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Sunday Newsletter

August 20, 2023

Upcoming Events

Monday, August 21, 1:00-4:00pm

Drop In to Talk with a Campus Expert: Get Ready for the First Day of Class, BEH-235, UNLV Faculty Center.


Tuesday, August 22

9:00-11:00am & 1:00-3:00pm

WebCampus Walk-In Open Lab, Office of Information Technology, CBC C-145. No registration.


2:30-4:00pm

PowerPoint Accessibility Training (Windows), Online, Office of Accessibility Resources. Register


Wednesday, August 23

10:00-11:30am

Accessible Syllabus Training, Online, Office of Accessibility Resources. Register


10:00am-12:00pm

WebCampus Walk-In Open Lab and

1:30-3:30pm

WebCampus Essentials Training Workshop, Office of Information Technology, CBC C-145. No registration.


Thursday, August 24

9:00am-1:00pm

Drop In to Talk with a Campus Expert: Get Ready for the First Day of Class, BEH-235, UNLV Faculty Center.


Friday, August 25

9:00-11:00am

WebCampus Walk-In Open Lab, Office of Information Technology, CBC C-145. No registration.


9:30am-3:00pm

Foundations of Accessibility (single-day) Training, Online, Office of Accessibility Resources. Register


1:00-3:00pm

WebCampus Content Training Workshop, Office of Information Technology, CBC C-145. No registration.

See our Events page for more Faculty Center happenings!

Other Upcoming Events and Opportunities from our Partners

Academic Impressions


NCFDD Events Calendar

Message from the Director

Welcome back to the hustle and bustle of another exciting semester at UNLV! You’ve got one more week to fine tune your lesson plans, double check on the accessibility of your digital materials, fire up your curious minds, and get ready to rock the academic world once again. We've got that back-to-school buzz in the air – the feeling of fresh starts, new challenges, and the chance to make a real impact on our students' lives. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a fresh face on campus, we're grateful you’re here to help our students and community succeed. 


So, what's cooking in the academic kitchen this time around? We've whipped up a concoction of in-person and online professional development opportunities, brainstorming sessions, and collaboration opportunities that are bound to light up your academic taste buds. From hands-on workshops that'll have you tinkering and experimenting with new teaching techniques, to lively debates that'll challenge your perspectives, we've got something for everyone. 


But let's not forget the real stars of the show – our students! They're eager, they're ready to learn, and they're looking up to you for inspiration. You're not just teaching subjects; you're igniting passions, fostering growth, and shaping the future. It's a pretty big deal, and we know you're up for the challenge. 


Throughout the year this newsletter will give you a sneak peek into what's on the horizon. We've got faculty spotlights that'll shine a light on your amazing accomplishments, insider tips on navigating the semester like a pro, and a dash of humor to keep that smile on your face. 


Let's make this semester a rollercoaster of discovery, a playground of ideas, and a memory lane filled with aha moments. Together, we're going to create an environment where learning isn't a chore – it's an exhilarating journey that we're all on, students and faculty alike. So, gear up, get pumped, and let's dive headfirst into this semester with the enthusiasm of a kid at a candy store. Here's to a semester full of the joy of learning and discovery. 

Best wishes for a wonderful semester,

Beth Barrie

Vice Provost for Teaching & Learning Innovation


P.S. One of the lively debate topics we’ll be digging into this semester is generative AI. This week’s welcome message was started by prompting ChatGPT to write a welcome message for a research university faculty newsletter. The first version started with “the golden hues of summer” and referred to our “hallowed halls” so I asked for a less formal version. The text you read is mostly what resulted from that follow-up prompt. Giving credit where credit is due, here’s the reference for much of the material above: OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Aug 18 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat


News You Can Use

Call for Nominations - 2024 UNLV Foundation for Distinguished Teaching Awards and 2024 Nevada Regents' Teaching Awards, DUE September 22 by 5:00pm: For eligibility and application materials information please visit here. Questions may be submitted to facultycenter@unlv.edu.


ChatGPT: If you haven’t already been experimenting with generative AI, this recent advice article from The Chronicle of Higher Ed has ideas on good first steps.


Log Into Zoom With ACE Account: Faculty and staff hosting or creating Zoom sessions need to visit the UNLV Zoom site to log in with their ACE account. The site has resources to help faculty and staff use Zoom for hybrid and online classes or virtual meetings. Get a refresher on the transition to Zoom. For help with Zoom, WebCampus, Panopto, please drop by the UNLV Faculty Center (BEH-235) on August 21 (1:00-4:00pm) or August 24 (9:00am-1:00pm),  via IT training, or contact the IT Help Desk.

Beth Barrie, Vice Provost for Teaching & Learning Innovation, beth.barrie@unlv.edu

Doris Blackwell, Program Officer, doris.blackwell@unlv.edu

Olivia Shepard, Administrative Assistant, olivia.shepard@unlv.edu

For more information call 895-5318, email facultycenter@unlv.edu or stop by BEH-235.

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