News / Tips for Teaching and Learning

Content tailored for Amarillo College faculty which explores, promotes, and supports excellence in teaching, with diverse technologies.

Volume 1, Issue 8

THANK YOU!

Another academic year is coming to a close and what a year it has been - COVID-19, masks, vaccines, social distancing, quarantines, power outages, ice, snow, Zoom, hybrid teaching, and 1,000s of emails. Through it all your patience has been tested, you have learned new strategies, tried different techniques, you have grown as a faculty member, and above all, you loved your students to a success they never dreamed about. So thank you for trusting us when we asked you to try something out of your comfort zone and for letting us provide you with your professional learning.

Highlights in this issue include:

1. Google For Educators Level I and II workshops: Have you been using Google applications over the past year? Learn how to better utilize them in your classroom and earn a certificate. 
2. Teaching for Transformation cohort III: We will begin offering Teaching for Transformation to all faculty interested in signing up. 
3. Blackboard ER: The last Blackboard ER for the year will take place on Friday, May 7th.
4. Faculty Needs Survey: There is still time to let your voice be heard. Please see below for more information and the link to the survey. 
5. EDUC 1100 Instructor Opportunities: This fall EDUC 1100 becomes an institutional requirement. Do you have a passion for mentoring and encouraging students? Find out more information below to become an instructor for this course. 
6. 2021-2022 Course Syllabi: The Course Syllabus manager now has your courses for the academic year 2021-2022 ready. 

We are all looking forward to a restful summer. Remember to take some time to have a little fun and recharge. CTL has an exciting new lineup coming in fall 2021. We will see you in August! 

Your CTL Team

Google for Educators Certification Levels I and II Workshops

CTL will be offering Google for Educators Certification. We will offer both Google For Educators Certification Level 1 and Level 2. Heather Voran will return to facilitate these 4 days of training. For more information see the descriptions below:

Google For Educators - Level 1: This class requires a 12-hour commitment. It meets twice from 9 am to 4 pm on Thursday, June 17, and Friday, June 18. The Level 1 training is designed for educators who wish to demonstrate proficiency in using Google for Education tools. This certification indicates that an educator is able to successfully implement G Suite for Education into their teaching practice in order to enhance teaching and learning. Certification: Upon completion of this course, participants may take the certification exam: 180 minutes, no pauses, $10 exam fee paid to Krypterion on behalf of Google, which will provide the certification.

Google For Educators - Level 2: This class requires a 12-hour commitment. It meets on Thursday, June 24, and Friday, June 25. If you're an educator who is a superuser and enthusiast of Google tools in the classroom, and if you are already Level 1 certified, this certification proves your expertise. Certification: Upon completion of this course, participants may take the certification exam: 180 minutes, no pauses, $25 exam fee paid to Krypterion on behalf of Google, which will provide the certification. 

Both workshops will be in person on the Washington St campus. The workshops will be held in Ware 212. 

How to Register for CTL Professional Learning Cohorts

• Go to https://acconnect.actx.edu/
• Under the Self-Service section, click WebAdvisor.
• Click WebAdvisor for Employees.
• In the upper right corner of the screen, click Log In.
• Log in with your ACNet ID and Password.
• Under Professional Development, click Register for Center for Teaching and Learning Classes.
• Click SUBMIT to access a list of courses being offered by CTL.
• Click the SELECT box to the left of the workshop for which you wish to register.
• Click SUBMIT again at the bottom of the page to finalize your selection(s).
• If you have any issues registering please contact Cheryl Oldham at 371-5941 or email cloldham@actx.edu.

Teaching for Transformation III

You have heard us talk about it; now come be a part of it! I am excited to announce Teaching for Transformation is now open to all faculty members. We have 2 different ways you can participate 1) as a participant, or 2) as a new faculty mentor. 

This year's themes will include culturally responsive pedagogies, inquiry, and data-informed instruction. As you know, No Excuses 2025 focuses on completion (retention and transfer) and equity. These will be the overarching topics. Helping you learn the strategies, techniques, and tools to help your students to successful completion. We hope to see you there. We will begin the sessions on August 16th and then have 6 more sessions throughout the academic year. If you have any questions, please email me. Teaching for Transformation counts toward the professional learning stipend credits. 

How to Register for Teaching for Transformation III

• Go to https://acconnect.actx.edu
• Under the Self-Service section, click WebAdvisor
• Click WebAdvisor for Employees
• In the upper right corner of the screen, click Log In
• Log in with your ACNet ID and Password
• Under Professional Development, click Register for Center for Teaching and Learning Classes
• Click SUBMIT to access a list of courses being offered by CTL
• Click the SELECT box to the left of the workshop for which you wish to register.
• Click SUBMIT again at the bottom of the page to finalize your selection(s)

If you have any issues registering please contact Cheryl Oldham at 371-5941 or email cloldham@actx.edu.

We will have faculty mentors again. If you are interested in becoming a faculty mentor or have any questions, please email Lori Petty. 

Blackboard ER

Our final Blackboard of this year will be held on Friday, May 7th from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Now is a great time to fine-tune your courses. Drop by our virtual Blackboard ER for help with:

• Gradebook setup
• Tests & quizzes
• Blackboard Collaborate
• And much more…

Join Richard Stephenson for Blackboard ER. The Zoom link is located in Blackboard.

Faculty Needs Assessment

As CTL begins to prepare for the 2021-2022 academic year, we would like to hear from you about your wants/needs for next year's professional learning programs. We have created a Google Forms survey with 6 questions. This survey should take under 10 minutes to fill out. 

EDUC 1100 Instructor Opportunities

EDUC 1100, Learning Frameworks course becomes an institutional requirement for all degree programs in Fall 2021. This course has traditionally been known as the FYS (First-Year Seminar) course, and it was recently redesigned with a community pathway, career focus to help students determine who they are, what they want, what they need, and how they will achieve in their educational, personal, and career aspirations.

Who makes a great instructor for this course? One who has a passion for student success and who has a strong desire to mentor, encourage, and support students at the first signs of non-attendance, lack of engagement, and poor academic performance.

Are you the instructor who is needed? Contact Amy Pifer, if you did not receive the “EDUC 1100 Instructors Needed” email or if you need have questions or need more information.

For more information click here EDUC1100 Instructors Needed

2021-2022 Course Syllabi

2021/2022 courses have been loaded into the Syllabus Manager. You may work on your syllabi at any time. 

Syllabus Manager

Save the Date

Blackboard ER
May 7

1:00pm - 4:00pm
Zoom
Link located in Blackboard

Google for Educators Certification

Levels I and II Workshops
June 17 and 18 (Level I)

OR

June 24 and 25 (Levle 2)
Ware 212
See registration information to the left

Teaching for Transformation III
August 16
Underground Classroom
See registration information to the left

CTL updates coming your your inbox and the website

Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL)

Center for Teaching and Learning (WARE) Room 205
Web Page: www.actx.edu/ctl | Email: ctlhelp@actx.edu
Phone:  806-371-5920 

CTL Purpose Statement: 
The Center for Teaching and Learning promotes transformative, evidence-based, and engaging professional learning for the enrichment of faculty and administrators to ensure academic success of all students at Amarillo College.