2024 Workshops
Session 1 Workshops, 9:00-10:15 a.m.
10 Time- and Brain-saving tech tips you can use today
Presenter(s): Marc Lentini
Description
We’ve heard for decades about how technology will save us time and free our minds. How’s that working for you? Yep, hard same here. Join us as we share a few tricks we’ve picked up along the way. We’re all about the low-hanging fruit here – things that don’t take long to set up and learn, but might actually make a difference for you. Some are time savers, some will help reduce brain overload. We can’t promise we’ll change your answer to the question above, but we’ll try! Please bring a computer and mobile phone so you can change your life in real time.
Outcomes
- Choose and use at least one tech-enabled time-saving practice.
- Choose and use at least one tech-enabled brain-saving practice .
Format: Hyflex, 29-309 (28 capacity) and on Zoom
Achieve Learning Agreements – an in-depth explainer
Presenter(s): April Kosakoff, Julie Pollard, (Achieve)
Description
In this session we will go through how the Achieve program modifies curriculum and expectations for students with intellectual disabilities. We will explain how we determine which students take classes for Achieve-only vs. full credit, how combined classes work, and what a learning agreement is. We will go through and create a few learning agreement examples as a group. This will help faculty who work with Achieve students clarify what the expectations are for Achieve students, and how Achieve supports students and faculty. We will also answer any questions.
Outcomes
- Learn how to read and collaborate on an Achieve learning agreement.
- Learn how Achieve sets expectations for students.
- Learn how Achieve can support you and Achieve students in your classes.
Format: Hyflex, 29-216 and Zoom
Workshop Resources: Slideshow
Advising Treasure Hunt – Where to find the best information to serve students
Presenter(s): Jill Hammitt, Pat Daniels
Description
Advisors and Student services staff are using two main tools to communicate and support students, ctcLink and Watermark Aviso. The session will begin with an overview of using these systems to find and understanding Advisement Reports, Program information, Holds, Graduation Application status, Notes, Milestones and more. Then we will do a data treasure hunt to see if you can find specific data. If time permits, we will share tips on helpful ctcLink queries, using Watermark Aviso filters and open Q&A
Outcomes
- Identify and find the student data that is available in ctcLink and Watermark Aviso.
- Basic understanding of how the data moves from ctcLink to Watermark Aviso.
Format: Hyflex, 29-308 and on Zoom
Workshop Resources: Slideshow
Build an Underwater Robot at the MaST**
**This workshop has a special time and will run from 9am to 11:45am. If you choose to sign-up for this workshop, please note that you will not be able to attend any other morning workshop. You MUST sign up in advance if participating: sign-up form.
Presenter(s): Rus Higley, Aeriel Wauhob, Emily Bjornsgard, (MaST Center Aquarium)
Description
Intended as a team building opportunity, whether within your department or across the campus, with colleagues you know well or people you barely know, come join us for a session of building underwater drones. Known as ROV’s in the field, teams will work together to build and operate their ROV to complete an assigned mission off the MaST pier. Feel free to sign up with your department, a random group, or even as an individual. Perhaps the Librarians wants to challenge Continuing Education who has a beef with ITS who remembers being humbled by the mental gymnastics of the Psychology Department…this is your chance! Please note, ideal group/team size is 3-5 participants and if signing up as a team, all members must individually sign up to reserve their spots.
Outcomes
- Apply the step-by-step process of constructing a basic underwater drone.
- Engage in open communication to tackle challenges and achieve common goals.
- Develop problem-solving skills for unexpected challenges during team missions that require innovative thinking and solution-oriented approaches.
Format: In-person, MaST Center Aquarium (32 capacity)
Communicating Across the Neuroverse
Presenter(s): Jenée Stanfield
Description
Effective communication in the workplace is impossible without trust, and it can be especially difficult to build trust and communicate effectively for neurodivergent individuals who may struggle in systems designed to benefit neurotypical folks. Join us for a discussion about neurodiversity, restorative practices, and building a framework for inclusivity and accessibility.
Outcomes
- Learn basic concepts around neurodiversity and restorative practice.
- Leave with tools and resources to help foster more inclusive, effective communication.
Format: Zoom (40 capacity)
Workshop Resources: Slideshow, Slides with Notes, Session Recording, Exercise
Community CURE Construction
Presenter(s): Laura Sposato, Nate Means, (CUREs Community of Practice)
Description
Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) are an evidence-based, high-impact practice that can begin to close equity gaps in post-secondary education by giving all students experience in designing and performing research in their respective fields. In groups, participants will begin to diagram what a new CURE could look like in their discipline or in their courses. Participants will then be able to address the challenges posed from other groups and provide feedback as well as offer solutions. After this workshop, participants will
Outcomes
- Coordinate with other members in their discipline to create a roadmap for developing a CURE in their discipline.
- Collaborate with other faculty and staff to address challenges and concerns in this level of curriculum development.
- Gain information and resources for developing a CURE for a class that they teach.
Format: Hyflex, 29-214 (40 capacity) and on Zoom
Workshop Resources: Slideshow, Session Recording
Data Ahoy! Becoming a Data-Informed Department
Presenter(s): Kelsey Anderson, Skyler Roth, Emily Coates, (Institutional Research)
Description
Feeling adrift in a sea of data? Join Institutional Research as we search for the buried treasures that will help you become a more data-informed department. From making your work more visible to ensuring your student’s needs are met, effectively tracking data can promote employee engagement and positive institutional change. In this session, IR staff (with special guests!) will help you navigate departmental data to support your goals. We will practice determining what and how to measure, where to find data resources, and who to ask for help. Your voyage toward data-informed decision making begins here!
Outcomes
- Identify meaningful and realistic measures to track for meeting departmental needs.
- Find resources to access data to support their measures.
- Know when and how to seek assistance from campus partners like IR and ITS.
Format: In-person, 30-301 (30 capacity)
Workshop Resources: Slideshow, Guiding Questions, Example Scenarios
*SESSION CANCELED* Heart, Body and Brain: The Whole Student. How to support students using a trauma-informed lens and whole person approach
Presenter(s): Erin Hooyboer, Joshua Magallanes, Nicole Wilson, Daryllyn Harris, Alex Lawrence, and Larisa Wendfeldt, (Counseling Center)
Description
Trauma-informed care has become a term that gets thrown around often, but what does it mean and why does it matter? Join us to discuss how the brain, body and emotional experience shape us and how this may show up on campus with students. We will discuss how to collaborate with counseling to support students, explore how the brain, body and heart respond to stress and the necessity to see these parts as a whole, discuss integration of trauma-informed practices on campus and engage in some mindfulness of our own!
Outcomes
- Gain awareness of Counseling programming, role on campus, and ways to collaborate.
Format: In-person, 22-105 (30 capacity)
Learning to Draw Again as Adults
Presenter(s): Lori Adelle
Description
This workshop is for anyone who thinks they cannot draw or do not have creative abilities. It will help you reconnect the manual and observational skills needed for art that you’ve already been practicing throughout your life in other activities. Let’s demystify the creative process and talk about the real-world methods that artists throughout time have used, while working on a still life composition. All materials provided, low pressure environment. There will be a handout with some general recommendations for furthering your skills. Receive individual feedback if you want it, either during the workshop as time allows or through another arranged method.
Outcomes
- Have a clearer understanding of the various creative processes and tools used to make art, and ideas to solve the challenge of “Where do I even start?”
- Learn the basic techniques of drawing from still life, including some of the strategies used for concerns like shaky hands.
Format: In-person, 10-105 (20 capacity)
Workshop Resources: Notes, Resources
The New Features in Excel 365 Will Blow Your Mind!
Presenter(s): Michael Girvin
Description
In this session you will learn about some of the new features in Microsoft 365 Excel that will make your working life at Highline College MUCH easier. During the session you can follow along and try the amazing new features such as Dynamic Spilled Array Formulas, the XLOOKUP function and Power Query. I will demonstrate and you can follow along with the following four examples:
Outcomes
- Use Dynamic Spilled Array Formulas to build a gradebook.
- Use Dynamic Spilled Array Formulas to build a budget.
- Use Power Query to dynamically import grade data from Canvas into an Excel file.
- Use PivotTables to create complex reports with just a few clicks.
Format: In-person, 30-302
Planning for RSI Success: Building Instructional Activities That Satisfy RSI Requirements
Presenter(s): Katie Fiorello and Tarisa Matsumoto-Maxfield
Description
Instructors teaching online courses are required by the federal Department of Education to provide Instructor-initiated Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) in online courses. In this session, we’ll talk about instructional practices that meet student needs and satisfy regulatory requirements. We’ll also introduce the new RSI review process negotiated by HCEA and the college. This session assumes a familiarity (but not expert-level knowledge) with online teaching and the categories of RSI.
Outcomes
- Summarize the list of updated RSI practices that improve completion and meet regulatory requirements.
- Apply the new RSI review process to online courses.
Format: Hyflex, 22-102 and on Zoom
Workshop Resources: Slideshow, Session Recording
Student Assessment in an AI World
Presenter(s): Laura Soracco and Wendy Swyt
Description
Generative AI has challenged many of the ways we assess student learning and prompts us to re-examine how we do that. In this session, we’ll take a brief look at assessment practices, then get into strategies for an AI-enabled world. We’ll share examples of a variety of assignments and practices: some that are hard to complete using GenAI and some that incorporate GenAI into student learning. The assignments all enable students to better demonstrate what they have learned. Participants will have time to go hands-on and create assignments with the help of the presenters.
Outcomes
- Identify an opportunity to use a new-to-you assessment approach in a class.
- Build that assessment in Canvas or other educational technology tool.
Format: Hyflex, 30-203 (25 capacity) and on Zoom
Workshop Resources: Slideshow
Using Adult Learning Theory to Engage and Retain Adult Students
Presenter(s): Laurie Stusser-McNeil, Shana Friend, (ELCAP)
Description
Highline wants to expand and reach more adult students — and ELCAP has been doing this all along. What do we know that maybe you don’t? Join Shana and Laurie as we do an overview of Adult Learning Theory and what it means to you as a creator of your own meaningful/engaging learning experiences. Participants will have the opportunity to look at their planning with a new lens and walk away with practical tips they can use right away.
Outcomes
- Participants will be able to identify key elements of Adult Learning Theory and how it supports adult student success.
- Participants will be able to objectively analyze current classroom practices through an ALT lens and explore alternative methods of instruction.
Format: In-person, 19-203 (20 capacity)
Workshop Resources: Slideshow
Session 2 Workshops, 10:30-11:45 a.m.
Accessibility Basics You Should Know
Presenter(s): Michael Hanscom (Accessible Technology)
Description
Highline has an Accessible Technology Policy, language in the faculty contract, and in April the DOJ released updated requirements for accessible online material. Whether you’re staff or faculty, are you sure you’re creating accessible documents? The basic techniques are actually quite easy! Come get an overview of what’s required, timelines for compliance, what’s most important, and how to be sure everyone can access the information that Highline provides to our staff, students, and community.
Outcomes
- An understanding of the accessibility requirements that cover Highline staff and faculty.
- Knowledge of the basic accessibility techniques for document creation and distribution.
Format: Hyflex, 29-308 (20 capacity) and on Zoom
Workshop Resources: Slideshow, Session Recording
Advising with Highline’s Academic Planning Tools
Presenter(s): Zoe Harris
Description
Helping students navigate degree requirements and all the resources that accompany the process can be confusing to them, and to the advisors trying to assist them. Yet, this process is critical to ensure that students are on track for timely completion of their program.
Outcomes
- Describe and have a general understanding of the most commonly used tools and resources for academic planning (catalog, Academic Advisement Report (AAR), Aviso templates, Pathway Mapper).
Format: In-person, 30-301 (30 capacity)
Centering Racial Healing: A Group Exercise to Move from Race Consciousness to Actionable Intent
Presenter(s): Aleya Dhanji
Description
How does our individual racial consciousness influence how we approach our work in higher education? How can we come together as a community and support each other’s journey toward racial healing and building a racially just world? In this activity-based workshop, we will do selected exercises from the “The Racial Healing Handbook: Practical Activities to Help You Challenge Privilege, Confront Systemic Racism, and Engage in Collective Healing” by Anneliese A. Singh. We will begin by taking time to dream: what does a racially just world look like at the level of self, our academic disciplines or departments/centers, and at Highline? With the end in mind, we will work through simple activities on what our racial journeys have been, raising our race consciousness and collectively discussing concrete steps to engage in racial healing and small steps toward making the dream a reality.
Outcomes
- Collaborate as a group to develop a shared vision for a racially just world, and what that may look like at the level of self, departments/centers and institutionally.
- Recognize how racial identity development and racial healing relates to our work and our roles as change agents in our communities and centers.
- Identify 2-4 actionable next steps to implement in our racial healing journey and how we can continue to support each other.
Format: In-person, 29-321 (20 capacity)
Engaging Students with Effective Board Work
Presenter(s): Jacob Selander
Description
In the age of digital slides, virtual lessons, and online learning, using a white board in face-to-face classes as a tool for education and engaging students is a valuable skill that can go under-utilized. In this workshop, we will gain lots of practice and confidence in using the white board to our advantage! Topics that we’ll cover and practice:
– Setting up a lesson plan using board work and board notes
– Benefits for instructors and students to using board work
– Practice drawing! And more practice!
– Ways to engage students using the white board
This workshop will primarily be focused on STEAM, but anyone who uses the whiteboard or wants more practice is welcome! Participants are highly encouraged to bring a lesson/ class plan, or part of, that they would like to add or modify board work for. We’ll have plenty of time to practice!
Outcomes
Participants will:
- Gain confidence in their board work.
- Develop (or revise) a lesson to include board work and board notes.
- Develop effective practices to engage students using a white board.
Format: In-person, 10-105 (18 capacity)
Is Your Program ‘ISP Student Friendly’?
Presenter(s): Eva Engelhard, (International Student Programs, ISP)
Description
Highline College rolled out the “ISP Student Friendly” attribute in Winter 2024 as a response to the legal requirements for international students to have sufficient in-person class options. Several departments have now applied this attribute to all classes within their department, but international students often prefer seeing their instructors and classmates more frequently than just once a quarter. During this session, attendees will learn more about international student requirements and also international student preferences. Looking at these together will help attendees not only in establishing class schedules and program offerings but also with advising. The session will also include the requirements for international students who intend to participate in internships (which must be approved as Curricular Practical Training).
Outcomes
- Understand the legal requirements facing F-1 international students, as well as the needs and wants of Highline’s current international student population.
- Understand the “ISP Student Friendly” attribute that has been created within Highline’s ctclink system and how/when to use it.
- Learn the process for international students to obtain additional authorization from ISP for off-campus internship/cooperative education activity.
Format: Hyflex, 29-216 and on Zoom
Workshop Resources: Slideshow, Session Recording
MS Teams Phones, the new campus phone system
Presenter(s): Edward Richards, Don Sagmo, (IT Services)
Description
The college is transitioning from our existing (Avaya) phone system to MS Teams Phones. All individual and dept. lines will be converted to Teams in the coming months. The Phones, or Calls, feature will be added to your existing MS Teams app. Participants will learn how Teams Phones works, and view demos of the app in desktop and mobile versions.
Outcomes
- Understand how to log in to the MS Teams app and access the Phones feature, both the PC desktop version and the mobile (cell phone) version.
- Learn how to place calls, add contacts, and configure voicemail settings, as well as other phone features.
Format: Zoom
Workshop Resources: Slideshow, Session Recording
Secure Your Own Mask: Preventing Faculty Burnout
Presenter(s): Katie Baker
Description
Burnout is a major threat to faculty retention and excellence. The objective of this interactive workshop is to equip educators with practical strategies to recognize, prevent, and cope with burnout. By fostering a supportive environment for discussion and reflection, participants will gain insights into their own well-being and learn techniques to enhance resilience in their professional lives. Faculty will have an opportunity to engage in honest discussion with colleagues about burnout. Participants will work on their own and in small groups to identify triggers for burnout, create connections and engage in self-restorative practices during the workshop as well as practicing boundary-setting activities to minimize professional burnout.
Outcomes
- Develop boundary-setting skills for use in one’s career.
- Identify a set of anti-burnout strategies for use in our professional and personal lives.
- Connect with peers to create support networks to prevent burnout.
Format: In-person, 9-109 (20 capacity)
Simple English and AI to Enhance Faculty-Student Interactions
Presenter(s): Rashmi Koushik (ELCAP Department)
Description
Ever wonder why students don’t meet the criteria for success in some assignments? Explore how using clear, straightforward language, supported by AI, can improve comprehension and engagement in your classroom. Learn practical strategies to simplify assignments and communication to students, guided by principles like TILT and scaffolding strategies. The facilitator(s) will model how to simplify a sample assignment, and how AI can assist with the process. Participants will be able to apply this process to one of their existing assignments and how to apply this to other assignments or communication to students, which will foster a more inclusive and effective learning environment.
Outcomes
- Improved Communication Skills: Faculty will learn how to effectively use Simple English to communicate more clearly and concisely with students, ensuring instructions and feedback are easily understood.
- Enhanced Student Engagement: By simplifying language, faculty will be able to better engage students, fostering a more inclusive and participatory classroom environment.
- Inclusive Teaching Practices: Develop skills to create a more inclusive learning environment that accommodates students from various linguistic and educational backgrounds.
Format: Zoom (30 capacity)
Workshop Resources: Session Recording
Teaching & Learning Enhancement Grant—Application Support
Presenter(s): Robin Martin, Angel Steadman, TLE Award Committee members
Description:
Applying for a Teaching and Learning Enhancement grant can feel like just one more thing. The purpose of this workshop is to share ideas about how to use the TLE grant process to move work forward that you (and maybe your department colleagues) are planning to do anyway. Maybe you left the Assessment workshop during Opening Week thinking of a strategy you’d like to learn more about. Maybe you and some colleagues have been meaning to create a resource for students but haven’t had the time. We can’t give you time, but we can give you the opportunity to brainstorm and workshop ideas for a TLE grant, and answer questions about the application process. Stop by to learn more!
Outcomes:
- Understand how to use the TLE grant process to pursue department or team projects
- Become familiar with the application process
- Start drafting your TLE application
Format: Hyflex, 29-214 (40 capacity) and on Zoom
Workshop Resources: Rubric for Application
Tips and Strategies for Canvas Success
Presenter(s): Katie Fiorello
Description
Tuning up your Canvas can make it easier for students to use your course; adding a tool can help engage students in the content you are teaching. Join members of the EdTech team to learn about ways you can improve the support your students get from your Canvas and save time building courses. We’ll mix a list of ideas with hands-on time to set up these practices in your courses.
Topics that will be covered:
- Embedding videos and documents and trying out the the “Apps” button
- Bulk changing assignment date
- Alternative Formats offered in Canvas
- Student Canvas support and help
- Gradebook settings and filters
- Rubric types, settings, and saved comments
- Embedding Google docs and using Google Assignments
At the end of the session, we will look at HTML code for how to add visual interest to your page. You will also gain access to some basic HTML code snippets that you can add to your Canvas pages.
Please bring a computer to the session to allow you to engage with the content during the session.
Outcomes
- Change at least one practice in a Canvas course to improve student engagement.
- Change at least one practice in a Canvas course to save time.
Format: Hyflex, 29-309 (28 capacity) and on Zoom
Workshop Resources: Session Recording, Workshop Materials
Welcome to the Wellness Center
Presenter(s): Darin Smith
Description
Want to exercise but you don’t know where to go or what to do? This workshop will introduce you to Highline’s Wellness Center and give you the basics needed to start using it. PE faculty Natalie Hughs and Darin Smith will give an overview of how to develop an exercise plan, including warmup, cardio, resistance training, and stretching exercises. They will also provide some handy workout tips and demonstrate some exercises that can be done with the wide variety of equipment that the Wellness Center has to offer.
Outcomes
- Learn how to register for and use the Wellness Center.
- Learn how to put together a basic workout plan.
- Learn some basic exercise movements using a variety of equipment available in the facility.
Format: In-person, 26-101 (25 capacity)
Workshop Resources: Workout Guide, Sample Workouts