Future Prof Series (FPS)

Description

These interactive seminars for future professors and professionals provide valuable insight into teaching and career-strategies across the disciplines. The workshops in this series are constantly evolving to meet the current interests of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.

Outcomes

By the end of each workshop, participants will be able to:

describe the key issue/topic covered in that workshop
apply extensions of the key issue/topic to their future teaching or other careers.

2024-25 Series

Jan 17 Fostering Inclusivity: Strategies for Supporting International Students in the Classroom
This workshop takes place on campus. The location is in the registration confirmation email.
Time: 10:00am to 11:30am

Description

Supporting international students effectively requires understanding their unique challenges and providing practical strategies to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment. This session aims to address common barriers and challenges for undergraduate international students in the classroom, and review strategies you as a TA can use to build a more inclusive and supportive learning environment, enhancing their overall academic experience and success.

Presenter: Nassisse Solomon

Nov 21 Multiple Choice Items and Higher Order Thinking
This workshop takes place online. The Zoom link is in the registration confirmation email.
Time: 2:00pm to 3:30pm

Description

Can multiple choice tests assess skills beyond memorization? This workshop says YES! Together, we will work through the basics of how to write multiple choice items before exploring ways that multiple choice items can be used to assess students’ ability to apply, analyze, and evaluate. By the end of our time together, you will have practiced improving flawed multiple-choice items and be ready to start writing your own!

Presenters: Menahal Latif and Ken Meadows

Nov 18 Teaching Research Skills: Collaborating with Western Libraries
This workshop takes place on campus. Exact location details will be emailed to registrants.
Time: 2:00pm to 3:30pm

Description

An unwritten expectation in higher education is that instructors and teaching assistants know how to teach research skills - without ever having been formally taught them. You do not have to do this work on your own: librarians have this training and expertise and are prepared to collaborate with you. This session introduces you to the teaching support, learning resources, and partnership opportunities available through Western Libraries.

Presenters: Jason Dyck and Heather Campbell

Nov 6 Finding Your Teaching Persona and Building Teaching Confidence
This workshop takes place on campus. Exact location details will be emailed to registrants.
Time: 1:00pm to 2:30pm

Description

Does being in front of the classroom feel uncomfortable? Are you unsure about the skills that set you apart from other instructors? In this workshop, we will explore different types of teaching personas and will guide you in finding your own unique teaching style. We will discuss ways to alleviate the pressure of being the authority in the classroom, while also working through exercises to build your teaching confidence. The goal of this workshop is to leave participants feeling competent and comfortable about their role as an instructor and in fostering a positive relationship with their students.

Presenter: Menahal Latif

Oct 24 Designing Alternative Assessments
This workshop takes place on campus. Exact location details will be emailed to registrants.
Time: 2:00pm to 3:30pm

Description

Do assessments always have to look like papers, reports, presentations, or exams? What skills can be built and demonstrated through social media posts, website design, or performance? This workshop explores the process of designing rigorous and engaging alternative assessments to help get your students excited about your course material, give them chances to develop a wider range of communication skills, and promote creative thinking.

Presenter: Lisa Aikman

Oct 16 "Hot Moments": The Role of Positionality in Handling Classroom Disruptions
This workshop takes place on campus. Exact location details will be emailed to registrants.
Time: 1:00pm to 2:30pm

Description

Ever wonder how you might deal with a sudden eruption of tension or conflict in the classroom? This workshop will allow participants to explore the role of positionality in navigating challenging situations or scenarios in the classroom (e.g. conflicts, disruptive behavior), across disciplines. Through case studies and a survey of best practices informed by equitable and inclusive approaches to teaching and learning, participants will explore different kinds of 'hot moments' that take place in both in-person and online learning environments. Participants will develop strategies to respond to various kinds of hot moments and discuss the benefits and challenges involved in responding to difficult and unpredictable disruptions (e.g., calling in and calling out), in ways that promote equity and safety for both the student and instructor.

Presenters: Nassisse Solomon and Menahal Latif

Oct 16 Exploring Positionality in the Classroom Across Disciplines
This workshop takes place on campus. Exact location details will be emailed to registrants.
Time: 10:30am to 12:00pm

Description

This workshop will define positionality and invite participants to reflect on their own positionality (socio-historical location) in the classroom and its impact in shaping perspectives and interactions in the classroom, across all disciplines. Participants will have the opportunity to work through case studies through an exploration of how positionality affects interactions, decision-making, and biases. By the end of the session, participants will develop strategies for addressing and leveraging positionality in their teaching and cultivating a sense of belonging in the classroom.

Presenters: Nassisse Solomon and Menahal Latif

Series Information

Upcoming Sessions - Registration is Open!

Fostering Inclusivity: Strategies for Supporting International Students in the Classroom - January 17th, 10:00-11:30AM (on campus)

Note: Registration closes 2 hours before the workshop begins.

Registration

Registration Instructions

Login to Western Connect using your Western username and password.
Go to the Event Calendars section and select the Centre for Teaching and Learning calendar.
Select the event you wish to register in. Details and a description of the program will appear.
Select the Register for this Event button. If the event has reached capacity, you may have the option to register on the waitlist.
You will receive an automated confirmation email to your Western email account.

Please note the above registration deadlines, where applicable. Otherwise registration closes typically at the start of the workshop. If you have any questions or problems registering for an event, please consult our FAQs or contact ctl@uwo.ca.

Audience

Current graduate students and postdoctoral scholars

Offered

Typically 12-15 workshops are offered each academic year.

Late arrival policy

If you want to receive credit for a Future Prof workshop for the Western Certificate in University Teaching, you need to arrive to workshops on time or early. Participants who arrive more than 10 minutes late for a workshop or those who leave more than 10 minutes before the end of the session will not receive credit toward the Certificate.

Applies to following certificates

Western Certificate in University Teaching and Learning

2023-24 Series

Leadership in Wellness Part 1: Cultivating Student Mental Health

Oct 17, 2023

Leadership in Wellness Part 2: Initiating Mental Health with Your Students

Oct 17, 2023

Preparing to Guest Lecture

Oct 19, 2023

Classroom Management Strategies

Oct 19, 2023

Introduction to Universal Design for Learning and Equity Education Frameworks

Nov 21, 2023

Building Meaningful Mentorships Across Cultures

Nov 24, 2023

Universal Design for Learning: Multiple Means of Engagement

Feb 13, 2024

Universal Design for Learning: Multiple Means of Representation

Feb 13, 2024

Articulating Your Teaching Philosophy

Feb 15, 2024

Universal Design for Learning: Multiple Means of Action and Expression

Feb 15, 2024

Developing Your Teaching Dossier

Mar 27 to Apr 24, 2024

Talking to Your Students About Generative AI

Apr 18, 2024

Research on Teaching and Learning Symposium

Apr 23, 2024

Conflict Resolution in the Canadian Classroom

Apr 24, 2024

2022-23 Series

Life is a Group Project! Designing and Facilitating Teamwork

Mar 23, 2023

Uncovering BIPOC Scholarship In Your First Teaching Contract

Mar 23, 2023

2021-22 Series

The TA's Role in Responding to Disclosures of Gender-Based Violence

Oct 19, 2021

Leadership in Wellness Part 1: Cultivating student mental health

Oct 26, 2021

Leadership in Wellness Part 2: Initiating mental health conversations with your students

Oct 26, 2021

Rubric Design

Oct 27, 2021

Alternative Assessment

Oct 27, 2021

Putting Inclusive Pedagogy into Action

Oct 28, 2021

Developing Your Teaching Dossier

Feb 15 to Mar 8, 2022

Co-Creating an Engaged Online Classroom

Feb 17, 2022

Facilitating Effective Review Sessions

Feb 22, 2022

Positionality and Persona in Teaching

Mar 1, 2022

Teaching Philosophy Clinic

Mar 16, 2022

Is This Working? Gathering and Acting on Classroom Feedback

Mar 17, 2022

Decentering English in Your Classroom

Mar 22, 2022

2020-21 Series

Articulating Your Teaching Philosophy

Oct 27, 2020

Playing the Part: Using Role Play to Build Your Teaching Persona(s)

Oct 28, 2020

Leadership in Wellness Part 1: Cultivating student mental health

Oct 29, 2020

Leadership in Wellness Part 2: Initiating mental health conversations with your students

Oct 29, 2020

Teaching and Assessing Oral Presentation Skills Part 1

Feb 25, 2021

Creating Accessible Visual Aids

Feb 23, 2021

Teaching and Assessing Oral Presentation Skills Part 2

Feb 24, 2021

Preparing to Guest Lecture

Mar 23, 2021

Decolonizing Your Online Classroom: Indigenous Approaches

Mar 24, 2021

Decolonizing Your Online Classroom: Anti-Racist Approaches

Mar 25, 2021

June 16, 2020

Teaching Sensitive Topics Online: A trauma and violence-informed approach - Webinar

June 16, 2020

Mar 18, 2019

2017-18 Series

Preparing Your Teaching Dossier

March 20, 2018

Writing a Teaching Philosophy Statement

March 20th, 2018

Supporting the Wellness of Undergraduate Students

February 9, 2018

Great Ideas for Teaching Panel

February 9, 2018

Hands on Teaching Philosophy Workshop for Graduate Students

March 26th, 2018

Motivating and Supporting Student Success

November 20, 2017

Equal Access in the Classroom: Universal Design for Learning

November 20, 2017

Facilitating Group Work in Diverse Classrooms

November 15, 2017

Getting Feedback on Your Teaching

October 16, 2017

Potent PowerPoint: Delivering Effective Lectures

October 16, 2017

Developing Your Own Course – Aligning Outcomes and Assessments

June 9, 2017

Communication of Science Concepts outside of the Bubble

June 9, 2017

If you are working towards the Western Certificate in University Teaching, you can also gain FPS credits for the following:

Participation in the Spring/Fall Perspectives on Teaching Conference (up to a maximum of 4 FPS credits)
Participation in TA eLearning Series (1 FPS credit per 2 modules, up to a maximum of 4 credits)

Graduate Student and Postdoc Mailing List

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Testimonials from participants

“I learned many strategies for creating inclusivity in the classroom. This thought-provoking discussion has provided me with inspiration and ideas for increasing accessibility and inclusion in my teaching.”

“The ideas proposed on how to engage students and how to negotiate office hours were really useful!! It gave us innovative ideas on how to deal with students and make sure that our TA experience is a positive one.”

“The universal design (UDL) workshop had an excellent balance of theory and application. I found the activities very helpful, and appreciated the opportunity for small group discussion in the case studies, as well as individual work towards the end. I walked away with the tools and mindset to start applying UDL principles to my own teaching, so thank you! There were some concrete examples of how to motivate and support students , some of which I should be able to apply to my own teaching.”

“Getting to practice the skills/components that we should be using in resumes and teaching philosophy statements was great. Also getting feedback from peers on what we practiced was excellent.”