In November 2022, a tool called ChatGPT made headlines for its ability to “write” any content. As an instructional designer, I have come to believe that, in the long run, the question is, even in the era of AI, how can we best teach our students? The article outlines three methods of designing writing assignments in the face of an AI incursion.
Link to article - E. Prochaska, January 23, 2023, Faculty Focus
Message regarding Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) text generation and ChatGBT. For details, visit the Office of the Provost's Guidance on AI Text Generators.
Update on COVID Practices, Communication by Kathleen Byrnes, Vice President for Student Life, 1/27
The following team of faculty colleagues were sponsored to attend this regional teaching conference: Dr. Julie Becher, Economics, Dr. Michelle Lockett, M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Ms. LeRai Martin, M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Dr. Kristyn Sessions, Ethics Program, Ms. Barbara Stephen, M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Dr. Hector Varela Rios, Theology & Religious Studies, and Dr. Christina Winterton, Biology & OUS. The colleagues will share a conference take-away as part of a VITAL program, College, or departmental meeting during spring 2023.
This issue highlights the challenges we face during this time of the semester and offers tips to make this time more meaningful and less stressful.
The "Grumpy" Time of the Semester: Working Together
Link to access past VITALITY issues.
This two-part series highlights the importance of making mental health visible in their teaching and the steps faculty can take to make this a reality in their courses. It also offers sample dialogue that faculty might use to support students' mental well-being.
Part I: Making Mental Health Visible in Class
Part II: Talking with Students About Mental Health in Class
Link to access past VITALITY issues
with Dr. Eliza Gettel, Assistant Professor of History, September 2022 (video) - with permission (15:55)
Dr. Gettel demonstrates how she has used Perusall in her instruction, outlines her equitable grading process, and focuses on creating a learning community.
Link to transcript
Perusall is being piloted by 21 faculty this academic year as part of the TIC grant program.
The Villanova Policy Library (VPL) assists faculty, staff and students in better understanding the many University policies and procedures. The University Compliance Office continues to feature compliance-related policies. For example, the Academic Integrity Policy sets expectations for honest academic work and provides for equitable administrative procedures to address suspected violations of Villanova’s Code of Academic Integrity. Access VPL through MyNova.
Social Learning Amplified: Brings candid conversations with educators who are finding new ways to engage students inside and outside the class. Each episode will give you real-life examples and practical strategies you can put into practice in your own courses. Hosted by Eric Mazur, internationally recognized educational innovator in Social Learning and Peer Instruction.
Dead Ideas in Teaching and Learning: Guests share discoveries of “dead ideas”—ideas that are not true but that are often widely believed and embedded in the pedagogical choices we make. Hosted by Catherine Ross, CTL, Columbia University
Faculty Focus Live: Offers research-based teaching tips to boost your creativity and motivation hosted by Magna Publications. Current episode: Ungrading: The misconceptions, the research, and the strategies
Intentional Teaching with Derek Bruff: Aimed at faculty to help them develop foundational teaching skills and explore new ideas in teaching.
Tea for Teaching: Series of discussions of innovative and effective practices in teaching and learning. Hosted by State University of New York at Oswego.
Teaching in Higher Ed: Explores the art and science of being more effective at facilitating learning. Hosted by B. Stachowiak, Vangard University, CA.
On Cultivating Student Engagement in Higher Ed: Features faculty and course designers using creative approaches to enhance students' learning experiences and turn engagement "ON". Hosted by Dr. Kathryn Berkow, University of Delaware.
Faculty can now find all student support services on our campus unified on one website focused on supporting and elevating students, and assisting them in applying their learning through a multitude of academic services to support students in their academic success, wellbeing, and post-graduate careers.
Beginning in Spring 2022, Villanova made it possible for all faculty, staff, and students to enter chosen first name and personal pronouns into Banner. Chosen first name and personal pronoun will appear on class lists and other university communications. Please see here for details.
Developed by ODEI, Gender and Women’s Studies and other programs, this guide provides best practices for being gender inclusive in our work spaces, laboratories, and classrooms.
Link to guide
Want to reach all of your students? This guide considers how faculty can provide a learning environment and engage in communication that reaches all of their students. The teaching resource introduces key principles of Inclusive Teaching, offers ways to interact inclusively with students, provides approaches to Inclusive Course Design, and suggests ways to evaluate your inclusive teaching methods. Link to article.
As you are aware, accessibility is a critical factor in students' success. How can you check and ensure that your course materials are accessible? What do you need to consider? We invite you to take this online self-paced program, Making Your Course Accessible in LMS. Co-developed by VITAL and LSS, the program establishes the legal framework for accessibility in education, articulates why we need to address accessibility issues proactively in our courses, and demonstrates how to create ADA-compliant courses in LMS. Please click on course enrollment to enroll in this online program offered in Bridge.
Link to more details
Effective Multimedia Integration to Support Creative, Inclusive, and Personalized Learning
With Profs. Allyson Levin and Tania Romero, Communication
Friday, February 3, 11:00am-12:15pm, followed by lunch
Room 2001, Bartley Hall
RSVP required by Wed., February 1
Link to program details
Monday Morning Mentor, 1/23 - 1/29
What is the Best Teaching Advice I Ever Received?
Password: teaching812
Program details and spring 2023 schedule
Past Morning Mentor topics on Online Teaching (transcripts available)
Faculty Fridays
Refectory, 2:30 - 4:30pm
February 24, March 31, April 28
Sponsored by the Office of the President
Teaching and Learning Strategies Program
Wed., May 17, 2023
Details and agenda forthcoming
Link to past program details
TEACHING CONFERENCES
AAC&U 2022 Conference on General Education, Pedagogy, and Assessment
When: February 9 – 11, 2023
Where: New Orleans, LA
AAC&U 2022 Conference on Diversity, Equity, and Student Success
When: March 8 – 11, 2023
Where: Henderson, NV
EDUCAUSE
When: October 25-28, 2022 (In Person) & November 2-3, 2023 (Virtual)
Where: Denver, CO & Virtual
OLC Accelerate 2022
When: November 1-3, 2022 (Virtual) & November 14 -17 2022 (In Person)
Where: Virtual & Orlando, FL
OLC Innovate 2023
When: April 18-23, 2023
Where: Nashville, TN (In Person, Virtual option not announced)
Perusall Conference
May 2023, Call for Proposals in early 2023
LILLY CONFERENCES
Lilly Traverse City
When: October 13 – 14, 2022
Where: Traverse City, MI (In person only)
Lilly San Diego
When: January 5 – 7, 2023
Where: San Diego, CA (In person only)
Lilly Austin
When: May 22 – 24, 2023
Where: Austin, TX (In person only)
The annual reports detail the services and programs that VITAL provided to the Villanova academic community to support high quality teaching and learning environments. The central goal of all VITAL services is to facilitate dialogue and interaction among faculty who share common curricular and/or pedagogical interests.
VITAL works to ensure that services are aligned with Villanova’s mission, academic priorities, interests and needs of the academic community: e.g., University and Colleges’ strategic plans, formal feedback data, and discussions with the faculty advisory board. We welcome your suggestions and program ideas; please stop by the VITAL office at 106 Vasey Hall or send e-mail to: vitalinfo@villanova.edu.
