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| Sept. 20, 2022 Dear Fall 2022 instructors, Now that the fall semester is in full swing, how can we keep the excitement going? To help students engage in their classes for better learning, we encourage you to review the “Tips for Enhancing Academic Engagement” document that all instructors and students received in their campus mailboxes or residence halls during Week 1. Using evidence-based suggestions to boost engagement can make a profound difference in student learning, as highlighted on the Student Success website. Following are other key points, helpful reminders, and instructional resources. Purdue System-Wide Forum We hope you'll join us virtually Thurs., Sept. 29, for the Purdue System-Wide Forum featuring two keynote talks and 20 different breakout sessions. The theme is “Meeting Students Where They Are: Promoting Learner-Centered Success and Belonging.” This year includes many sessions for faculty and instructors such as “Purdue's Framework for Teaching Excellence: Promoting Learner-Centered Success and Belonging, “Students First - Designing Our Assessments Around the Needs of Students,” and “Diversity in Design! Incorporating DEI in Course Design.” The keynote talks are: -“A Sense of Belonging: An Equity Imperative for Higher Education,” presented by Royel Johnson, associate professor of higher education with tenure in the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California. -“State Perspectives on Success and Belonging,” presented by Karrah Herring, Indiana’s first chief equity, inclusion and opportunity officer, and Chris Lowery, Indiana commissioner for higher education. Sessions occur virtually throughout the day via Zoom Events. Register today to create your itinerary. We have been asked for further clarification regarding students who must miss class due to COVID isolation versus those covered under the new Medically Excused Absences Policy (MEAP). Following are some key points: -For details on the MEAP, please see the email sent to all instructors on Aug. 15, 2022. -As stated in that email, absence due to COVID-19 isolation will continue to be handled separately from MEAPS, as it has been since Fall 2020, via COVID absence notifications. We expect instructors to work with and accommodate students who must isolate, but there is not an official policy because situations vary. ODOS will issue a notification to instructors when a student’s absence is COVID-related. Isolation is typically five days now, as Purdue follows CDC guidelines, so the impact is diminished compared to previous semesters. -If a student were to become severely ill with COVID – which is rare – such that their situation is emergent or urgent, then the MEAP policy is an option. Instructors are encouraged to complete an Academic Early Alert form if they have concerns about a student’s engagement or progress in their course. Possible concerns include: -Student has missed or performed poorly on one or more assignments. -Student has missed or performed poorly on one or more exams (or similar). -Poor attendance is jeopardizing student’s grade. -Student is not responding to instructor outreach. -Student is not participating in course/has not accessed Brightspace.Instructors are also invited to make recommendations (e.g. withdraw from the course, supplemental instruction). The information will be shared with the student’s academic advisor, who will reach out to the student to engage them in a conversation about their progress. More details on Academic Early Alert and other alerts, training, and resources for staff and faculty are available on the BoilerConnect student success system website. Instructional resources, workshops -Technology Advocates are immediately available to assist instructors with Brightspace and other educational technologies or provide remote access for students who may need to isolate or quarantine. You can simply submit this request form for a Technology Advocate for your courses. -Instructional training and workshops, as well as daily drop-in help sessions are available to Fall instructors. To see a full calendar and register, visit the Training@Purdue website. Staff from Purdue's Teaching and Learning Technology department are also available to host custom workshops for campus units, departments, and colleges. Topics available for custom sessions include Brightspace, Accessibility, Gradescope, and more. Please complete this form to request a custom session. -You may also email InnovativeLearningTeam@purdue.edu to request a free consultation with an instructional developer. -Instructional Data Processing (IDP) supports the educational process at Purdue University by providing accurate test scoring, Gradescope scanning, proctors for in-person exams and course evaluation services. See the IDP website for details on services. IDP offices are open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and closed 1-2 p.m. Wednesdays. -The next Teaching and Learning Community of Practice (TLCoP) session will take place on Mon., Oct. 24, 3-4 p.m., and will address writing feedback and assessment, including practical approaches. Register for each monthly remote session. Accessibility to approved accommodations is a critical commitment that all members of the Purdue community make to our students. Instructors are reminded to work with students to ensure that appropriate accommodations are in place for fall courses. The Disability Resource Center (DRC) remains open to consulting with faculty to help think through student access. The DRC recently launched a Usable Materials Center (UMC) to remove barriers for instructors aiming to improve the usability and accessibility of their course materials. Services include no-cost material conversion and video captioning services. The UMC is also ramping up to soon provide instructors with accessibility checks, workshops, and more. Read more about the UMC In addition to launching the Usable Materials Center, the DRC has also published several resources to help staff and instructors create accessible materials, events, and courses: -Creating Accessible Events -Steps to Leaps Discussions and Dialogues series continues on Thurs., Sept. 22. Attend in person or virtually to participate in this campus-wide effort to foster lifelong habits and promote student growth. -Please encourage your students to participate in the inaugural Campus Well-Being and Belonging data collection that launches the week of Oct. 24. See details from IDA+A. -September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. See this recent Purdue Today article for warning signs, support, and resources. -University flu shots events have begun. Check out this Purdue Today article for the schedule. -Thurs., Sept. 22, Steps to Leaps Discussions and Dialogues -Thurs., Sept. 29, Purdue System-Wide Forum -Mon.-Tues., Oct. 10-11, October Break, no classes -Mon., Oct. 24, TLCoP Writing Feedback and Assessment session -Tues., Oct. 25, Last day to withdraw from a course with a W or WF grade. Instructor deadline for mid-semester academic progress feedback in 10000-49900 courses. As always, reach out if you have suggestions, questions, or need assistance. Prof. Jenna L. Rickus Vice Provost for Teaching & Learning Prof. of Agricultural & Biological Engineering and Prof. of Biomedical Engineering Purdue University 610 Purdue Mall|100 Hovde| West Lafayette, IN 47907-2040 765-494-0615 Prof. Heather L. Servaty-Seib Associate Vice Provost for Teaching & Learning Prof. of Counseling Psychology Purdue University 610 Purdue Mall | 100 Hovde | West Lafayette, IN 47907-2040 765-494-0615
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