Programs, Workshops, and Services
- Instructional Skills Workshop: In this 24-hour internationally recognized workshop, you will design and deliver three 10-minute lessons in small group settings of 4-5 peers using the BOPPPS Model of lesson planning which incorporates the principle of constructive alignment. You will receive peer feedback and a video recording of each of your lessons for later viewing and reflection.
- Course (re)Design Workshop: This workshop is dedicated to helping you design or redesign a course. The workshop teaches course design topics including constructive alignment, teaching and learning activities, assessment, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Also, the facilitated sessions allow for independent reflection/work, peer feedback, and individual consultation.
- Course Consultant Partnership Program: After completing the Course (re)Design Workshop, instructors may have a chance to work with a student partner to get feedback on the course as part of MacPherson Institute’s Course Consultant Partnership Program. Student partners will receive training from the MacPherson Institute in relevant pedagogical theory to provide meaningful feedback on course design.
- Assessment Development Workshop: This workshop is an opportunity to focus on the enhancement of new or existing assessments in your own course(s). By partaking in facilitated sessions on relevant topics, you will be able to learn how to implement meaningful assessments that support student learning by acquiring peer feedback and participating in guided work time.
- Learning to Teach Online: This self-enrolled, self-paced course is completed in Avenue to Learn. You will learn the foundational pieces/steps in creating an engaging online learning experience for students. Furthermore, as you work through the content, you will assemble and receive feedback on your own online course, how to use an online course planning guide and weekly content activity guide, and assessment worksheets.
- The Certificate of Attendance in Professional Development for Teaching (CoA) is a fully online, asynchronous learning opportunity that offers flexible pathways for learners to develop their understanding of effective post-secondary teaching. The CoA will be available for free to all individuals at McMaster with an active MacID (e.g., undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, sessional and part-time instructors, faculty, and staff). Learners select and complete five asynchronous online modules from a thoughtfully curated list, allowing them to tailor their professional development to their individual interests and goals. To consolidate and demonstrate their growth, learners also complete one culminating assessment from a list of options, empowering them to showcase their learning in a format that best supports their career aspirations.
- Student Partners Program: The Student Partners Program (SPP) provides undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities to participate as partners with faculty, instructors and staff on projects that contribute to the enhancement of teaching and learning at McMaster.
- Leadership in Teaching & Learning Fellowship: This 2-year program is dedicated to supporting the teaching and learning research activities of McMaster faculty. It is designed to engage faculty in leading change, practice the scholarship of teaching and learning, and support faculty communities that provide mentorship and leadership in teaching and learning
- Teaching Refinement: With this service, the MacPherson Institute will help you collect feedback from your students mid-way through your course. Following a consultation to identify areas of focus, a MacPherson Institute staff member will facilitate a full-class discussion during a class visit. Thereafter, they will consult with you a second time to discuss the key themes that emerged and support you in identifying next steps to enhance your teaching and the course. To apply for a refinement, please request one via the MacPherson Institute Request Form.
- Teaching Observation: With this service, you will receive feedback on your teaching from a staff member at the MacPherson Institute. Following a consultation to identify areas of focus (e.g., you might be interested in feedback on your engagement strategies, presentation style, content organization, or integration of educational technologies), a MacPherson Institute staff member will observe one of your classes of our choosing. Thereafter, they will consult with you a second time to discuss their observations and support you in identifying next steps to enhance your teaching and the course. To request an observation, please use the MacPherson Institute Request Form.
- Teaching and Learning Consultation: The MacPherson Institute offers one-on-one and teaching team consultations on a range of topics. To request a consultation, complete the MacPherson Institute Request Form.
