Instructional Development and Support
Intro and career links
WMUx is your partner in teaching and learning
We work with you to collaboratively imagine, design, and realize ideas that transform and enhance the learning experience. Learn more
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From book clubs to teaching strategies to technology fundamentals, WMUx hosts an array of events and training sessions to help you learn, develop, and grow.
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Explore a range of topics curated by WMUx to bolster your success and enhance the learning experience, including best practices on course design, teaching, and assessment tips.
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You don't have to do it alone. WMUx offers extensive ways to partner together to get you the teaching and learning support you need.
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From summer seminars to learning communities to fellowships, WMUx offers a variety of engaging and rewarding programs.
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Celebrate your fellow WMU faculty and staff who have received both internal and external funding awards, as well as honors bestowed upon them for outstanding scholarship.
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Whether you are early in your teaching career or are an experienced educator, WMUx offers support every step of the way. Explore what services are available for you!
WMUx Discussion Groups
Discussion groups enable participants to explore a topic in-depth, generate ideas for further exploration, and provide WMUx with advice on future programming and scholarship of teaching and learning opportunities. Each discussion group is facilitated by a WMUx instructional designer or WMUx Office of Faculty Development staff member.
Meeting Students Where They Are
In today’s chaotic world, helping one another succeed requires intentionally cultivating human-centered connections. We’ll brainstorm what concrete actions we as instructors can take to foster active, accessible, and inclusive student engagement while also navigating the external challenges that we all face as they present themselves both in and out of the classroom.
HyFlex / Flexible Modalities
Discover what flexible learning can look like at WMU and in your own area of focus. Collaborate and converse with those who are testing out different ideas and doing research to improve practice and our student outcomes. This group gives participants the opportunity to discuss the definition, purpose, design, and facilitation of HyFlex learning experiences.
AI Ethics and Bias
The rapid development and widespread use of Generative AI, such as GPT-4 and Claude 2, has raised many questions regarding ethical and bias issues. We’ll address, discuss, and analyze the impact of these tools on higher education and develop recommendations for their responsible use here at WMU.
Teaching with AI
Connect with other instructors who are exploring the use of AI in higher education. Participants will have a chance to share their experiences incorporating AI in the class and in Elearning, to learn from each other, and to make recommendations to WMUx as it develops teaching materials and advice for the rest of the university community.
Early Career
Designed for new faculty, as well as faculty who are approaching their fourth year review, this community of inquiry will focus on several activities to prepare for tenure and promotion review. Sessions will follow the semester cadence so that participants can engage in conversations and activities that are immediately applicable.
Mid-Career
You’ve come a long way on your teaching and learning journey – so, what’s next? This post-tenure development opportunity utilizes NCFDD resources to help mid-career faculty who have achieved tenure and promotion assess their future goals, develop strategies to achieve them, and discover ways to cultivate a better work/life balance.
Our Approach CTA
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Imagine. Design. Realize. Ideas that transform and enhance the learning experience at Western Michigan University.
News and Events
News
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Fledgling Instructors Connect with Lifelong Learners in Graduate Teaching Partnership
When cross-campus collaborators come together, incredible things can happen. A WMUx-facilitated partnership between the Graduate College and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at WMU empowers graduate students to practice teaching techniques in a supportive, low stakes environment while OLLI adult learners gain access to new courses on engaging topics.
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How Market Research Strengthens Curriculum Design
All instructors want to see their WMU students prosper once they graduate, but how can they make sure they are equipping their students with the right tools and knowledge they'll need to accomplish their professional goals? That was precisely the question Meghann Meeusan, Director of Graduate Studies and Professor of English, had when she approached the WMUx Market Research team.
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