This Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE) newsletter includes:
Upcoming Opportunities – a curated list of professional development for part-time faculty
Teaching Tips – resources to help you in the classroom
Student Services Spotlight – information to help you support students
UNO: Did You Know – an interesting tidbit about UNO
Dr. Connie Schaffer
Director, UNO Center for Faculty Excellence Professor, Teacher Education Department
Getting the Most Out of ChatGPT EDU: September 8, 2:00 – 3:00 (virtual). Register here.
Digital Accessibility Workshop: September 11, 11:00 -12:00 (virtual). Register here.
Campus Services Series - Focus on Accessibility Services Center: September 11, 2:00 – 3:00, Criss Library 249. Contact Craig Finlay (sfinlay@unomaha.edu) for more information.
TABS (Teaching Analysis By Students): Free and confidential mid-term teaching evaluation followed by a meeting with a teaching consultant. Rolling deadlines; get more details and register here.
Grading as an adjunct professor can be a bit of a balancing act, especially with the demands of responsibilities outside of teaching. Here are tips to help make the process smoother and more effective:
Set Clear Expectations from the Start - Make your grading criteria clear in your syllabus. Outline what constitutes different grade levels (e.g., A, B, C) for assignments and exams, so students know what is required to succeed.
Use Canvas - Ensure you have an organized record of all grades, which can be helpful for both you and your students. Set a specific time each week to grade assignments to prevent grading from piling up and to give students timely feedback.
Use Frequent Check-ins- Instead of waiting for midterms or finals, consider using quizzes, short papers, or in-class exercises to gauge student understanding. This allows you to intervene earlier if students are struggling and can reduce the pressure on exams.
Provide Timely and Meaningful Feedback - Use actionable comments rather than just marking things wrong; give specific feedback on how students can improve. Aim to return graded assignments within a reasonable timeframe so students can benefit from your input.
Avoid Over-Grading - Avoid marking every minor mistake. Focus on major aspects of the assignment. Over-grading is overwhelming for both you and the student.
Balance Rigor and Compassion - Maintain academic standards, but keep in mind that students are working through a range of challenges. Be firm but also empathetic and understanding when necessary.
Encourage Self-Assessment - Have students reflect on their grades and performance, which helps them internalize what they’ve learned.
ASC also supports UNO’s medical supervision process that helps students regain lost attendance points and make up assignments and exams missed due to health-related absences. Remember, faculty should not ask a student for a doctor’s note or accept documentation related to a medical issue from a student. Rather, refer students to the ASC staff who are skilled in helping students navigate these situations.
Over the summer, UNO went through a significant Microsoft update. Here are important reminders for faculty.
Use NUID@nebraska.edu to log in to university-managed computers, Microsoft 365, and SAP/Firefly.
Your @unomaha.edu email address is still your official email address.
Your Microsoft 365 profile will display NUID@nebraska.edu. This is normal and does not affect your email address.
Canvas, Zoom, and other tools continue to use your usual credentials.
If you link SharePoint files in Canvas, those links may be broken due to the migration.
University of Nebraska at Omaha, Center for Faculty Excellence, 6401 University Dr, Criss Library 320, Omaha, NE 68132, unocfe@unomaha.edu
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