Thank you to everyone who joined us for PD Day and a special thank you to our fabulous presenters! Available session resources and handouts are listed below. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact session facilitators.
Academic Advising Updates and Information for 2024-2025
This session is for all faculty and professional advisors. During the session, we will review the 2024-2025 advising timeline including important changes and updates. Time will also be spent discussing information pertinent to transfer students and students on academic recovery. There will be time for questions and open discussion.
Presenter: Wes Hillyard, Director of Academic Services
Resource/Handout: Presentation slide deck
Library Lightning Round!
Find out how the library can support you through:
- Research and citation help for students: Get your students to submit better assignments (and make your grading easier!)
- Library instruction: Faculty can request instruction from a menu of options, tailored to specific courses/assignments
- Open and affordable materials: Why they’re needed and how we can help you provide them
- AI tools for academic research: We’ll demo a couple of amazing AI research tools
Presenters: Simpson Library Staff–Paul Boger, Peter Catlin, October Edwards, Amy Filiatreau, Trish Greene, and Elyse Ridder-Roe
Introducing Microsoft Copilot: UMW’s AI Tool
These hands on sessions will introduce users to Microsoft Copilot, the AI tool available to all students, faculty, and staff at no cost as part of our Microsoft 365 license. Utilizing the same technology as ChatGPT4, this tool combines a powerful AI chatbot with privacy protections. We will log in, navigate the interface and settings, try out some prompts, and explore ways you can use this tool.
Presenters: Digital Learning Support Team–Jerry Slezak, Cartland Berge, Shannon Hauser
Resource/Handout: Getting Started with Copilot webpage
AI at UMW: What is the Latest?
Join us to hear the latest about AI at UMW, including the AI Working Group’s survey of faculty, staff, and students as well as previews for learning opportunities throughout the coming year. Ample time will be provided for questions and discussion.
Presenters: CfT and DLS Teams: Cartland Berge, Shannon Hauser, Elizabeth Johnson-Young, Victoria Russell, Jerry Slezak
Resource/Handout: Presentation slide deck; Getting Started with Generative AI Tools webpage
The Office of Disability Resources: Updates, Questions, and General Guidance
Statistically, nearly 17% of students in your classes will be in some way, shape, or form served by the Office of Disability Resources (ODR). This session will be a time to come and learn about the new accommodation process and supports/services through ODR. We will also devote time to talk about “hot button” accommodations that frequently challenge instructors and provide guidance as comprehensively as possible. Note: We ask that any highly specific situations or concerns by raised separately and directly with ODR staff.
Presenters: Alex Ecklund, Director-ODR and Jennifer Uber, Associate Director-ODR
Resource/Handout: Presentation slide deck
Simpson Library Special Collections & University Archives
Simpson Library’s Special Collections & University Archives department collects and preserves the history of the University of Mary Washington. The Archives serves as the repository for historical materials from all offices, departments, and divisions of the University. Special Collections includes rare books and journals and a large collection of original WWI posters. Opened in the fall of 1964, our rare book collection is made up of over 1,500 volumes dating from the 16th century to the present, comprised of many first editions, fine and private press editions, and limited editions. If you’ve never been inside this hidden gem (or experienced the best air conditioning on campus!), drop in to meet the staff (Angie Kemp, Sarah Appleby, and Regan Chancellor) and learn more.
Networks Exploring Strategies in Teaching (NEST) Program
NEST are small, interdisciplinary faculty groups meeting monthly to discuss teaching and provide support for improving classroom practice. The heart of the NEST program are classroom visits where faculty observe how we approach similar challenges and strategies through different contexts. CfT staff will be available to answer questions about this year’s program and share details about the first NEST meeting.
Resource/Handout: NEST registration form
AI and Assessment Learning Community
You’ve put your class assignments into AI and wondered ‘what do I do NOW?’…
You’ve accepted the near impossibility of an AI-proof assignment, but wonder how academic integrity is still part of the learning…
The AI and Assessment Learning Community will take a structured approach to reimagining and designing course assignments in the age of AI. This group is geared towards faculty who have a general understanding of AI impact on their assignments but are not sure how to best implement practical and discipline-appropriate strategies that maintain learning and academic integrity standards. Drop in to learn about the learning community’s structure and expectations, as well as to sign up early!
Resource/Handout: Information sheet and sign-up form
FSEM Workshop: Facts for a Fantastic Fall FSEM
Workshop for Fall 2024 FSEM instructors. We will go over resources, FSEM partners, assessment changes, and fall FSEM funding.
Presenter: April Wynn, Director-First Year Experience
Threat Assessment 101
Join us in walking through a case study that will highlight the important elements of threat assessment–the process of identifying and evaluating possible threats to an individual or to the campus—and your role in that process.
Presenters: Chief Mike Hall, UMW Police & Juliette Landphair, Vice President for Student Affairs
Undergraduate Research Project Mentor Resources
This session will be full of practical tips on how to support your undergraduate research students from finding student researchers, to applying for funding, to identifying presentation and publication opportunities for undergraduates.
Presenters: Betsy Lewis, Assistant Dean-Arts & Sciences and Professor-Spanish with input from faculty UR mentors
Resource/Handout: Presentation slide deck
Network MaryWash: Connecting Students and Alumni
Join us to learn about Network MaryWash, a program launched last year by Alumni Engagement. Through a simple web form, students and alumni can ask questions or ask for advice to alumni. See how this program allows you to easily incorporate informational interviews, exploration of career paths, or just simple networking into the curriculum to tie into the Life After Mary Washington initiative.
Presenter: Mark Thaden-Executive Director of Alumni Engagement
Small Groups, Big Opportunities: Tips for Using Small Group Communication in SI Courses and Beyond
In this session, we will explore ways to use small groups for discussion, speeches, and other activities. We will discuss benefits of small groups in learning environments, as well as examples of small group assignments, and tips for assessment. Though tailored to Speaking Intensive courses, the session content is useful for any course interested in factoring in more opportunities for small group communication.
Presenter: Adria Goldman, Director-Speaking Intensive Program and Associate Professor-Communication & Digital Studies
Resource/Handout: Resource folder
What is New in Canvas?
This session will highlight new features in Canvas that you may not be aware of, including new Discussion and Announcement features. We will discuss “New Quizzes” which will be replacing “Classic Quizzes” and our plan to help everyone move to New Quizzes by the end of this academic year.
Presenter: Jerry Slezak, Director-Digital Learning Support
Resource/Handout: What is New in Canvas? webpage
Best Practices for Critical Reading to Promote Critical Thinking
Ever think your students don’t read the questions or the assignment or the article? This workshop will start with how to teach critical reading, how to promote critical thinking, and how to help students apply those critical approaches to their research, writing, and oral communication. Simpson Library, the Speaking and Writing Center, and the First Year Experience are partnering to tackle how to instruct on critical reading as a means to developing strong information literacy and critical thinking skills.
Presenters: Paul Boger-Simpson Library, Head of Reference and Scholarly Communications, Leah Schweitzer-Director of the Speaking and Writing Center, & April Wynn-Director of the First Year Experience
Resource/Handout: Resources folder (including presentation slide deck)
Faculty Advising at UMW: A Faculty-Led Discussion about How We Advise Our Students
Faculty are central to the academic advising model at UMW and as student needs change, so does the role and responsibilities of a faculty advisor. Please join us for a panel-led discussion about best practices from across campus, share areas of concern and success, and connect with colleagues as we prepare to start the new academic year.
Presenter: Charles Tate, Director of Transfer Advising and Randall Helmstutler, Associate Professor-Mathematics (moderator) with faculty panel