Monday, April 27, 11pm – 11:45pm, 3068 JHZ 
Monday, April 27,  2pm – 2:45pm, 107D DEV 
Establishing a classroom climate that fosters learning takes intentionality. Our actions - as well as our words - play a role in establishing a learning-focused environment. Keeping the classroom climate positive is the responsibility of both sides. Learn valuable concepts you can put to work right away in every class.

In this session, we will watch a 20 Minute Mentor Commons video presentation by Maryellen Weimer and then engage in a lively discussion. Registrants will be provided with the presentation handout and supplemental resource materials. Register in Sprout.

Wednesday,  April 29, 10am – 10:45am, 3068 JHZ
Wednesday,  April 29,  1pm – 1:45pm, 107D DEV 
Learn how incorporating findings from cognitive and educational psychology research can help you encourage students to take charge of their own learning. Discover techniques you can use to increase student responsibility and establish a learning-centered environment in your next course.

In this session, we will watch a 20 Minute Mentor Commons video presentation by Christy Price and then engage in a lively discussion. Registrants will be provided with the presentation handout and supplemental resource materials. Register in Sprout.

Thursday, April 30, 11:00am – 11:45pm, 107D DEV
Thursday, April 30, 1pm – 1:45pm, 3068 JHZ 
Without deep learning, your students can come away from courses with misunderstandings and oversimplified views of complex issues. Learn how the process of critical reflection is a reliable way to deepen the learning experience.

In this session, we will watch a 20 Minute Mentor Commons video presentation by Barbara Jacoby and then engage in a lively discussion. Registrants will be provided with the presentation handout and supplemental resource materials. Register in Sprout.

Would you like a great excuse to read an interesting book and discuss teaching ideas with colleagues? Join one of the following Spring/Summer 2015 book discussion groups. Following our Winter Teaching Circles, we received requests to offer these opportunities again. While we will have a wider array of offerings in the fall, we invite you to read with us this summer. Groups will meet over coffee or tea – times and locations will be decided by participants. To sign up, email Christine (renerc@gvsu.edu), indicating which book is of interest.

Collaborative Learning Techniques: A Handbook for College Faculty, 2nd Edition
Elizabeth Barkley, Claire Howell Major, and K. Patricia Cross, 2014

Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning
Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel, 2014

Teaching Naked: How Moving Technology Out of Your College Classroom Will Improve Student Learning
José Bowen, 2012

The Skillful Teacher: On Technique, Trust, and Responsiveness in the Classroom, 3rd Edition
Stephen Brookfield, 2015

Please make note of the following Pew FTLC August activities focused on teaching essentials and innovation practices:

Faculty Teaching Institute: Focus on Essentials
Monday, August 17, 1:00 - 4:15pm 
L. William Seidman Center
Three sessions focused on syllabus construction, first days of class, active learning strategies and challenging conversations in the classroom.

Part-time Faculty Reception
Monday, August 17, 4:30 - 6pm,
University Club, Richard M. DeVos Center
Meet and mingle with part-time faculty at GVSU.

GVSU Initiatives: Teaching Innovation Workshops
Tuesday, August 18, 12:00 - 4:00pm
Lake Ontario Hall
Lunch plus local faculty in concurrent sessions using hands-on demonstration, discussion, and active learning to share great ideas in teaching. See Call for Proposals below.

21st Annual Fall Teaching Conference
Wednesday, August 26, 8am - 1pm
Eberhard Conference Center
The Fall Conference this year will take a slightly different format than in past years. An outside speaker – yet to be confirmed – will kick off the conference. In lieu of afternoon concurrent sessions, we will hear from faculty experts following the plenary. The conference will conclude with lunch.

Local faculty and staff are invited to lead sessions related to GVSU University Initiatives. Sessions can take one of three formats: (i) demonstration of teaching strategy, (ii) roundtable discussion regarding teaching innovation and initiative (iii) hands on active learning methods for teaching innovation

We particularly welcome proposals for sessions related to:
• Global GVSU: course integration
• Design Thinking: examples and structure
• Civic Engagement: application of community engagement pedagogy and/or evaluation
• General Education: innovative teaching practices related to new skills goals
• Digital Studies
• Strong Start Initiative: best practices in first-year, introductory undergraduate courses 
• Pew FTLC Grants: approaches and results from Pew FTLC funded projects
• Scholarship of Teaching and Learning: approaches, methods, findings

Session proposals should include:
1. Presenter Name(s)
2. Session Title
3. Abstract (80 words or less)
4. Session Description (500 words or less): rationale, session activities, how session will engage participants, participant outcomes

We welcome your comments and questions. Please submit session proposals to ftlc@gvsu.edu by Wednesday, June 17.

Michael Sciarini, Hospitality and Tourism Management
Professor Sciarini was awarded a Pew Scholar Teacher Grant to take part in the Sloan-C Certificate program.  This program prepares educators to teach and improve online courses using the Sloan-C pillars of quality in online education-learning effectiveness, scale, faculty and student satisfaction, and access. The program consists of a 9-week (on-line) foundation course and a variety of electives that focus on improving overall competency within a specific area of academic focus while working individually with expert mentors.

Faculty Teaching Institute: Focus on Essentials 
Monday August 17, 1:00 – 4:15pm
L. William Seidman Center
Three sessions focused on syllabus construction, first days of class, active learning strategies and challenging conversations in the classroom.

Part-time Faculty Reception
Monday, August 17, 4:30 - 6pm,
University Club, Richard M. Devos Center
Meet and mingle with part-time faculty at GVSU.

Visiting/Part-time Faculty Task Force to Convene in Fall 2015

On April 17th, the University Academic Senate (UAS) unanimously voted to appoint a task force consisting of part-time, visiting, and tenure-track faculty. Task force membership and further details are still to be determined, but the immediate charges are to examine part-time/visiting faculty best practice models of inclusion in faculty governance and make recommendations; review peer and local institutions' policies and procedures on hiring, compensation, orientation, professional development, and performance reviews and recommend best practices to be established at GVSU; collect necessary data to inform recommendations; and disseminate reports/recommendations in a  transparent manner. Look for more on this in the fall or contact Dana Munk munkd@gvsu.edu with questions.

Adjunct Faculty 5 Minute Feedback Survey
The FTLC and 2014-2015 Adjunct Advisory Council would like to learn more about the current work environment for adjunct faculty. We hope you will take 5 minutes to provide us with your anonymous feedback about your experiences as an adjunct employee at GVSU. The survey will be available until April 27, and all responses are confidential. Thanks for your time! Click here to take the survey now.