Learning and Teaching Workshops and Events
The Directorate of Learning, Teaching and Student Engagement supports JCU staff with training and events throughout the year.
Training includes teaching inductions and professional development, and is provided through face-to-face workshops, seminars, and webinars. Events include celebrations coordinated by the Directorate to acknowledge staff contributions to learning and teaching.
Download the 2020 Professional Development Calendar for a full list of workshops and events.
Teaching Period 1
30 January: Mental Health First Aid (Standard) Refresher - Townsville
This face-to-face course allows people who have previously completed the 12 Mental Health First Aid course to refresh their knowledge and skills including:
- Gaining an understanding of the latest research in the mental health field
- Learning the 3 key actions for helping someone feeling suicidal
- Working through complex mental health first aid interactions
- Practicing mental health first aid skills.
For people who are Accredited MHFAiders, the refresher courses offer an opportunity to extend their accreditation for a further 3 years.
| Location | Townsville |
|---|---|
| When | Thursday 30 January, 9.00 am - 2.00 pm |
| Where | Bebegu Yumba, room 001 (301-001) |
For further information and bookings, contact Larissa Siliézar, Manager Student Equity and Wellbeing, at Larissa.Siliezar@jcu.edu.au
3 February: Mental Health First Aid for Suicidal Persons - Townsville
The Mental Health First Aid for the Suicidal Person course will teach you how to identify, approach and support someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours using a practical, evidence based Action Plan. You will also have the opportunity to practise your new skills in a safe environment.
Course Content
- How to identify warning signs for suicide
- How to confidently support a person in crisis
- How to help the person stay safe
- How to connect someone to appropriate professional help
Cost: the Mental Health First Aid for the Suicidal Person cost is $20, includes materials and delivery (self-catered).
For further information and bookings, contact Larissa Siliézar, Manager Student Equity and Wellbeing, at Larissa.Siliezar@jcu.edu.au
4 - 5 February: Learning & Teaching @JCU: Induction for new full-time academic staff with teaching responsibilities - Cairns and Townsville
Foundations of Learning and Teaching @JCU is a two-day program for all newly appointed full-time academic staff with teaching responsibilities, which is to be completed as part of employment probation. Visit the Induction for New Academic Staff page for further information and instructions on how to register.
6 February: Mental Health First Aid (Standard) Refresher - Cairns
This face-to-face course allows people who have previously completed the 12 Mental Health First Aid course to refresh their knowledge and skills including:
- Gaining an understanding of the latest research in the mental health field
- Learning the 3 key actions for helping someone feeling suicidal
- Working through complex mental health first aid interactions
- Practicing mental health first aid skills.
For people who are Accredited MHFAiders, the refresher courses offer an opportunity to extend their accreditation for a further 3 years.
| Location | Cairns |
|---|---|
| When | Thursday 6 February, 9.00 am - 2.00 pm |
| Where | The Cairns Institute, room 003 (D3.003) |
For further information and bookings, contact Larissa Siliézar, Manager Student Equity and Wellbeing, at Larissa.Siliezar@jcu.edu.au
11 February: First Year Experience Stakeholder Forum - Cairns
Are you teaching or supporting first year students?
Come along to our annual professional development session with a focus on developing a sense of belonging and sense of purpose in commencing students. Research in higher education shows that both of these factors impact on the retention and success of students, particularly in their first year of study as they transition into university. As professional and academic staff, it is important to understand how we can improve the student experience through fostering belonging and purpose in classrooms and support service engagements.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the forum.
To register, please click here and select "11 Feb: First Year Experience Stakeholder Forum - Cairns" from the drop-down box.
| Location | Cairns |
|---|---|
| When | Tuesday 11 February, 10.00 am - 11.30 am |
| Where | The Library, room 020 (B1.020) |
12 February: Student Support Showcase
JCU offer a wide range of free support services and activities to help students with their academic success as well as their physical, emotional, financial and social wellbeing.
This fast-paced showcase will deliver snapshots of all the support services at JCU to help academic and professional staff provide quality referrals and advice to commencing and continuing students.
Presentations from: The Learning Centre, Student Mentor Program, Careers and Employment, JCU Student Association, Student Equity and Wellbeing, Student Centre, International Student Support
To register for the Cairns Showcase, please click here
To register for the Townsville Showcase, please click here
| Location | Cairns | Townsville |
|---|---|---|
| When | 9.30 am - 12.00 noon | 9.30 am - 12.00 noon |
| Where | The Cairns Institute, room 54 (D3.054) | Education Central, room 10 (134-010) |
13 February: First Year Experience Stakeholder Forum - Townsville
Are you teaching or supporting first year students?
Come along to our annual professional development session with a focus on developing a sense of belonging and sense of purpose in commencing students. Research in higher education shows that both of these factors impact on the retention and success of students, particularly in their first year of study as they transition into university. As professional and academic staff, it is important to understand how we can improve the student experience through fostering belonging and purpose in classrooms and support service engagements.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the forum.
To register, please click here and select "13 Feb: First Year Experience Stakeholder Forum - Townsville" from the drop-down box.
| Location | Townsville |
|---|---|
| When | Thursday 13 February, 10.00 am - 11.30 am |
| Where | ATSIP Building, room 030 (145.030) |
13 February: JCU Citation Information Session
JCU Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning are awarded to individual academics or teams of academics who have demonstrated an outstanding and effective contribution to student learning and success.
This workshop will explain the criteria, outline the procedure and timelines, help you determine your innovative and creative learning practice(s), and provide examples of narrative text and evidence bases for you to refer to in your compilation.
To register, please click here and select "13 Feb: JCU Citation Info Session" from the drop-down box.
| Location | Cairns | Townsvile | Singapore |
|---|---|---|---|
| When | 1.00 - 2.50 pm | 1.00 - 2.50 pm | 11.00 am - 12.50 pm |
| Where | The Cairns Institute, room 003 (D3.003) | ATSIP Building, room 30 (145-030) | Building A, room 01 (A3-01) |
Staff in other locations, please email ltse@jcu.edu.au for Zoom connection details.
14 February: AHE Fellowship Information Session (Academic Staff)
Professional Development Opportunity
Supported Associate Fellowship, Fellowship or Senior Fellowship
Application for recognition with advance HE (UK)
Acknowledge your commitment to professionalism in learning and teaching in higher education - over 124,000 Fellows across the world!
Find out more about what Fellowships have to offer you - Advance HE
To register, please click here and select "14 Feb: AHE Fellowship Info Session (Academic)" from the drop-down box.
| Location | Cairns | Townsvile | Singapore |
|---|---|---|---|
| When | 10.00 - 11.50 am | 10.00 - 11.50 am | 8.00 - 9.50 am |
| Where | The Cairns Institute, room 003 (D3.003) | Eddie Koiki Mabo Library, iLearning 2 (018-002B) | Building A, room 01 (A3-01) |
Staff in other locations, please email ltse@jcu.edu.au for Zoom connection details.
14 February: AHE Fellowship Information Session
Professional Development Opportunity
Supported Associate Fellowship, Fellowship or Senior Fellowship
Application for recognition with advance HE (UK)
Acknowledge your commitment to professionalism in learning and teaching in higher education - over 124,000 Fellows across the world!
Find out more about what Fellowships have to offer you - Advance HE
To register, please click here and select "14 Feb: AHE Fellowship Info Session (Support)" from the drop-down box.
| Location | Cairns | Townsvile | Singapore |
|---|---|---|---|
| When | 2.00 - 3.50 pm | 2.00 - 2.50 pm | 12.00 - 1.50 pm |
| Where | The Cairns Institute, room 003 (D3.003) | Eddie Koiki Mabo Library, iLearning 2 (018-002B) | Building A, room 01 (A3-01) |
Staff in other locations, please email ltse@jcu.edu.au for Zoom connection details.
18 February: Sessional Staff Induction - Townsville
James Cook University sessional staff who are new to teaching or returning after more than three years are required to attend induction as part of their ongoing appointment. The program is presented as a 4-hour workshop and is available for new teaching staff at the beginning of each semester. Visit the Sessional Staff induction page for session information and instructions on how to register.
19 February: Sessional Staff Induction - Cairns
James Cook University sessional staff who are new to teaching or returning after more than three years are required to attend induction as part of their ongoing appointment. The program is presented as a 4-hour workshop and is available for new teaching staff at the beginning of each semester. Visit the Sessional Staff induction page for session information and instructions on how to register.
17 March: Record with Mediasite
Mediasite Desktop Recorder (MDR) is an easy to use, desktop capture solution that integrates with LearnJCU.
Our upcoming webinar will demonstrate how to use MDR to record topical videos and Powerpoint presentations plus go through the tips for success and the easiest ways to share your videos with students.
Prior to joining on Tuesday, please go to our MDR help guide to find out more about it and also visit our registering MDR guide to install it.
Collaborate Room - record with Mediasite (join us at 1pm), please register here.
18 March: Communicate with Collaborate
Blackboard Collaborate is an easy to use, reliable web conferencing solution for education and training, and is conveniently located in every LearnJCU subject site.
Our upcoming webinar will demonstrate how to use BB Collaborate to deliver and record information sessions, tutorials, lectures, meetings plus all the easy to use functions such as chat, whiteboard, file and application sharing, polling, breakout rooms and more.
Prior to joining on Wednesday, please go to our Collaborate help guide to see what you need to join a BB Collaborate session and take a test run as a moderator or a student.
Collaborate Room - Communicate with Collaborate (join us at 11am), please register here.
18 - 20 March: Open Sessions - Learn the basics in Mediasite and Collaborate
Student Digital Assistants will be running open sessions on the basics of using Mediasite and Collaborate. If you are interested in attending please ensure you join at the beginning of the session, if you are running late please attend the next available session.
Mediasite Basics:
- Installing Mediasite Desktop Recorder (MDR)
- Registering MDR
- Recording with MDR
- Publishing Mediasite recordings to your subject site
Collaborate Basics:
- How to access a subject's Collaborate room
- Camera and audio set up
- Recording how to start and stop
- View users and chat functions
Prior to joining any of our Collaborate Basics' sessions, please go to our Collaborate help guide to see what you need to join.
| Session | Mediasite | Collaborate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 March | 10 am - 11 am 3.20pm - 4.30 pm | 9 am - 10 am - Virtual room only 2.30 pm - 3.30 pm - Virtual room only | |
| 19 March | 9 am - 10 am 2 pm - 3 pm | 10 am - 11 am - Virtual room only 1 pm - 2 pm - Virtual room only | |
| 20 March | 9 am - 10 am 2 pm - 3 pm | 10 am - 11 am - Virtual room only 1 pm - 2 pm - Virtual room only | |
Cairns | The library - room 105 (B1.105) Eddie Koiki Mabo Library - room 052 (18.052) | ||
20 March: Foundations of Learning and Teaching @JCU: New Staff Networking Breakfast
Staff who undertake the Foundations of Learning & Teaching @JCU in February will be invited to attend a networking breakfast. Email invitations will be sent following the induction, but please note the date in your diary!
23 - 27 March: Online Open Office Hours for Mediasite and Collaborate
Online open office hours are available for all staff from the 23 March. These open hours will give you the chance to ask specific questions regarding Collaborate and Mediasite.
Before you attend please review the following screencasts and resources:
Practice
By having a go at using the tools and following the demonstrations.
Ask
By coming along to our open hours and asking any questions you may have regarding the tools.
Schedule for online open office hours
| Session | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Mediasite Office Hours | 9 am - 10 am | Virtual Room (for Mediasite) |
| Collaborate Office Hours | 10 am - 11 am | Virtual Room (for Collaborate) |
| Mediasite Office Hours | 1 pm - 2 pm | Virtual Room (for Mediasite) |
| Collaborate Office Hours | 2 pm - 3 pm | Virtual Room (for Collaborate) |
Advice for attending our virtual rooms
Prior to joining any of our Collaborate Basics' sessions, please go to our Collaborate help guide
Reminder about copyright
Copyright is an important consideration; the Library will offer sessions and support in the upcoming weeks. An Info_BYTE with further details will come out shortly.
**POSTPONED** CoP Facilitators' Workshop
Communities of practice (CoP) are a form of social learning in which groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do, and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly (Wenger-Trayner & Wenger-Trayner, 2019). Essential to the development of a CoP is the creation of an environment in which learning can prosper.
This workshop will provide foundational information for potential facilitators of communities of practice and a guide to initiating, supporting and maturing this form of professional development.
| Location | Cairns | Townsvile | Singapore |
|---|---|---|---|
| When | 11 am - 1 pm | 11 am - 1 pm | 9 am - 11 am |
| Where | The Cairns Institute, room 003 (D3.003) | Bebegu Yumba - Indigenous Education Research Center 301, room 007 (301.007) | TBC |
Staff in other locations, please email ltse@jcu.edu.au for Zoom connection details.
To register, please click here and select "27 Mar: CoP Facilitators' Workshop" from the drop-down box.
**POSTPONED** Mental Health First Aid for Suicidal Persons - Cairns
The Mental Health First Aid for the Suicidal Person course will teach you how to identify, approach and support someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours using a practical, evidence based Action Plan. You will also have the opportunity to practise your new skills in a safe environment.
Course Content
- How to identify warning signs for suicide
- How to confidently support a person in crisis
- How to help the person stay safe
- How to connect someone to appropriate professional help
Cost: the Mental Health First Aid for the Suicidal Person cost is $20, includes materials and delivery (self-catered).
For further information and bookings, contact Larissa Siliézar, Manager Student Equity and Wellbeing, at Larissa.Siliezar@jcu.edu.au
**POSTPONED** AHE Fellowship Writing Workshop
Details to come soon!
**POSTPONED** Course Coordinator: Essential Forum
The Course Coordinator Essentials Forum aims to enable Course Coordinators to fulfill their responsibilities as per the Charter of Academic Responsibilities for Academic Quality and Governance. The forum comprises essential topic areas led by various JCU presenters.
Further details to come soon!
**POSTPONED** SoTL Series: Planning your SoTL Project
Details to come soon!
| Location | Cairns | Townsvile | Singapore |
|---|---|---|---|
| When | 10.00 - 11.50 am | 10.00 - 11.50 am | 8.00 - 9.50 am |
| Where | The Cairns Institute, room 003 (D3.003) | Eddie Koiki Mabo Library, iLearning 2 (018-002B) | Building A, room 01 (A3-01) |
To register, please click here and select "22 April: SoTL Series" from the drop-down box.
**POSTPONED** Capstone Experience Stakeholder Seminar
Details to come soon!
2 June: Subject Coordinator: Advanced Forum
Assuring academic integrity and accessibility are current hot topics in the higher education sector. This workshop will support you with actionable strategies to review and refine your subject in order to promote academic integrity and assure accessibility for all students.
| Location | Cairns | Townsville |
|---|---|---|
| When | 8.30 am - 12.30 pm | 8.30 am - 12.30 pm |
| Where | The Cairns Institute, room 3 (D3.003) | Social Sciences, room 6 (004-006) |
Registrations will betaken through My HR Online. Please follow the procedure outlined below, and select the Learning, Teaching & Student Engagement option for your campus. A Zoom connection will be available for staff in remote locations. Please email ltse@jcu.edu.au for details.
Staff training now available in My HR Online - Quick reference to view/register for training course via My HR Online |
|---|
Log-in to My HR Online → My HR → Training →Training Requests → Add new record → Select Course Category by location → Select course name to see future scheduled courses → Select details to view course detail → Select Nominate to register |
For catering purposes please register to attend this event. Please also advise your line manager that you have registered as they will need to approve your attendance.
3 June: Teaching Diverse Students: Pedagogies that make a Difference for Linguistically Diverse Students
Details to come soon!
To register, please click here and select "3 Jun: Teaching Linguistically Diverse Students" from the drop-down box.
22 - 23 June: Mental Health First Aid (Standard)Training - To be Confirmed
The Standard Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA) course is based on the international MHFA Guidelines. Curriculum content is evidence-based, and has been created with the input of mental health professionals, researchers, and consumer advocates. This 12-hour course teaches adults how to provide mental health first aid. Mental health first aid is the help provided to a person who is developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem, or who is in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until the appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves.
Course Content
The SMHFA course teaches adults how to provide initial support to adults who are developing any of the following mental health problems, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem, or mental health crises:
- Developing mental health problems
- Depression
- Anxiety problems
- Psychosis
- Substance use problems.
- Mental health crises
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
- Non-suicidal self-injury
- Panic attacks
- Traumatic events
- Severe psychotic states
- Severe effects from alcohol or other drug use
- Aggressive behaviours
Cost: Standard Mental Health First Aid costs $80 for the 2 days, including materials and delivery (self-catered).
The course will run from 9:00 am - 5.00 pm on both days, and is capped at 25 participants. To register for this event, please click here.
For more information, contact Larissa Siliezar, Manager Student Equity and Wellbeing at Larissa.Siliezar@jcu.edu.au
TP1 Subject Coordinator: Essentials Online Modules
These online modules address the core responsibilities of the Subject Coordinator, as outlined in the Charter of Responsibilities for Academic Quality and Governance and can be completed at your own pace.
Registration for the modules opens on 1 February 2020 and closes on 30 June 2020.
To register, please click here and select "TP1 Subject Coordinator: Essentials Online Modules" from the drop-down box.
Teaching Period 2
TBC: Learning and Teaching Evidence for Promotion
Details to come soon!
9 - 10 July: SoTL Series: SoTL Writing Retreat
Details to come soon!
14 July: AHE Fellowship Information Session (Academic Staff)
Details to come soon!
14 July: AHE Fellowship Information Session (Support for Learning Staff)
Details to come soon!
21 July: Sessional Staff Induction - Townsville
James Cook University sessional staff who are new to teaching or returning after more than three years are required to attend induction as part of their ongoing appointment. The program is presented as a 4-hour workshop and is available for new teaching staff at the beginning of each semester. Visit the Sessional Staff induction page for session information and instructions on how to register.
22 July: Sessional Staff Induction - Cairns
James Cook University sessional staff who are new to teaching or returning after more than three years are required to attend induction as part of their ongoing appointment. The program is presented as a 4-hour workshop and is available for new teaching staff at the beginning of each semester. Visit the Sessional Staff induction page for session information and instructions on how to register.
4 August: Mental Health First Aid for Suicidal Persons
The Mental Health First Aid for the Suicidal Person course will teach you how to identify, approach and support someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours using a practical, evidence based Action Plan. You will also have the opportunity to practise your new skills in a safe environment.
Course Content
- How to identify warning signs for suicide
- How to confidently support a person in crisis
- How to help the person stay safe
- How to connect someone to appropriate professional help
Cost: the Mental Health First Aid for the Suicidal Person cost is $20, includes materials and delivery (self-catered).
For further information and bookings, contact Larissa Siliézar, Manager Student Equity and Wellbeing, at Larissa.Siliezar@jcu.edu.au
13 August: Supporting Students with a Disability or Health Condition
This session is designed for course coordinators and First Year coordinators, however all staff are welcome to attend.
Topics covered include:
- Understand the issues for students with a disability in a Tertiary Environment
- Understand the JCU supports available for students with a disability
- Understand and know how to implement the roles & responsibilities for both students and staff at JCU
- Increased awareness, understanding and skills for inclusive teaching, working with AccessAbility Services and implementation of reasonable adjustments
- Apply the guiding principles and relevant legislation
- Develop an understanding of how to approach obstacles for SWD now and into the future
Further details to come soon!
TBC: Inclusive Learning Design: Quality and Accessible Learning
The Inclusive Learning Design workshop focuses on the quality and accessibility of learning for JCU students.
This workshop explicitly integrates:
- quality learning design (knowing your students, learning outcomes, learning activities and assessment)
- accessible design informed by AccessAbility staff at JCU, and UDL and WCAG2.0
- embedded learning analytics to view and analyse learner engagement
- ALLY, a new tool in BB Ultra that provides opportunity for file conversions for staff and students (e.g. word doc. to mp3).
This is intended to be an informative and hands-on workshop, so please bring your own device to the workshop.
Further details to come soon!
29 September: Teaching Diverse Students: Pedagogies that make a difference for neurodiverse students
Details to come soon!
30 September: AHE Fellowship Writing Workshop
Details to come soon!
1 October: Celebrating Excellence in Learning & Teaching @JCU
Every year, JCU celebrates the enormous contributions our teaching and support staff make to the JCU student experience. This event will encompass the Inclusive Practice Awards, the Sessional Teaching Awards, and the JCU Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning.
Please join us as we recognise the significant contributions our staff make to the JCU learning and teaching community.
Light refreshments will be served after the ceremony.
Further details to come soon!
3 November: Course Coordinator: Advanced Forum
The Course Coordinators: Advanced workshop is an interactive forum that builds on the foundations established by the Course Coordinator Essentials. The forum enables course coordinators to remain current with institutional practice and directions within the higher education sector.
Further details to come soon!
3 December: Mental Health First Aid (Standard) Refresher
This face-to-face course allows people who have previously completed the 12 Mental Health First Aid course to refresh their knowledge and skills including:
- Gaining an understanding of the latest research in the mental health field
- Learning the 3 key actions for helping someone feeling suicidal
- Working through complex mental health first aid interactions
- Practicing mental health first aid skills.
For people who are Accredited MHFAiders, the refresher courses offer an opportunity to extend their accreditation for a further 3 years.
For further information and bookings, contact Larissa Siliézar, Manager Student Equity and Wellbeing, at Larissa.Siliezar@jcu.edu.au
These online modules address the core responsibilities of the Subject Coordinator, as outlined in the Charter of Responsibilities for Academic Quality and Governance and can be completed at your own pace.
Registration for the modules opens on 20 July, 2019 and closes on 30 November, 2019.
To register, please click here, and select "TP2 Subject Coordinator: Essential Online Modules (closes 30 November)" from the drop-down box.
For further information about any of the workshops or events listed above, please email ltse@jcu.edu.au