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Sheridan Newsletter
November 2024
News and Resources from the Center
Pre- and Post- U.S. Election Resources
Instructors thinking intentionally about the November 5th U.S. election will find these resources from the Swearer and Sheridan Centers helpful:
Online Resource: Teaching During the U.S. Election
Drop in Consultations for Instructors on Wed., Nov. 6
Sheridan Center, SciLi 725: 9:00 AM-1:00 PM and 2:00-5:00 PM
Email sheridan_center@brown.edu for Zoom
Swearer Center, on Zoom: 2:30-5:00 PM (book here for link)
Drop in Consultations for Instructors on Thur., Nov.
7
Swearer Center, on Zoom: Nov. 7: 2:00-4:30 PM (book here for link)
Announcing Checklist for Brown Instructors
The Sheridan Center is pleased to announce a checklist for instructors at Brown: 5 Key Steps for Instructors to Prepare for Teaching at Brown. This resource guides instructors through what to do after their course has been approved in preparation for teaching their course, including an overview of foundational tools and resources for teaching at Brown and access to a customizable version of the ‘5 Key Things’ checklist. The steps include: 1) Review course details, 2) Set up course materials, 3) Post your syllabus, 4) Learn about your classroom, and 5) Explore evidence-based, effective teaching practices.
Sheridan Staff Member Wins National Instructional Design Award
Congratulations to Senior Learning Designer Naomi Pariseault, the winner of the 2025 University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) Outstanding Service in Postsecondary Instructional Design award. The national award "celebrates the connective power of instructional design professionals within the learning design process, chiefly their role in highlighting the critical need for educators of all roles to work in partnership in support of student success."
Call for Applications
Apply Now: Sheridan Course Design Seminar
During this semester-long seminar, participants are guided through an integrated course design process to develop a syllabus, signature assignments, and teaching strategies for a semester-long course. As participants move through the five modules of the seminar, they engage with colleagues from a variety of disciplines workshopping their course plans with one another. Registration is open to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who have successfully completed the Sheridan Teaching Seminar (Certificate I). Registration closes on December 8, 2024; space is limited. For more information and to apply, please visit the Sheridan Center website.
Fall Programs
Assignment Design in the Age of AI
Fully asynchronous (Canvas modules); Open to faculty, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, and staff
Register by November 4
The Sheridan Center’s Digital Learning and Design Team invites faculty, post-docs, graduate students, and staff interested in assignment design to register for a self-paced series of Canvas modules on redesigning assignments in the age of AI. Over a two-week period, from November 11th until the 22nd, participants can engage with the modules that align with their interests.
The first module helps participants clarify their stance on AI use in coursework. The second module provides practical strategies for creating AI-resilient assignments that minimize misuse of AI tools with examples to highlight key features. The third module delves into the pros and cons of integrating AI into assignments, exploring the pedagogical benefits and risks. By completing these modules, participants will be equipped to make informed decisions about AI approaches in their classroom, identify effective assignment design principles, and explore the potential uses of AI in coursework.
Please complete this form to register by November 4 and email kristi_kaeppel@brown.edu with any questions.
Teaching Statements & Teaching Portfolio Peer-Review Sessions
Wednesday, November 13, 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Zoom
Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars are invited to sign up for a teaching statement, teaching portfolio, and diversity statement peer-review workshop, held via Zoom. This will be the last session offered this calendar year.
Register for a peer-review session here
Note that these workshops require the completion of the asynchronous Teaching Statements, Portfolios, and Diversity Statements workshop. For questions, contact Dr. Sara Misgen (sara_misgen@brown.edu).
Webinar Series: Plans for DEIB in Federal Funding Research Proposals
Zoom
Are you submitting a federal grant proposal? The Research Strategy and Development team in the Division of Research is hosting a fall lunchtime mini-webinar series on incorporating diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) into proposals for NIH, NSF, and DOE grants. Each 30-minute session features expert insights from McAllister and Quinn, a grants consulting firm, followed by a Q&A. Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your proposals! (The Sheridan Center is part of Brown's Engaged Scholarship & Broader Impacts group.) Please register here.
Fall Teaching and Learning Communities
Photo by Wilhelm Gunkel on Unsplash
Faculty Writing Group
10:00 AM-Noon on Fridays
Zoom
Open to all faculty and staff
Faculty of any rank and any staff are invited to participate in a Faculty Writing Group. Writing groups can be an invaluable source of motivation and accountability, and the Faculty Writing Group is a “guilt-free” group that prioritizes spending time in community and goal-setting together. Each group meeting begins with a brief goal-setting exercise and concludes with a short reflective conversation. Writing projects can be any works in progress, and historically have ranged widely from articles to conference presentations to letters of reference.
Register to receive the Zoom link for the sessions here. Questions can be directed to Annie Gjelsvik (Public Health; Provost’s Faculty Teaching Fellow) at annie_gjelsvik@brown.edu.
STEM Ed Fridays
Select Fridays, Noon - 1:00 PM
SciLi 720 (lunch provided) and Zoom
Are you interested in discussing STEM education at Brown? STEM Ed Friday is a vibrant learning community where STEM instructors and staff members share ideas, experiences, and challenges related to STEM education.
Next Session: Friday, November 8: Register for this session
Please register for an upcoming session:
Photo by Martin Springborg
Large Class Learning Community
The Large Class Learning Community is an interdisciplinary group of faculty members that meets monthly to discuss issues surrounding the teaching of high-enrollment classes. If you are interested in joining these conversations, please contact Provost Faculty Teaching Fellow and Sociology Senior Lecturer Lisa Di Carlo (lisa_di_carlo@brown.edu) to be placed on the contact list. You'll also be added to the group's shared Google Drive, which contains notes from previous years' meetings.
CIRTL: Postdoc Teaching Practicum
Virtual, starting Thursday, December 5th
Register now to take part in this 5-month mentorship program where you will work with an experienced instructor in your discipline to enhance your understanding and experience of teaching a university course. This is hosted by University of British Columbia as part of the CIRTL Network, which Brown affiliates have access to free of charge. Visit the CIRTL website for more information. Registration is limited to 40 participants!
Join the 14-Day Graduate Writing Challenge!
Virtual, November 11-25
For graduate students
Are you a graduate student hoping to make progress on a writing project? Join the 14-Day Writing Challenge! Hosted by the Writing Center, the Fall challenge will run from November 11 through November 25. Participation will be virtual with optional in-person gatherings. The challenge helps writers meet their writing goals by providing community support and accountability. Participants will be asked to share their writing goals with other participants, do their best to write for at least 30 minutes per day during the challenge, post their progress at the end of each daily writing session (participants pick their own writing session times), and cheer on other participants as they try to meet their writing goals. Space is limited; register here by November 4. For more information email graduate_writing@brown.edu.
Brown Learning Collaborative
The Brown Learning Collaborative provides opportunities for undergraduate fellows to collaborate with faculty and peer partners in key academic areas: Data Science, Problem Solving, and Writing.
Problem Solving
Fellows
Sign Up for a Problem-Solving Fellow Consultation!
Are you a UTA, tutor, or professor who wants a student perspective on your teaching? Especially as the Fall term is underway? Sign up for a Problem-Solving Fellow (PSF) Teaching Consultation! PSFs are undergraduate students trained to give feedback on any and all elements of teaching or assisting in teaching a course. If you are looking to increase the effectiveness of your assignments, lecturing, or general teaching strategies, consider reaching out! Each consultation is confidential, personalized, and led from a student-based perspective! Please fill out our interest form to get started. Questions? Please contact psf@brown.edu.
Asynchronous Resources and Programs
Creating a Teaching Portfolio
This online, self-paced Canvas workshop from the Sheridan Center guides participants through the process of writing a teaching statement and creating a teaching portfolio. For more information and to register, visit the Teaching Portfolio program website.
Photo by Colton Sturgeon on Unsplash
Designing and Teaching for Online
This online self-paced Canvas tutorial guides Brown instructors through the design or redesign of an online or hybrid course. There are three pathways (Developing an Online Course, Structuring an Online Course in Canvas, and Teaching an Online Course) that allow instructors to work through the sections at their own pace based on their own needs and interests. The tutorial can be accessed anytime with this direct link (you must be logged into your Brown Canvas account): Designing and Teaching for Online.
Planning Resource: Sheridan Calendars
Interested in knowing when Sheridan Center programs typically run during the year? Please see the calendars below.