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August updates from the Center for Leadership, Teaching, and Learning

 

has a rich array of new programming and initiatives focused on serving neurodiverse students, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), student-faculty pedagogical collaborations, and AI in higher education. This year, you can participate in an or apply to participate in the . There are also ongoing initiatives — , , , book clubs, and a research salon.

Preparations for the fall are in full swing! Professor of Mathematics and First-Year Experience Director Rachel Roe-Dale and F. William Harder Chair of Business Administration Matt Lucas recently taught a workshop to nearly 50 faculty on how to use AI to develop engaging classroom experiences.

Rachel Roe-Dale and Matt Lucas lead a class on how to use AI.

Some helpful resources on AI include: 

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Plus, mark your calendars for an interactive presentation and conversation on Ҡwith co-author Eddie Watson on Sept. 24.

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‌In July, 10 faculty members took advantage of grant funding from the New York State Education Department, supporting completion of a three-week asynchronous workshop on Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Assistant Professor of Mathematics Kirsten Hogenson details the value of implementing UDL:

“UDL is about identifying and addressing barriers to learning. These barriers are not within the students; they’re issues with the course design that can often be removed by offering students choices. These choices could be related to, e.g., how students comprehend the course material, how they report on their knowledge, or what specific topic they’re engaging with when learning a skill. 

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‌“Offering options isn’t making the course ‘easier.’ It's allowing everyone to participate in the course in ways that work best for their abilities. When executed well, it can actually encourage students to be creative and take risks that push their learning further. 

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‌“In the end, the goal is not just to teach students our specific course’s content.  We also want to help them develop as expert learners who are motivated, resourceful, and strategic in all contexts where they’re working to obtain skills or knowledge.â€

This training will be available again next summer, and there are also opportunities to participate in a this fall.

For a full account of , , and , please visit the .

Support services for students 

‌In addition to the in-person services provided by the , Â鶹Æƽâ°æ provides teletherapy services offered through . Students have up to 12 sessions of teletherapy per academic year. In addition, students have access to up to three group skill-building workshops per year. The (SAIG) also remains a resource to share non-emergency concerns about your students.

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‌National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD)

‌Â鶹Æƽâ°æ is an institutional member of the , through which you have free access to many excellent professional development tools, like these webinars on and . You may activate a free individual membership account by visiting the , selecting our institution, and creating and activating a new membership. 

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‌T³ó±ð Weller Room and Lending Library (LIB 212) 

‌This space devoted to CLTL events is available for (quiet) workspace each weekday morning from 9 a.m. to noon. If you wish to reserve the space for events that advance the , please . The Weller Room also has a lending library with relevant pedagogical texts. Simply to borrow a book. All books must be returned no later than the end of the academic year. 

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‌Funding for new Black Studies courses 

‌Due to the generous support of the Mellon Foundation, we can offer stipends of $1,000 to faculty who successfully considerably cross-listed with the Black Studies Program. Submissions are due to the Advisory Board by Nov. 1.

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‌LGBTQIA+ web resources 

‌In spring 2023, the CLTL team worked with Phoenix Goldenberg ’25, former president of Â鶹Æƽâ°æ Pride Alliance, to develop for students, staff, and faculty on how to be an LGBTQIA+ ally.

Scholarly and Creative Endeavors (SCE) 

‌ resume this semester. Fall sessions run Sept. 9 to Dec. 13, except Thanksgiving week. Groups meet in the atrium and then have lunch in Murray-Aikins Dining Hall. These will be held: 

  • ‌Tuesdays, 12:45-1:45 p.m.: Facilitated by Ann Showalter, instructor of biology 
  • ‌Wednesdays 12:15-1:15 p.m.: Facilitated by Eileen Sperry, visiting assistant professor of English 

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‌Mellon-Funded Racial Justice Learning Communities 

‌Two learning communities (LC) will run this fall in conjunction with the Mellon Foundation grant. Please review the options available on the and, if interested, contact the respective facilitators directly by Friday, Sept. 6. Each LC begins the week of Sept. 16 and will have commitments of approximately two hours weekly during the semester. Faculty and staff who participate in a learning community will be compensated $750.  

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‌Skill2Build AI Institute

‌T³ó±ð CLTL and (LEDS) are excited to roll out a new pilot program, the Skill2Build AI Institute, a year-long phasic initiative offering faculty and staff experience in facilitating AI fluencies and exploring AI tools. To learn more about participating in the Skill2Build AI Institute, , which are due Friday, Sept. 6. Staff and faculty participants will be compensated $1,000 for the year. Learn more on the .

Teaching Support Network 

‌T³ó±ð pairs faculty for one semester to engage in activities focused on pedagogical development. If you are interested in participating, please complete by Friday, Sept. 6. 

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‌AI Learning Clusters

‌T³ó±ð will unite interested faculty with fellow colleagues proficient in harnessing AI in the service of student learning. With generous support from the Office of the Dean of Faculty, we can compensate participants $250 for the semester.

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‌Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Consultants 

‌In the coming academic year, the CLTL and (SAS) are offering a pairing folks on campus who have undergone training in UDL with colleagues who wish to adopt UDL practices in their own course design and practice. Compensation is available for participants.

“Teaching with AI†with Eddie Watson 

  • ‌4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, livestream 
  • ‌D±ð²õ³¦°ù¾±±è³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô: C. Edward Watson, co-author of “Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning,†shares how to harness and manage AI as a powerful teaching tool. Please . Folks interested in obtaining a free copy of the book in advance of the event should .

Fall book club: “New College Classroom†

  • ‌12:30-2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, in the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall Test Kitchen 
  • ‌D±ð²õ³¦°ù¾±±è³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô: This book by Cathy Davidson and Christina Katopodis uses the latest research in learning science to discuss easily implemented strategies for active learning across disciplines (Harvard UP, 2022). Those interested in participating should email Beck Krefting to receive a copy of the book prior to the event..

To ponder…

  • “,†by Krista Rudenga 
  • ‌Check out this that breaks down how AI works and the issues we should all be aware of when using GenAI, made by the inimitable Lead Instructional Technologist Ben Harwood.

Â鶹Æƽâ°æ College

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 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

 518-580-5000