Thursday, May 7, noon - Friday, May 8, 3:30pm
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, Hastings, Michigan
Come to the retreat for reflection and dialogue around teaching. You will have the opportunity to interact informally with a small group of colleagues from a range of disciplines. Participants will choose their own retreat focus and be provided with one of the following three texts:  

1. Learner-­Centered Teaching: Five Key Changes to Practice, 2nd Ed, Maryellen Weimer, 2013
2. Facilitating Seven Ways of Learning: A Resource for More Purposeful, Effective, and Enjoyable College Teaching, James Davis & Bridget Arend, 2013
3. The Skillful Teacher: On Technique, Trust, and Responsiveness in the Classroom, 3rd Ed, Stephen Brookfield, 2015

These books effectively bridge learning theory and teaching practice, providing a wealth of ideas for discussion. Each participant will be sent a copy of their chosen text in advance of the retreat. 

Lodging in single rooms and four shared meals are provided. The retreat is limited to 16 participants with preference given to first-time attendees. We also ask that those who register stay for the entire retreat. For a more detailed retreat schedule, please visit: the Teaching Life Retreat page. To register, please log in at www.gvsu.edu/sprout, under the "Teaching & Learning" category.

Thursday, May 14 – Friday, May 15
The Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center, in conjunction with the GVSU Design Thinking Initiative, will offer an inaugural 2-day workshop to introduce a hands-on experience of design thinking and the ways in which it may be used to enhance teaching and learning.  The institute will be led by Kim Dabbs, the Executive Director of West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology, who has recently returned from a three-month fellowship at the d.school: Institute of Design at Stanford where design thinking was first developed. Over the course of this two-day workshop, Kim and three additional expert facilitators will provide participants with an opportunity to work with an cross-disciplinary team of colleagues to move through an entire design cycle. Participants will leave with a first-hand experience of the design thinking model and concrete ideas to incorporate into the classroom.

The Design Thinking Immersion is limited to 16 full-time faculty participants. The Immersion will held on the Allendale campus and will occupy two full days. Meals will be provided. To apply, submit the following information to Kathryn Stieler, Pew FTLC Faculty Fellow (stielerk@gvsu.edu) by Friday, April 24.

• Name
• Unit
• College
• Dietary restrictions or special accommodations required
• Briefly describe your interest in the Design Thinking Immersion and how you anticipate the experience may impact your teaching.

You may also contact Kathryn Stieler with any questions you might have about this opportunity.

Monday, April 27, 11-11:45am, 3068 JHZ
Monday, April 27, 2 - 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. 

Wednesday, April 29 10 - 10:45am, 3068 JHZ
Wednesday, April 29, 1 - 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.  

Thursday, April 30, 11 - 11:45am, 107D DEV
Thursday, April 30, 1 - 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. 

Monday - Friday, June 1-5, 4002 SCB - Downtown or
Monday - Friday, June 22-26, 3068 JHZ - Allendale

These workshops are for faculty who are preparing for pre-tenure and tenure reviews, or for promotion. Working closely with faculty mentors, participants will compose their Integrative/Reflective Statement and prepare other supporting materials for the portfolio in accordance with their college and unit personnel policies. Workshop mentors recommend that participants do not teach at the same time that they participate in this workshop. Participants usually devote at least 12-15 hours during the week to work on their portfolios. Register for a portfolio workshop in Sprout.