November 2018 | Volume 1 | Issue 2
Innovative thinking is about unlocking the skills that will impact the future...a collective goal in delivering transformative value to the minds of tomorrow...
New Data Brings Daylight To The Graduation Gap In Higher Education
Thanks to a push for greater data transparency, colleges’ graduation rates for students from low and moderate-income families are now out in the open. This data comes from new reporting requirements for colleges and universities that enroll students who qualify for Federal Pell Grants.
Using Pell Grant data, The Third Way published a recent report that offers insights about colleges where students from low-income backgrounds are succeeding and where they are most often exiting without a degree.
Self-Directed Learning and Augmented Reality: 3 Tips on How to Teach Gen Z
Enrolling now is Generation Z, the most diverse cohort in modern American history, one that grew up during the Great Recession and its aftermath, entirely in the era of the smartphone and social media. Today’s students crave value and relevance, they seek campus services over amenities, and they’re near-constant users of Instagram and YouTube. Because this generation doesn't distinguish between synchronous and asynchronous learning, read the following tips on how to provide an effective educational experience. Article Link
Dusting Off That Old Coat: Creating a Powerful Syllabus
There’s never a bad time to re-examine and rethink your syllabus. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to craft an effective one. Article Link
Engage Students of Required Courses with a Youth Service Learning Project
Read how a biology professor sparked excitement in non-major students by offering them a heartwarming task: to teach basic science to local kids who need it most. This DePaul University case-study provides solid evidence of how project- or service-learning yields success in student performance.

This report seeks to examine the role of Student Affairs on campuses today, the issues they face with students, what the leaders of those divisions think of their jobs, and what the next decade holds for their work. It is based on a new survey, conducted by the Huron Consulting Group for The Chronicle of Higher Education, of 112 presidents and student-affairs leaders at two- and four-year, public and private institutions . Report Link
NASA Funds AAMU Initiative To Increase Contracts With HBCUs

Nearly $376, 520 was awarded for a 2-year project to help Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) have a competitive edge on securing federal funds to yield improvements in MSI institution capacities. Read more about this project here .

Interested in serving as a HT representative with AAMU, visit this link to learn more, then contact the CAIT.
Open Pedagogy
As we learn more about Open Pedagogy and the aspect of giving students ownership, check out how one Interdisciplinary professor at Plymouth State University used Open Educational Resources (OER) as project-based lea rning to enhance and help students construct their own knowledge.


How to Be More Productive Without Burning Out
Stress and anxiety are cited in 70% of the calls placed to phone-counseling lines at Workplace Options, a provider of employee-assistance programs. Society is finding hours worked increasing across the board, no matter the position level. Read these tips on how to scale back, while improving performance. Article Link
Building A Coaching Culture: How To Create Your Strategy
Leaders are always looking for those elusive moves that will strengthen their organization, make them more resilient and innovative, and improve employee engagement. There is no shortage of ideas and programs in the marketplace, so it’s important to look for ideas that work and that will be a fit for your company and your people. Article Link
How To Survive (And Even Thrive) As An Introvert At Work
Introverts make some of the best leaders. But in work environments that reward extroverted behavior, finding our voice can be a challenge. Read these tips on how introverts can excel in the workplace. Article Link
Professional Development Opportunities
Enrichment Workshops
NEW!! Curriculum & Career Round Table
12:00pm - 1:30pm Thursday November 8th - Downs-Jones Library 104

Join our Curriculum & Career Assessment Round Table, 12 noon - 1:30pm Thursday November 8. Downs-Jones Library 104. Hosted by the CAIT and Career Services. Hear representatives from Austin's workforce discuss expected competencies of our future HT graduates. Researched data and trends that are shaping school-to-career pipeline will be presented, as well, best practices and examples from across higher education. Faculty and staff will be able to weigh-in as we map connections between undergraduate experience and and 21st century skills. RSVP Here
NEW!! Innovative Lunch & Learn Forum
12:00pm Wednesday November 14th - Downs-Jones Library 104

Innovative and transformative methods of teaching & learning are taking place daily at Huston-Tillotson! Enjoy lunch while listening in as distinguished HT faculty share their unique methods in active learning research, experiences and feedback on student successes. A warm atmosphere conductive to peer learning and sharing!  

This month will feature Prof. Terryl Pickens. Bringing to the classroom over 20 years experience as a former Texas Criminal Justice Sy stem professional , Prof. Pickens employs a multitude of creative methods that has shown to enhance student engagement, including interdisciplinary approaches that support project-based learning. Join us Nov. 14 @ 12 noon!! RSVP Here
Quality Matters 101: Measuring and Guaranteeing the Quality of a Course
11:00am Thursday November 15th - Downs-Jones Library 104

This 1-hour informative session will provide faculty with an overview of Quality Matters: a faculty-centered, peer review process designed to certify the quality of courses, both traditional and correspondence based. Quality Matters has generated widespread interest and received national recognition for its peer-based approach to quality assurance and continuous improvement in online education. While all faculty are welcome, those currently teaching, or planning to teach hybrid and online courses are highly encouraged to attend. RSVP Here














Podcasts
TEACHING AS AN ACT OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY

Bryan Dewsbury describes teaching as an act of social justice and equity on episode 215 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast

Upcoming Webinars
"Are Your Students Career-Ready?: Mapping Connections between the Undergraduate Experience and 21st Century Skills"
Thursday November 8, 2018
12:00pm CST

"Hiring Heros" sponsored by Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)
Thursday November 8, 2018
12:00pm CST

"Cutting Edge Student Retention"
Thursday November 8, 2018
1:00pm CST

"Graduate and Professional Education: An Ever-Changing Environment"
Wednesday November 14, 2018
1:00pm CST

"Raising Retention and Graduation Rates by Prioritizing Student Interventions"
Wednesday November 14, 2018
1:00pm CST

"Strategic Planning in a Fiercely Competitive Environment"
Thursday November 15, 2018
1:00pm CST

All faculty and staff are welcome to participate in any offered professional development opportunity. Upon selection of event, click the RSVP link to register. A confirmation email will be sent to registered participant providing event details. All participation is monitored and tracked for reporting purposes with The Center for Academic Innovation & Transformation.
#edtech: Empowered by Innovation
Technology in 10 minutes: Connecting People with Ideas for Life
Technology in the Classroom
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Screencast-o-matic

Create, share and experience videos; take short recorded videos of your screen's content and movements. With enabled microphone (laptop or headset) allows for voice recording.
( Enrichment Index: Web 2.0, Screen Capture, Instructional Efficiency )
Ava

Ava is unique in that it acts as a portable translator. A hard-of-hearing or deaf individual engaging another person in conversation just needs to hold the phone up to the person with whom they’re speaking, and the application translates the speech into text. Now you won’t have to communicate by passing notes or continually asking others to repeat themselves.
(Enrichment Index: ADA Support)
Kahoot!

Allows instructors to make learning fun, inclusive and engaging in any context. Create multiple choice questions using words, videos, images or diagrams for students to complete in game format.
(Enrichment Index: Gamification & Interactive eLearning)
THESE WEB 2.0 TOOLS ARE COMPLETELY FREE - TRY THEM TODAY!
What We're Reading...
How Humans Learn: The Science and Stories behind Effective College Teaching

Even on good days, teaching is a challenging profession. One way to make the job of college instructors easier, however, is to know more about the ways students learn. How Humans Learn aims to do just that by peering behind the curtain and surveying research in fields as diverse as developmental psychology, anthropology, and cognitive neuroscience for insight into the science behind learning.
Joshua R. Eyler identifies five broad themes running through recent scientific inquiry—curiosity, sociality, emotion, authenticity, and failure—devoting a chapter to each and providing practical takeaways for busy teachers. He also interviews and observes college instructors across the country, placing theoretical insight in dialogue with classroom experience.
RAM SPOTLIGHT: Scholarship & Research
Round of applause to Drs. Cervantes, Samuels and Prof. Stewart for their acceptance into the Faculty Resource Network. Scholars will have the opportunity to participate in the FRN Seminar in Puerto Rico! JOB WELL DONE SCHOLARS!

Congratulations to Ms. Dawn Leisch, Director of Counseling and Consultation. She was the 18th follower of HT__CAIT on Instagram!!! Three winners remain...so follow us on Twitter and IG TODAY!!




Would you like to be featured in December's edition of SPOTLIGHT? Forward your achievements to jpmiles@htu.edu
  • We here at Huston-Tillotson value Scholarship & Research. Should you desire to present your research at our newly upcoming Distinguished Faculty Symposium, contact CAIT today.

  • Title III sponsored travel requests for PD should be first submitted to the CAIT at least 3-4 weeks before scheduled event. Max requested amount is $1500. Submissions must have:
  • 1) a Title III Pre-Travel Request Form
  • 2) Travel/Training Request Form (attach event agenda)
These forms can be found under My.HT