Jumpstart Industry Experts in Becoming Expert Instructors!

Concurrent Session 1

Brief Abstract

All college instructors, especially knowledgeable industry experts new to the classroom, need strong teaching skills and practical approaches to teaching and learning. Western Dakota Technical College helps improve instructor retention and student engagement using California State University SkillsCommons’ Jumpstart to Successful Instruction, an online, self-paced open course.  

Presenters

Additional Authors

Maria Fieth, MERLOT-SkillsCommons

Maria Fieth, M.A.2, RTC Maria currently serves as program manager responsible for partnership development for California State University-MERLOT SkillsCommons. During the last 28 years, Maria has worked with businesses and PK-20 educators providing guidance for refining and sustaining healthy learning and working environments and building partnerships and community among stakeholders. Maria's background in federally funded project management provides a strong backdrop for national level accountability and performance. Her work has received honors for building exemplary educational settings and community partnerships from Kevin Jennings of the U.S. Department of Education and Auburn University among others. Maria holds a dual Master's degree in English and in Education, a Master's degree in Psychodynamics and certifications in Reality Therapy and from the National Institute for School Leadership. She has numerous certifications as national trainer for organizations such as Ruby Payne's Poverty Framework, Olweus Bullying Prevention, Discovery Communication Model, and Crucial Conversations.

Extended Abstract

Jumpstart to Successful Instruction is a self-paced course available online through California State University's SkillsCommons, the world's largest repository of OPEN workforce development training and educational materials. The Jumpstart to Successful Instruction online course series was designed for industry experts new to teaching and provides hands-on, practical approaches in preparing instructors for the first week with skill builders such as effective communication tips and tools, writing an effective syllabus, defining learning objectives and student competencies, navigating learning management systems all of which are found in Jumpstart to Successful Instruction 101. Jumpstart to Successful Instruction 102 and Jumpstart to Successful Instruction 103 include deeper dives into student engagement methods, classroom management, meeting ADA compliance requirements, mastery-level learning methodology, project-based learning, and so much more. All online course sections hold 10 - 13 interactive modules with each module averaging completion times of 20 minutes. SkillsCommons offers additional modified versions of Jumpstart to Successful Instruction for CTE Instructors and Shop Floor Trainers. Western Dakota Technical College has incorporated Jumpstart to Successful Instruction into their instructional support design whereby all instructors complete the course led by expertly guided practice and the benefits of supplemental tools and resources. Come learn how your institution can benefit from this fully available course to better support instructors just as Western Dakota Technical College has!