January 24/97

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT David Jones - Committee Chair

Welcome back to the new semester. The January- June period has traditionally been a busy time for PD activities, and these are some upcoming events and dates to keep in mind:

I: Conference and Research Grants. Your

department should have its own travel and

conference budget and you should check with your

coordinator about this. However, a limited number of

Faculty Development grants are also available to

faculty who:

e have a minimum of two years service;

e have worked at least four sections in the last calendar year;

e have not received a Committee grant within the last 12 months.

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR SPRING TERM GRANTS IS MARCH 14. Application forms are available from David Jones at local 7534

II: May 1997 Faculty Development Week. Mark off May 12-16 for PD workshops. Tentative offerings include ‘hands-on’ Internet research skills (see below), demonstrations of classroom uses of technology here at Capilano, dealing with diversity in the classroom, teaching strategies that work, outcomes-based education, and prior learning assessment. An orientation for coordinators is also planned. Watch for the Faculty Development brochure in March.

Ill: Basic Internet Research Skills Classes. These drop-in sessions will take place on alternate Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12:30 - 1:15 in the Library classroom (LB119) from Jan. 21 to Feb. 26. This is an excellent preparation for the advanced Internet workshops offered during the May PD week.

IV: Off Campus Events

e CIEA PD Seminar, March 15, in Vancouver. Theme: “Is there a Teacher in the Classroom?” A detailed brochure will be out shortly.

e “Teachers in the Movies (from Mr. Chips to Mr. Holland’s Opus): A Celebration of the Humanity at the Core of Teaching.” Feb. 26 at the University College of Fraser Valley. Call Elizabeth Asner at UCFV to register. Highly recommended by those who’ve seen it.

e Watch your email Bulletin Board for dates for the Feb./March financial planning lectures by Brian Costello and Gordon Pape.

Some Interdisciplinary Sharing?

You’ve often commented that a major benefit of Faculty Development Days is the cross-fertilization of ideas. We’re hoping then, that you'll respond favourably to this request from Eleanor Boyle (Psychology).

“As an instructor, I’m always looking for ways to improve my classroom teachimg and facilitation. Obviously you are, too. Last May on PD Days I shared a few of my techniques for increasing student participation in lecture-based classes. This coming May, I’d like to see a workshop in which a number of different instructors each share ideas on methods, techniques, tricks, etc., which have worked for them -- in lecturing, demonstrating, facilitating group work, evaluating students . . . in any and all aspects of the work.

We’re inviting you, then, to take part, and prepare a short presentation (from 5 - 20 minutes) on one or more successful techniques you use in your teaching. Ideally, the techniques should be generalizable to disciplines other than your own.

Good techniques don’t have to be complicated; simple ideas are often the best. Don’t be shy to share yours”.

Please contact us if you’d like to take part. Eleanor Boyle (local 2525) or David Jones (7534).

PD Materials

These are of general interest to faculty, are kept in the PAMPHLETS cabinets (under “Faculty Development” in the library, and are accessible to anyone who is interested. The file contains info on other upcoming conferences, faculty exchange applications, and current handouts (for copying) on: e Making Your Large Lectures Interactive

e Preparing and Using Student Handouts

e Increasing Student Motivation

Faculty Development Committee: Leslie Baker, Jolene Bordewick, Rick Brewster, Chris Gratham, Jan Shiell, Anne Watson.

@nformer