculty Resource Center, Columbine 203
Ann Amicucci, PhD, Associate Professor with Tenure, English
Andrea Nelson Trice, Research Associate for Retention Initiative, Institutional Research

Register by Friday, TBD

Archived Sessions - Fall 2022
Session 1: Instructional Videos Using Universal Design for Learning Guidelines, Part I: Minimizing Distractions

Thursday, September 22, 2:00-2:45 pm
Faculty Resource Center, Columbine 203
Ann Amicucci, Ph.D., English Department, College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences (LAS)

Join this GIFT Exchange to engage with Ann in a(n):

  • overview of UDL guidelines for minimizing distractions in the learning environment and how to apply these guidelines to the creation of instructional videos,
  • video presentation and discussion about potential visual and audio distractions and how the video could be improved to reduce these distractions, and
  • discussion about revisions participants can make to their instructional videos using what they’ve learned.

Video Recording | Session Slides

Session 2: Annotating with Hypothes.is: A Social Annotation Tool

Tuesday, September 27, 11:00-11:45 am
Mike Kisley, Ph.D., Professor, Psychology Department, LAS
Nathan Price, Instructor, English Department, LAS
Celeste Delbar, Instructor, English Department, LAS
Angie Dodson, Faculty Development Coordinator, FRC

For this GIFT Exchange, interactively engage with Mike, Nathan, and Angie in how to use Hypothes.is for:

  • engaging more students in course readings (including the course syllabus),
  • annotating for rhetorical analysis, and
  • varying how students interact with course content, the instructor, and each other.

Video Recording | Session Slides

Session 3: Instructional Videos Using Universal Design for Learning Guidelines, Part II: Supporting Learner Autonomy

Thursday, October 6, 2:00-2:45 pm
Faculty Resource Center, Columbine 203
Ann Amicucci, Ph.D., Associate Professor, English Department, LAS

Join this GIFT Exchange to engage with Ann in:

  • an overview of UDL guidelines for creating opportunities for learner autonomy and how to apply these guidelines to instructional videos,
  • a review of the set-up of an example course module and discussion about where learners are given autonomy in relation to video instruction and how the module could be revised to increase learner autonomy, and
  • a discussion about revisions participants can make to their course modules using what they’ve learned.

Video Recording | Session Slides

Session 4: Proactive Approach to Reducing Digital Fatigue

Wednesday, October 12, 11:00-11:45 am
Faculty Resource Center, Columbine 203
Angie Dodson, M.Ed., Faculty Development Coordinator, FRC

Over the past two years, personal, academic, and professional use of digital technologies has increased lending to apathy, disengagement, and fatigue. Join Angie to discuss actions both faculty and students can take to help recognize, remedy, and prevent digital fatigue.

Video Recording | Session Slides | Strategies for Lessening Digital Fatigue Handout | Inclusive Group Work Handout

Session 5: Quick Tips for Inclusive Teaching: UDIT Showcase

Tuesday, October 25, 11:00-11:45 am
Amy Anderson, Ph.D., MFA, MALS, Lecturer, Visual and Performing Arts, LAS

Seeking to create an inclusive learning experience through equity of voice, Amy will share her strategies for facilitating “an online space built with the intention of synergistic co-creation of knowledge that meets each adult learner where they are and gives them a chance to participate equally.”

Video Recording | Session Slides

Session 6: Students as Editors and Creators of OER

Friday, October 28, 2:00-2:45 or 3:15-4:00 pm
Baye Herald, MA, Senior Instructor, Technical Communications and Information Design (TCID), LAS
Angie Dodson, M.Ed., Faculty Development Coordinator, FRC

As a part of the OER SUCCESS at UCCS event, Baye and Angie will share ways for students to be creators and editors of open educational resources.

Video Recording | Session Slides

Session 7: Sneak Peek at Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning

Wednesday, November 9, 2:00-2:45 pm
Lynnane George, Ph.D., Senior Instructor, Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Angie Dodson, M.Ed., Faculty Development Coordinator, FRC

As a part of ACCESS @ UCCS Week Lynnane and Angie will introduce the three forms of “small teaching” as a pre-cursor to the Spring 2023 Teaching Circle featuring James M. Lang’s Small teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning.

Video Recording | Session Slides | Session Handout

Archived Sessions - Spring 2022
Session 1: Using Read & Write in the Classroom

Tuesday, January 25, 1:45 – 2:30, Leyna Bencomo, Assistive Technologist Specialist

Make your classes easier to access without doing extra work! Introduce Read & Write to students on day one and minimize the number of accommodations you need to make for students.

Session 1 - Recording | Read & Write Download Instructions

Session 2: Creating Accessible Digital Course Documents

Thursday, January 27, 1:45 – 2:30, Sharon Stevens, FRC Faculty Development Coordinator

When creating course documents using Microsoft Word or Canvas Pages, a few simple digital accessibility principles are relevant for almost all document types. In this session, you will use a few principles to improve the readability and accessibility of your course materials and documents. Have a course syllabus, Word document, or Canvas Page open, and you will have the opportunity to apply these principles.

Session 2 - Recording | PowerPoint | Digital ACCESS Checklist

Session 3: Using Practical Neuroscience as Scaffolded Engagement for Online Course Content

Thursday, February 3, 1:45 – 2:30, Dr. Sarah Long, Assistant Director Gateway Program Seminar, Undergraduate Education

Do you have a brain or are you a brain? This session introduces practical neuroscience strategies to scaffolded engagement using brain-bender activities that scaffold weekly course content.

Session 3 - Recording available on request

Session 4: Mentoring the Student Research Experience

Monday, February 7, 12:15 – 1:00, James R. Van Scotter II, Assistant Professor, College of Business

Much peer-reviewed scholarly research suggests student participation in research projects can be an important part of strategies for increasing student, engagement, retention, graduation, and career outcomes. While the benefits for students are pretty clear, many faculty have not worked on scholarly research projects with students and might be unsure about how to make the research experience beneficial for both the students and the faculty mentors. In this workshop, we will discuss some best practices for making research mentorship successful for students and faculty: techniques for identifying prospective research assistants, student training for research, ideal types of projects for new RA’s, intermediate and senior RA’s, administrative requirements, resources, and how to handle advising and mentorship.

Session 4 - PowerPoint

Session 5: Create a Jigsaw to Engage Students in Canvas Assignments and Discussions

Wednesday, February 16, 12:15 – 1:00, Angie Dodson, FRC Instructional Designer

This session offers strategies for effectively utilizing the jigsaw method for interactively engaging students in discussions or assignments. The jigsaw method creates an opportunity for students to become experts on particular topics, issues, and processes and then share their expertise with others. It is an alternative approach to learning that encourages students to contribute from their own knowledge, skills, and experiences that combine with others to construct a rich, more comprehensive learning experience.

Session 5 - Recording

Session 6: Quick Tips for Inclusive Teaching from the Universal Design for Inclusive Teaching Grant Recipients

Tuesday, February 22, 1:45 – 2:30, Facilitated by Angie Dodson, FRC Instructional Designer and Sharon Stevens, FRC Faculty Development Coordinator

This session introduces the Universal Design for Inclusive Teaching (UDIT) badge program. Faculty participating in the Summer 2021 badge program will discuss the UDIT strategies they implemented into their teaching and the impact on students.

Session 6 - Recording | PowerPoint

Session 7: Using a Course Theme to Engage Students

Wednesday, March 2, 12:15 – 1:00, Mandi Elder, Associate Professor, College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Utilizing a theme to structure your course, regardless of the content, can enhance student engagement by offering them interesting hooks rather than the typical modules, units, homework, and exams. Invite them to be detectives, superheroes, mountain climbers, or athletes. Gain inspiration from your favorite hobby, board game, or genre related activities. This GIFT session will help you see how to use common everyday activities and turn them into a theme for your course and craw your students into the course while you get to have some fun making it happen.

Session 7 - Recording

Archived Sessions - Fall 2021
Supporting Non-Native English Speakers in the Classroom

Tuesday, September 14, 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM, Grant Clayton, College of Education

We all have non-native English speakers in our classes. In this GIFT Exchange, I will share some high-leverage practices for helping these students succeed. The second half will include time for discussion and guided practice based on participant interest.

Recording | Audio Only | PowerPoint

Creating Knowledge Checks in Canvas Using New Quizzes

Wednesday, September 29, 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM, Brandon Poulliot, Faculty Resource Center

Knowledge Checks, a student success strategy, are questions designed to help students learn a topic and allow students to assess their own progress in a course. In this GIFT Exchange, you will learn how to implement knowledge checks into your Canvas course using New Quizzes. Canvas New Quizzes features include a series of feature enhancements and new item types for a more interactive assessment experience for your students.

Recording | Audio Only | Presentation

Design an Engaging Online Course in Canvas

Tuesday, October 5, 1:45 PM – 2:40 PM, Sharon Stevens, Faculty Resource Center

Student engagement in an online course is essential for student success. This GIFT Exchange provides student-focused strategies as you create an engaging online course using the Universal Design for Learning Principles.

Recording | Audio Only | Presentation

Making Headlines and Memes

Wednesday, October 13, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM, Tre Wentling, Women’s and Ethnic Studies

Do headlines spark your interest? Have you shared a meme with others or imitated it yourself? Making Headlines and Memes is a creative assignment that promotes active reading, writing practice, and oral communication as well as the promise for engaging in-class discussions.

Recording | Audio Only | Resource Handout

Can We Do This in Online Teaching?

Wednesday, October 20, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM, YongJei Lee, School of Public Affairs

Sometimes, it is hard to know what you can or can’t do in online teaching. Under COVID-19, it is getting more important for students to experience the same level of learning environment watching online lectures asynchronously. UCCS has been offering a state-of-the-art cloud computing platform to faculty, staff, and students and many of us do not realize this exists. The presenter will share some of his experiences using the UCCS Remote Desktop platform, including how it started, how the system has been improved, and what we can or can’t do using this platform. A simple manual to access the UCCS Remote Desktop platform will be provided as well.

Recording | Audio Only | Resource Handout

OER SUCCESS Stories: Gathering, Customizing, and Creating

Tuesday, October 26, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM, Facilitated by Angie Dodson, Faculty Resource Center. Panelists: Lynnane George, CU Open Educational Resources Champion, College of Engineering and Applied Science; Amy Anderson, Visual and Performing Arts Department; Katherine Cliff, Mathematics Department; Dan Olson, School of Public Affairs; and Rebecca Theobald, Geography and Environmental Studies Department

Have you ever wondered about how Open Educational Resources (OER) are being successfully utilized around campus? Join us for a showcase of OER that have been successfully gathered, customized, and even individually created for varying courses on campus. You will have a chance to witness the strategies used, the challenges encountered, and the successes experienced in these individual OER journeys so you, too, can experience OER success!

Recording | Audio Only | OER SUCCESS Program Brochure

Last updated January 20, 2023
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