Professional Development Opportunities

Many opportunities are offered to faculty for development and certification.

Active Learning: Certificated

The Center for Teaching & Learning defines Active Learning as an approach to education that transforms traditional classrooms into interactive spaces designed to facilitate interactive learning strategies, flexible resources such as adaptable seating for both independent study and collaborative group work with integrated environmentally appropriate technology.

Active Learning committee

The Active Learning Committee met to collaborate and discuss the future of active learning at GC&SU. During the meeting, the group discussed teaching and learning in active learning classrooms and analyzed photos of active learning classroom renovations on campus. The group discussed future classroom renovations and reflected on using active learning strategies/opportunities and student success. We engaged in a process to identify potential classrooms to upgrade the technology, equipment, and furniture.   

In Fall 2019, CTL began developing a three-course sequence to provide instructors with in-depth training on using active learning classrooms and techniques. The first part of the three-course series, Active Learning 101, was launched in Spring 2023. 

Active learning 101 cohort completers

Spring 2023
Aurora Castillo-Scott, World Language & Cultures 
Candice Griffeth, Center for Student Success 
Lee Kirven, World Language & Cultures 
Wathsala Medawala, Chemistry, Physics & Astronomy 

Fall 2023
Amy Johnson, Government & Sociology 
Bailey Mcalister, English 
Clifford Towner, Music 
Gina Towner, World Language & Cultures 
Mehrnaz Khalajhedayati, Management 
Randall Bonser, English 
Stephanie Jett, Psychological Science

Digital Bootcamp – Online Teaching Preparation: Certificated

Digital Bootcamp is a 10-hour certificated course series designed to provide a framework of resources and support to facilitate online teaching at Georgia College & State University. The learning framework presented is based on Quality Matters (QM) principles, allowing learners to apply the concepts to an actual course using our current learning management system, GeorgiaVIEW/D2L.   

Throughout this course, learners are presented with several assignment artifacts, participate in discussions, and engage in interactive assignments. Upon completing this course series, participants will have built a fully developed online course vetted through the Center for Teaching and Learning. Also, the Digital Bootcamp will offer faculty three (3) certificate options:  

  1. GeorgiaVIEW/D2L Certification (3 hours) – This portion of the course series focuses on using core tools in the LMS
  2. Quality Matters (QM) Certification– This portion covers best practices for online course design, communication, assessment, and meeting QM standards
  3. Digital Bootcamp Certification – After faculty have completed all components of the course, including the one (1) hour capstone, they will receive a Digital Bootcamp Certification

To learn more about how to enroll in the Digital Bootcamp course series, please contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at ctl@gcsu.edu or 478-445-1253.  

Faculty Learning Communities

Faculty Learning Communities are small groups of faculty and staff who meet several times during the academic year to discuss, and build community around, a particular issue or approach to teaching and student learning at Georgia College. The Faculty Learning Communities meet approximately every three weeks, either virtually or face-to-face. For the purpose of this grants' program, Faculty Learning Communities should consist of 5-8 members from more than one academic discipline, and preferably from more than one department. 

Topics

A wide variety of topics and activities would qualify for consideration; the primary factor, of course, is to choose something related to teaching and student learning. Examples of appropriate topics would include but are certainly not limited to: GC Journeys, LEAP initiatives, diversity issues, technology integration, interdisciplinary teaching, service learning, problem-based learning, undergraduate research, reflective learning, role-playing simulations, computer simulations, GC1Y and GC2Y courses, GeorgiaVIEW, the flipped classroom, and integrative learning strategies. 

Proposals

Proposals should be 1-2 pages, and consist of the following:

  1. Name/Title of the Faculty Learning Community
  2. Names of FLC members with their disciplinary/departmental affiliations
  3. Description of the project, in language clear to a non-specialist
  4. Dollar amount requested (max. $500) 
  5. Line-item budget (e.g., speakers, materials, travel)* and justification
  6. Name of the FLC director who is responsible for submitting the proposal, tracking the budget, and submitting an outcome report.  An outcome report will include a description of what was accomplished along with a product that may vary in format.  For example, it might be a journal article, a conference presentation, a workshop, or any other scholarly report. 
    *Note:  Budget items should be used to enhance scholarship.  Funds do not cover food expenses.

Expected Learning Outcome Report

An outcome report may vary in format.  For example, it might be a journal article, a conference presentation, a workshop, or any other scholarly report. 

Proposal Deadline

Proposals for Faculty Learning Communities are due by the first of the month. The Faculty Learning Communities are made possible by Center for Teaching and Learning program funds.

GeorgiaVIEW/D2L: Certificated

This certificated professional development opportunity is offered during the Fall and Spring semesters, where you will learn more about using our learning management system (LMS) in this three-hour series in the following areas:   

  • Content development tools and techniques, 
  • Course setup strategies, 
  • Assessment design and grade book setup, and 
  • Communication and learner engagement. 

To learn more about how to enroll in the GeorgiaVIEW/D2L certificated course series, please contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at ctl@gcsu.edu or 478-445-1253.  

High Impact Practices (HIPs) Summer Institute: Certificated & Funded

Sponsored through the Office of the Provost and GC Journeys and hosted by the Center for Teaching and Learning, the High Impact Practices (HIPs) Summer Institute offers faculty a certificated and funded summer professional development opportunity to engage in a course on Incorporating Transformative Experiences in the Classroom.  This summer course is designed to assist faculty in their journey to add a transformative experience/high-impact practice to one of their courses or to develop a course around an experience in Capstone, First-Year Experiences, International Education, Internships, Leadership, Service Learning, or Mentored Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors.

We are delighted that you are considering this institute.  Please contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at 478-445-2520 or ctl@gcsu.edu with questions or concerns.  

In the meantime, we'd like to share some of our past institute completers along with their department and their selected transformative experience:  

Summer 2023

NameDepartmentTransformative Experience  
Jamie DowningCommunicationCapstone  
Jennifer FlahertyEnglishCapstone  
Arnab SenguptaBiological & Environmental SciencesFirst-Year Experience  
Brad FowlerInformation Systems & Computer ScienceFirst-Year Experience  
Andrew AllenMusicInternational Education  
Rachel BrayTeacher EducationInternational Education  
Peter Rosado FloresChemistry, Physics & AstronomyInternships  
Ward RisvoldInformation Systems & Computer ScienceLeadership  
Alex BlazerEnglishMentored Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors  
Eryn ViscarraGovernment & Sociology & SociologyMentored Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors  
Jessica WallaceHistory & GeographyMentored Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors  
Johnny MooreHealth & Human PerformanceMentored Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors  
Kasey KarenBiological & Environmental SciencesMentored Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors  
Allison MillerManagement, Marketing & LogisticsService Learning  
Carrie CookGovernment & SociologyService Learning  
Molly WilkinsCommunicationService Learning  

 

Summer 2022

NameDepartmentTransformative Experience
Arnab SenguptaBiological & Environmental SciencesCapstone
Ashok HegdeBiological & Environmental SciencesCapstone
Eric RindalPsychologyCapstone
Amy SumpterHistory & GeographyFirst-Year Experience
Helen DuPreeHealth & Human PerformanceFirst-Year Experience
Kasey KarenBiological & Environmental SciencesFirst-Year Experience
Chika UnigweEnglishInternational Education
Eryn ViscarraGovernment & SociologyInternational Education
Paulette CrossProfessional Learning & InnovationInternational Education
Jamie DowningCommunicationInternship
Steven Elliott-GowerGovernment & SociologyLeadership
Alexandre ScarcioffoloEconomics & FinanceMentored Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors
Andrew AllenMusicMentored Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors
Matthew MilnesBiological & Environmental SciencesMentored Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors
Peter Rosado FloresChemistry, Physics & AstronomyMentored Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors
Mariana StoyanovaWorld Languages & CulturesService Learning
Suzanna Roman-OliverTeacher EducationService Learning

 

Summer 2021

NameDepartmentTransformative Experience
Dominic DeSantisBiological & Environmental SciencesCapstone
Caroline CollierInformation Systems & Computer ScienceFirst-Year Experience
Nancy BeasleyEnglishFirst-Year Experience
Steven Elliott-GowerGovernment & SociologyFirst-Year Experience
Kevin HuntHealth & Human PerformanceInternational Education
Lee KirvenWorld Languages & CulturesInternational Education
Paulette CrossTeacher EducationInternational Education
Trae WelbornHistory & GeographyInternational Education
Catherine FowlerNursingLeadership
Chika UnigweEnglishLeadership
Jolene ColeLibraryLeadership
Lauren PilcherEnglishLeadership
Tsu-Ming ChiangPsychologyLeadership
Gita PhelpsInformation Systems & Computer ScienceMentored Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors
Mary RickardManagement, Marketing, & LogisticsMentored Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors
Mehrnaz HedayatiManagement, Marketing, & LogisticsMentored Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors
Min KimGovernment & SociologyMentored Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors
Lorianne HamiltonInformation Systems & Computer ScienceService Learning
Stephanie JettPsychologyService Learning
Whitney HeppnerPsychologyService Learning

 

Summer 2020

NameDepartmentTransformative Experience
Glynnis HaleyNursingCapstone
Jennifer FlahertyEnglishCapstone
Kel-Ann EylerAccountingCapstone
Renee FontenotManagement, Marketing & LogisticsCapstone
Talecia WarrenNursingCapstone
Angela CriscoeCommunicationsInternational Education
Joy GodinManagement, Marketing & LogisticsInternational Education
Juan AlcarriaWorld Languages & CulturesInternational Education
Kristin EnglishCommunicationsInternational Education  
Mariana StoyanovaWorld Languages & CulturesInternational Education
Catherine FowlerNursingLeadership 
Hasitha MahabadugeChemistry, Physics & AstronomyLeadership
Jennifer GoldsberryNursingLeadership
Nicole DeClouetteTeacher EducationLeadership
Rodica CazacuMathematicsLeadership
Steve Elliott-GowerGovernment & SociologyLeadership
Susan SteeleNursingMentored Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors
Wathsala MedawalaChemistry, Physics & AstronomyMentored Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors
Benjamin WhittleCommunicationsService Learning
Kelley DitzelGovernment & SociologyService Learning
Stefanie SevcikEnglishService Learning
Virginia TeranWorld Languages & CulturesService Learning
Quality Matters: Certificated

The Center for Teaching and Learning offers certificated professional development opportunities through Quality Matters (QM) designed to help educators deliver the promise of quality online learning opportunities at every level of learning. Nationally recognized, QM is the global organization leading quality assurance in online and innovative digital teaching and learning environments.

To help you reach your professional development goals, the Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL) offers three (3) certificated courses: Applying the QM Rubric (APPQMR), Designing Your Online Course (DYOC), and Improving Your Online Course (IYOC) as follows:

CTL Certificated Offerings

Course  

Focus  

Outcomes  

Prerequisite  

Designing Your Online Course (DYOC)  

Participants use the Essential Specific Review Standards in the QM Rubric as a guide to design their own online course.  

  

Participants exit the workshop with a course development plan they can use to develop their own online course.   

  

The workshop is not a prerequisite for QM certification courses that lead to QM roles.  

  

Improving Your Online Course (IYOC)  

Participants use the Essential Specific Review Standards in the QM Rubric as a guide to improve their own online course.  

  

Participants exit the workshop with a course improvement plan they can use to improve their own online course.  

  

The workshop is not a prerequisite for QM certification courses that lead to QM roles.  

Applying the QM Rubric (APPQMR)  

Participants use select Specific Review Standards in the QM Rubric to review a sample course created by an instructor.  

Participants exit the workshop with a basic understanding of QM, the QM Rubric, and the QM course review process.  

The workshop is a prerequisite for QM certification courses that lead to other QM roles.  

 

To explore QM resources and offerings, visit https://www.qmprogram.org/myqm/.  There, you will create a GCSU account by using your GCSU email and selecting “No, I am new here.”  To register for any of the professional development opportunities mentioned, contact CTL at ctl@gcsu.edu or 478-445-2520.