Upcoming Faculty Development Opportunities

Looking for the entire Professional Learning Calendar?
Visit https://apply.nscc.edu/portal/ProLearning.

Tuesday, January 7
1 pm
LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor: Protect the Integrity of Online Tests
Webinar
This comprehensive training webinar is intended for instructors who plan to use LockDown Browser and/or Respondus Monitor with online exams. The session provides a detailed demonstration of both applications, including enhancements that make Respondus Monitor even more effective and easy to use.
Sponsored by: Respondus
Register for this webinar

Monday, January 13, 2025
8 am – 9:20 am
Similarity & AI Indication in the Formative Space (L, E, A, D, S)
Presentation
The Turnitin Similarity Report and AI writing indicator are best used to inform educator judgment, but are not meant to be the sole measure of academic integrity. In this session, we will be focusing on how the Similarity Index and AI Indication reports are the same, how they differ, and how to clearly communicate with students about the writing process, guiding the discussion in a positive direction.
Presenter: Megan Leith Sexton, Customer Service Director, Turnitin
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Monday, January 13, 2025
9:30 am – 9:55 am
Unveiling Hidden Barriers: Commonly Overlooked Accessibility Issues in D2L (L, E, S)
Presentation
Adhering to proper accessibility practices is crucial for creating an inclusive learning environment that addresses the diverse needs of all students. This presentation will focus on frequently overlooked accessibility issues within D2L courses at Nashville State and provide practical steps to enhance the accessibility of your course. By implementing these strategies, you’ll not only ensure that your content is more accessible to students with different abilities but also improve your Panorama score, reflecting a higher standard of course design and student support. This is a beginner level presentation.
Presenter: Hannah Hurdle, Instructional Designer
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Monday, January 13, 2025
10 am – 10:50 am
YuJa Video Platform: Mastering Video Creation, Editing, and Sharing (L, E, S)
Presentation
This session provides a comprehensive guide to using the YuJa Video Platform, covering everything from video uploading and creation to editing and sharing with others. Participants will learn how to navigate the platform, upload pre-recorded videos, create new video content, utilize the editing tools to enhance their videos, and share their work seamlessly with other users.
Presenter: Diana Hernandez, Client Success Manager at YuJa Inc.
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Monday, January 13, 2025
11 am – 11:50 am
YuJa Panorama: Enhancing Document Accessibility and Alternative Formats (L, E, A, S)
Presentation
In this training, you will learn how to use YuJa Panorama to improve the accessibility of your documents, ensuring a more inclusive learning environment. The session will cover methods for remediating accessibility issues in your documents and introduce the different types of alternative formats available for you and your students.
Presenter: Diana Hernandez, Client Success Manager at YuJa Inc.
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Monday, January 13, 2025
12 pm – 12:50 pm
Understanding the Grade Book in D2L (L, D, S)
Presentation
This beginner-level presentation will provide instructors with a practical introduction to setting up and managing the D2L grade book. Participants will learn the essentials of setting up the grade book using the wizard feature, configuring grading categories, dropping  grades, linking grades, and tracking student performance.
Presenter: Maryellen Nash, Instructional Designer
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Monday, January 13, 2025
1 pm – 1:50 pm
Avoiding Common User Errors in D2L (L, S)
Presentation
Navigating the features of a learning management system like D2L can be challenging for both students and instructors. In this presentation, we’ll address common questions and issues that instructors often encounter, such as gradebook management, copying course content, and Turnitin error messages. Additionally, there will be an opportunity for instructors to ask their own questions in real time. Join us to gain clarity and enhance your teaching experience with D2L. This is a beginner level presentation.
Presenter: Hannah Hurdle, Instructional Designer
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Monday, January 13, 2025
2 pm – 2:50 pm
Enhancing Student Engagement with D2L: Manage Dates, Awards, and Intelligent Agents (L, S)
Presentation
Boost student engagement and streamline your online teaching using D2L tools designed to keep students motivated, informed, and connected. This presentation is aimed at instructors familiar with D2L basics and ready to expand their toolkit. Participants will learn how to leverage Manage Dates to control course timing and access, use Awards to recognize and encourage student achievements, and set up Intelligent Agents to automate personalized communication and reminders. Intermediate knowledge of D2L is useful.
Presenter: Maryellen Nash, Instructional Designer
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Tuesday, January 14, 2025
8 am – 8:50 am
Introduction to TILT (L, E, A, D, S, CRTP, ACUE)
Presentation
If you have never attended a TILT workshop, join The Teaching Center for the Introduction to TILT workshop. Research indicates that transparent assignment design significantly enhances students’ success, with even greater gains for historically underserved students. This presentation will cover the key principles underlying the Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TILT) framework and provide evidence for its efficacy.
Presenters: Neely Ann Sheucraft, Associate Professor, Communication Studies, Fellow, The Teaching Center; and Amy Bryant, Associate Professor, Communication Studies, and Director, The Teaching Center
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Tuesday, January 14, 2025
9 am – 9:50 am
Put a ‘Spring’ in Your Online Discussions  (L, E, S, CRTP, ACUE)
Presentation
Are your online discussions bringing you down? I’ll help you consider prompts, replies, rubrics, and alternatives that promote the student and faculty interaction we need but struggle to attain in the online course modality. You may find you like online discussions so much you use them in in-person and virtual classes too.
Presenter: Jessica Rabb, Professor, Biology, NSCC 1010
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Tuesday, January 14, 2025
10 am – 10:50 am

Engage, Empower, Educate: Revolutionizing Online Learning with Personalization & Interactive Assessments (L, S, ACUE)
Presentation
This session is for educators of all levels.
Presenter: Roslyn Mize
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Tuesday, January 14, 2025
11 am – 11:50 am
How to Use Feedback to Help Students Improve (L, E, A, D, S, CRTP, ACUE)
Panel Discussion
Join colleagues to learn strategies and tips focused on using feedback to help students improve. 
Panelists: Doug Godwin, Mark Helm, Devora Manier, Jennifer Goncalves, Zach Mills, and Laura Burridge
Register for this panel discussion
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Tuesday, January 14, 2025
12 pm – 12:25 pm
Welcome to The Teaching Center Hub (L, E, A, D, S, CRTP)
Presentation
Join us for the unveiling of the new Teaching Center Hub – an asynchronous hub of resources for faculty. The Hub is a searchable resource to help faculty prepare for teaching, engage in teaching, and reflect on teaching.
Presenters: The Teaching Center fellows and director
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Tuesday, January 14, 2025
12:30 pm – 12:55 pm
Working Together – The Testing Center is here to help. (E, A, S)

Presentation
An informational session about the services offered by the Testing Center and the way that faculty and staff can utilize them to support students. There will be discussion about updated forms, submission guidelines, and possibly some sneak peaks of upcoming improvements.
Presenter: Rosemary Hackney, Director of Testing
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Tuesday, January 14
1 pm – 1:50 pm
Intervening Early and Often: Building Resilience in Multiple Modes of Delivery (L, E, A, D, S, CRTP, ACUE)
Presentation
Research shows that students may start feeling overwhelmed by challenging content and looming deadlines as early as the second week of term (Conrad & Donaldson, 2011).  Nonetheless, there are ways to diminish these overwhelming feelings and build students’ self-efficacy. Faculty can intervene early and often to help students learn to navigate academia, check their comprehension, and build their confidence in the writing process. We invite you to our discussion of varied intervention options, such as “pulse checks,” writing progress benchmarks, planning assignments, interactive polls, intelligent agents, course progress tools, and more. By supporting our students from the very beginning, we build their resilience and foster hope for a successful academic path. Please join us, get some ideas, and share your own successful methods of support!
Presenters: Maayan Ornath, Instructor, and Laura Burridge, Associate Professor
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Tuesday, January 14
2 pm – 3:15 pm
Win BIG with the Library (L, E, A, D, S, CRTP)
Presentation
Join NSCC Librarians for a presentation about Library Instruction at Nashville State! We will discuss the ins and outs of library instruction, its impact on student success, and walk you through the process of requesting an instruction session. All are welcome, especially faculty on the fence about sharing class time with the Library!
Presenters: Elizabeth Heffington, Librarian, and Peter Lyon, Librarian
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Wednesday, January 15
8 am – 8:50 am
How stereotypes affect us (and our students) and what we can do: Whistling Vivaldi Professional Learning Community (L, E, D, S, CRTP)
Professional Learning Community
“What is an “identity contingency?”  How are we influenced by “stereotype threats?” 
Join us this spring for a professional learning community (PLC) where we will discuss Whistling Vivaldi, by Claude M. Steele (an Issues of Our Time book).  We will learn why the author believes stereotype threats are “a standard predicament of life,” and, more importantly, we will learn about and discuss the influence of stereotypes on identity and performance and how we can work to reduce the strength and influence of stereotype threats. 
A limited number of books will be available for PLC participants.
Presenter: Harlan Pease, Associate Professor of Communication Studies and English, and Fellow, The Teaching Center
Register for this professional learning community
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Wednesday, January 15
9 am – 9:50 am

Hidden Potential Professional Learning Community Introduction (L, E, A, D, S, CRTP)
Professional Learning Community
What does it take to improve and succeed? How do we overcome burnout or boreout? How can we recognize and help develop the hidden potential in those around us?
Join The Teaching Center as we learn from Adam Grant’s book, Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things.  In this introductory session, we will introduce the three main focuses of this book: Skills of Character, Structures for Motivation, and Systems of Opportunity. This professional learning community will meet throughout the months of January and February to help us uncover the hidden potential in ourselves and in others.
Presenters: Neely Ann Sheucraft, Associate Professor, Communication Studies, and Fellow, The Teaching Center, and Amy Bryant, Associate Professor, Communication Studies, and Director of The Teaching Center
Register for this professional learning community
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025


Wednesday, January 15
10 am – 10:50 am

Persistence, Procrastination and Perfectionism: What students get wrong (L, E, S, CRTP, ACUE)
Presentation
You know that these ideas affect student success but how can we help students overcome the negative consequences of these mindsets? Explore the myths and mistaken beliefs that frequently undermine students from doing their best.
Presenter: Kurstin Bush, Assistant Professor of Education and Teaching Fellow
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Wednesday, January 15
11 am – 11:50 am
Old School, New Vibes: Bringing Paper & Pencil, Face-to-Face Conversations Back to Life! (L, S, CRTP, ACUE)
Open Forum
Who says paper and pencil tests and face-to-face classroom conversations are outdated? In this fun and interactive session, we’ll explore how these “”old school”” techniques can still bring energy, excitement, and engagement to both students and faculty.  Join us as we blend nostalgia with innovative twists to prove that sometimes the best tools are the ones we’ve had all along! Let’s make “”old school”” the new cool!
Moderators: Piper Sesnan, OTD, OTR Program Director OTA Program, Fellow, Teaching Center and Jessica Rabb, PhD, Professor of Biology
Register for this open forum
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Wednesday, January 15
12 pm – 12:50 pm
Creating a Class Where Everyone’s Voice is Heard (L, E, A, D, S, CRTP)
Panel Discussion
Join us for a panel discussion where we’ll explore ways to make sure every student feels respected, listened to, and able to share their thoughts. Panelists will talk about how to overcome challenges that might prevent some voices from being heard. This session will provide practical tips for creating a welcoming environment where everyone can contribute.
Panelists: Michelle Gillis, Ph. D., Zach Mills, Maayan Ornath, Mark Helm
Register for this panel discussion
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Wednesday, January 15
1 pm – 1:50 pm
Unlocking Leadership Potential: Everything You Need to Know About the Community College Leadership Certification Program at ETSU (D)
Panel Discussion
Piper Sesnan, Danielle Sullivan, Lindsay Hager, Elizabeth Jerrolds, Brian Lee and Jesmin Athker will share their experiences with the ETSU Community College Leadership Certificate program. Discussion will include information regarding application, course load, and benefits of the program.
Panelists: Piper Sesnan, Jesmin Atker, Danielle Sullivan, Elizabeth Jerrolds, Lindsay Hager, and Brian Lee
Register for this panel discussion
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Wednesday, January 15
2 pm – 3:15 pm
Why You Should Consider Teaching at a Nashville State Prison Campus! (L, E, A, D, S, CRTP)
Panel Discussion
Teaching at a Nashville State prison campus can be an exceptionally rewarding experience. We strive to be student-ready and that includes ready for our justice-impacted students in and out of our prison campuses. Join a panel of faculty who have taught a variety of classes in these settings and keep going back. We’ll share our experiences and then open up to questions. If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like and considered doing it, come get your questions answered.
Panelists: Mark Helm, Sarah Roberts, Jessica Rabb, Randall Richards, Nick Plowman
Register for this panel discussion
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Thursday, January 16
8 am – 8:50 am
What do we do with Artificial Intelligence? (L, A, S, CRTP)
Open Forum

Tired of hearing how wonderful AI (artificial intelligence) is?

As a thoughtful professional I do not want to dismiss it out of hand, but want to know more about it BEFORE I jump on the bandwagon. This session is for beginners and/or anyone who is interested in discussing the use of AI in our work as professional educators. It is NOT intended as a session where I have any expertise. Instead, I hope faculty members will discuss their concerns and NOT push each other to use AI or to refrain from using it. We all know that it’s efficient and that ‘it will be everywhere in the future’. In fact, it’s everywhere now. Let’s dig in deep and discuss our concerns and ways to deal with them. Here are some questions I would like to explore in the discussion:

1. Is it ethical to use Chat GPT, Copilot, Google Docs, or other writing tools to prepare our lectures, notes, quiz or test questions, etc.? How do we know that we won’t be violating copyright laws by using other’s work?

2. What do students actually understand about what violates plagiarism or cheating standards? What do we need to tell them? How much time should we devote to teaching how to use it or the ethics of it in class?

3. Does AI software foster equity or does it promote stereotypes and dominant narratives? How can it be used to aid students with disabilities?

4. What does evidence show about how it enhances learning?

5. What other questions do we have about it?
Moderator: Yvonne  S. Simerman
Register for this open forum
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Thursday, January 16
9 am – 9:50 am
Using Formative Assessment to Guide Teaching (L, E, A, D, S, CRTP)
Panel Discussion
Join us for a panel discussion where colleagues will share how ongoing assessments can improve student learning and inform teaching practices.
Panelists: Laura Burridge, Mark Helm
Register for this panel discussion
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Thursday, January 16
10 am – 10:50 am
Access Center 101 (L, E, S)
Presentation
Presenters: Elizabeth Jerrolds, Access Center Coordinator, April Delagrave, Access Center Coordinator, and Evan Espey, Access Center Director
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Thursday, January 16
11 am – 11:50 am
Feedback: Reaction to Action (L, S, ACUE)
Presentation
In this presentation, we will look at both formative and summative feedback, sharing the importance of timely feedback, what “timely” means, and strategies for providing effective feedback.
Presenters: Audrey Cross, Assistant Professor of Learning Support and English, Teaching Center Fellow, and Harlan Pease, Associate Professor of Communications and English, Teaching Center Fellow
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Thursday, January 16
12 pm – 12:50 pm
Tips and Strategies for Teaching Effectively Virtually (L, E, A, D, S, CRTP)
Panel Discussion
Every mode of delivery requires different ways of teaching. Our panelists will share tips and strategies for teaching effectively in the virtual classroom.
Panelists: Zach Mills, Carl Weitlauf
Register for this panel discussion
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Thursday, January 16
1 pm – 1:50 pm
Federal Work Study (FWS): Best Practices for Student Success and Institutional Efficiency (D, S) 
Presentation
This presentation is designed for NSCC faculty, administrators, coordinators, and supervisors who work with NSCC Federal Work Study (FWS) student workers or are interested in doing so. The session will provide an in-depth look at how to optimize NSCC FWS processes to enhance student success while maintaining compliance with federal regulations. Attendees will learn strategies for effectively matching students with positions, completing required documentation, and improving communication between departments to create a seamless NSCC work-study experience. 
Goal: By the end of this presentation, participants will have the tools to develop a more efficient FWS program that maximizes student outcomes, enhances institutional benefits, and ensures compliance with federal guidelines.
Presenter: Brian Lee, Dual Enrollment & Federal Work Study Coordinator
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Thursday, January 16
2 pm – 3:15 pm
AI, gamification, and educational “long Covid.” How the hottest topics at the 2024 Human Anatomy and Physiology Conference are stimulating educational innovation out of desperation and forcefully springing us all into a new (better?) tomorrow. (L, E, A, D, S, CRTP, ACUE)
Open Forum
Moderator: Gracie King
Register for this open forum
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Friday, January 24
8 am
First Week Check-in and Reflection

Open Forum
Join colleagues as we check-in after the first week of the semester. What went well that others could replicate? What struggles and challenges did we encounter? Come for conversation and collaboration as we celebrate the wins and develop strategies to address the struggles. 
Moderator: Amy Bryant, Associate Professor, Communication Studies, and Director, The Teaching Center
Register for this open forum
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Friday, January 24
9 am – 9:50 am
Who is the Reading Support Student? And how can we help them succeed? (L, E, D, S, CRTP)
Presentation
If you’re reading this, you are most likely a stakeholder in Learning Support. Many of our students must make it through learning support classes before completing the bulk of their credits. This presentation will teach you all about the Reading Support class many of your students are required to take. We will share the details of students who are required to take the class and how the class impacts their success at NSCC. We will share course outcomes and some of the activities and assignments we have created as well as the benefits thereof. Additionally, we would also appreciate your ideas and participation: what reading skills, study skills, or types of readings do your students need more practice with to be successful in your classes? We would love to collaborate across disciplines to make sure students who are required to take Reading Support are as successful as possible.
Presenters: Audrey Cross, Assistant Professor of Reading Support and Teaching Center Fellow; and Katherine Sorenson, Associate Professor and LS Reading Course Lead
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Friday, January 24
10 am – 10:50 am
Visual Aids that Influence (L, S, CRTP)

Presentation
This presentation will present science-based approaches to creating effective PowerPoints and visual aids to enhance learning, based on the book “stop talking, start influencing,” by Jared Cooney Horvath. 
Presenter: Harlan Pease, Associate Professor of Communications and English, Teaching Center Fellow
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Friday, January 24
11 am – 11:50 am
Using Real-Life Problems to Make Learning More Interesting
Panel Discussion
Our panelists will provide examples of how they have incorporated the use of real-life problems to make learning more interesting.
Panelists: Tom Holmes, John Knox, Zach Mills
Register for this panel discussion
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Friday, January 24
12 pm – 12:50 pm
The Future of OER at NSCC (L, E, A, D, S, CRTP)

Panel Discussion
Join us for an update on OER at Nashville State. We will examine the savings and impact of ongoing OER courses, talk with OER adopters and adapters, and consider the future of OER texts, libraries, and curricula in the classroom.
Presenter: Robert Ladd
Register for this panel discussion
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Friday, January 24
1 pm – 1:25 pm
Feel Good Productivity: Highlights from the book by Ali Abdaal (L)
Presentation
I bought this audiobook and after listening I wanted to share what I feel are some powerful reminders on what makes hard work feel better and how a focus on personal well being can serve as a basis for driving motivation.
Presenter: Kurstin Bush, Assistant Professor of Education and Teaching Fellow
Register for this presentation
Zoom Passcode: Spring2025

Friday, February 21
10:30 am – 12 pm
Pioneering and Forecasted AI Use Cases in Advising, Career Services, and Student Success – Zoom
This session delves into the cutting-edge of AI, showcasing pioneering use cases and forecasting future applications. We’ll explore how AI can optimize student success through personalized learning pathways, streamlined processes, and data-driven decision making. Responsible implementation and ethical practices will be central to the conversation, ensuring AI fosters student engagement, retention, and a thriving academic environment.
Register to attend this session virtually
Zoom Passcode: AISession3

Friday, March 28
10:30 am – 12 pm
From Blank Page to Masterpiece: AI-Powered Creative Exploration (writing, research, and creativity) – Zoom

AI is transforming the way we approach writing, research, and creative projects.  This session dives deep into the world of AI writing assistants, research tools, and creative generators to support and supplement writing skills. You’ll learn how AI can enhance your writing, accelerate research, and spark new artistic ideas.  Prepare to experiment with popular platforms and unleash your creativity with AI-powered tools.
Register to attend this session virtually
Zoom Passcode:  AISession4

Friday, April 18
10:30 am – 12 pm
AI and Accessibility: Ensuring Inclusive Education in the AI Era – Zoom
AI has the potential to revolutionize education, but ensuring accessibility is paramount.  This session explores how AI can empower all learners while identifying potential biases and barriers. We’ll delve into accessible design principles and frameworks, empowering you to ensure no student is left behind in the AI era.  Engage in hands-on exercises, group discussions, and connect with peers to build a network for accessible and inclusive AI implementation.
Register to attend this session virtually
Zoom Passcode:  AISession5