Block 4 Session Descriptions and Presenter Bios

Below is a description of all Block 4 sessions, as well as a short bio of each presenter.
Return to Orientation Main Page

 

Canvas 4  |  Multimedia and Canvas

Canvas 4 (Concurrent Session Block 4 – 3:00 – 4:00)

Session Description and Learning Objectives

Full Session Description and Resources are available here

This fourth Canvas session will prepare participants to teach more effectively using multimedia within Canvas:

  • Recording videos/audio and which recorders to use
  • Determining the best locations to store and publish multimedia files
  • Understanding which multimedia size limits and course space
  • Creating Canvas video assignments and giving video feedback
  • Adding videos to Canvas discussions

Presenter  |  Kathy Pinkowsky

Kathy Pinkowsky comes to the College of Letters and Science with a background in instructional technology, curriculum design, software training, usability/accessibility, and technical writing. Kathy holds a B.A. in English from Western Illinois University and an M.A. in Instructional Technology from Alverno College. In Kathy’s previous job roles, she was a senior technical writer for a software company, a supervisor of the Web and Technology group at Assurant Health, and most recently, the manager of the Instructional Technology Department at Alverno College. Throughout her career, Kathy has focused on integrating technology with teaching and learning. Kathy Pinkowsky

Creating an Engaging Environment

Teaching Focus 6 (Concurrent Session Block 4 – 3:00 – 4:00 pm)

Session Description and Learning Objectives

An issue with many college classrooms is the combination of repetitive classes and poor student interaction. What some don’t realize is that the two are intertwined. To get a student to be enthusiastic about a class, the instruction needs to go beyond the stereotypical lecturing off of PowerPoint slides. Increasing engagement with students can be accomplished by planning lessons and activities that allow for students to reach deeper levels of understanding. The goal of this presentation is to introduce you to various strategies and resources that can be used throughout the year to create a positive classroom environment.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand that students don’t know how to be students
  • Analyze and improve lesson plans to increase engagement
  • Develop and discuss various approaches around the classroom to raise student enthusiasm

Presenter  | Mark Schauf

My name is Mark Schauf, and I am a Mathematics PhD student. I received my master’s this past spring from UWM. While working on my master’s degree, I was also a Teaching Assistant for Math 94, 92/102, 98/108 as well as a tutor in the math department. During the summers while at UWM I have experience both virtually and in person proctoring placement exams. I also received my bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education from UW – La Crosse and have Secondary Education certification in the state of Wisconsin. Vijaya Tamla Rai

“Why Students ‘Can’t Read’…and What You Can Do About It

Teach Your Students to Read 2 (Concurrent Session Block 4 – 3:00 – 4:00 pm)

Session Description and Learning Objectives

Full Session Description and Resources are available here

In this workshop (identical to that found in concurrent session block 3 – 1:50 – 2:50 pm), instructors will learn about the challenges students face with reading comprehension and explore useful strategies to foster a “mindful” reading practice. Informed by recent research on reading practices of disciplinary experts across the curriculum, this session investigates various educational and cultural obstacles to mindful reading, suggests an approach toward coaching student readers, and provides practical guidelines in effective assignment design.

By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

  • Recognize the challenges facing student readers across multiple disciplines and the resulting effects on classroom performance
  • Define strategies to foster mindful reading
    Identify methods to design effective assignments to support reading comprehension

Presenter  | Stephanie Guedet

Stephanie is the newest Teaching, Learning, and Technology Consultant in CETL. Prior to joining the CETL staff in May, Stephanie was an associate professor and writing program administrator at Concordia University-Wisconsin. Throughout her career, Stephanie has worked with students from middle school to graduate school and brings this expertise to support UWM instructors in the teaching of reading and writing skills. Stephanie earned a Ph.D. in English Studies from Illinois State University, with a concentration in Rhetoric/Composition. She also holds an M.A. in English from Bradley University.

As a writing specialist, Stephanie is currently developing CETL’s workshop series “Writing for Teaching and Learning,” which will launch in Spring 2023.

Vijaya Tamla Rai

Teaching Assistant Q&A

(Concurrent Session Block 4 – 3:00 – 4:00)

Session Description and Learning Objectives

Moderated by Sarah MacDonald (Teaching, Learning, and Technology Consultant, CETL)

Curious what your first semester of teaching at UW-Milwaukee will be like? Looking for some tips and tricks from experienced teaching assistants? Have a question, but just not sure to ask?

Attend this Q&A session to hear from experienced UW-Milwaukee teaching assistants as they share their best practices for new teaching assistants and take your questions about teaching, UW-Milwaukee, and balancing life and grad school.

This session features presenters from French, Italian, and Comparative Lit., Peck School of Art, and Kinesiology.

Presenters

  • Ruth Olayemi Adeniyi (French, Italian and Comparative Lit.)
  • Kristy Lisle (Peck School of Art)
  • Jeff Peterson (Kinesiology)

All sessions will be recorded

Return to Orientation Main Page