CTE Newsletter | Registration Open for Graduate Student Teaching Conference

New Teaching Assistants and Teaching Fellows at Boston College can register now for this year’s remote Graduate Student Teaching Conference, being held on Friday, August 20 from 10:00 - 3:15 via Zoom. The conference provides the opportunity to learn about some of the particularities of teaching BC students and connect with and learn from other graduate students. We suggest registering for the conference by Friday, August 13th to reserve a spot. Any questions can be directed to Francesca Minonne.

Course Prep Retreat: Spaces Available

We still have a few spaces available for our virtual Course Preparation Retreat being held August 9-12, 2021. Open to all faculty and Teaching Fellows at Boston College, this four-day virtual retreat provides a structured opportunity for instructors to work on preparing their courses in conversation with colleagues. Additional details and registration information can be found on the CTE website. Please register by August 5.

New Instructor Resources

The CTE is committed to supporting new faculty and graduate student instructors as they transition into their teaching roles at Boston College. In addition to offering programs such as the Graduate Student Teaching Conference and New Faculty Seminars on Teaching, we also maintain an FAQ for New Faculty and an FAQ for New TAs & TFs that cover many of the teaching-related questions new instructors might have as they get ready for fall semester. We also have a resource geared towards the specific needs of International TAs & TFs.

CTE staff are ready to consult with new instructors on a range of teaching questions and can also help them get up-to-speed with common educational technologies used on campus. Please reach out if there’s anything we can do to help you get ready for a good first semester at BC!

Back-to-School Workshop Schedule

There is still time to register for this week’s remote workshops on Canvas, Assignments and Grading in Canvas, Perusall, and Poll Everywhere. We are also offering a variety of drop-in sessions and in-person workshops later this month:

In-Person Workshops

Recording in Panopto, Tuesday, August 17, 2:00 - 3:30
Introduction to Canvas, Monday, August 23, 10:00 - 11:30
Assignments and Grading in Canvas, Tuesday, August 24, 10:00 - 11:30
Considerations for the Post-Pandemic Return, Tuesday, August 24, 1:00 - 2:30
Planning for the First Day, Wednesday, August 25, 1:00 - 2:30
Bridging Remote Students, Thursday, August 26, 10:00 - 11:30
Canvas Quiz Tool, Friday, August 27, 10:00 - 11:30

Drop-In Sessions

Bring questions on Canvas and other BC-supported technologies, and CTE staff will answer them on a first come, first served basis. Register at the links below, indicating whether you plan to attend in person or via Zoom:

Monday, August 16, 1:00 - 2:30
Wednesday, August 25, 9:30 - 11:00
Thursday, August 26, 2:00 - 3:30
Friday, August 27, 1:00 - 2:30

Mid-Semester Feedback Resources

As you’re planning your fall courses, you might consider building in time to gather mid-semester feedback from your students. Taking a few minutes to check in with your students both signals your commitment to their progress and also helps you identify small course adjustments that can lead to better student learning. The CTE has developed a concise resource about various approaches to mid-semester feedback, as well as recommendations for communicating with students about the feedback you’ve received.

Preview Your Classroom Virtually

To help instructors as they plan their courses, Student Services added a Classroom Profiles tool to their online faculty resources last year (requires BC log-in). The tool provides details about the classroom furniture and equipment available, along with floor plans and photos of the room. Please note that some images reflect last year’s “distanced” furniture arrangements rather than the full capacity set-ups being used this year.

Getting Help with Tech Questions

If you’re looking for support with questions about instructional technologies, consider the following resources:

Need a quick phone call or chat exchange about a basic tech question? Contact BC LMS Support.
Need an overview of a tool you’re considering? Come to a workshop or view a recording (typically posted within a week after the workshop is offered).
Need to talk through an individual tech question? Register for a drop-in or, if you have a schedule conflict, contact us to arrange an individual consultation.
Prefer to investigate questions on your own time? Explore our resources.
Not sure where to start? We’re always happy to hear from you at centerforteaching@bc.edu.

Fall ACT Schedule

We are pleased to announce that registration is open for the Apprenticeship in College Teaching Program’s fall semester workshops, which will be held in remote format via Zoom. The program is open to all graduate students and postdocs at BC, who are welcome to sign up at any time. ACT is a free, non-credit-bearing program that prepares graduate students and postdoctoral fellows for teaching careers in higher education. For more information, visit the ACT Program requirements page, or send questions to the Graduate Programs Coordinator.

Congrats to Graduating GAs

The CTE bids a fond farewell to our latest cohort of graduating GAs and wishes them all the best in their next endeavors:

Sam Dinga, who graduated with an MA in Mental Health Counseling, now works as a therapist at a community mental health center outside of Providence.

Natasha Dunlap, who graduated with an MA in Mental Health Counseling, is about to embark on some international travel adventures before pursuing a career in the mental health field.

Sara Suzuki, who graduated with a PhD in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology, has accepted a postdoc position with Tufts’ Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement.

Register Now: Grad Teaching Conference