ESSC coordinates a variety of faculty development events featuring topics on teaching and learning relating to faculty members in any stage of their career. We welcome every faculty member to participate in events of interest to them. Faculty may volunteer to present on topics of interest to their colleagues, and suggestions are always welcome.
Please check our website for Continuing Education information.
Tentative Schedule Fall 2024
| # | Event | When | Format |
| 1 | “Engaging Minds: Active Learning Strategies for Public Health Education” by Tiffany F. Haynes, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education | Thursday, Sept 12, 2024, 12-1pm | Zoom |
| 2 | “Uncommon Sense Teaching” Book Discussion Community, facilitated by Helen Hu, Associate Professor & Director of ESSC, Academic Affairs | Friday, Sept 27, 2024, 12-1pm | Zoom |
| 3 | “Working with Students with Disabilities in the Health Sciences”, by Michelle Zengulis, M.S., UAMS Title IX/ADA Coordinator | Thursday, Oct 10, 2024, 12-1pm | Zoom |
| 4 | “Uncommon Sense Teaching” Book Discussion Community, facilitated by Helen Hu, Associate Professor & Director of ESSC, Academic Affairs | Friday, Oct 25, 2024, 12-1pm | Zoom |
| 5 | “Transforming Clicks into Connections: A Quality Matters Workshop for Engaging Online Learners at UAMS”, by Scott Wright, ED. D., Assistant Professor, Instructional Design, OED | Thursday, Nov 14, 12-1pm | Zoom |
Teaching Workshops
- Thursday, Sept 12, 2024, by Tiffany F. Haynes, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, Zoom
Title: Engaging Minds: Active Learning Strategies for Public Health Education
Abstract: Effective public health education demands innovative and effective teaching strategies to prepare students for the complexities of modern health challenges. This presentation explores active learning strategies that enhance student engagement, deepen understanding, and foster critical thinking skills essential for public health professionals.
- Thursday, Oct 10, 2024, by Michelle Zengulis, M.S., UAMS Title IX/ADA Coordinator
Title: Working with Students with Disabilities in the Health Sciences
Abstract: Workings with students with disabilities can sometimes be a challenge if you don’t know what you can and cannot do. This presentation will focus on how to communicate and work with students with disabilities, what the most common disabilities are at UAMS, and the barriers that these students encounter in the classroom and clinical setting and what we can do to make UAMS a more inclusive space for all students.
- Thursday, Nov 14, 2024, by Scott Wright, ED. D., Assistant Professor, Instructional Design, OED
Title: Transforming Clicks into Connections: A Quality Matters Workshop for Engaging Online Learners at UAMS
Abstract: Curious about what makes a truly great online course? In this workshop, we will demystify the Quality Matters rubric, a nationally recognized standard for creating exceptional online learning experiences. Discover research-backed best practices tailored specifically for healthcare faculty and learn how to apply the rubric to design engaging, student-centered courses that foster active learning and promote student success. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to enhance your existing courses, this workshop will provide a comprehensive overview and actionable strategies to ensure your online instruction meets the highest quality standards.
Please click on this link to sign up for the Workshops.
Learning Communities
Less formally structured than traditional professional development, learning network activities offer opportunities to learn and grow as professionals with support from a diverse network of people and resources.
“Uncommon Sense Teaching” Book Discussion Group
(Fridays, Sept 27, Oct 25, 2024, 12-1 p.m., via Zoom, facilitated by: Dr. Helen Hu)
Join us for a study of “Uncommon Sense Teaching: Practical Insights in Brain Science to Help Students Learn” Published– June 15, 2021
by Barbara Oakley PhD (Author), Beth Rogowsky EdD (Author), Terrence J. Sejnowski (Author)
Top 10 Pick for Learning Ladders’ Best Books for Educators Summer 2021
“A groundbreaking guide to improve teaching based on the latest research in neuroscience, from the bestselling author of A Mind for Numbers.
Neuroscientists and cognitive scientists have made enormous strides in understanding the brain and how we learn, but little of that insight has filtered down to the way teachers teach. Uncommon Sense Teaching applies this research to the classroom for teachers, parents, and anyone interested in improving education. Topics include:
• keeping students motivated and engaged, especially with online learning
• helping students remember information long-term, so it isn’t immediately forgotten after a test
• how to teach inclusively in a diverse classroom where students have a wide range of abilities”
— (from the Amazon description).
To get the most out of the opportunities for reading, the ESSC will provide a complimentary copy of the book “Uncommon Sense Teaching: Practical Insights in Brain Science to Help Students Learn”. If you have not received your book yet, please email Dana Pickett at DEPickett@uams.edu to arrange for a time to pick up your book or to deliver your book by interdepartmental mail as soon as possible.
This book discussion will have consecutive monthly meetings to read and discuss one to two chapters of the book each time until March 2025. You are welcome to join us for the meetings even if you have not signed up for those sessions.
Finally, to make this book discussion more accessible, we will use a Zoom only format. All participants will receive a reminder with a Zoom link before the start of the book club meetings. We are looking forward to seeing you at our book discussion meetings on Fridays, from noon to 1:00!
Please click on this link to sign up for the Book Discussion.
Please check our webpage for Continuing Education information.