OFD Newsletter: January 19, 2021

Spring 2021 Reading Circles

Registration is open now through January 28 for OFD’s Spring 2021 Reading Circles.
Our Spring 2021 Reading Circle selection is Teach Students How to Learn: Strategies You Can Incorporate into Any Course to Improve Student Metacognition, Study Skills, and Motivation by Saundra Yancy McGuire with Stephanie McGuire (Stylus, 2015, 288 pages).

What is preventing your students from performing according to expectations? Saundra McGuire offers a simple but profound answer: If you teach students how to learn and give them simple, straightforward strategies to use, they can significantly increase their learning and performance. Saundra McGuire, the keynote speaker for our 2021 Teaching and Learning Symposium, has been acclaimed for her presentations and workshops on metacognition and student learning because the tools and strategies she shares have enabled faculty to facilitate dramatic improvements in student learning and success. This book encapsulates the model and ideas she has developed in the past fifteen years, ideas that are being adopted by an increasing number of faculty with considerable effect.

The NC State University Libraries provides unlimited ebook access to Teach Students How to Learn: https://catalog.lib.ncsu.edu/catalog/NCSU4678261. OFD will not be distributing physical copies this semester.

Our Spring 2021 Reading Circles will be fully online and synchronous, with meetings held in Zoom. All meeting dates and times have been preset by OFD; you just need to sign up for the schedule that best suits you:

• Tuesdays, 2:00 p.m.: February 2, February 23, March 16, April 6
• Tuesdays, 2:00 p.m.: February 9, March 2, March 23, April 13
• Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m.: February 3, February 24, March 17, April 7
• Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m.: February 10, March 3, March 24, April 14
• Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m.: February 3, February 24, March 17, April 7
• Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m.: February 10, March 3, March 24, April 14
• Wednesdays, 3:00 p.m.: February 3, February 24, March 17, April 7
• Wednesdays, 3:00 p.m.: February 10, March 3, March 24, April 14
• Thursdays, 9:00 a.m.: February 4, February 25, March 18, April 8
• Thursdays, 9:00 a.m.: February 11, March 4, March 25, April 15
• Thursdays, 2:00 p.m.: February 4, February 25, March 18, April 8
• Thursdays, 2:00 p.m.: February 11, March 4, March 25, April 15
• Fridays, 9:00 a.m.: February 5, February 26, March 19, April 9
• Fridays, 9:00 a.m.: February 12, March 5, March 26, April 16
• Fridays, 2:00 p.m.: February 5, February 26, March 19, April 9
• Fridays, 2:00 p.m.: February 12, March 5, March 26, April 16

Register for Reading Circles here

Fostering learning in the sciences via creativity with BioRender

Today on OFD’s blog, Faculty Forum, Erin McKenney, Assistant Professor and Director of Undergraduate Programs, Applied Ecology, discusses the use of BioRender to facilitate visual learning and creativity in science courses.

Check it out here

Equity for Women Awards Deadline Extended AND Sisterhood Celebration Registration is Open!

The NC State Council on the Status of Women has the extended the nomination deadline for the 2021 Equity for Women Awards and has also opened registration for this year’s Sisterhood Celebration.

Equity for Women Awards
Nominations will close on January 25, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. You are encouraged to consider nominating a faculty, staff or student who has been committed to the advocacy of gender equity in everyday life at NC State. Please nominate worthy candidates by completing the 2021 Equity for Women Award Nomination Form.

You can learn more about the award and criteria at go.ncsu.edu/sisterhood.

Sisterhood Celebration – Registration Open
While we would typically come together in person for a dinner, this year’s Sisterhood Celebration will be taking place FREE via YouTube Premier. Participants will be able to engage real time with our speakers and other participants via the chat function. We hope that you will join us to celebrate, congratulate the Equity for Women Award winners, and hear stories shared by members of our community.
Sisterhood Celebration
“Normal Never Was”
February 22, 2021
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m
Registration is required. Please register individually at go.ncsu.edu/sisterhood.
If you have any questions please email sisterhooddinner@ncsu.edu.

Fulbright Informational Session

Appalachian State University is hosting a virtual workshop on Fulbright Scholar Opportunities as part of their Fulbright Week, and are inviting NC State faculty to join this informational session. The session will take place on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM and will be facilitated by Kimberly Williams, Outreach & Recruitment Officer, Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, Institute of International Education.

• A flyer for the event can be found here.
• Registration for this Zoom session can be accessed here (through the IIE registration).

Student Mental Health Resources for Faculty: A Guide for Helping Students in Distress

The disruption and uncertainty caused by the pandemic is affecting students’ mental health. From amped-up stress levels to ever increasing rates of anxiety and depression, students’ day-to-day wellbeing and academic success are under threat. As a faculty member, you are often on the front lines for identifying students who may be struggling or whose behavior raises concern about their well-being. You can make a difference in the life of a student by connecting them to support services early, while recognizing your limits and protecting your time and energy. If you’re not sure where to begin or fear that you’ll be “out of your wheelhouse,” here are some suggestions to help guide you in efforts to help students.

Upcoming Events

Monday, January 25

• Mindful Mondays, 9:00 a.m.

Friday, January 29

• Faculty Chat Café, 9:00 a.m.

Monday, February 1

• Mindful Mondays, 9:00 a.m.

Tuesday, February 2

• Back to Basics: Active Learning and Student Engagement, 2:00 p.m.

Friday, February 5

• Faculty Chat Café, 9:00 a.m.