UF workshop to explore innovations in teaching

March 28, 2012

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida will hold its 2012 Teaching Excellence Workshop from 11:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. April 6 in the Library East Conference Center.

The event aims to inspire new ideas and share innovative methods for teaching, said Jennifer Smith, manager of Instructional Design Services at the Center for Instructional Technology and Training. The seminar will feature a keynote speaker, Lynda Weinman, founder of lynda.com. Weinman will deliver her speech, “The Changing Role of Educators in the Digital Age,” via Web conference. She is the founder and CEO for the company best known for software tutorials and is a “groundbreaker in online training,” Smith said.

The conference will open with Associate Provost W. Andrew McCollough, who will speak to the university’s continued efforts for teaching excellence in the changing world of instruction. Topics for breakout sessions include the “flipped” classroom, where lectures are viewed online and class time is spent on group discussion, projects, and assignments. Sessions will also discuss using social media for teaching, setting up a collaborative classroom and classroom applications for the lynda.com resources.

The workshop is offered to UF faculty, staff and teaching assistants. Teachers who are not physically on campus may participate in the seminar through Web conferencing. Lunch will be provided to everyone who attends the onsite event, and registration is free. Seating is limited.

The event is presented jointly by the Office of the Associate Provost for Information Technology, E-Learning and Distance Education, and Academic Technology. For more information, please visit http://teach.ufl.edu/facultydev.php. To register, visit http://conferences.dce.ufl.edu/SSP/section.aspx?s=1400036089.