The Certificate of Teaching Excellence for Student Success will include workshops on a range of topics, including designing critical thinking activities, applying cognitive science research to teaching, integrating community-engaged learning, promoting academic integrity in the age of AI, and gamification of learning. These topics were selected based on institutional priorities as well as faculty feedback gathered through a needs assessment. Faculty members who attend six workshops will be able to earn a Certificate in Teaching Excellence for Student Success. Additional workshops will be offered in spring; the topics will be shared later in the fall semester.
For faculty who completed these certificates last year, this fall offers the opportunity to engage in a fresh set of workshops. While some workshop topics may be similar to those offered previously, each certificate program will include new content, giving returning participants the chance to expand their knowledge and refine their skills.
Link for the Percipio Journey: https://share.percipio.com/cd/X3BFKAxax
Title: From Theory to Practice: Designing Critical Thinking Activities - Practical Tools
for Immediate Integration
Facilitator(s): Brian Armstrong, Ashley Christman, Nicholas Colgrove, Catherine Jauregui, Regina Messer, Rafael Pacheco, Jeane Silva, Patricia Watford
Description: This interactive workshop is brought to you by the Provost Learning Community on Teaching
and Assessing Critical Thinking. Building on last year’s conversation, this hands-on
workshop invites faculty to go beyond theory and actively design a critical thinking
activity that they can immediately apply to their teaching. Using practical templates
like Bloom’s Taxonomy, Six Thinking Hats, the Five Whys, and SWOT analysis, participants
will explore creative ways to foster critical thinking across disciplines. Walk away
with a ready-to-use activity tailored to your own course and context. You do not need
to have attended last year's workshop to attend this one.
Dates/time/location:
Percipio Link: https://augusta.percipio.com/liveCourse/6a7d7a1f-1ad0-436d-a0ca-7104c05a19a4
Title: The Neuroscience and Cognitive Biology of Learning
Facilitator(s): Ruchi Patel, Jason Williams, Jennifer Zills, Stephanie Johnson, Gianluca Zanella, Pam Kearney, Jeffrey Morris, Elizabeth Prince-Coleman, Ashley Fox, Arthur Takahashi
Description: This interactive workshop is brought to you by the Provost Learning Community on the
Implications of Cognitive Science Research for Teaching and Learning. It is designed
to equip faculty with knowledge about the fundamental scientific principles behind
memory and learning. In this workshop we will explore how the brain forms memories and the six strategies
backed by scientific research that promote effective learning. We will delve into
how retrieval practice, spaced practice, interleaving, elaboration, dual coding and
concrete examples can be incorporated into instructional plans to promote learning. Additionally,
you will leave with a toolkit of practical strategies and resources that can be shared
with your students to foster improved independent study habits.
Dates/time/location:
Percipio Link: Coming soon
Title: Integrating Community-Engaged Learning into Your Course
Facilitator(s): Stacy Kluge, Kalpana Ramgopal, Arthur Takahashi
Description: Learn how to design meaningful community-engaged learning experiences that connect academic content with real-world contexts. This workshop will focus on aligning learning outcomes with community-based activities, integrating critical reflection to deepen student learning, and structuring assignments to promote civic awareness and academic growth. We will review sample syllabi and take part in planning activities to begin shaping your own community-engaged learning course or project.
Dates/time/location:
Percipio Link: https://augusta.percipio.com/liveCourse/d5b34e85-3892-4ebf-aabb-53fa70eef862
Title: A New Hope: Academic Integrity in the Age of AI
Facilitator(s): Doug Blackburn and Arthur Takahashi
Description: Not too long ago, in a galaxy we wish was far, far away… A new force stormed into our classrooms — Generative AI. Suddenly, we found ourselves navigating a new frontier: confronting AI-generated assignments and grappling with how to support honest learning without creating a surveillance state. In this workshop, we’ll take a step back and look at what the research actually says about why students cheat and how thoughtful course design can reduce the temptation in the first place. We’ll also share practical, adaptable strategies for creating AI-resistant assessments and introduce a Red/Yellow/Green framework to help you clearly communicate expectations about AI use in your courses. Feeling stuck on how to respond to AI? You’re not alone. We may not have all the answers — but as Yoda reminds us, “In a dark place we find ourselves, and a little more knowledge lights our way.” This workshop offers a chance to find that light — together.
Dates/time/location:
Percipio Link: https://augusta.percipio.com/liveCourse/77beb833-2369-4f98-84af-bb83d4199912
Gamification of Learning - Escape Rooms - You've been summoned to a high-stakes meeting to save MAD University from a crisis. Your dean expects you to gamify MAD 1101 asap to improve its unacceptable DFW rate. The problem? You and the Committee for Things that Matter know nothing about gamification and need help from Chatty, an untrained AI program. To help you, Chatty must access three encrypted files to learn about gamification. But you don’t have the encryption keys! Can you unlock these files in time to save yourselves from the dean’s wrath? In this experience, you will learn gamification principles you can apply to your courses.