January 2013

Unless otherwise indicated, sessions occur in the Learning and Teaching Centre (LTC) Classroom in the Harry Hickman Building (HHB), Room 128.

If the register buttons are not working, please contact us by email.

ED-D 591A Selected Topics in Learning and Development – 1.5 units
Tuesday, January 8, 2013 to Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Tuesdays, 9:30 AM ~ 12:30 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Dr. Marty Wall, Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies, and the Learning and Teaching Centre
This course provides graduate students with general preparation to teach effectively at the post-secondary level. Topics include planning for instruction, strategies for teaching in a variety of contexts (e.g. large and small classes, face-to-face and online), meeting the needs of diverse learners, use of educational technologies, and effective assignment and assessment design. Strategies used in this course include microteaching exercises, case-study analysis of teaching scenarios, large- and small-group discussion, and reflective reading and writing assignments. The course also serves as one of the components of the graduate program in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (LATHE).

Graduate students from all disciplines at either the Master’s or PhD levels are welcome to enrol in this course.

To register for the ED-D 591A, you will need to fill out a Graduate Course Change Form. Please fill out the form, have it either signed by the course instructor, Dr. Martin Wall, or attach an email from the course instructor giving you permission to take the course. Please also have your thesis Supervisor in your department sign the form and submit it to Graduate Admissions and Records in the University Centre.
Information and Course Outline

International Teaching Assistant (TA) Conference
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
9:00 AM ~ 7:00 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Cynthia Korpan, TA Training Program Manager, the Learning and Teaching Centre
The first International Teaching Assistant (ITA) conference will take place at UVic on Wednesday, January 9, 2013. Any graduate student (landed, student visa or permanent resident) who is teaching or planning to teach in Canada is invited to attend this special conference designed to fill your needs.
The conference will help you develop and improve your teaching skills. Workshops will help you engage with many topics necessary to fulfill your role as an ITA and as a future educator in higher education. Topics to be covered include: teaching in the Canadian classroom, culture shock, communication in the classroom and much more. We have invited experienced UVic ITAs and TAs, Teaching Assistant Consultants (TACs) and faculty to present workshops covering a wide spectrum of topics pertinent to your ITA role.
The conference is a great opportunity to connect and share your ideas and experiences with graduate students in other faculties, and for professional and personal development. The conference is FREE for all graduate students, new and returning teaching and academic assistants and instructors.
Pre-registration is required.
Agenda and Workshop Descriptions
TA Conference Information and Registrations

Student Success and Retention in First Year [Student Experience and First Year Course Instructors Community (FYCIC) Series]
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
10:30 AM ~ 11:30 AM, David Strong Building C114
Facilitators: Jim Dunsdon, Associate VP Student Affairs; Joel Lynn, Executive Director Student Services; and Lauren Charlton, Registrar
The presentation will provide an enrolment update with a focus on student retention at UVic as well as a summary of a current pilot project to examine student success in first-year Biology and Chemistry courses in the Faculty of Science. The prospects of expanding the scope of this project, and perhaps improving its design will be discussed.
Student Experience and FYCIC Series Information

Spring Teaching Assistant (TA) Conference
Thursday, January 10, 2013 ~ Friday, January 11, 2013
9:00 AM ~ 7:00 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Cynthia Korpan, TA Training Program Manager, the Learning and Teaching Centre
The Spring TA Conference highlights the more advanced skills which are required to upgrade your presentation quality and explore critical issues. Light snacks will be provided.
Pre-registration is required. The agenda, workshop descriptions and registration buttons are below.
Agenda
TA Conference Information and Registrations

Oral Communication for Academic Purposes Series [for graduate-level, English-as-an-additional-language students] [TWC Workshop]
Section 1: Thursdays, January 10 to February 14, 2013
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Section 2: Thursdays, January 10 to February 14, 2013
3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Location for both: International Commons Boardroom LIB 151b (main floor of the McPherson Library)
Facilitator: Dr. Li-Shih Huang, Learning and Teaching Centre Scholar-in-Residence and Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics
This workshop series aims to develop graduate English-as-an-additional-language students’ speaking skills and strategies needed to communicate successfully in a variety of academic or professional settings (e.g., engaging in interpersonal communication, participating in seminar discussions, giving departmental and conference presentations, and teaching in the classroom). Participants who attend all eight weeks will receive the course material free of charge.
For more information, please contact Dr. Li-Shih Huang at 250-472-4665 or at lshuang@uvic.ca
THIS WORKSHOP IS NOW FULL.

The Flipped Classroom in Higher Education
Thursday, January 17, 2012
2:00 PM ~ 3:30 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Jamie Kemp, Department of History in Art
The Flipped Classroom is a teaching strategy in which lecture content is delivered to students online as “homework” so that in-class time can be dedicated to discussion, project work and interactive learning. In this workshop, we’ll talk about some implementation strategies, the technical skills required, some common sticking points and why this model is useful. By the end of the session, you should come away with an idea of whether this method might work for you and a plan for how to start changing your classroom environment.

Teaching Community Partnership and Engagement in Graduate Research Courses [Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Series]
Thursday, January 17, 2013 [Brown Bag Lunch]
12:00 PM ~ 1:00 PM, HHB 128
Facilitators: Dr. Anne Marshall, Department of Educational Psychology & Leadership Studies & Centre for Youth & Society; and Tricia Roche, Centre for Youth & Society
This presentation summarizes the results of an interdisciplinary study focusing on what knowledge and skills are needed in order to both understand and successfully engage in campus-community research partnerships. In-depth interviews with faculty and community members yielded several key themes that were then incorporated into a graduate student online survey. There was strong support for the importance of acquiring knowledge and skills in community-engaged research (CER) and numerous suggestions regarding how learning in this area could be enhanced.
SoTL Series Information

Managing Your Thesis or Dissertation [TWC Workshop]
Friday January 18 , 2013
3:30 PM ~ 4:50 PM, Library Room 129
Facilitators: The Writing Centre Staff
This hands-on workshop teaches graduate students strategies for organizing their writing, writing habits, and themselves so they can finish their thesis/dissertation/project.
Those in the depths of dissertation despair are particularly welcome! An identical workshop will be held on Friday, April 12, 2013.

Please go here to register. If you are having problems using our online booking system to register for workshops, watch this tutorial: How to Register for The Writing Centre Workshops
Once a workshop is full, you can add your name to the waitlist by sending an email to TWCdir@uvic.ca. Please include your name plus the title and date of the workshop you would like to be waitlisted for.
Please note that you cannot register for a workshop through email.
TWC Workshop Information

Sharing Best Practice: A day to celebrate teaching excellence at UVic - preparatory sessions (for graduate students only)
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
4:00 PM ~ 5:30 PM, HHB 128
or
Friday, January 25, 2013
10:00 AM ~ 11:30 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Cynthia Korpan, TA Training Program Manager, the Learning and Teaching Centre
Great teachers do not just happen. It takes years of experience and tremendous effort to garner a teaching award, whether within the department, faculty or institution.

In celebration of the excellent teaching taking place at UVic, past UVic teaching award winners have agreed to open their classroom doors to graduate students so that they may witness best teaching practices. On Monday, January 28, and Tuesday, January 29, 2013, several award winners have agreed to invite graduate students into their classrooms.

If you are a graduate student and interested in being a guest in a teaching award winner's classroom, then please register for one of the preparation sessions on Tuesday, January 22 from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM OR Friday, January 25 from 10:00 AM ~ 11:30 AM. Attendance at a preparation session is mandatory in order to attend Sharing Best Practice.
At the preparation session, you will be able to register for the class(es) you would like to observe. However, due to limited spots in each classroom, registration will be on a first-come basis.

Preparing a Great Syllabus [Teaching Tips Series #6]
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
9:30 AM ~ 11:30 AM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Dr. Marty Wall, Department of Educational Psychology & Leadership Studies, and the Learning and Teaching Centre
The syllabus is a document that most instructors regard as a formal contract with students outlining basic information about the course and penalties for violating rules of participation. But such a version misses other potential uses, including the opportunity to communicate important and subtle information about you and the course that will engage your students right from the start and will reinforce the impact you should be creating in your first meeting with students. We will discuss this more expanded view of the functions of a syllabus. Please bring with you a copy of your current syllabus.
Teaching Tips Series Information

What Do I Do About the Student in the Back of the Class on their Phone? (and many more such classroom management quandaries...) [TA ProD Series]
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
1:00 PM ~ 2:30 PM, HHB128
Facilitator: Christine Kormos, Department of Psychology
Classroom management can be a tricky part of teaching. Situations can arise that hinder student learning; for example, a small group of students can end up dominating class discussions, some students may appear to always be inattentive or come to class unprepared, and other students may seem to frequently make excuses for missed or late assignments. Navigating these situations with tact and subtlety can be a challenge, but oftentimes these issues must be addressed so as to optimize learning opportunities for all students in the class.
TA/Graduate Student Workshops

LTC Communications Luncheon
Thursday, January 24, 2013
11:30 AM ~ 1:00 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Learning and Teaching Centre
In appreciation for your ongoing support of our programs, the Learning and Teaching Centre is hosting a luncheon for all departmental secretaries and administrators who directly support the heads of academic units (schools, departments and faculties). We hope this will give you an opportunity to tell us how we can best support the needs of your academic unit. If you have missed receiving an invitation to this event, please contact the Learning and Teaching Centre.
By Invitation Only

Introduction to Academic Writing [TWC Workshop]
Thursday, January 24, 2013, 1:00 PM ~ 2:20 PM, Library Room 129
~ OR ~
Friday, January 25, 2013, 3:30 ~ 4:50 PM, Library Room 129
Facilitators: The Writing Centre Staff
This workshop introduces students to the effective and efficient 40/20/40 academic writing process and provides tips on planning, researching, incorporating sources, avoiding plagiarism, revising and self-editing.

Please note: For each workshop above, do not register for both days; they are the same workshops held at different times.
Please go here to register. If you are having problems using our online booking system to register for workshops, watch this tutorial: How to Register for The Writing Centre Workshops
Once a workshop is full, you can add your name to the waitlist by sending an email to TWCdir@uvic.ca. Please include your name plus the title and date of the workshop you would like to be waitlisted for.
Please note that you cannot register for a workshop through email.
TWC Workshop Information

A Three-Pillar Project: the Graduate Student, the Subject Librarian and the Professor [Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Series]
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 [Brown Bag Lunch]
11:30 AM ~ 12:30 AM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Marie Vautier, Department of French
Funding allowed me to hire a graduate student from the French Department during 2009 to help do research on contemporary articles in MacPherson Library and on-line, particularly on articles on religion and Canadian/Québécois literature and culture. I wanted the student to help put together a bibliography for me, working in conjunction with the subject librarian for French, English and Religious Studies.  This bibliography would serve a new graduate course in French on “Religion and the Quebec Novel” (for January 2010); in English, an undergrad course on Religion and the Quebec/Canadian (English language) novel; and for Religious Studies, a “target course.”   This talk will discuss the challenges the project faced, the pitfalls that could have been avoided, and the happy results of the project.
SoTL Series Information

Dealing with Disruptive Behaviour [Critical and Respectful Discourse Series]
Thursday, January 31, 2013
1:30 PM ~ 3:30 PM, HHB 128
Facilitators: Annalee Lepp, Department of Women's Studies and Anne Cirillo, Department of Theatre and the Learning and Teaching Centre
This experiential/discussion workshop will explore what one can do to address disruptive behaviour.
Critical and Respectful Discourse Series Information

UVic Continuing Sessional Lecturer Scholarship Fund ~ Submission Deadline
Thursday, January 31, 2013
4:00 PM, HHB 126
This is a fund to support the professional development of Sessional Lecturers designated in their appointment as Continuing by Human Resources at UVic. Deadlines are twice per year.
Information and Application Form

February 2013 Events