ELITE Digest – December 2023

Volume 3, Issue 4   |   ELITE Digest   |   December 2023

Welcome to the final edition of the ELITE Digest for 2023.

With Thanksgiving just passed, we step into December, a month filled with celebration and reflection for MC. As we near the winter break and the onset of a new year, there’s a perfect blend of final exam preparations and festive planning.

This year, ELITE is thrilled to support and spotlight our esteemed faculty during the Faculty Showcase under the theme “Working, Learning, and Growing Together.” We are excited to highlight the diverse and collaborative ways our faculty engages with students. Whether it’s through co-creating content, amplifying student voices within the curriculum, or integrating student feedback to enhance instructional methods and learning experiences, your stories are invaluable.

Preparation for the Spring semester is in full swing, with Professional Week being a highlight. On January 18, 2024, ELITE invites you to join over 30 virtual workshops, speed sessions, and featured presentations, all crafted to enrich our collaborative teaching and learning experience. Check out the full schedule and register early!

This December, we’re thrilled to offer more MC gear than ever for two lucky winners of our monthly H5P challenge. To participate, simply:

1.  Engage with this month’s ELITE Interactive Game (details below); and
2.  Submit your responses by 5:00 pm on Friday, December 8, 2023.

Winners will be chosen randomly and notified via email on December 11, 2023. For an additional chance to win, “like” the December ELITE Digest post on the Montgomery Employees Facebook page by the December 8 deadline.

From all of us at ELITE, we extend warm holiday wishes to you and your loved ones. We’re grateful for the opportunity to assist in your professional growth and development..

featured professional development

At-a-Glance – November

Faculty Showcase

This year, we are thrilled to announce the theme for our Professional Development: “Working, Learning, and Growing Together.” ELITE is eager to shed light on the multifaceted ways in which you, our esteemed faculty, collaborate with your students. Whether it’s co-creating content or instructional materials, amplifying their unique voices and experiences within the curriculum, or integrating their invaluable feedback to enrich both instructional methods and student learning experiences, we want to hear your stories! Learn more and register…

Professional Week

Starting from Monday, January 15, Spring 2024 Opening Week presents an array of professional development opportunities for faculty and staff members. These sessions, organized by the College and ELITE, are designed to help you start the semester with a flourish of Learning, Working, and Growing Together. All ELITE-sponsored events will be held on Thursday, January 18, via Zoom. Our focus is to enable you to reflect, grow, and gear up for the upcoming fall and beyond as we continue to evolve and transform over the past few years. Learn more and register…

virtual campus banner

Increased Student Access and Equity through Additional Fully Online Programs

The virtual campus continues to expand its reach and impact by offering unique opportunities for Montgomery College students. In our sustained effort to increase access and improve equity for all of our learner populations, the College now offers a total of 37 fully online degrees and certificates, which is an 85 percent increase from Fall 2022. The flexibility that these new online programs offers to students allows them to balance their academics with work, family, and other commitments, making education more accessible to a broader audience. With the expansive nature of these online programs, the opportunity to engage in a more global learning community creates a rich and diverse learning experience that goes beyond geographical boundaries. In these efforts, the virtual campus prioritizes high quality online course development and delivery, robust faculty professional development in online and remote teaching, and enhanced student engagement via open education. As we approach the two-year anniversary of the virtual campus, Montgomery College continues to be a catalyst for innovation, opportunities, inclusion, and equity. The comprehensive list of fully online programs can be found on the Distance Learning website.

For more information, please contact Dr. Shinta Hernandez, Dean of the Virtual Campus

multicultural moment

Exploring Folk Art

This issue of Multicultural Moments will highlight Folk Art, including its origins, alternative terms, examples, and museums that feature folk art. What is Folk Art? Folk art is often referred to as “art of the people” or art created by people within a culture by artists with no formal or academic training. Folk art can refer to music, stories, dance, or visual art containing elements reflective of the culture. Learn More about Multicultural Moment.

teaching tip of the month

Promoting Transparency and Reflection about the Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools 

Tip 1: Make the Policy Clear and Explain the Rationale

Whether you plan to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools into course assignments or want your students to avoid using them, make sure you state the policy up front in your syllabus and explain why it is in place. Learn More about Teaching Tip of the Month.

teaching technology tip of the month

Improve your workflow with Scribe!

What is Scribe?

Scribe is a Chrome extension that allows you to automatically create step-by-step guides for any process by recording your screen and typing text. This can be a great tool for creating educational materials, such as tutorials, how-to guides, and training manuals. Learn More about Teaching Tips with Technology.

return to work tip of the month

A Mid-Year Checkup on Feeling Overwhelmed

As we enter the holiday season and end the semester, it is easy to feel overwhelmed.  It may seem obvious that something needs to change.  Yet, change can also be overwhelming.  Another option is to try small experiments or test runs.  These small efforts can yield beneficial results. Learn More about @ Work Tip of the Month.

FOCUS ON: Learning Pathways

This month’s focus is on a third learning pathway, which has a focus on change in four areas.  Notice that several new classes are included this year. Learn More

highlights from our partners

HRSTM

Required Training

Each year, MC offers collegewide training that is required for all or select employees, depending on their role at the College. The required training for FY24 focuses on four (4) areas that are very relevant to the College’s current organizational priorities: Title IX, data security, racial equity, and substance abuse awareness. Learn more

MC Wellness

The MC Wellness program offers online classes and in-person classes daily for aqua fitness, cardio and strength circuits, desk stretching, pickleball, Pilates, Tai Ji, yoga, and Zumba.
All classes are complimentary for MC employees, their spouses, and retirees. MC employees and retirees are required to register before they can participate in the FY24 wellness program. Don’t delay; register for Open Fitness and MC Wellness today!

Office of Equity and Inclusion

Journey Toward Becoming an Antiracist Institution

This training promotes social justice, radical inclusion, and racial equity within the College and the broader community and continues the focus on the journey to being an antiracist institution.
This training is required for faculty and staff under HRSTM requirements.. Register for Journey Toward Becoming an Antiracist Institution

ELITE H5P Activity

montgomery college graduation

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