New Faculty Orientation - Friday Concurrent Sessions
New Faculty Orientation Teaching Excellence at TAMU sessions provide faculty new to teaching or new to teaching at Texas A&M with knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to create both engaging and effective learning environments for undergraduate and graduate students. It aims to foster a community of practice among faculty from multiple disciplines, where they can share their experiences, discuss and collaborate on teaching initiatives, continuously improve their pedagogical skills, and celebrate instructional successes.
TAMU SSO required for access.
August 11th, 2023
| Time | Track A Sessions: Teaching, Learning, and Mentorship |
| 9:00-10:00 am | You Are the Key to Student Success The panel session, “You Are the Key to Student Success”, is designed to equip new faculty with essential start-of-the year knowledge supporting their success and the success of their students. This collaborative event brings together representatives from the University Writing Center, University Libraries, the Academic Success Center, the Math Learning Center, and the Office for Student Success. |
| 10:30-11:30 am | Getting Ready to Get Ready – Learning Outcomes This working session is an opportunity to share a learning outcome and receive feedback from peers and a facilitator. Participants are asked to have a draft syllabus ready to reference during the session, if available. |
| 12:30-1:30 pm | Equipping for Mentoring Faculty often are not trained for their crucial role of mentoring. At this workshop you will learn more about the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed for this important role. The workshop is designed for interaction among faculty peers. |
| 2:00-3:00 pm | Meet the Grad School Team! An Overview of Graduate and Professional School Resources, Processes, and Opportunities Come meet members of our Graduate and Professional School team! In this session, we will address questions new faculty members may have about the processes for students reaching degree milestones, services for students through the grad school and embedded programs such as the Career Center and CAPS, as well as opportunities for faculty to engage with the grad school. We look forward to being your one-stop-shop for all questions about graduate education, now and in the future! |
| 3:30-4:15 pm | Leveraging Generative AI to Assist Teaching Faculty with the Course Design Cycle How can teaching faculty use AI to enhance each step of the course design cycle? The course design cycle follows a backward design approach, starting with the desired learning outcomes and then determining assessments, designing learning activities, communicating the alignment of outcomes and assessments in the syllabus, and finally analyzing gathered information to improve future courses. This workshop will specifically demonstrate how generative AI can assist faculty in each of these steps as they design or modify their own courses. |
| 9:00 - 4:30 pm | Track B Sessions: Designing a Successful Canvas Experience |
| Sessions offered throughout the day | Unique Aspects of Canvas at TAMU During this one hour session new faculty will discuss essential steps for ensuring a smooth start to the semester with Canvas including: (a) integrating your syllabus and Canvas, (b) merging multiple sections into a single course, and (c) creating an efficient, student-centered gradebook. |
| Sessions offered throughout the day | Teaching with Canvas During this one hour session new faculty will discuss essential steps for ensuring a smooth start to the semester with Canvas including: (a) course design best practices, (b) creating and organizing content, and (c) developing a rhythm with Canvas. |
| Consultations offered throughout the day | Individual Consultation New Faculty are invited to meet with a consultant to discuss Canvas. |