Faculty Workshops

Previous Workshops

2023

Using Project Based Learning, March 23, 10:30, 612M

This hands-on, active event was presented by Dr. Garabet Kazanjian.

What Faculty will Get Out of This Event:
An understanding of the Project Based Learning method of instruction
Reasons why you should use this method (importance and effectiveness)
Implementation tips to ensure a great educational experience (by both students and the instructor)

Peer Observations: Get trained to be a Peer Classroom Observer, February 8, 14:30, 2023 Akian Art Gallery

This event highlighted the importance and benefits of classroom/teaching observations and present three different techniques: Professional Observation, Peer Observation, and Self-Evaluation. The event specifically provided hands-on training to make all attendees CTL-certified Peer Observers. The idea behind this active event was to help all instructors develop a mindset of continuous improvement.

 

New Faculty Orientation, January 17, 2023, 208E PAB

New Faculty Orientation aims to welcome and support new (and newish) faculty in becoming familiar with university people, places, programs, and policies and procedures.

 

Instructional Design Certificate Course, January 11, 12, 13 13:00-16:00, 208E PAB 

Take your teaching skills to the next level! Join us for a three-day intensive hands-on certification course on instructional design, where you'll learn how to design effective and engaging learning experiences for your students.

Focusing on student-centered instruction, exploring the key concepts of student learning outcomes, assessment strategies, and instructional strategies, you'll learn how to use various pedagogical approaches, such as discussion, role-play/scenario, problem-based learning, and more, to motivate and challenge your students.

You’ll learn powerful questioning techniques to help you facilitate deep learning and critical thinking. Plus, we'll delve into the use of artificial intelligence in education, incorporating AI tools/resources (such as ChatGPT) into your teaching practice.

By the end of the course, you'll have the skills and knowledge to create dynamic, student-centered lessons that drive meaningful learning and achievement. Don't miss this opportunity to become a certified instructional design expert – register today at https://forms.gle/Z7SAqxpSBsyQ8QKv8

About the Presenters:

  • Dr. Brent A. Anders, Director of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment, Center for Teaching and Learning, Adjunct Lecturer at AUA
  • Suzan Sahakyan, M.A., Assessment Coordinator for the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment, Center for Teaching and Learning

 

2022

Brown Bag: This Semester's Teaching Experience, December 15, 2 pm, Faculty Center

This event was designed to be an open discussion about Faculty's experiences this semester. Come and go as you have time and share your thoughts and opinions, ask questions, give answers, or just enjoy some networking time. We will have coffee, tea, and sweets.

Minimizing Violations of Academic Integrity, November 15, 13:00, Akian Art Gallery

The session addressed the issue of academic integrity by providing tips, techniques, and specific recommendations on what can be done within the classroom to help prevent cheating and dishonesty, which are violations of academic integrity. The speakers presented and discussed instructional techniques, class structure, and testing procedures. The audience also had a chance to share ideas and experiences, allowing AUA’s scholarly community to learn from one another and develop.

About the Speakers:

 

"How to be a super student " presentation for RN- to -BSN Students, October  31

YEREVAN, Armenia — On October 31, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program of the American University of Armenia (AUA) Turpanjian College of Health Sciences (CHS) hosted a developmental event. The event featured a presentation by Dr Brent A. Anders, author of the book How to Be a Super Student: Based on Science and Experience, and director of the AUA Office of Institutional Research and Assessment and Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). His presentation covered segments from his book especially geared to currently enrolled RN-to-BSN (registered nurse to BSN) students.

Neuroscience of memory: Applications for Teaching and Learning, October 25, 15:00, Akian Art Gallery

The event addressed the topic of memory and learning and was presented by Dr Rubina Danilova, neuroscience specialist and CSE operations manager.

 

Strategic Dialogue Conference: Equity and Inclusion through Student-Centered Instruction, October 15

The event addressed the topic of addressing Equity and Inclusion through student-centred pedagogy.

 

Classroom Observations: Get trained to be a Peer Classroom Observer, October 11, 11:00, Akian Art Gallery

This event highlighted the importance and benefits of classroom/teaching observations and present three different techniques: Professional Observation, Peer Observation, and Self-Evaluation. The event specifically provided hands-on training to make all attendees CTL-certified Peer Observers. The idea behind this active event was to help all instructors develop a mindset of continuous improvement.

 

Adult Learning Principles, September 29, 2022, Faculty Lounge, PAB

An interactive presentation covering aspects of Adult Learning Principles and how understanding these can help you better understand your students, yielding an enhanced teaching and learning experience.

About the Speakers:

Dr. Hagop Yacoubian, Dean and Associate Professor, College of Humanities & Social Sciences. Dr. Brent A. Anders, Director of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment and Adjunct Lecturer.

 

Faculty Retreat, August 23, 2022,  Yot Qar, Garni

All AUA faculty -- full-time, adjunct, and visiting --  participated in this exciting event to celebrate our work and commitment as educators, scholars, and citizens.

This year’s agenda was undemanding and included a couple of discussion sessions on teaching and learning, team-building activities and communication games, an optional guided tour to the one-of-a-kind temple of Garni, as well as musical surprises.

New Faculty Orientation August 19, 2022, 308E PAB

New Faculty Orientation aims to welcome and support new (and newish) faculty in becoming familiar with university people, places, programs, policies, and procedures. It is also a great opportunity to meet with each other and the facilitators, to clarify questions you may have as well as to get acquitted with the campus facilities.

Instructional Course Design and Engagement, August 16, 2022, 308E PAB

CTL  put on a face-to-face & live presentation on 16 Aug dealing with Instructional Course Design and Engagement

This interactive presentation discussed the key aspects of instructional design in order to make your course as effective as possible. The important aspect of student engagement was also addressed.

Syllabus Preparation Open office hours, July 15, 18, 2022

Course Syllabus Preparation Open Office Hours are ideal times for faculty to drop by and talk with the assessment coordinator about the syllabus, especially if the members of the faculty would like to discuss developing course-based Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), aligning student learning outcomes, aligning methods of evaluation and/or assignments to SLOs, or anything else related to the syllabus.

Q&A Session on Avoiding using Pure Lecture in the Classroom, June 30, 2022

American University of Armenia (AUA) Office of Institutional Research and Assessment, Director Brent A. Anders and Assessment Coordinator Syuzanna Sahakyan facilitated a special Question and Answering (Q&A) event as part of AUA’s Center for Teaching and Learning. The live webinar event was titled “Q&A: Avoid a Pure Lecture Class Format” and was held on 30 June 2022.

Q&A Link: Avoid Pure Lecture Style 

Enhancing Research Impact: Institutional Repository & the Web of Science, May 3, 2022

Library experts will highlight ways that professors can greatly enhance their research impact through the use of AUA’s institutional repository and by fully understanding and using the Web of Science. Additionally, a subject matter expert will be on hand to answer any questions dealing with copyright.

Facilitated by AUA Papazian Library Staff

Presentation: Introduction to Web of Science

Advanced Uses of Moodle and Other Tech Tools, April 28, 2022

This hands-on workshop familiarized faculty with advanced uses of Moodle and other tools in order to make the best use of them in the classroom. Faculty practiced creating interactive content through the H5P interactive media tool in Moodle, setting up social reading activities through the Hypothes.is annotation tool, using Moodle reports to track student/participant activity, as well as using interactive polling tools, such as Poll Everywhere.

Facilitator: Tatevik Zargaryan, Library Systems and Electronic Services Librarian

AI in Higher Education: Adverse Distraction or Helpful Tool: March 25, 2022

As AI continues to develop and become more prevalent in higher education and all industries, it is important for the faculty to understand it and see how it is important to their teaching and student learning experience. This presentation, run as a Q/A session, familiarized faculty with the new realities of modern technology, highlighted how it can help students and faculty and explored how it can complicate learning if not properly used.

Special guest presentation facilitated by Armen Kherlopian and Brent Anders

 

Classroom Management: Brown Bag Discussion, February 28, 2022

Effective classroom management enhances student engagement and directly correlates with student achievement (Marzano et al, 2003). A key to successful classroom management is use a holistic approach to managing students by establishing a positive climate in the classroom, building quality teacher-student relationships, and using a wide variety of classroom management strategies (Hardin, 2014; Seeman, 2010). This leads to better rapport, smoother running classes, and improved student learning.

Facilitators: Brent Anders, Anna Gevorgyan

Handout: Classroom Management Strategies

 

Instructional Design Certificate Workshop for AUA Faculty

This four-day professional development workshop supported faculty in continuing to enhance their teaching skills by improving their course-design approaches and incorporating more active learning strategies.  Various components of instructional design were covered, such as using backward design to course development, constructive alignment, formative and summative assessment, scaffolding student learning,  and embedding active learning strategies in teaching and learning. Faculty that attended all four days of the workshop earned a certificate of completion in instructional design.

Facilitator: Anna Gevorgyan, Adjunct lecturer, MATEFL

Presentations:

Day 1: Course Outcomes and SLOs

Day 2: Course Alignment

Day 3: Assessment Strategies

Day 4: Active Learning Strategies

 

Spring New Faculty Orientation 2022

Presentation: New Faculty Orientation Spring 2022 Agenda

Presentation: AUA Students An Overview

Presentation: Human Resources: What do I need to know

Presentation: ICTS

Presentation: Office of Student Affairs

Presentation: Counseling and Disability Services

Presentation: Math and Writing Center

Presentation: Policies: What New Faculty Should Know

Presentation: Teaching and Learning

2021

- August

Pandemic, war and resiliency (or survival): the challenges we have all faced
Presenter: Garine Papazian-Zohrabian
Presentation: Post-war and post-pandemic educational realities and tools

Classroom Questioning.
Facilitator: Anna Gevorgyan, Lecturer, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Presentation: Classroom Questioning

Moving back on site: Classroom Management. 
Facilitator: Roza Selimyan

Teaching First-Year Students.
Facilitator: Suzanne Daghlian
Presentation: Teaching First Year students

Aligning learning activities and methods of evaluation to student learning outcomes: Improving Outcome-based Instruction.
Facilitator: Anna Gevorgyan, Lecturer, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Presentation: Aligning learning activities and methods of evaluation to student learning outcomes: Improving Outcome-based Instruction.

Developing course-based student learning outcomes. 
Facilitator: Anna Gevorgyan, Lecturer, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Presentation: Developing course-based student learning outcomes.

An Introduction to Hypothesis. A Moodle Tool to Help Students Read and Write in an Online Environment.
Facilitator: Jeremy Dean

August 19. 6:00 PM. Post-war and post-pandemic educational realities and tools. (On Zoom)
Presenter: Presenter: Garine Papazian-Zohrabian

Fall New Faculty Orientation 2021
Presentation: New Faculty Orientation Fall 2021 Agenda
Presentation: AUA Students An Overview
Presentation: Human Resources: What do I need to know
Presentation: ICTS
Presentation: Office of Student Affairs
Presentation: Counseling and Disability Services 
Presentation: Math and Writing Center
Presentation: Policies: What New Faculty Should Know
Presentation: Teaching and Learning
Handout: Moodle How To
Handout: Library Guide
Handout: Math and Writing Center Pamphlet Online

Providing Positive and Constructive Feedback on Student Writing (On Zoom)
Facilitator: Alina Gharabegian, Associate Professor at New Jersey City University
Presentation: Responding to Student Work

Course Syllabus Preparation Open Office Hours.

Introduction to Moodle. 

Photovoice methods in teaching and research.
Facilitator: Inna Mirzoyan, Fulbright Scholar and PhD Candidate in Sociology, Michigan State University
Presentation: Photovoice in Research and Teaching Methods

 - June

Faculty Workshop: Open Educational Resources: An Introduction. What are OERs and what resources are available for teaching and research, and library subscribed multidisciplinary databases. Facilitator: Hasmik Galstyan, Head of Reference / Circulation Department, AUA AGBU Papazian Library

Faculty Workshop: An Introduction to Hypothesis.  A Moodle Tool to Help Students Read and Write in an Online Environment.
Facilitator: Becky George, Customer Success Specialist, Liquid Margins: Hypothesis.

Faculty Workshop: Developing course-based student learning outcomes.
Presentation: Course-Based SLOs
Facilitator: Anna Gevorgyan, Lecturer, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

- March
Webinar: The effects of the war and the pandemic on learning –Understanding in order to improve intervention.
Presenter: Garine Papazian-Zohrabian, associate professor in the Department of Psycho-Pedagogy and Andragogy of the Faculty of Education of the University of Montreal, the scientific Director of the interdisciplinary research group on refugee and asylum seeking families (FRQSC)

- January

Faculty Brown Bag, Scaffolding Assignments: Feedback for better learning.  (How large assignments can be scaffold to provide students with ample opportunity to learn.
Presenters: Norayr Ben Ohanian, Adjunct Lecturer Acopian Center for the Environment; Melissa Brown, Adjunct Lecturer College of Humanities and Social Sciences;  Theofanis Varvoglis, Professor College of Business & Economics.

Spring New Faculty Orientation 2021.
Presentation: New Faculty Orientation Spring 2021 Welcome
Presentation: AUA Students An Overview
Presentation: Policies: What New Faculty Should Know
Presentation:  Teaching and Learning
Presentation:  AUA Office of Student Affairs
Presentation:  Math and Writing Center: Concept and Services
Presentation: Human Resources
Handout:  Library Guide

Quizzes in Moodle.
Facilitator Yevgenya Paturyan, Associate Professor College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Open Educational Resources: An Introduction.  What are OERs and what resources are available for teaching and research.
 Facilitator: Hasmik Galstyan, Head of Reference / Circulation Department, AUA AGBU Papazian Library.

Using the Workshop Activity in Moodle.
How to use the Moodle Workshop activity for project-based learning and evaluating the implementation of real life projects.
Facilitators: Tatevik Avetisyan, Adjunct Lecturer College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Tatevik Zargaryan, Library Systems and Electronic Services Librarian.

Aligning learning activities and methods of evaluation to student learning outcomes: Improving Outcome-based Instruction.  
Facilitator: Anna Gevorgyan, Lecturer, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Advanced Moodle Tools: Creating Interactive Content in Moodle with H5P.
Facilitators: Maro Aghazarian, Adjunct Lecturer, College of Science and Engineering, and Parandzem Sargsyan, Institutional Research Manager

Developing course-based student learning outcomes.
Facilitator: Anna Gevorgyan, Lecturer, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

An Introduction to Hypothesis: A Moodle Tool to Help Students Read and Write in an Online Environment.
Facilitator: Becky George, Customer Success Specialist, Liquid Margins: Hypothesis.

2020

- December

Developing Course-Based Learning Outcomes.
Facilitator: Anna Gevorgyan, Lecturer, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Presentation:Developing Course-Based Student Learning Outcomes.

Aligning Assignments to Student Learning Outcomes.
Facilitator: Anna Gevorgyan, Lecturer, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Presentation: Aligning Teaching and Learning to Course Outcomes.

Advanced Moodle Tools: Creating Interactive Content in Moodle with H5P. Facilitators: Maro Aghazaryan, Zaven & Sonia Akian College of Science & Engineering and Parandzem Sargsyan, Institutional Research Manager

Workshop Tool in Moodle.  Facilitators: Tatevik Avetisyan, Adjunct Lecturer at College of Humanities & Social Sciences, and Tatevik Zargaryan, Library Systems and Electronic Services Librarian

Open Educational Resources: An Introduction.  What are OERs and what resources are available for teaching and research. Facilitator: Hasmik Galstyan, Head of Reference / Circulation Department, AUA AGBU Papazian Library.

Moodle and Zoom Tools for Teaching.  This webinar is an introduction for the faculty to various Moodle and Zoom tools to enhance teaching and learning. Tools such as discussion boards; chat; quizzes; surveys and feedback; and creating and integrating interactive content such as videos, quizzes, games, presentations through H5P.
Tatevik Zargaryan, Library Systems and Electronic Services Librarian
Presentation: Moodle and Zoom Tools for Teaching

Structuring your online course: Course rhythm and deadline days.
Facilitator: Alex Vartan Gubbins, Adjunct Lecturer • College of Humanities & Social Sciences.

An Introduction to Hypothesis: A Moodle Tool to Help Students Read and Write in an Online Environment.
Facilitator: Elitza Kotzeva, Assistant Professor College of Humanities & Social Sciences.

- October

Faculty Brown Bag: Research Ethics. Looking Back and Looking Forward
Facilitator: Kristina Akopian
Useful Links:
https://aua.am/aua-institutional-review-board-guidebook/
https://chsrmd.aua.am/

Faculty Professional Development Webinar:  Advanced Moodle Tools: Creating Interactive Content in Moodle with H5P
Facilitators: Maro Aghazarian, Parandzem Sargsyan, Yevgenya Paturyan
Presentation: Advanced Moodle Tools: Creating Interactive Content in Moodle with H5P

- September

Faculty Brown Bag Discussion: Talking With Students About The Current Situation 
Facilitators: Yevgeny Paturyan, Associate Professor; and Steven Donatelle, Adjunct Lecturer

Faculty Brown Bag Discussion: Strategies that work (and maybe add some that didn’t) in online teaching and asynchronous learning. Engaging students.
Facilitator: Vahram Elagoz, Adjunct Lecturer Acopian Center for the Environment

Faculty Brown Bag Discussion: Classroom Activities and Assignments with Hypothesis
Facilitator: Elitza Kotzeva

Workshop: Creating and Using Quizzes in Moodle
Facilitator: Yevgenya Paturyan

- August

Faculty Retreat 2020-2021 sessions (online)

Presentation: Tips for teaching online from faculty who taught this summer
Presentation: Updates from HR

New Faculty Orientation 2020-2021 (online)
Presentation: Agenda
Presentation: AUA Students An Overview
Presentation: Policies What New Faculty Should Know
Presentation: Teaching and Learning
Presentation: AUA Office of Student Affairs
Presentation: Human Resources
Presentation: Office of Student Affairs: Services and Disability Services

Workshop: Considerations in Online Teaching: Synchronous vs Asynchronous (will be held in Armenian)/ Առցանց դասընթաց` Նկատառումներ առցանց դասավանդման վերաբերյալ՝ համաժամանակյա և տարաժամանակյա ուսուցում (լեզուն՝ հայերեն)
Facilitator: Roza Selimyan
Presentation: Նկատառումներ առցանց դասավանդման վերաբերյալ Համաժամանակյա և ապաժամանակյա ուսուցում/ Considerations in Online Teaching Synchronous vs Asynchronous Learning in Armenian

-July

Workshop: Tools for online teaching and learning

Workshopping your course: preparing for online teaching (CHSS, SPH, and Gen Ed Faculty)
Facilitator: Roza Selimyan

Faculty brown bag discussion:  Sharing online teaching strategies
Presenters: AUA Faculty Members Brent Anders, Hasmik Khalapyan, Vahe Odabashian

- June

Considerations in Online Teaching: Synchronous vs Asynchronous Learning (CBE, CSE Faculty)
Facilitator: Roza Selimyan

- April

Faculty Workshop: Teaching with Technology
Facilitator: AGBU Library staff

- March

Faculty Workshop: Intro to Hypothesis--Annotation Tool in Moodle
Facilitator: Elitza Kotzeva

Faculty Workshop: Using the Bells and Whistles in Zoom
Facilitator: Satenik Mnatsakanyan

- February

Faculty Brown Bag: Making Group Work 'Work'
Handout: Group Work
Handout: Group Work Strategies to Ensure Students Pull Their Weight Faculty Focus
Handout: Group Work: How to Create & Manage Groups Center for Teaching Innovation
Handout: Challenges of Group Work

Faculty Workshop. Providing Positive and Constructive Feedback to Student Writing.
Presenter: Elitza Kotzeva
Presentation: Feedback to Student Writing
Handout: A Brief Guide of Responding to Student Writing
Handout: AFOSP Assessment Criteria
Handout: Deep Reading
Handout: Listening theories
Handout: Rhetorical Listening
Handout: Teach Writing as a Process Not Product
Handout: Tutoring ESL Students

- January

Faculty Workshop. Student Engagement/ Classroom Management
Presenter: Alen Amirkhanian


New Faculty Orientation
Presentation: Agenda
Presentation: AUA Students
Presentation: Office of Student Affairs
Presentation: Office of Student Affairs: Counseling Services and Disability Support Services
Presentation: Human Resources
Presentation: Moving Forward
Handout: Faculty Senate Bylaws, Faculty Senate Committees
Handout: Few Tips from Registrar

2019
  • October
    Faculty Brown Bag Discussion.  Principles of Effective College Teaching
    Presenters: Satenik Mnatsakanyan, Norayr Ben Ohanian, and Karena Avedisian
  • August
    Faculty Retreat (All-day event, off campus)
    New Faculty Orientation (One and a half-day event, on campus)
  • May
    Faculty Brown Bag Discussion. E-Resources
    Facilitated by Sargis Zeytunyan and Hasmik Galstyan
  • April
    Faculty Brown Bag Discussion. Faculty Research: Nanotechnology: Science of making small stuff do big things.
    Facilitated by Amalya Kostanyan
  • March
    Faculty Workshop. Project-Based Learning.
    Handouts are available to members of the AUA community upon request.

  • February

    Faculty Workshop. Classroom Assessment Techniques.
    Facilitated by Rubina Gasparyan.
    Presentation
    Handouts
2018
2017
  • May 2017: Project Based Learning
    Presentation
    Worksheet
  • May 2017: Faculty Brown Bag Discussion:  A recap of Integrating Information Literacy into Your Disciplinary Course, from the recent AMICAL Workshop
  • February 2017:  Faculty Brown Bag Discussion. Engaging and Active Learning and Assessment Strategies (including an introduction to www.polleverywhere.com)
2016
2015
2014
2013
  • 2013 May: Ugrad Program Chairs: Student Learning Assessment Plans: A review of direct and indirect evidence
  • 2013 April: Using Technology in the Classroom to Enhance Collaborative Learning Agenda Handout: Resources 
  • 2013 March: Undergraduate Course and Syllabus Development Presentation Handouts 
  • 2013 February: Introduction to eTexts Agenda Presentation Handout
2012
  • 2012 December: Undergraduate Assessment for Deans and Program Chairs
2011