Portal2023-2024 Academic Year
Spring 2024
- Generative AI: A World of Opportunities for Teaching and Learning, February 23rd, 2024
Participants came to explore what AI has to offer in this practical, hands-on workshop. After a brief introduction to AI along with generative tools and how to prompt them, we examined how to use these tools to create engaging and effective teaching elements such as lessons, activities, assessments, and feedback. We will also experimented with how AI can benefit students in terms of improving their study skills to enhance learning. And finally, we considered how we might best prepare our students for the future of work. Led by Dr. Cynthia Alby.
- Rising to the Challenge of Diversifying the STEM Field, February 13th, 2024
Minoritized students are more likely to drop out of college. Minority students and women are driven out of STEM at every stage from middle school on. In this workshop, led by Dr. Alicia Prieto-Langarica, we explored the following questions: Why do we need to address these issues? What can we do in our classrooms, departments, and institutions to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to succeed? When faced with a challenging situation, what will you do to make our world a more equitable, just place?
- Fresh Start, January 4th, 2024
What's New in Campus Technology, 10-11AM
Participants learned about recent classroom technology upgrades and tools, and what's on the horizon tech-wise! Led by Rosalyn Donaldson (IT Training Services)New Generative AI Tools in Blackboard 11:10AM-12NOON
Blackboard has partnered with Microsoft to become the first LMS to leverage generative AI. The AI Design Assistant helps build your course and saves you time. Participants learned how they can use these features to help create learning modules, make rubrics, and create question banks. Led by Joe Alberti (CyberlearningAMA (Ask Me Anything) 1-2PM
Representatives from ITL, Cyberlearning, and IT Training Services were available for questions, concerns, and consultations.
Fall 2023
- Adapting Your Assessments for the Age of AI, November 16th, 2023
In the first part of the session, we considered why many conventional tests and assignment types fall short when students could be tempted to outsource the work to AI. We explored alternative assessment options such as experiential learning, multimedia assignments, collaborative projects, iterative feedback loops, and peer review.
Then, we moved on to an interactive mode where participants could collaborate with colleagues to redesign one of their current assessments. Cyberlearning and ITL facilitators were on hand to help them adapt their in-person or online assessment to better evaluate authentic student learning in an age of easily accessible AI chatbots. Participants left with fresh ideas for creating thoughtful, engaging assessments suitable for students, not just for chatbots.
2022-2023 Academic Year
Spring 2023
- Using Active Learning in STEM Classes (Sustainably) (A special session for mathematics and statistics faculty), April 3rd, 2023
An overwhelming amount of research and anecdotal evidence points to active learning as the best setup for students to learn, especially in the STEM subjects. But does it work in a math or statistics class? And can you do it without committing enormous amounts of time or energy to make it work? In this three-part working meeting, we seen examples of “small” active learning activities for use in mathematics courses, then participants will had a chance to make their own, and then we challenged ourselves with a “lightning round” of active learning task design on some randomly selected math and statistics topics. Led by Robert Talbert.
Session Recording Password: Penguins*1
- Active Learning: Three Good Reasons to Use It and Three Good Reasons Not to, April 3rd, 2023
Active learning -- defined as "instructional activities involving students in doing things and thinking about what they are doing" (Bonwell and Eison, 1991) -- has permeated higher education for 30 years and today stands on the cusp of becoming a normative experience for students and instructors. But why should an instructor dive into active learning? In this talk, we outlined what active learning is and what it isn't, and focused on research that can give us confidence in using active learning in the classroom. We also looked at some common missteps that can happen when we use active learning and how to avoid them. Led by Robert Talbert.
Session Recording Password: Penguins*1
- Noel Levitz Lunch & Learn Series
Participants joined staff in the Institute for Teaching and Learning to learn more about how YSU students responded to the 2022 Noel Levitz survey, and to discuss opportunities for action based on the data. These topic-based interactive sessions were held both virtually and in person.
- Experiences Outside the Classroom: Wednesday, March 22, 2023, 12-1PM
- Advising and Goal Setting: Wednesday, March 29, 2023, 12-1PM
- Admissions, Registration, and Financial Support: Wednesday, April 5, 2023, 12-1PM
- Experiences in the Classroom: Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 12-1PM
- Classroom Connections Using the Intentional Relationship Framework, March 20th, 2023
This workshop focused on developing student relationships. This session provided tools that allow you to build Close Connections through which young people discover who they are, cultivate abilities to shape their own lives, and learn how to engage with and contribute to the world around them. Positive relationships with students can lead to increased motivation and improve class attendance and performance. Led by Mike Beverly from the Resch Academic Success Center.
- Working with International and Multilingual Students Series
International and Multilingual Students at YSU: Myths and Realities, February 14th, 2023
This workshop provided an overview of these unique and growing student populations at YSU: Who are international and multilingual students? Where are they from? What brought them to Youngstown? How much English do they know? Simple, yet culturally-appropriate, strategies for learning more about students in your own classes were shared.
"I Teach___, not English!": Teaching International and Multilingual Students, March 14th, 2023
As the number of international and multilingual students grows at YSU, course instructors may encounter unfamiliar teaching challenges. This workshop provided strategies for making your lessons and lectures accessible to students from all language backgrounds.
Culture and Communication with International and Multilingual Students, April 11th, 2023
Ever had international or multilingual students nod like they understand you -- then turn in something that shows they didn't? (Ever have that happen repeatedly?) These and other communication challenges aren’t solely (or mainly!) due to language differences – they're likely also due to cultural differences. This workshop addressed common cultural misunderstandings that arise when teaching international and multilingual students, ways to prevent such misunderstandings, and strategies for reducing stress when teaching and working across cultures and languages.
- Teaching in the Chat GPT Age, February 2nd, 2023
A virtual workshop focused on learning more about the new technology, Chat GPT, and how to address it in the classroom. Joe Palardy (Economics), Mark Vopat (Philosophy), and Hillary Fuhrman (ITL) taught staff and faculty about the new tool, ethical issues and considerations, and some practical strategies to implement in your courses. Time was reserved for questions, comments, and discussion. Use your YSU ID and passsword to access slides and watch recording (note the password for the recording link is Penguins 1).
- Fresh Start Keynote: Fantastic Universal Design for Learning (UDL) with Thomas Tobin, January 13th, 2023
This keynote workshop demonstrated the “step zero” that makes all of our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts possible: access. Through the universal design for learning (UDL) framework, faculty and staff learned concrete steps that help to lower barriers, anxiety, and stress—for their students and for them. When we focus our learning interactions on how our students get access to materials, each other, instructors, support services, and the community, we strengthen their sense of belonging as learners. This workshop advised participants on how to take some work off your plate—as you engage with YSU students.
Led by UDL expert and University of Wisconsin-Madison faculty developer Thomas Tobin. Thomas J. Tobin, PhD, MSLS, PMP, MOT, CPACC is a founding member of the Center for Teaching, Learning, & Mentoring (CTLM) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well as an internationally recognized scholar, author, and speaker on technology-mediated education. His books include:
- Evaluating Online Teaching: Implementing Best Practices (2015)
- The Copyright Ninja (2017)
- Reach Everyone, Teach Everyone: Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education (2018)
- Going Alt-Ac: A Guide to Alternative Academic Careers (2020)
- UDL for FET Practitioners: Guidance for Implementing Universal Design for Learning in Irish Further Education and Training (2021)
- Fresh Start Virtual: What's New in Classroom Technology, January 6th, 2023
A workshop focused on recent classroom technology upgrades and tools. Led by Rosalyn Donaldson (IT Training Services).
- Fresh Start Virtual: Supporting Students (and yourself), January 6th, 2023
This workshop focused on recognizing faculty expectations and challenges working with students; how to be good educators and have boundaries; how to help students see their roles and responsibilities as learners in the classroom; and strategies for recognizing and responding to areas of teaching frustration/student concerns. Led by Kristin Bruns and Emily McMillan (Counseling).
FALL 2022
- Fresh Start: Active Learning, December 20th, 2022
This one-day workshop facilitated by Dr. Alicia Prieto taught faculty and staff about key considerations in incorporating active learning, experiencing active learning techniques through mini-class experiences from your colleagues, and spending time developing changes to one or more of your spring classes. Active techniques experiences included:
- Co-creating a syllabus with your students (Alicia Prieto, Mathematics)
- Using immediate feedback and quiz corrections (Snow Balaz, Physics)
- Concept mapping in large classes (Sharon Stringer, Psychology)
- Video feedback and other technology for active learning (Michelle Nelson, Graphic Design)
- Co-creating rubrics with students (Hillary Fuhrman, ITL)
- Introduction to the TEACH Principles: Humane, November 17th, 2022
Every other Thursday morning ITL hosted a discussion hour with coffee and pastries while we provided a short introduction and teaching tip (~15 minutes) on one of the TEACH Principles. Attendees had the rest of the hour to share their ideas, ask questions, or discuss teaching topics.
- Introduction to the TEACH Principles: Communicative, November 2nd, 2022
Every other Thursday morning ITL hosted a discussion hour with coffee and pastries while we provided a short introduction and teaching tip (~15 minutes) on one of the TEACH Principles. Attendees had the rest of the hour to share their ideas, ask questions, or discuss teaching topics.
- Introduction to the TEACH Principles: Aspirational, October 20th, 2022
Every other Thursday morning ITL hosted a discussion hour with coffee and pastries while we provided a short introduction and teaching tip (~15 minutes) on one of the TEACH Principles. Attendees had the rest of the hour to share their ideas, ask questions, or discuss teaching topics.
- Introduction to the TEACH Principles: Evidence-Based, October 6th, 2022
Every other Thursday morning ITL hosted a discussion hour with coffee and pastries while we provided a short introduction and teaching tip (~15 minutes) on one of the TEACH Principles. Attendees had the rest of the hour to share their ideas, ask questions, or discuss teaching topics.
- Introduction to the TEACH Principles: Transparency, September 21st, 2022
Every other Thursday morning ITL hosted a discussion hour with coffee and pastries while we provided a short introduction and teaching tip (~15 minutes) on one of the TEACH Principles. Attendees had the rest of the hour to share their ideas, ask questions, or discuss teaching topics.
