ESSC coordinates a variety of faculty development events featuring topics on teaching and learning relating to faculty members in any stage of their career. We welcome every faculty member to participate in events of interest to them. Faculty may volunteer to present on topics of interest to their colleagues, and suggestions are always welcome.
Continuing Education information pending.
Tentative Schedule
Fall 2025 – Spring 2026
| Number | Event | When | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | “Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning” by James M. Lang. Book discussion facilitated by Mr. Josiah Wheeler, Assistant Professor in Instructional Design, OED | Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 12 pm-1 pm | Zoom |
| 2 | “Test Smarter, Not Harder: Writing Exam Questions That Stick“ by Dr. Madison Howe, Au.D., CCC-A, CH-AP. Educational & Student Success Center Workshop | Wednesday, November 12, 2025 12 pm-1 pm | Zoom |
| 3 | “Universal Design for Learning for Healthcare Educators” by Dr. Karen Dickinson, MBBS, MD, BSc, MEd, CHSE-A, FRCS Educational & Student Success Center Workshop | Thursday, January 29, 2026 12 pm-1 pm | Zoom |
| 4 | “Facilitating Active Learning in Hybrid & Multi-Campus Settings” by Dr. Teresa Whited, DNP, RN, APRN, CPNP-PC Educational & Student Success Center Workshop | Thursday, February 26, 2026 12 pm-1 pm | Zoom |
| 5 | “Fundamentals of Copyright in Higher Education” by Jordan Ford, MLIS, MS, CHES® and Kay Strahan, MSLIS, AHIP Educational & Student Success Center Workshop | Wednesday, March 18, 2026 12 pm-1 pm | Zoom |
| 6 | “Test Smarter, Not Harder Part II: Revising and Refining Exam Questions for Deeper Learning” by Dr. Madison Howe, Au.D., CCC-A, CH-AP. Educational & Student Success Center Workshop | Wednesday, April 1, 2026 12 pm-1 pm | Ed II 8/121 or via Zoom |
Teaching Workshops
Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 12-1 p.m., via Zoom,
Jordan Ford, MLIS, MS, CHES® and Kay Strahan, MSLIS, AHIP
“The Fundamentals of Copyright in Higher Education”
Abstract: This interactive workshop explores the fundamentals of copyright in higher education, helping participants confidently navigate compliance while supporting effective teaching practices. Through practical examples and collaborative participation, attendees will deepen their understanding of copyright and learn how partnering with librarians can strengthen instructional decision-making and enhance the quality of education they provide.
By the end of the workshop learners will be able to:
- Define copyright essentials in the higher education setting in order to identify methods of compliance.
- Distinguish the use cases for fair use in order to deliver quality education.
- Effectively collaborate with librarians in order to make informed decisions in their instructional practice.
Please click on this link to sign up for the Workshops.
Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 12-1 p.m., Ed II 8/12 or via Zoom,
Dr. Madison Howe, Au.D., CCC-A, CH-AP
“Test Smarter, Not Harder, Part II, Revising and Refining Exam Questions for Deeper Learning”
Abstract: This hybrid interactive workshop builds directly on the concepts introduced in Part I: Test Smarter, Not Harder: Writing Exam Questions That Stick and shifts the focus from theory to application. Participants will actively apply assessment principles to strengthen their own exam questions, with an emphasis on increasing clinical relevance and higher-order thinking. Faculty will receive a recording of Part I to review in advance and are encouraged to bring current exam items to revise during the session.
By the end of the workshop learners will be able to:
- Analyze existing exam questions to identify opportunities to improve cognitive level, clarity, and alignment with learning objectives.
- Revise recall-based exam items into higher-order application and reasoning questions using structured frameworks that prepare students for real-world clinical practice.
- Apply best practices for fairness, transparency, and clarity when editing exam questions.
- Leave the workshop with revised exam questions ready for use or further refinement in their courses.
Please click on this link to sign up for the Workshops.
Learning Communities
Less formally structured than traditional professional development, learning network activities offer opportunities to learn and grow as professionals with support from a diverse network of people and resources.
“Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning” Book Discussion Group
Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 12-1 p.m., via Zoom,
facilitated by: Mr. Josiah Wheeler, Assistant Professor in Instructional Design, OED
Join us for a study of “Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning” by James M. Lang.
“Research into how we learn can help facilitate better student learning–if we know how to apply it. Small Teaching fills the gap in higher education literature between the primary research in cognitive theory and the classroom environment. In this book, James Lang presents a strategy for improving student learning with a series of small but powerful changes that make a big difference–many of which can be put into practice in a single class period. These are simple interventions that can be integrated into pre-existing techniques, along with clear descriptions of how to do so. Inside, you’ll find brief classroom or online learning activities, one-time interventions, and small modifications in course design or student communication. These small tweaks will bring your classroom into alignment with the latest evidence in cognitive research.
Each chapter introduces a basic concept in cognitive research that has implications for classroom teaching, explains the rationale for offering it within a specific time period in a typical class, and then provides concrete examples of how this intervention has been used or could be used by faculty in a variety of disciplines. The second edition features revised and updated content including a newly authored preface, new examples and techniques, updated research, and updated resources.
How can you make small tweaks to your teaching to bring the latest cognitive science into the classroom?
How can you help students become good at retrieving knowledge from memory?
How does making predictions now help us learn in the future?
How can you build community in the classroom?
Higher education faculty and administrators, as well as K-12 teachers and teacher trainers, will love the easy-to-implement, evidence-based techniques in Small Teaching.”
–from description on Amazon
Finally, to make this book club more accessible, we will use a Zoom-only format. All participants will receive a reminder with a Zoom link before the start of the book club meetings. We look forward to seeing you at our book club meetings on Fridays, from noon to 1:00!
Note: Copies of the book are available in the Educational & Student Success Center (Library, 3rd floor, Ed. II Building) on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please click on this link to sign up for the Book Discussion.
Continuing Education information pending.