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Week of August 12-16

2024

CETL: Resources, support for faculty preparing for fall semester course instruction

For faculty and instructors who are finalizing materials for the fall 2024 semester, Section 9.6.1 (Syllabus and Performance Expectation) of the Faculty Handbook offers guidance for providing students with course syllabi that effectively communicates information about course content, class schedules, attendance, grading scales, and overall expectations.

Faculty and instructors should design their syllabi and other course documents as a useful means for clearly setting the tone of their courses. While not required, faculty and instructors may also consider additional information in the syllabi such as promoting student success, inclusion and diversity, creating a sense of belonging, and clear communication of course and conduct expectations.

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) has developed a number of useful resources for helping faculty prepare or update course documents in order to provide students with the necessary information and resources to successfully complete the course. These resources include:

For more information and resources on developing/updating course syllabi, please see the Faculty Handbook or visit the CETL website.

TLOS: Call for proposals for grant programs to foster teaching innovation

Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS) invites proposals for Technology-Enhanced Learning Grants (formerly Innovation in Learning Grants) to support the evaluation, design, and implementation of innovative approaches to teaching and learning using technology.

These small seed grants, typically capped at $5,000, are awarded to individuals or teams working on pedagogical and curricular projects that push the boundaries of technology-enhanced learning and have the potential for broad institutional impact.

All faculty members at Virginia Tech are eligible to submit a proposal for Technology-Enhanced Learning Grants. Review of proposals will take place on a rolling basis through the deadline for submissions of September 13, with awardees announced beginning October 22.

Before submitting a proposal, confirm that your department head supports the proposed idea and approves of the time needed to work on your project.

For more information or to submit a proposal, read this campus notice, visit the grant program webpage, or email TLOS.

University Libraries: Top five tips for a successful start to the fall 2024 semester

University Libraries encourages faculty and staff to take advantage of the resources, services, and expertise available to them throughout the 2024-25 academic year. To assist faculty and staff in their teaching and research activities, here are University Libraries’ top five tips for the fall 2024 semester:

  1. Subscribe to the University Libraries Research Services newsletter and stay up-to-date about info and services available for your success. 
  2. Get to know your library liaison. You have a dedicated library expert who can help you connect with all University Libraries has to offer, from collections, research services, emerging technology, and teaching resources. 
  3. Make your work more impactful and help potential collaborators find you by creating a public profile in Virginia Tech Experts, ORCID, and Scopus. 
  4. Bring your book idea to life by partnering with Virginia Tech Publishing through the publishing process of writing, editing, designing, peer-reviewing, publishing, and marketing your work. 
  5. Take advantage of Virginia Tech’s Open Access Policy. Upload the accepted versions of your published scholarly articles to VTechWorks, the university’s open scholarly repository.

Every Virginia Tech campus has access to all library information resources and expertise. Through the University Libraries website, faculty and staff can search digital and physical resources and request for them to be delivered to you.

For more information, read this campus notice or use the “Ask a Librarian” or book a consultation services offered through University Libraries.

Reminder: Hokie Helpers needed to welcome students and families, assist with fall move-in

Virginia Tech Student Affairs is gearing up to welcome our incoming class of new Hokies with Fall Move-In and Weeks of Welcome, and is seeking faculty and staff volunteers to assist students and families as they arrive on campus.

The Hokie Helpers program supports new and returning students as they move into residence halls. Hokie Helper volunteers come from all over the university and community to showcase the university motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). Hokie Helpers provide information, welcome new students and their families, unload vehicles, manage logistics, and distribute water bottles to students and families in need of a break from the heat.

Volunteers are needed for fall move-in which begins August 20, and for Weeks of Welcome events. Shifts range from three to six hours depending on the task, and volunteers may sign up for just one or as many as their schedule allows.

For more information, visit the Hokie Helpers webpage or access the online iVolunteer form to view available shifts and sign up.

ICYMI: M365 training sessions available online through the Professional Development Network

Through Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies’ (TLOS) Professional Development Network, the Division of IT is offering faculty and staff a series of online courses throughout the fall semester designed to introduce users to the Microsoft 365 (M365) tools available at Virginia Tech.

Each course will provide a brief introduction and discussion of the tool, explore its features and benefits, and demonstrate its various uses for collaboration within research groups, classes, and projects.

  • Microsoft Teams – Advanced course where participants will learn how to declutter their inbox using Microsoft Teams for communication and collaboration and explore project management tools to enhance opportunities to collaborate efficiently and effectively with colleagues. 
  • Microsoft Copilot – Introduction to MS Copilot that covers the basics of artificial intelligence, the functionality of Copilot, and its potential applications in teaching and learning. 
  • Transition to Microsoft Outlook – Course designed to support those who are new to Outlook, or who want to learn how to use it more effectively. Topics include email management, calendar scheduling, task organization, and effective communication. 
  • Modern Work, A Microsoft Paradigm Shift – Course covers Windows 11’s accessibility features and how to enhance proficiency with the latest versions of some of Microsoft’s popular work tools, such as Word and PowerPoint.

For more information including dates, times, and links for course registration, read this campus notice or visit TLOS’ Professional Development Network 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.