CTL Newsletter – March 2024
Our Mission
CTL supports faculty professional development and promotes high-impact educational practices by producing programming and materials, and by fostering collaboration and community among faculty across the college.
Our Vision
CTL supports continual growth by connecting faculty members with ideas, methods, and people that spark insight and reflection. Our goal is for each and every faculty member to feel excited to come to work, supported in their career, and passionate about supporting students at WCC. The Center will evolve to meet the evolving needs of faculty, and be run collaboratively by and for faculty. We want to foster a campus culture of empowered experimentation and collaboration across disciplines and other boundaries.
We thank CTL 2023-24 Innovation Fellows for their innovative “teaching with tech” experiments.
On Wednesday, March 20, The Center for Teaching and Learning hosted a Innovation Fellows Showcase, coordinated by CTL Co-Director, Erich “Ricky” Werner. We wish to thank the CTL 2023-24 Innovation Fellows for demonstrating their innovative “teaching with tech” experiments.
Effective Teaching and Learning Strategies
Dr. Don Simmons Jr., Information Literacy Coordinator & Student Engagement Librarian shares best practices through his Information Literacy Tips
The Internet – widely considered as our strongest ally – provides us with effortless access to a wealth of information at the tip of our fingers. No matter the device – whether it’s a phone, computer, or even a VR headset – the Internet, accompanied with social media, allows us to effortlessly access endless content, spanning entertainment, academic resources, and materials for leisure and professional work. This abundance of resources impacts all of us, including college students and academic practitioners, transforming how we access content every day. But this privilege of information access comes at a price. As college students dedicate an average of 8 to 10 hours daily to their devices, and misinformation floods our media and social platforms, the evolving digital landscape of the Internet has swiftly reshaped our academic and socio-political environments. College educators must acknowledge these changes and implement effective information literacy strategies to support both students and the academic community.
Here are a few information literacy tips and best practices shared by academic librarians and professionals nationwide:
Click to open and see information literacy tips and best practices
- Request an information literacy session for your class: Nothing beats having a seasoned information literacy expert in the classroom. As librarians, we’re experts in information literacy, ready to help your students master digital resources and improve their research and citation skills for academic success. Feel free to request a session today!
- Equip your students with trustworthy news-sources: Offer a comprehensive list of reliable news outlets and academic databases students can use for research, while also emphasizing their importance. Sharing these resources will empower them to navigate the vast information landscape with confidence.
- Embrace diverse perspectives: Encourage your students to explore diverse opinions from several reliable sources, broadening their horizons and deepening their understanding of their subject. Remind them that understanding a topic may demand multiple perspectives, and a more nuanced outlook on complex issues.
- Promote consistent fact-checking: Viral misinformation and disinformation has become common place, and it’s important to cultivate a healthy skepticism among students. Encouraging them to critically evaluate social media posts and other sources before accepting them blindly, improves the development of their fact-checking abilities.
- Think before you share: It’s natural for all of us, including educators, to have been misled by sharing some “fake news” article. Encouraging students to take a moment of reflection serves as a gentle reminder that every (X) tweet, Facebook share, IG post, or text message reflects their reputation. Promote deliberate thoughtfulness over impulsive reactions when students are online.
Don Simmons Jr. Biography
Instructor Librarian
don.simmonsjr@sunywcc.edu
Location: LIB118
Phone: 914-606-8529
Click to open and see Don Simmons Jr. Biography
Don Simmons Jr. earned his EdD in Higher Education Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi, holds a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Rhetorical Studies from Syracuse University. Formerly a Division-1 football player from 2011-2016 at Syracuse, he is currently the Information Literacy Coordinator and Student Engagement Librarian at WCC. In his role, Don oversees the library’s information literacy program, organizes outreach activities, and develops programming for students. Don has presented at various conferences, focusing on Critical Information Literacy (CIL) and the impact of misinformation on social media. Notably, he presented at the New Librarianship Symposia Series: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in 2021 and the ACRL conference in 2023, covering Critical User Services for underserved students alongside Laura Saunders, Rebecca Davis, and Vivienne Piroli from Simmons University.
Professors from the Communications, Journalism & Media Arts Department share how they engage students in the classroom.
Eric Luther
Assistant Professor, Curriculum Chair, Journalism
Department of Communications, Journalism & Media Arts
Question: How would you engage students in answering questions?
Linda Kalfayan
Associate Professor, Communications & Media Arts
Department of Communications, Journalism & Media Arts
Student Question: How do you create a sense of belonging in the classroom?
It is important to help students feel a sense of belonging before they step foot in the classroom. I utilize Brightspace for my in-person and asynchronous classes. As an instructor, I record welcome videos and post them on Brightspace for both in-person and asynchronous classes. I record three-minute videos that tells students a little bit about me. Students want to know about you. For example, where you went to college, professional experience, and hobbies. I share insight as to what this class will do for them, how the information learned in class can be applied in their lives, and where it could take them professionally.
I also record and introduce a welcome video that explains how to understand the syllabus. I have a total of fifteen videos for each of my courses: a video for each week of the semester. My students will see me whether they take my in-person class, or synchronous, they will see me. I also create videos that provides a in-depth explanation of each assignment. I realize that that student learning varies, and each student processes the material differently. My PowerPoint lectures are posted to Brightspace as well. The welcome videos, the syllabus video, the assignment videos, and overall structure of my classes, are designed to help my students feel a sense of belonging before they enter the classroom, and throughout the semester.
Julio Rodriguez
Assistant Professor, Department Co-Chair, Communications, Journalism & Media Arts
Department of Communications, Journalism & Media Arts
Question: Share a communication strategy that could be used across curricula.
As instructors, we often over- lecture and run the risk of information overload. Regardless of the discipline that one teaches; it is important to allow students opportunities to contribute to the lecture or discussion. Encourage student feedback and allow them the opportunity to share their knowledge.
One thing I teach in the class is verbal communication. I glean from them, because it is not just me being the educator and them being the student. I can, and often learn from them as well. All students, regardless of curricula, can learn from each other. As an educator, we must have the mindset of being a student by listening to students, bringing them into the lecture and conversation so they can learn from each other. This approach fosters a sense of belonging and fosters an open environment of learning.
CTL Resources
Our Turn to Learn • A podcast on Spotify for Podcasters
Join host Nicole Tschampel as she learns from students, faculty, administrators, and leaders in the world of higher education. Highlighting excellence in the SUNY Westchester Community College classrooms, amplifying the extraordinary stories of the faculty and students, raising awareness of high impact practices, and facilitating informed conversations about the issues that impact the WCC classrooms, campus and community, this podcast is for anyone that wants to foster a dynamic learning environment that promotes student success and retention.
CTL Recommended Reading curated by Prof. Rebecca Steere
Hard copy and electronic copies are available at the library.
Visit the Library Page Here
Upcoming Events
Mindfulness Meditation with the Center For Teaching & Learning!
Our schedule this term will be:
- Tuesday Guided Meditation – 9:00 a.m. on Tuesdays for a 15-minute guided meditation
Zoom Link – Meeting ID: 840 8269 5291 Passcode: 813555 - Wednesday Mindfulness Reminder – every Wednesday you will receive a short message designed to help bring your meditation practice into your day.
- Thursday Quick Break – 11:45 a.m. for a quick 5-minute mindfulness break
Zoom Link – Meeting ID: 889 2951 1954 Passcode: 498104
Lisa Nunn Reading Group
Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Time: 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Location: Gateway (hybrid – in person and zoom)
Faculty will discuss the 33 Tips book
Celebration of Teaching and Learning Symposium
Date: Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Science 102
Faculty discuss a chapter from “College Belonging” by Dr. Lisa Nunn, Symposium speaker. Keynote by Prof. Lisa Nunn on “academic belonging.” Lunch provided. View the event page.
Have an idea for a professional development workshop, email us: centerforteachingandlearning@sunywcc.edu.