Week of April 22-26

2024

CETL: Programs, workshops to support faculty in enhancing teaching strategies

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) supports Virginia Tech faculty in advancing research-based teaching and learning design and strategies through certificate programs, learning communities, and workshop offerings. Throughout academic year, the following are available to support the design, development, and implementation of learner-centered instruction.

Adjunct/Contingent Faculty Development Program – Professional development program designed specifically for adjunct/contingent faculty.
Book Clubs – Investigate topics of interest in teaching and learning.
Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) – Professional development opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral associates seeking to gain teaching-related knowledge and skills.
Communities of Practice – Explore topics relevant to your teaching experiences, interests, and needs with fellow Virginia Tech faculty.
Experiential Learning Certificate Program – Explore theory and pedagogy and gain knowledge and skills around best practices for experiential learning.
Principles of Effective Teaching (PET) Certificate Program – An opportunity for faculty to engage in and develop substantive knowledge and skills.
Project-Based Learning – Learn about project-based learning at Virginia Tech.
Workshops – Designed to foster teaching and learning knowledge and skills.

For more information and to register for these offerings, visit CETL’s Programs webpage or email CETL.

University Libraries: Learn about online Canvas-integrated homework system WeBWorK

University Libraries invites STEM-focused teaching faculty and graduate teaching assistants to attend a one-day introductory workshop on WeBWorK, May 13 from 8:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in Newman Library's Goodall Room.

WeBWorK is an open-source, Canvas-integrated, hosted, online system for delivering and grading custom homework in STEM disciplines. It has similar features to commercial products like WebAssign, MyLab, and Mastering Physics, but without a subscription cost for Virginia Tech students.

This one-day, faculty-led event is sponsored by Undergraduate Academic Affairs, University Libraries' Open Education Initiative, and the Department of Mathematics. It is designed for Virginia Tech faculty and graduate teaching assistants who want to learn more about how to get started using WeBWorK in their classes.

The workshop is free to attend, but registration is required by May 6. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.

For more information on WeBWorK and to register for the workshop, read this campus notice or email Heath Hart in the Department of Mathematics, or Anita Walz in University Libraries.

CPD: Campus internEXP to pilot wage matching program for fall 2024

Career and Professional Development (CPD) has been awarded an Institutional Internship Support Grant from the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV) that will allow CPD to pilot a wage matching program for Campus internEXP (Campus Internship Experience) beginning in fall 2024.

Campus internEXP is an on-campus internship program designed to capitalize on the variety of job functions and amazing professionals that work on the Virginia Tech campus to create accessible, paid internships for our students. The program advances CPD’s and the university’s commitment to provide quality experiential learning opportunities to Virginia Tech students through its internship, engaged learning, and cooperative education programs.

If you’re a department or faculty member who currently hires interns, would like to turn a student wage position into an internship, or would like to know more about the wage matching program, CPD invites you to register for a virtual information session. Weekly info sessions with CPD staff are available through May 21.

The supervisor application deadline to host an intern for fall 2024 is May 24.

For more information, read this campus notice. If you have questions, cannot attend an information session, or would prefer to meet one-on-one, email Julia Ward with CPD’s Professional Development and Experiential Programs.

ICAT: Virginia Tech community invited to Creativity and Innovation Day 2024

The Institute of Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT) invites the campus and local communities to Creativity + Innovation Day 2024 on Monday, April 29 at the Moss Arts Center. Faculty, staff, students, and visitors are encouraged to come and experience a full day of inspiring interactions and fun at the intersections of science, engineering, arts, and design.

This annual celebration will feature demonstrations and simulations, immersive experiences, exhibits, and more. Exhibits will be staffed from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. as ICAT brings together individuals across disciplines and the public to learn and engage with each other. A post-event reception will be held in the Cube at 2:30 p.m.

ICAT Creativity + Innovation Day 2024 is designed to allow visitors to explore how students and faculty use their expertise to solve complex problems and allow guests to learn more about their recent work. ICAT Day engages and connects the public to the latest creative and innovative works of faculty and students at Virginia Tech.

For more information including list of activities and exhibits throughout the day, visit the Creativity and Innovation Day 2024 website.

ICYMI: Virginia Tech Experts profile can boost scholarly presence, attract collaborators

Virginia Tech Experts is a searchable online profile system that provides a public-facing view of researchers, scholars, and educators at Virginia Tech, along with their publications, research interests, teaching, and additional activities.

Faculty can now easily set up an Experts public profile so their research and expertise can easily be found by Virginia Tech colleagues and potential collaborators around the world. Activate your profile by using the Elements database system with a few simple steps and boost your online scholarly presence.

Step 1: What Information Shows on Your Virginia Tech Experts Profile
Step 2: Review, Update, or Hide Information on Your Profile
Step 3: Make Your Profile Visible to Others
Step 4: Ongoing – Review and Adjust Your Profile As Needed

Virginia Tech Experts supports identifying potential collaborators and discovery of research, scholarship, creative works, and areas of specialization and expertise across disciplines. Currently profiles are only available for Virginia Tech faculty and graduate students.

For more information including overview slides, workshops, and a video guide, visit the Virginia Tech Experts website.

Additional Resources and Updates

Please submit a Google form or email Provost Communications for comments or recommendations to improve the Weekly Communications Update or to share faculty, staff, and academic program personnel information.

Visit the provost’s website frequently for new and updated university information. All members of the campus community should also read their VT News daily email for further important updates, notices, and resources.