Teaching/Learning Center

Given the enthusiastic response to our Curricular Innovation Series, which launched summer 2022, we will be phasing out our Expert Speaker Series spring 2023. Topics we hoped to cover in our Expert Speaker Series will now be included as options in our Curricular Innovation Series.

Don't worry - the content below will still be available.

Allegra Brown "Anti-Biased and Culturally Responsive Teaching Workshop" (1:26:04)

Felice Myers "The Art of Grantwriting" (0:51:38)

Our resident College expert, Felice Myers, demystifies the process of grant writing. Additional topics in this session include researching grants, tips for a successful grant proposal, and the reporting process.

Evelyn Kung "Teaching College Students on the Autism Spectrum"  (0:89:00)

On April 2, 2020 the Artists, Community and Teaching (ACT) program in collaboration with the Teaching/Learning Center invited Evelyn Kung, BCBA, Clinical Director at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, to present an online workshop at Otis College for faculty and staff (and ACT students) about teaching students on the Autism Spectrum. 

General tips all faculty can employ to benefit all students that would also support college students on the autism spectrum:

• Avoid vague language, slang, or undefined jargon – try to be specific and clear especially in instructions (ex. "This blue area in the right-hand corner" instead of "this area over here"). 
• Organize and structure your class, try to be consistent in terms of instructions and processes each day or each week.
• For discussion, use open-ended questions that allow for more critical responses as opposed to only a yes or no.
• Conduct regular comprehension checks - to make sure all students understand the material - have students explain it in their own words, not verbatim to what was read or heard.
• Set concrete and specific course/behavior expectations for your students (ex. no talking while others are speaking).
• Review course/behavior expectations at the beginning and middle of your course to remind students.
• Break complicated tasks into clear steps and a sequence, assist students through this sequence, each time assisting less so they develop mastery over the process.
• To assist students in developing a self-directed art/design practice, or large scale project management (as opposed only following rules/structured assignments in which all steps are given by instructors) - use forward or backward chaining. Give the full list of steps at first, then allow students to determine the first or last step in the list, and after each project in which they successfully manage it gives them one more step to determine on their own for the next project (be patient).
• Try to catch a student moving towards a heightened emotional state before an outburst or meltdown occurs. Give the whole class a break, or walk the student into the hall to talk privately. Give students choices on how to express what they are feeling (remember that verbal expression may be the hardest and therefore may increase the heightened state).

Joanne Mitchell, Emma Kemp, and Rachel Roske "Using the New Attendance Policy to Enhance Instruction"

Assistant Provost Joanne Mitchell and Faculty Members Emma Kemp and Rachel Roske lead a discussion on how they have navigated the new attendance policy as a means for improving classroom instruction and student outcomes.  This is in keeping with the vision of the policy to increase students' agency and responsibility for their own academic performance.

Darren Grosch "Modeling the Values of Responsible Travel" (0:59:03)

Dr. Darren Grosch, Director of the International Students Program at Mt. San Antonio College,  in this workshop focuses on best practices in teaching international students, promoting cultural consciousness, and engaged learning in our classrooms.

Natalie Salvador on Inspiring Motivation (0:50:25)

In this workshop, Natalie Salvador, Fashion Design Lecturer and Teaching/Learning Center Program Coordinator at Otis College, goes in depth in exploring motivation and how it impacts student classroom behavior. She provides helpful best practices for the classroom on how to foster student motivation. 

Dr. Julie Spencer "Understanding the Adolescent Brain" (1:13:09)

Dr. Julie Spencer, Physician and Director of Otis College Student Health & Wellness Center, conducted a fall 2018 workshop targeted to faculty/instructors/staff at Otis College. In this workshop she discusses the basic neurobiology and developmental stage of the adolescent/young adult brain and how this basic knowledge will help faculty/instructors and staff learn to better communicate with students.

Dr. JoAnn Staten "Facilitating Difficult Discussions in Turbulent Times (0:45:15)

Dr. JoAnn Staten, Acting Assistant Chair for Liberal Arts and Sciences, conducted a Convocation workshop targeted to faculty/instructors/staff fall 2018 at Otis College. This workshop offers best practices for facilitating discussions on "hot-button" topics in ways that are inclusive and supportive, rather than divisive.

Into the Pandemic

Part 1: Instructional Continuity (0:12:00)

Part 2: Using The Tools (0:29:00) 

Going Online With Instruction Slide Presentation 

Spring 2020, TLC staff organized workshops on ways we can shift our course content online and provide opportunities for students to participate remotely.