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

Skidmore College
Center for Leadership, Teaching and Learning (CLTL)
 

The Center for Leadership in 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 AI Learning Cluster or apply to participate in the Skill2Build AI Institute. There are also ongoing initiatives — Scholarly/Creative Endeavors Work Groups, Teaching Support Network, Racial Justice Learning Communities, 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 “Teaching With AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Learning” with 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.”

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

For a full account of CLTL announcements, learning communities, and programming, please visit the CLTL website.

Support services for students 

‌In addition to the in-person services provided by the Counseling Center, Skidmore provides teletherapy services offered through BetterMynd. 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 Student Assessment and Intervention Group (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)

‌Skidmore is an institutional member of the NCFDD, through which you have free access to many excellent professional development tools, like these webinars on the value of planning and how to engage in healthy conflict. You may activate a free individual membership account by visiting the NCFDD website, selecting our institution, and creating and activating a new membership. 

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‌The 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 CLTL mission, please submit a request online. The Weller Room also has a lending library with relevant pedagogical texts. Simply fill out this form 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 revise or create a new course 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 Skidmore Pride Alliance, to develop instructional materials for students, staff, and faculty on how to be an LGBTQIA+ ally.

Scholarly and Creative Endeavors (SCE) 

‌SCE work groups 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 CLTL Learning Communities page 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

‌The CLTL and Learning Experience Design & Digital Scholarship Support (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, read the full call for proposals, which are due Friday, Sept. 6. Staff and faculty participants will be compensated $1,000 for the year. Learn more on the CLTL Learning Communities page.

Teaching Support Network 

‌The Teaching Support Network pairs faculty for one semester to engage in activities focused on pedagogical development. If you are interested in participating, please complete the form on the CLTL website by Friday, Sept. 6. 

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‌AI Learning Clusters

‌The AI Learning Clusters mentoring program 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 Student Academic Services (SAS) are offering a UDL consultancy program 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 
  • ‌Description: 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 register for the event. Folks interested in obtaining a free copy of the book in advance of the event should fill out an online survey.

Fall book club: “New College Classroom” 

  • ‌12:30-2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, in the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall Test Kitchen 
  • ‌Description: 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…

Skidmore College

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 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

 518-580-5000