Volume 2, Issue 6 | ELITE Digest | March 2023
Welcome to March… it hard to believe that this month marks the third anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic. To give us a space to discuss COVID’s impact on our lives, we invite you to a special dialogue series to share your personal experiences, the changes we have made to adapt, and how we have coped with collective trauma. We will also discuss how we can integrate these lessons into our work and move forward toward a brighter future.
As we approach the midpoint of the semester, we know that many of you are working hard to achieve your academic goals. This is a great time to take a breather and recharge before the final stretch of the semester. Whether you plan on taking a vacation or spending time with loved ones, we hope that you make the most of this time to rejuvenate and come back refreshed. We encourage you to explore the various events and resources we have available this month, including a special Multicultural Monuments focusing on Art from Regions in Conflict, Open Education Week, and more. Let’s make March a month to remember!
If you believe you are lucky, we have more MC gear than ever to give to two winners of our monthly H5P challenge. To enter, all you must do is:
1. complete this month’s ELITE Interactive Game (see below); and
2. send us a copy of your answers by 5 pm on Friday, March 10, 2023.
Winners will be randomly selected and contacted via email on March 10, 2023. For an extra chance to win, “like” the March ELITE Digest post on the Montgomery Employees Facebook page by 5 pm on March 10, 2023.
Thank you for taking a moment to read this month’s Digest. The ELITE team is grateful to you for choosing us to support your professional development needs and grow together to support our students’ success.
If you have any questions or feedback about our latest edition of the ELITE Digest, please let us know or contact us through the various ASK ELITE channels.
Open Education Week
This week is MC’s 2023 Open Education Week. Throughout the week, different activities will help to raise awareness about free and open educational opportunities that exist for everyone, everywhere, right now.
Learn more about MC’s Open Education Week and the in-person and virtual events planned.
Navigating the Future of Education with AI
In today’s fast-changing world, educators must keep up with the latest trends and technologies to ensure their students receive the best possible education.
This five-part professional development series, beginning on March 8, 2023, offers college instructors a unique opportunity to enhance their teaching practices by incorporating cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology into their classrooms.
For more information, please email Dr. Paul Miller
Reflecting on our Journey: Navigating 3 Years of COVID-19 Together
Join ELITE for a five-part discussion series where we will reflect on our journey since the start of COVID-19 as a community. Through guided conversations, we will explore our personal experiences, the changes we have made to adapt, and how we have coped with collective trauma. We will also discuss how we can integrate these lessons into our work and move forward toward a brighter future.
Learn more and register
OER
The Spring 2023 semester has seen continued use of open educational resources (OER) by MC faculty. There are 550 credit sections using OER, which is up from 520 sections in Spring 2022. Student enrollments in Z courses are 10,360, which is an increase of 13.4 percent from last spring. Since 2017, it is estimated that students at MC have saved more than $11 million in textbook costs.
Learn More
Art from Regions in Conflict
Art from Ukraine. In the past year, we have seen countless images of war and destruction since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Despite the massive conflict infrastructure, many artists have used art to document the conflicts and inspire hope.
Learn More about Multicultural Moment.
Teaching with Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Tip 1: Brainstorm and Generate Ideas
Artificial Intelligence tools such as Chat GPT can be used effectively and creatively in teaching and learning. One idea is to use it to brainstorm ideas for a project, assignment, or lesson.
Learn More about Teaching Tip of the Month.
CHATGPT IN EDUCATION
ChatGPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) is an open-source, groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that allows you to generate human-like conversations.
Learn More about Teaching Tips with Technology.
Collaboration: Friend or Foe?
Collaboration is a popular approach to work used at many other organizations, including MC. We use the term, but what is collaboration? It connects with people in your and other groups, obtains and provides information, and participates in joint projects (Hansen). It sounds good, and we believe it is good and more is even better.
Learn More about @ Work Tip of the Month.
MC Forward
Dr. Michael Mills hosts a weekly podcast that focuses on Montgomery College individuals who are leading from where they are.
HRSTM
MC Wellness: Wellness and Fitness Open House on March 22
Join us for the Wellness and Fitness Open House on Thursday, March 22 from noon–2:45 p.m. at Senz Yoga, Barre, and Cycle.
Learn More
OEI
The Journey Towards Becoming an Anti-Racist Institution
This is our required college-wide Antiracism training that will launch itself during the 2022-23 academic year. This training promotes social justice, radical inclusion, and racial equity within the College and the broader community and continues the Board focus on the journey to being an antiracist institution. Register for The Journey Towards Becoming an Anti-Racist Institution workshops
Staff Enrichment Day
Each year, the College designates a day for the purpose of bringing associate and support staff, both bargaining and non-bargaining, together for professional and personal growth.
Learn More
Innovation Fund Grants
The Innovation Fund has up to $40,000 for projects that develop hybrid strategies that lead to increased enrollment, retention, and student engagement causing students to succeed and obtain their educational goals.
Learn More