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Grand Valley State University

CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Teach-In: Power, Privilege and Difficult Dialogues

For the past two years, a day-long Teach-In entitled Power, Privilege, and Difficult Dialogues has been held for the purpose of mutual education among students, faculty and staff of the GVSU community on topics related to inequality and systems of oppression, as well as social justice and liberation. 

The University Academic Senate (UAS) and the Student Senate are teaming up to host another Teach-In on January 21, 2016, 8:30am - 9:00pm. Concurrent sessions will be held in various locations throughout the day following the normal Tuesday/Thursday class schedule.

We are seeking submissions for collaborative faculty/student/staff/community sessions that involve educational frameworks for opening dialogues on inequality, systems of oppression, social justice and liberation in the format of workshops and other engaged pedagogies. Please keep in mind that a teach-in is practical, participatory and action oriented.

We especially encourage contributions with an intersectional framework (considering interconnections of racism, classism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, xenophobia, etc.), and sessions that include faculty, staff, and students as co-creators.

To contribute a session, please fill in the form on the Teach-In website (www.gvsu.edu/teach-in) by Monday, November 16. A complete schedule for the Teach-In will be available on the Teach-In website by Monday, December 14.

If you would like to be involved in helping to plan this year’s Teach-In, please email gipsonk@gvsu.edu.

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)

Session Host: Mark Schaub, Padnos International Center
Friday, October 30, 12 - 1:30pm
3068 JHZ

As you know, one of the specific objectives (1.D.1) is for every undergraduate major to have global learning in one or more required courses in that major. One of the best ways to incorporate experiential global learning into your course is to have the students work with students in a similar, parallel course in another country, another culture. The “COIL” project is a popular avenue for that.

COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) is an approach to fostering global competence through development of a multicultural learning environment that links university classes in different countries. Using various communication technologies, students from different countries complete shared assignments and projects, with faculty members from each country co-teaching and managing coursework.
Please register for this hosted webinar in Sprout.

Foundations for Digital Self-Determination in the Humanities

Dr. Ray Siemens
Canada Research Chair in Humanities Computing and Distinguished Professor in the Faculty of Humanities, University of Victoria

Tuesday, November 3, 3 - 5pm
Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center

This talk is a general introduction to digital humanities, an area of scholarship and teaching that has exploded in recent years. Dr. Siemens will discuss how the humanities are changing in light of technology and the ability to access and store large amounts data. What knowledge can we discover with these powerful tools that we didn’t have in the past? All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend. LIB100 APPROVED

Research Partnership Toward Open Social Scholarship: Implementing New Knowledge Environments 2.0

Dr. Ray Siemens
Canada Research Chair in Humanities Computing and Distinguished Professor in the Faculty of Humanities, University of Victoria

Wednesday, November 4, 10 - 11am
Multipurpose Room, Mary Idema Pew Library

This talk will highlight Dr. Siemens’ work with INKE, “an interdisciplinary initiative spawned in the methodological commons of the digital humanities that seeks to understand the future of reading and the book through a historical perspective. For this essential work, INKE brings together researchers and stakeholders at the forefront of computing in the humanities, text analysis, information studies, usability and interface design into a network comprised of those who are best-poised to understand the nature of the human record as it intersects with the computer.” (http://inke.ca/projects/about/). Faculty, staff and interested students are welcome.

Taming the Monster: Rethinking the Role of Content

Session Host: Tom Pentecost, Chemistry, Pew FTLC Faculty Fellow
Tuesday, November 10, 1 - 2:30pm
3068 JHZ

Many disciplines struggle with a vast amount of content that "must be covered". This is often accomplished at the expense of deep learning and time for students to develop and practice the thinking skills needed in the area. I hope that this webinar can catalyze a conversation about the role of content versus the teaching of thinking skills in courses that are buried in content.

This seminar will teach you innovative ways to think about the content that is critical for your students to learn and remember. You'll explore the mission of content in the classroom and how to use it to provide high-quality instruction.
Please register for this hosted webinar in Sprout.

Thinking About Design Thinking

Tracy Wacker, University of Michigan-Flint
Thursday, November 19, 1:30 - 3pm
117E DEV

Design thinking is a method of collaboration that is rooted in human empathy, driven by brainstorming innovative designs, which inspire powerful interactive behaviors to formulate solutions. We will discuss the basic stages of design thinking and use the process to design the integration of this high impact practice into your courses. Multidisciplinary teams will determine learning outcomes/assignments that enrich learning through student involvement in the design thinking process.
Please register in Sprout.

Greetings Part-time Faculty

I am proud to work alongside the Pew Faculty Teaching & Learning Center for the 2015-16 school year as this year’s Part-time Faculty Liaison. We have an exciting year in the making. Please let your voice be heard and share your responses with the forthcoming email invitation to participate in the “My GVSU: Climate Survey 2015”. As you are well aware, evaluations and surveys can be a critical call to action as well as an opportunity to share your voice. Please be sure to share your thoughts and concerns in this year’s survey that will be emailed in the next few weeks.

In addition to sharing your responses to the University Survey, the Pew FTLC will be offering upcoming additional invitations for Part -time Faculty to share and participate in online conversations, best practice lessons, as well as informational multi-media tools to help you in your Adjunct/Part-time role at the University. Please feel free to connect with me at any time. Anchor Up!

Jennifer K. Lattin
Pew FTLC Part-time Liaison
Sr. Part-time Faculty, College of Community & Public Service

lattinje@gvsu.edu