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Teaching Experience Workshop

Registration for the 34th CALS Teaching Experience is now open!

Register here before June 5th to secure your spot.

“Teaching Beyond Content”

June 14-15         9:00am to 4:00pm         Mann Library 100

sponsored by the CALS Committee in Support of Teaching and Learning (CSTL)

This is an in-person event and is open to all Cornell instructors.

Join us in this two-day teaching experience workshop as we explore how to promote student engagement and success in the classroom.

This workshop will provide:

  • Information and resources to support your teaching
  • Practical examples and hands-on opportunities to implement teaching practices
  • Opportunities to extend your teaching and learning network

Snacks and lunch provided, and there will be a reception following the conclusion of the workshop.

Schedule of Events

session descriptions are at the bottom of this page

June 14th

9:00-10:00       Introductions

10:00-12:15     Session I: ‘Promoting Student Well-Being in Service of Learning: The Role of Educators’

12:15-1:00       Lunch

1:00-3:15         Session II: ‘Developing Students’ Feedback Literacy and Metacognitive Learning Practices’

3:15-4:00         Reflection and wrap-up

 

June 15th

9:00-9:45         Warm-up activity

9:45-12:00       Session III: ‘Teaching and Fostering Emotional Intelligence in the Classroom’

12:12:45          Lunch

12:45-3:00       Session IV: ‘Training for Teaching Assistants: Strategies and Best Practices for Effective Classroom Support’

3:00-3:30         Reflection

3:30-4:00         Wrap-up and evaluations

4:00-5:00         Reception

In an effort to promote sustainability and reduce our environmental impact, we will not be providing printed materials such as schedules, agendas, or handouts. Instead, we will be providing all necessary information and resources digitally. Paper versions of materials can be requested via the registration form.

Please bring a laptop, tablet, or other internet-accessible device to access the digital resources and participate in activities during the event.

You are also encouraged to bring your own water bottle and name tag if you have one.

The CALS Teaching Experience is offered at no cost to participants, thanks to support from the CALS Office of Academic Programs and the CALS Office of Curriculum Development and Instructional Support.

For more information, contact Christina Schmidt at cms536 [at] cornell.edu.

Session Descriptions

I. ‘Promoting Student Well-Being in Service of Learning: The Role of Educators’

Catherine Thrasher-Carroll and Abi Dubovi, Skorton Center for Health Initiatives

This workshop will provide educators with an overview of concepts, approaches, and strategies to help promote student resilience and well-being in the classroom. This program will briefly cover the role of educators in Cornell’s adoption of the Okanagan Charter to become a health-promoting campus and then provide participants with the opportunity to practice strategies to promote curiosity, empathy, and connection in the classroom through experiential learning activities and small group discussions.

 

II. ‘Developing Students’ Feedback Literacy and Metacognitive Learning Practices’

Carolyn Aslan and Marina Tokman, Cornell Center for Teaching Innovation
Kathleen Heffron, Department of Microbiology

Have you spent time writing lots of feedback on student assignments or exams, but are frustrated when they don’t use the feedback to improve? Have you given them advice on how to best learn, prepare, or complete assignments, but feel that it’s not sinking in? Giving, receiving, reflecting on, and using feedback are skills that students will need throughout their lives for their growth and development. Likewise, developing reflective practices as part of their learning will benefit them not only in college, but as future learners. This session will provide examples of class activities and assignments that target feedback literacy, metacognition, and critical reflection. Participants will have opportunities to discuss how to modify activities to fit their own disciplines and courses.

 

III. ‘Teaching and Fostering Emotional Intelligence in the Classroom’

Sophia Givre, Inclusive Academic Advising - CALS Office of Student Services

Participants will learn about emotional intelligence theories and concepts they can integrate into their teaching assistant orientation, student advising, and classroom.  Attendees will examine video clips, photos, and case studies, complete an EQ assessment, and participate in activities that support the development of different areas of emotional intelligence.

 

IV. ‘Training for Teaching Assistants: Strategies and Best Practices for Effective Classroom Support’

Kristina Blake-Hodek and Stephen Jesch, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics
Joseph Ruesch, Investigative Biology Teaching Laboratories, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior
Amy Godert and Jen Bokaer-Smith, The Learning Strategies Center

Teaching Assistants are an important point of contact for your students and play a critical role in ensuring that they have a positive and successful experience in your class. This session focuses on sharing current practices and strategies for designing effective training programs for Teaching Assistants. Participants will explore different methods for developing, delivering, and assessing training programs that prepare Teaching Assistants to effectively engage students in the classroom.