The Educational Media Center (EMC), in collaboration with the Innovative Center for Teaching and Learning (ICTL), has wrapped up the fall semester of the Teaching Excellence Program (TEP). TEP is a year-long program designed to encourage new instructors to think critically about their teaching and to apply effective strategies and practices to maximize student learning.

Topics

• Ice breakers
• Increasing student participation and questioning/response techniques
• Laulima
• Classroom management techniques and strategies
• Contract renewal tips
• Gmail
• Google Docs
• Student engagement using technology
• Open Educational Resources (OER)
• Learning styles and reaching and teaching millennial students
• Campus resources (Academic Services and Student Services)
• Course assessment, rubrics, eCafe
• Problem Based Learning (PBL)

TEP Participants

• Brian Ichida – Social Sciences Division, Education
• Jeffrey Breitenfeldt – Language Arts Division, English
• Jonathan Brown – Math & Sciences Division, Math
• Kathleen Cashman – Business Division, HIT
• Keahiahi Long – Academic Services Division, Library, Hawaiian Pacific Resource Librarian
• Lucille Gilbert – Language Arts Division, Speech
• Matt Egami – Professional Arts and Technology Division, Culinary
• Patrice Jackson – Business, HIT
• Reina Oiri – Math & Sciences Division, Math

TEP Facilitators

• Brent Hirata – Academic Services Division, EMC, Educational Technologist
• Carleen Yokotake – Language Arts Division, Speech
• Cindy Martin – ICTL Coordinator
• Greg Walker – Academic Services Division, EMC, Educational Technologist and DE Coordinator
• Leanne Riseley –  Academic Services Division, EMC, EMC Coordinator
• Rachael Inake – Academic Services Division, EMC, Educational Technologist

What the TEP Participants Said

I have met so many people in such a short amount a time that would benefit my placement at Leeward CC. I have met people from different departments, divisions, and people with different skills and support services. I felt welcomed by all of them.

TEP helped me improve my teaching by showcasing new technology, faculty and student services, and management skills. Every session was valuable.

The atmosphere of TEP was great! Each session was always different, not just lecture and notes every time. Some sessions were hands-on, others were Q & A or meet and greet, or even discussions. Even the medium changed. Some sessions were face-to-face and some were online through different devices. What a variety of sessions both in content and in type.

The Teaching Excellence Program taught and introduced me to a number of tools and strategies to help me be a better instructor and member of the Leeward CC community. The three lessons that were most impactful to me were those about contract renewal, classroom management skills, and tech tools (e.g. Blackboard and Laulima). I also really appreciated the many opportunities to meet and get to know fellow staff and faculty here at Leeward. As a new instructor, meeting everyone helped me to feel more connected to the College.