Free Web-Based Training on Critical Thinking in Higher Education Classrooms

An extravaganza of Critical Thinking themed activities and conversations taking place online specially designed to engage faculty across Texas. Hosted by LEAP Texas and the American Association of Colleges and Universities.

Monday 24 April – Between 12pm – 1pm 

What’s on: Participate in the Twitter Chat focused on “Teaching Critical Thinking in College Courses” by following @LEAPTexas and using #LEAPTexas
Description:
At 12pm on the day of the chat, log into Twitter and type in #LEAPTexas(not case sensitive).
Wait for a question (one is tweeted out about every 8 minutes). Example:  Q1 – Do you think it is more important to incorporate Critical Thinking for first-year students or senior-year students? Which assignments would be better for each group? #LEAPTexas
Hit “Reply” to the tweet with the question, use A for Answer, and include the hash tag. #LEAPTexas

Tuesday 25 April

We’re releasing some new resources focused on Critical Thinking on our website http://leaptx.org/coreobjectives/critical-thinking/ – for more details follow us at @LEAPTexas

Wednesday 26 April

Webinar 3-4pm
What’s on: Webinar “What’s Critical About Critical Thinking”
Presenters: Dr Jon Lee and Dr Jeanne Tunks
LEAP Texas Fellow Webinar (Tunks & Lee)
Wed, Apr 26, 2017 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM CDT
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/233913461

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (646) 749-3122

Access Code: 233-913-461

First GoToMeeting? Try a test session: http://help.citrix.com/getready 

Thursday 27 April

 – Online event 10-11am

What’s on: Online live broadcast about Critical Thinking
Tune in here – https://www.periscope.tv/drjtedwards/
Presenter: Dr Jennifer Edwards

Have a great week! Thanks for visiting the Millennial Professor Blog!

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

Follow Me on Twitter/Instagram - @drjtedwards
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Can Social Media Posts HAUNT You in the Future?

In 2016, I was contacted by a radio station in San Antonio after a Miss Teen USA's social media posts were examined after she was selected as the winner for the beauty competition.

Some of these tweets were perceived as questionable and people were eager to discover if older tweets should be called into question when a person is selected for a position.

Here's the link to the article! Miss Teen USA's Problems a Lesson for Youngsters on Social Media

1200 News Radio WOAI - Thanks for including me!

Have a great week! Thanks for visiting the Millennial Professor Blog!

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

Follow Me on Twitter/Instagram - @drjtedwards
Subscribe to Millennial Professor on YOUTUBE!
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Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

Remaining Innovative as a Faculty Member After Tenure

Slightly before or after achieving tenure, most faculty think that they've reached the end of their innovation journey and their teaching can solely focus on the best practices that they've developed throughout the last few years. Wrong! I challenge each of you to keep thinking, being creative, and reaching students in your classroom.

Whenever I reach the end of my current innovation point, I have to look for innovators in the academic industry. Usually this search occurs online (fast, easy, and FREE). However, after joining the AACU's Liberal Education and America's Promise in the state of Texas, I just have to look at the innovative social media posts from colleagues in the state and in other LEAP States.

If you are wondering about LEAP States initiative, I am including their links below...
LEAP Wisconsin Innovation Hub - https://www.uwp.edu/facultyandstaff/innovationhub/

LEAP California Innovation Hub - http://www.calfaccollab.org/

LEAP Indiana Innovation Hub - https://sites.google.com/iu.edu/leap-indiana/

LEAP Texas - http://leaptx.org/

LEAP Utah - http://ufc.ou.usu.edu/

So, I charge you to remain innovative, keep thinking, being creative, and reach students in your classroom. Use these free resources and learn how you can improve your teaching techniques without leaving your home (or campus).

In addition to the innovative techniques from LEAP Texas (and the other LEAP States), here are "10 Ways that Faculty Can Remain Innovative After Tenure".

Have a great week! Thanks for visiting the Millennial Professor Blog!

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

Follow Me on Twitter/Instagram - @drjtedwards
Subscribe to Millennial Professor on YOUTUBE!
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Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

10 Ways Faculty Can Remain Innovative After Tenure

After achieving tenure, most faculty members think that they are finished! However, the work REALLY begins when you receive tenure. To help tenured faculty members with remain innovative, here are "10 Ways Faculty Can Remain Innovative After Tenure".

1 - Mentor a Tenure-Track Colleague
Mentoring is very important and it can help you remain informed about the newest research in your discipline. Also, your tenure-track colleagues have the most energy and you have the most experience - MAKE IT WORK!

2 - Dedicate a Specific Amount of Time Each Week to Research Something New
It is important to remain excited and informed about your field of study! Take time to research something new and to find out the most recent research in your field! Share with your tenure-track colleague(s)!

3 - Make Friends with the Librarians!
The librarians order books and they can let you know when a book, resource, or a database that is relevant for your discipline arrives at the library.

4 - Join a University Committee
Committees are time consuming, but they can also help you connect with your faculty and student affairs colleagues on campus. Through these committees, your experience can impact the outcome of the committee and can impact university decisions. In addition, through this committees, you can help your students and colleagues gain opportunities and partnerships on campus.

5 - Write Grants to Expand Your Research
When you write a grant, you can include additional travel funding, request course releases, and receive operations/maintenance funding for your project. Include a tenure track faculty member and students on the proposal as well!

6 - Write a Book Contributing to Your Discipline
The after-tenure journey is a great time to write a book (or two) to share your knowledge with others. Depending on your personal goals, you can partner with a publisher (potentially less money) or participate in a Amazon publishing agreement (potentially more money).

7 - Create Your Own Research Institute/Leave Your Legacy
When you create a research institute or initiative on your campus, you are leaving your legacy. Remember to include other faculty and undergraduate/graduate students on the proposal. Also, the research institute can keep you accountable for your research.

8 - Participate in a Study Abroad Experience with Other Faculty and StudentsStudy abroad experiences can definitely impact student and faculty success. Also, these experience can help you renew your motivation for your research and your field of study!

9 - Work with Undergraduate ResearchersWhen you form your own team of undergraduate researchers, you gain a group of eager students who are excited about learning more about you and your research. Find some mutual research interests and set up a research plan for these groups of students. There are many publication outlets for these eager researchers (and you)!

10 - Remember to Document Your Progress on Your CV and Social MediaYou never know when you will need to pull a list of your current (and past) projects. Remember to document these important projects on your curriculum vita and on your social media outlets.

Have a great week! Thanks for visiting the Millennial Professor Blog!

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

Follow Me on Twitter/Instagram - @drjtedwards
Subscribe to Millennial Professor on YOUTUBE!
Subscribe to Blog Updates on Facebook
Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com