New Faculty Orientation

Description

New Faculty Orientation is a full day in-person workshop that introduces new full and part-time instructors to resources and important policies related to teaching and learning at Western. The workshop combines presentations, panel discussions and interactive sessions. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and clarify expectations throughout the day.

Topics

important dates and deadlines during the academic year
key policies that guide exams, student conduct, and assessment of student performance
case studies of classroom management, academic integrity, and ethics
academic technologies, and eLearning support at Western
profiles and demographics of Western students
working with teaching assistants
strategies for navigating teaching, research, and service

2022 New Faculty Orientation

August 17, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM (in-person, 3M Centre Rm 3250)

Printable Agenda

Agenda

9:00 AM - 9:10 AM - WELCOMING REMARKS
Jeff Hutter (Acting Vice-Provost, Academic Programs)
Margaret McGlynn (Vice-Provost, Academic Planning, Policy & Faculty)
Aisha Haque (Director, Centre for Teaching and Learning)

9:10 am - 10:10 AM - RULES AND RHYTHM OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR
Mike Atkinson (Teaching Fellow, Centre for Teaching and Learning)
This session will provide you with information about the structure of the academic year, including what to include in your course syllabus, exam and assignment policies, important deadline dates during the year.

10:10 AM - 10:50 AM - WHO ARE OUR WESTERN STUDENTS?
Chris Alleyne (Associate Vice-President, Housing & Ancillary Services)
Jordon McLinden (Manager, Student Support & Case Management)
In this session, you will find out about the demographics, profiles, and academic backgrounds of students at Western.

10:50 AM – 11:00 AM - BREAK

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM THRIVING
Melanie-Anne Atkins (Associate Director, TA Programs, Centre for Teaching and Learning)
In this session, you will get an introduction to what postsecondary student thriving (Schreiner, 2010) looks like and how you can contribute as a new faculty member at Western.

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM WHAT DO I DO NOW? - CASE STUDIES ON CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
Mike Atkinson (Teaching Fellow, Centre for Teaching and Learning)
Aisha Haque (Director, Centre for Teaching and Learning)
In this session, you will become familiar with strategies for responding to complex student requests and challenging classroom management situations through case studies.

12:15 PM– 1:00 PM - LUNCH BREAK (grab & go)

1:00 PM – 1:15 PM PARTNERING WITH WESTERN LIBRARIES
Heather Campbell (Teaching and Learning Librarian, Western Libraries)
Jason Dyck (Teaching and Learning Librarian, Western Libraries)
This session will introduce the teaching and learning support and partnership opportunities available through Western Libraries.

1:15 PM – 2:15 PM REFLECTIONS/ADVICE FROM FACULTY
Christina Booker (Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry)
Patrick Denice (Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology)
Élysée Nouvet (Assistant Professor, School of Health Studies)
Kelly Ogden (Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering)
A panel of faculty members will share strategies and advice that will help new faculty survive the first year. Panelists will share their experiences on topics such as teaching face-to-face, living in London, finding mentors and connecting with peers, balancing their teaching and research, and how they flourished in their roles at Western.

Important campus resources for new faculty

Orientation Information

Upcoming Session

Not offered in 2023. Join us at Intro To Instruction this year!

Audience

Instructors who are new to teaching at Western.

Registration

Registration Instructions

Prerequisites / Recommended Preparation

None

Offered

Annually in mid-August.

Outcomes

By the end of the day, participants will be able to describe:

the structure of the academic year, including important dates for graduate and undergraduate courses
required information to include in a course syllabus
exam and assignment policies
responses to complex student requests and grade appeals
approaches to promoting students’ academic integrity
campus resources available to support teaching innovation, and eLearning.

What to expect

A full day workshop that combines presentations, panel discussions and interactive sessions with ample time for questions.

Testimonials from past participants

“Having case studies pertaining to copyright and classroom management provided a safe space to honestly discuss some of the challenges we face in our teaching, and helped build a community of new educators committed to the best learning experience."

"Understanding the demographics of the incoming students provided valuable insight into the needs of our students and can helped me refine my courses and teaching methods to meet those needs.”

"The most valuable parts of the day for me were the session on eLearning because it was so practical, and the Resources Fair because it provided quick access to so many of the resources that are available on campus. It made them seem more tangible to meet representatives all in one place rather than have to go around campus and connect with them all or to just see them listed on a piece of paper. I feel much more supported to have meet them in person."

Faculty / Staff Search

Department / Unit Search