"Caring in the Learning Environment: Helping Students and Teachers Grow" STAFF DEVELOPMENT SYMPOSIUM

STAFF DEVELOPMENT SYMPOSIUM

Saturday 21 October 2017

 “Caring in the Learning Environment: Helping Students and Teachers Grow”

PROGRAMME

9:45-10:00

WELCOME & OPENING ADDRESS

A short address in order to set the basic principles of learning and teaching underlining the NYC philosophy

Dr. Alexandra Kaoni, Director of Academic Affairs, New York College

10.00-11.00

Room A1

PLENARY TALK

Simon Walker

Head of Educational Development, University of Greenwich

Dr. Sally Alsford

Principal Lecturer, Deputy Head of Educational Development, University of Greenwich

‘Excellence in teaching and learning:  what does it mean and how do we achieve it?’

This presentation will explore the growing focus on teaching ‘excellence’ in Higher Education. It will present national UK policy and look at ways in which the University of Greenwich and its partners are responding to staff development initiatives in teaching and learning.

11.00-11.15

COFFEE BREAK

11:15-12:15

Room A3

(Lab)

WORKSHOP ON COLLEGE MOODLE

This is a hands-on workshop for colleagues who need assistance with using the NYC e-learning platform. Please make sure that you bring your own questions and materials so that you make the best out of this session.

Dr. Yiannis Pandithas, Dean, Department of Computing & Informatics, New York College

11:15-12:15

Room A4

Using and Misusing Videos in the Classroom: A Framework for Designing Video-based Lessons.

Short videos are increasingly present in classrooms providing authentic, engaging and multimodal input. Yet, the role of the learner in the lesson is often that of a passive viewer. Tutors themselves are often unsure as to how to use short videos effectively so as to maximize learners’ critical thinking and creative potential and also help develop their viewing skills. This workshop will suggest a framework for designing video-based lessons, advocating for a multi-dimensional approach that utilizes image, sound and editing to promote affective, cognitive and linguistic engagement with video materials.

Dr. Sylvia Karastathi, Senior Lecturer, Course Leader, Dpt of English Language, New York College

12:15-13:15

Room A3

Computational Thinking

Computational Thinking (CT) is the thought processes involved in formulating a problem and expressing its solution(s) in such a way that a computer can effectively carry out. CT is not only important for software development, but can also be applied to problem solving in math, science, and humanities courses. The mental process of CT includes abstraction, algorithm design, decomposition, pattern recognition, etc. and the outcomes may include automation, data representation, pattern generalization, etc. These skills are very important in the modern data-driven workplace and students exposed to CT can identify relationships across different subjects as well as among school and real life.

George Prokopakis, MSc,  Head of Computing Programs, SUNY/ESC at New York College

12:15-13:15

Room A4

Teaching Agility

Business Agility is the new adaptive business model for major companies that seek results, productivity and adaptability without having to change. The same philosophy can be used earlier... and teach our students to think out of the box, if we "the teachers" start to become more agile. The workshop will explore agility in areas such as 
purpose of learning and motivation, mindfulness in the classroom, cognitive diversity, Outdoor Stimulative Learning and others.

Costandina Sardini, MA, Business Consultant in Training and Communication, Lecturer at New York College

13:15-14:00

Room A8

LIGHT LUNCH BREAK

14:00-14:45

Room A1

PLENARY PRESENTATION

Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education, University of Greenwich

Taught in online blended mode, the PGCert in HE programme is a requirement for new university of Greenwich staff without a teaching qualification. This session provides an overview of the programme, and some insights into the experience for participants. As well as university staff at Greenwich, the programme also includes groups of staff at international partner institutions, and seeks to support participants in learning collaboratively, as they reflect critically on their practice and professional development, as they share experience and skills and encounter and try new approaches to teaching, learning, assessment and curriculum design.

Sally Alsford, SFHEA

Principal Lecturer, Deputy Head of EDU, University of Greenwich

Simon Walker, PFHEA, NTF

Head of EDU, University of Greenwich

14:45-15:30

Room A4

"What's your story?": Storytelling and phatic communication in the classroom

Narrativization, as a universal human cognitive process, organizes our subjective experience and produces interpersonal meaning, contributing significantly to the formation of individual and collective identities. Given that the very essence of storytelling lies in the interaction between the “author” and the audience, and the cooperative, discursive recreation of the story, this workshop explores the potentials of using narratives of various kinds as a teaching practice, in order to strengthen emotional bonds. Issues that will be discussed include, among others, the sources of inspiration, the narrative elements that make up a compelling story, stylistic resources, use of humor, politeness strategies etc.

Dr. Maria Kamilaki, Sociolinguist, Lecturer, Dpt of English Language, New York College

14:45-15:30

Room A5

Strategies and interventions to support students with learning difficulties

The aim of the session is not simply to describe strategies and interventions to support students with learning difficulties but to help participants to get a deeper understanding of their needs, of the impact of learning difficulties on their self-esteem and emotional stability.  In essence to put participants in the shoes of the students which is the prerequisite for acting as their allies.  

Dr. Kostas Ntinas, Special Educator, Principal, Speical Education Primary School, Larissa, PhD Supervisor, University of Bolton & New York College

15:30-15:45

COFFEE BREAK

15:45-16:45

Room  A4

PLENARY TALK

Simon Walker, PFHEA, NTF, Principal Lecturer, Head of Educational Development, University of Greenwich

Assessment for Learning

Assessment is a powerful educational tool and key driver for promoting effective learning. However, it is often poorly understood, designed or practiced. Teachers need to be exposed to assessments that have been shown to work well in improving learning outcomes and enhancing the wider student experience. This session will discuss different assessment methods (eg. exams, essays, group work etc.) and will focus on some key differences between assessment of learning and assessment for learning as well as effective feedback practice.

16:45 – 17:30

Room A4

Contemporary Teaching: Incorporating Psychoanalytic concepts to didactics

This presentation addresses the difficult issue of contemporary didactics mainly through the use of psychoanalytic concepts. Applying psychoanalytic concepts to contemporary pedagogics demands specific knowledge.

Firstly, the instructor must acknowledge the phenomena of transference and countertransference and be aware of the expressions of these otherwise normal procedures within the frame of a classroom. Secondly, the cornerstone of contemporary psychotherapy is the therapeutic relationship. The tutor can facilitate the formation and the maintenance of a strong bond between him/her and the student. This kind of relationship is of great importance in matters of delivering knowledge and achieving a corrective learning experience. Finally, the theory of group therapy could apply to modern teaching through the use of concepts such as “group dynamics” and “here and now experience”. 

Tsiakos Dimitrios, MSc,  Psychologist-Clinical Supervisor, Tutor, New York College

16:45 – 17:30

Room A1

Blended Learning: Engaging Students with Technology

The importance of engaging students with technology is analysed and discussed through the case of the State University of New York, Empire State College best practices. The talk aims to be interactive in order to allow participants share the challenges and opportunities from their own experience with students at ESC programmes in Athens.

Dr. Sheila Aird, Associate Professor, International Education Program Director, SUNY/ESC

17:30 – 18.00

Room A1

INTERACTIVE PLENARY PANEL