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Make sure you have reviewed all the content on this page. You can then access the "Modules" link in the course menu on the left to continue!

About this course

Welcome to the Adjunct Faculty Bootcamp Canvas Course! This course serves as the main resource for new adjunct faculty at CVTC. The primary aim of Adjunct Faculty Bootcamp is to equip our faculty with methods to better engage learners and provide effective instruction. Whether you are brand new to teaching, or have been teaching for many years, this course aims to provide you practical ideas and strategies. For your participation in this course, you will receive a $150 stipend for your time. If at any point you have a question about the course, you are encouraged to reach out to one of CPD's faculty developers. You can find their contact information at the bottom of this page.

Course Resources

Teaching College.jpg You will not need any resources beyond what is provided within this course. With that said, much of the content in this course is inspired in some way by the book Teaching College, by Norman Eng. If you have not already received a copy, contact the CPD Department and we can provide one for you. We encourage you to read through the book as time permits. It provides practical guidance and strategies to any instructor who is new to teaching in higher education or is looking to improve upon their instruction. Here is a brief summary of the book:

"Your students aren't reading. They aren't engaged in class. Getting them to talk is like pulling teeth. Whatever the situation, your reality is not meeting your expectations. Change is needed. But who's got the time? Or maybe you're just starting out, and you want to get it right the first time. If so, Teaching College: The Ultimate Guide to Lecturing, Presenting, and Engaging Students is the blueprint. Written for early career instructors, this easy-to-implement guide teaches you to:

Think like advertisers to understand your target audience-your students
Adopt the active learning approach of the best K-12 teachers
Write a syllabus that gets noticed and read
Develop lessons that stimulate deep engagement
Create slide presentations that students can digest
Get students to do the readings, participate more, and care about your course Secrets like "focusing on students, not content" and building a "customer" profile of the class will change the way you teach.

The author, Dr. Norman Eng, argues that much of these approaches and techniques have been effectively used in marketing and K-12 education, two industries that could greatly improve how college instructors teach. Find out how to hack the world of college classrooms and have your course become the standard by which all other courses will be measured against. Whether you are an adjunct, a lecturer, an assistant professor, or even a graduate assistant, pedagogical success is within your grasp."

Course Technology Requirements

Especially given the fact that Adjunct Faculty Bootcamp is conducted virtually, the following technology will be required to take part. Please contact one of your course facilitators if you have concerns with regards to these requirements.

A computer with internet access
Access to your MyCVTC account and Canvas
A webcam and microphone

If you do not have access to these technologies, please contact either Joel or Dominic (contact information listed below) and we will provide assistance. We will also be using several instructional tools to enhance some of the ways you engage with course content. For a full list of the technology we will be using, you can refer to: Resource: Course Technology Information

Course Layout

This course is laid out in modules, with each module corresponding to a different topic. The first module (Module 0) provides an introduction to CVTC along with helpful information to get you started as a new faculty member. You may find it helpful to revisit this module as questions come up. Modules 1-4 provide information that pertains directly to your instruction. Each item in these modules (with the exception of quizzes) has a "Mark Done" button in the top-right, which you can click when you feel comfortable with the content covered and are ready to move on. You can always revisit content you have marked done if need be. At the end of each module you will find a brief quiz, which allows you to reflect on the content covered. Successful completion of these quizzes will serve as credit for completion of modules. You can retake these quizzes as many times as you would like. Make sure to review the feedback after submitting quizzes for additional comments and clarifications. You can complete this course on your own time, but we recommend that you make it a goal to finish all of the modules within the first 8 weeks of your first semester at CVTC.

Your Facilitators

Sara Sulko

Faculty Developer / Title III Online Faculty Developer

I am passionate about improving lives and communities through education. I began working at CVTC as a Technology Professional Developer before transitioning to a Faculty Developer/ Online Faculty Developer for a Title III grant in 2021. Some of my favorite applications of teaching technology include video feedback and simple animations.

Before working at CVTC, I taught at university-affiliated intensive English programs where I worked with students from all over the globe for nearly a decade. I also earned my M.S. in Learning Technology and Design with an emphasis in Online Education from the University of Missouri.

I am happy to be living in my home state of Wisconsin after living in other parts of the Midwest for a decade. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, cooking, and trying to keep my plants alive.

Joel Raney

Faculty Developer

Hello! My name is Joel Raney. I started working in our Curriculum & Professional Development (CPD) department in 2015. I spend a lot of time working with new faculty in our two-year New Faculty Development Program. My favorite part of the job is teaching the New Faculty Academy before every semester starts, which includes this Teaching Methods & Technology course. This is the first time I've taught the course online, so I'm looking forward to the challenges of making the jump from an entirely face-to-face course.

Before CVTC I worked in the Eau Claire school district as an English teacher at Memorial High School and as an instructional coach across the district. I had a great time in my last four years in the district working with teachers at every level, PreK-12. This PD work led me to a lot of collaborative opportunities with educators at CVTC. I feel incredibly privileged to work with the CPD team. We're always striving to figure out ways to engage our students and find strategies that make learning experiences more effective.

My wife and I raised three boys in Eau Claire, and we enjoy remodeling projects, cooking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. It's hard to believe we're already empty nesters. On the weekends, we now actually have time to play cribbage, watch movies, and entertain.

Contact Information

The best way to contact us is by using Microsoft Teams. We are available on Teams during regular business hours, and are more than happy to either chat or do a video call. If you are unsure how to use Microsoft Teams, you can reference this Microsoft Teams Cheatsheet to get started. You can also email us at ssulko@cvtc.edu or jraney3@cvtc.edu.