Professional Development Sessions
Professional development is a critical piece of the instructional process. New and experienced faculty will benefit from opportunities to keep up with current and emerging trends in teaching online, higher education, best practices and the development of new skills.
The following sessions are sponsored by the University of the Incarnate Word School of Professional Studies Academic Affairs in collaboration with other partners. These sessions are designed to meet your unique instructional needs. Sessions are open to all University of the Incarnate Word faculty and staff.
Note: If you attend a scheduled Zoom session, you will receive a Certificate of Completion for that session. To request a Certificate of Completion for a previously recorded session, visit the Archives section listed on the left of this page and complete this form.
January
Facilitating an Adult Learner Classroom
Date: Jan. 24, 2024, from Noon - 1 p.m.
Have you ever considered the impact you can make by sharing your knowledge with your students in person?
Featured Speaker: Dr. Deborra Finlan
This session will:
- Identify self-directed learning.
- Strategies for teaching in person.
A recording of the session is available under Session Archive.
Building Deeper Relationships With Adult Learners and High Expectations
Date: Jan. 30, 2024, from Noon - 1 p.m.
When adult learners feel safe and supported, they perform better.
Featured Speaker: Jessica Martinez-Palacios, M.Ed.
This session will:
- Discuss the impact of words.
- Discuss fostering connections.
- Explain the impact of expectations.
A recording of the session is available under Session Archive.
Faculty Support
Date: Jan. 31, 2024, from Noon - 1 p.m.
Do you need assistance with Canvas or Teaching Online? Get support for Canvas, Canvas Studio, LockDown Browser and more by signing up for this session.
Featured Speaker: Jessica Martinez-Palacios, M.Ed.
February
Improve Student Learning Through Course Consistency
Date: Feb. 7, 2024, from Noon - 1 p.m.
When the concept of a skeleton in Canvas was first introduced, many adjunct professors voiced concerns that this was a means of control and that they would have less artistic and developmental control of the courses. Consistency has the opposite effect. It gives the professor more freedom.
Featured Speaker: Dr. Gail Zitz
In this session:
- Participants will understand the concept of consistency in relation to the design of online courses.
- Participants will be able to list several ways consistency contributes to positive student learning experiences.
- Participants will be able to list several advantages where consistency aids instructors in constructing and delivering course material.
A recording of the session is available under Session Archive.
Setting Online Adult Learners Up for Success
Date: Feb. 21, 2024, from Noon - 1 p.m.
As a learning support professional, you understand the obstacles that may arise along the way as well as the rewards that await your learners at the end of their journey.
Featured Speaker: Jessica Martinez-Palacios, M.Ed.
This session will:
- Examine the unique needs of adult learners.
- Discuss how we can help our adult learners navigate through a term successfully.
A recording of the session is available under Session Archive.
Assignment Groups and Weights
Date: Feb. 28, 2024, from Noon - 1 p.m.
Using Assignment Groups will allow you to organize all the various assignments in your course.
Featured Speaker: Jessica Martinez-Palacios, M.Ed.
This session will:
- Discuss the advantages of setting up Assignment Groups.
- Explain how to set up Assignment Groups to weigh the final course grade.
A recording of the session is available under Session Archive.
March
Self-Care and Work/Life Balance
Date: March 6, 2024, from Noon - 1 p.m.
Self-care includes practices such as exercise, healthy eating, getting enough sleep, and taking time for ourselves to relax and rejuvenate. Join the Director of SPS Academic Affairs, who is also a Certified Meditation Instructor, for this session.
Featured Speaker: Leanna Walker
This session will:
- Discuss self-care practices for every professional.
- Discuss creating a harmonious work-life balance.
A recording of the session is available under Session Archive.
Understanding and Addressing Educator Burnout
Date: March 20, 2024, from Noon - 1 p.m.
Educator burnout manifests as a combination of exhaustion, cynicism and feelings of reduced professional ability.
Featured Speaker: Jessica Martinez-Palacios, M.Ed.
This session will:
- Discuss how to prevent burnout.
- Discuss potential solutions that can assist educators in managing stress and creating supportive work environments.
Faculty Support
Date: March 27, 2024, from Noon - 1 p.m.
Do you need assistance with Canvas or Teaching Online? Get support for Canvas, Canvas Studio, LockDown Browser and more by signing up for this session.
Featured Speaker: Jessica Martinez-Palacios, M.Ed.
April
Flexibility: Accommodations and Modifications
Date: April 3, 2024, from Noon - 1 p.m.
Accommodations and modifications of deadlines are appropriate for learners with disabilities. Flexible accommodation is intended to provide limited flexibility to allow for alternative opportunities within reason.
Featured Speaker: Jessica Martinez-Palacios, M.Ed.
This session will:
- Discuss reasonable accommodations and modifications that can occur in online learning.
A recording of the session is available under Session Archive.
Unlocking Your Leadership Potential
Date: April 10, 2024, from Noon - 1 p.m.
Being a leader is challenging. It can lead to moments of self-doubt, struggles to take risks and doubts about our ambition.
Featured Speaker: Jessica Martinez-Palacios, M.Ed.
This session will:
- Discuss effective strategies for unlocking your leadership potential.
Using the Gradebook in Canvas
Date: April 24, 2024, from Noon - 1 p.m.
The Gradebook helps instructors easily view and enter grades for students. But what additional functionality does it offer?
Featured Speaker: Jessica Martinez-Palacios, M.Ed.
This session will:
- Examine all the features and functionalities provided by the Gradebook.
May
Making the Most of Instructor Prep Time
Date: May 7, 2024, from Noon - 1 p.m.
An instructor’s planning period is a valuable resource, but it often feels insufficient to accomplish the myriad tasks that one must handle daily. As a result, instructors frequently work outside of regular hours, including evenings and weekends.
Featured Speaker: Jessica Martinez-Palacios, M.Ed.
This session will:
- Identify methods to maximize productivity and make the most out of your time.
Faculty Support
Date: May 14, 2024, from Noon - 1 p.m.
Do you need assistance with Canvas or Teaching Online? Get support for Canvas, Canvas Studio, LockDown Browser and more by signing up for this session.
Featured Speaker: Jessica Martinez-Palacios, M.Ed.