Focus on Teaching, December 1, 2011 Edition

FEATURED

Come to a hands-on practice session. Have all your questions answered about the audiovisual equipment found in your classrooms – projectors, microphones, document camera (overhead), etc.  Register here.

The Principal’s Prize for Excellence in Teaching, established to recognize educators who have distinguished themselves both in their teaching abilities and in their ability to motivate their students. It is traditionally awarded at Fall Convocation to one faculty lecturer, one assistant professor, one associate professor and one full professor.

The McGill University Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership in Learning recognizes sustained excellence in leadership and innovation, as well as the active integration of teaching and learning with inquiry, scholarship and research.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Get feedback from your students! Please encourage your students to provide feedback before the end of the regular course evaluation period on Wednesday, December 7*. You can monitor the response rates and view the evaluation period for your courses here: Mercury for instructors. Any questions? Write to: mercury.info@mcgill.ca  *some units have an extended evaluation period.

This workshop will help you prepare your course section in myCourses. At the end of this workshop, you will be able to: set up your browser to access myCourses, customize the myCourses Home interface and build and customize your course section. Register here.

At the end of this workshop, you will be able to: manage your course section, and communicate with your students both asynchronously (Mail, Calendar, Announcements, Discussions) and synchronously (Chat, Who’s Online). Register here.

This workshop introduces pedagogical and technological components that will help instructors develop in-class activities using TurningPoint software and the Clickers. The workshop will focus on learning-centered question design, question types, strategies for using them in class, and hands-on activities. Register here.

Does learning have boundaries?  What boundaries do we have or need? The Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) invites proposals for presentations at its 32nd Annual Conference – “Learning without boundaries? Apprentissage sans limites?”

RESOURCES

Some parts of Faculties or administrative units will be closed during the entire holiday break from Friday, December 23, 2011 to Friday, January 6, 2012 inclusive. Take note that the ICS Service Desk will be available to assist you during this extended holiday period (Jan 3 to Jan 6). Call 514-398-3398 or email support.ist@mcgill.ca.

Here is a checklist that you may find helpful when planning to use the Student Response System (clickers) in the upcoming term.

Visit the Teaching Snapshots website to learn about McGill instructors’ thoughts on teaching and learning. New profiles added this month from Arts, Continuing Studies, Education, Engineering, Law and Music.

Welcome to McGill Library’s collection of downloadable media: find eBooks, Audiobooks, Videos and more! Available 24/7, now your library is always open! Download your selections to your PC to use, or transfer to a compatible portable device for use on-the-go. It’s quick, easy and you can do it anytime! Use the getting started section or take the Guided Tour to get you started.

Are you using online quizzes and assessments? This Knowledge Base article provides some helpful strategies to pass along to your students.

McGill Library is happy to announce the acquisition of Films on Demand.

Want to see what AV equipment is available for any classroom on campus? Looking for detailed instructions on how to use the AV in the new room you are teaching in? This online tool features in-class photos and equipment specs and is available to instructors.