A.T. Still University’s (ATSU) Teaching & Learning Center (TLC) is an innovative center and University-wide resource that promotes teaching excellence, development opportunities, and activities across all University programs.
The TLC is aligned to support our faculty by way of four core offerings: services, programs, research, and resources.
We are here to help!
Purpose statement
The TLC provides faculty with quality resources, programs, and activities to promote innovative teaching- and learning-centered practices to positively affect student learning outcomes.
Vision
The Teaching & Learning Center will become the principal resource in the search for and dissemination of best educational practices for ATSU faculty in their quest to positively impact student learning.
Who we are
Quincy Conley, PhD
Quincy Conley, PhD, director of ATSU’s TLC, brings over 19 years of experience in instructional design and learning science to help solve the pressing issues instructors encounter. He combines theory, instructional design techniques, and technology to create comprehensive and versatile solutions. Dr. Conley is also a premier educational researcher. His research uses biometric scans to determine the efficacy of online and in-person learning experiences. His research interests also include augmented reality and intelligent tutoring systems.
Dr. Conley earned his PhD in educational technology from Arizona State University, and both his MA in instructional design & technology and BA in aerospace science from the University of North Dakota. In his spare time, he is an avid swimmer, and a nascent gourmet.
Areas of expertise: artificial intelligence, course design
Brittany Williams, MS
Brittany Williams, MS, instructional designer and faculty development coordinator, is a dynamic instructional designer specializing in faculty development. She is passionate about designing and facilitating interactive workshops and seminars to train faculty on innovative teaching practices. Currently, she is relentlessly focused on sharing evidence-based strategies for face-to-face, virtual, and hybrid teaching practices across A.T. Still University’s campuses. She is known for her high-energy, thought-provoking (or highly collaborative) superpowers to create a culture of teaching & learning excellence.
Born and raised in the Valley of the Sun, Williams is one of the few who can call themselves a true native of Arizona. She received her bachelor’s degree in health and physical education, and her master’s degree in organizational learning & leadership in higher education from Barry University in Miami, Florida. When Williams is not leading faculty development workshops, she enjoys yoga and spending time with her husband, Ken, and her two children, Charlotte and Savannah. They love to travel, try new foods, and stay active.
Areas of expertise: team-based learning, backwards design
Kirsty Gaither, MA, MLIS
Kirsty Gaither, MA, MLIS, educational technology manager, actively supports the continued development of innovative, digital instructional content, and provides technological solutions for a variety of faculty needs. Prior to joining ATSU, Gaither worked with small businesses to improve their digital presence. She applies lessons learned from the corporate and social media world to the problems that healthcare education faces. Gaither received both her master’s and library degrees from the University of Oklahoma, where she is also completing her PhD in the history of science, medicine, and technology, with a focus in digital humanities. She received her undergraduate degree from Stanford University.
In her spare time, Gaither teaches yoga and kickboxing, power-lifts with her husband, and does pet therapy with her five rescue dogs.
Areas of expertise: educational technology, social media in the classroom, educational research methods
Brenda Jackson
Brenda Jackson is the administrative assistant for ATSU’s TLC. She coordinates logistics for TLC programming, assists faculty in connecting with TLC staff, as well as providing support for assessment & accreditation, interprofessional education and continuing education.
Jackson obtained her bachelor’s in business administration from Mars Hill College. In her spare time, she loves to study Arizona history, write historical fiction, develop skills in charcoal and other drawing media, and learn as much as possible about fitness and promoting lifelong mobility.
Faculty Advisory Committee
The Faculty Advisory Committee (FAC) is a panel of dean-appointed faculty charged with representing the voice of the faculty when it comes to developing solutions for University-wide teaching and learning challenges. FAC serves as a source of faculty-driven direction for the TLC. Faculty members are appointed by the dean of each college to serve on this committee and to shape the vision and goals of the center. Members appointed must be full-time didactic or clinical faculty who have demonstrated recognizable interest in or who are actively engaged in innovative teaching practices or approaches to support and deepen student learning. The committee meets annually to discuss the upcoming year’s programming plans and to develop larger objectives.
Current members
Mike Abels, DDS
ATSU - Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health
Jeff Alexander, PhD, FAACVPR, ACSM-CEP
ATSU - College of Graduate Health Studies
Kayla Black, PT, DPT
ATSU - Arizona School of Health Sciences
Neal Chamberlain, PhD, FNAOME
ATSU - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Kelli Glaser, DO, FACOFP
ATSU - School of Osteopathic Medicine Arizona
Hanann Tomeh, DDS
ATSU - Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health
Cailee Welch Bacon, PhD, ATC
ATSU - Arizona School of Health Sciences
TLC 2021 Spring Seminar Series: “Building Community in Your Classes”
There is evidence that when students feel cared about, they are more likely to achieve in the classroom. Helping students feel cared about starts with creating a community in your classes. In the spirit of Building Community in Your Classes, the TLC 2021 Spring Seminar Series will offer a series of presentations related to how you can help students feel connected in your classes. The first presentation is about understanding culture in effort to better relate to students.
February 2021
Part I: “Culture… it’s not just about skin color”
Feb. 10th, Noon - 1:00 p.m. MT / 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. CT
Presenter: Dr. Patricia Sexton, MS, DHEd, FNAOME
Presentation Description
In today’s world, we are called to seek to understand those different from ourselves if we wish to make a difference in preparing our students. Cultures are vast and varied and there is no way to know all about even one. In this interactive session, we will discuss the breadth of culture (it’s not just about skin color!) and the role of self-awareness in the journey toward understanding others.
The TLC offers personalized consultations to help develop customized teaching strategies at the individual and departmental levels.
Consultation request process
If you seek assistance related to the best practices in course design, or wish to consult with an expert regarding your established or new course, the TLC is here to help.
We provide assistance based on evidence-based practice for faculty in teaching online, hybrid, and traditional face-to-face settings. Our goal is to work collaboratively with you as you investigate new pedagogies, learning models and/or educational technologies for potential use in your courses.
What are some example course components that we can help you with? Following are a few potential topics:
- Student engagement
- Content development & organization
- Instructional activities alignment
- Assessment mapping
- Increasing diversity & inclusion
- Educational technology selection
- Education research exploration
- Submit a request: To begin the consultation request process, complete the short survey (approximately 15 minutes) providing details about your inquiry.
- Schedule appointment: Next, select the appointment slot of your choice from the TLC calendar.
- Receive calendar invite: You will receive a calendar invitation reserving the time for the consultation appointment.
- Meet with TLC consultant: A TLC expert will meet with you to explore the reason for your consultation request.
- Follow up: If you need additional assistance, you can use the TLC Consultation Request Process again to schedule your next appointment.
Individual
Instructional design & educational technology consultations: Work with our experts one-on-one to explore evidence-based teaching and learning practices.
Teaching observations: A TLC consultant observes teaching and learning practices in any instructional environment (video or in-person). After the observation, the consultant and instructor will discuss what was observed and develop strategies for further experimentation, refinement, and reflection in an effort to improve learning outcomes.
Mid-semester assessment process (MAP): A coaching process that provides instructors constructive feedback on his or her teaching practices and gauges how and what students are learning in a particular course. Typically a MAP occurs in the middle of the course, between weeks 5 and 9 of the semester. The results of the MAP supports the instructor to think about ways they may make changes to the teaching and learning that takes place in their courses.
Departmental
Departmental consultation: The TLC is available to offer customized small-group consultations or workshops to departments or programs. We welcome the opportunity to consult or collaborate with deans, department chairs, center directors, curriculum committees, course heads, and any others playing a role in the design, implementation, assessment, and evaluation of teaching and learning at ATSU.
Communities of practice (CoPs): A peer-led group of faculty members (3-12) who engage in an active, collaborative, year-long program, structured to provide encouragement, support, and accountability. The TLC will help bring together groups of faculty to share ideas and strategies, determine solutions, and build innovations around a common concern or interest related to teaching & learning excellence.
The TLC offerings are available to any members of the ATSU community interested in developing their teaching practices.
Seminar series
The TLC sponsors workshops and presentations that focus on sharing proven practices in teaching and learning.
Innovation in teaching for learning award
The new University-wide faculty recognition program award was created to recognize one full-time faculty member who is incorporating innovative and/or creative teaching strategies/ideas in their ATSU course.
The award aims to
- recognize faculty who are implementing innovative and transferable ideas in any educational setting
- encourage faculty to share their ideas with colleagues across the University
First-round applications now being judged. Check back for winners.
Summer institute
All new, starting summer of 2021, the TLC will sponsor hands-on workshops designed to take faculty on a deep dive, with topics related to teaching and learning. Stay tuned for calls for applications and more details.
SparkTank
SparkTank, an ATSU Teaching & Learning Center biennial event, is a creative teaching and learning grant challenge for ATSU students, faculty, and staff to spark and support the development of innovative teaching and learning project ideas.
From active learning to educational technology, we have you covered! The Teaching & Learning Center is dedicated to bringing you resources of evidence-based best practices, educational research literature, and practices.
Resources by topic
The TLC is home to a curated archive of links to articles, recordings, and other learning resources about specific teaching and learning topics such as:
Can’t find what you are looking for?
TLC learning channel
The TLC learning channel is home to a number of short instructional short videos on various teaching and learning topics. You can also find our archived presentations on this channel.
The TLC is committed to educational research. We not only seek to disseminate best practices based on evidence-based research, but we also support the scholarly endeavors of our faculty.
Can’t find what you are looking for?
Educational research program
This program will introduce and guide committed faculty through developing a foundation in the processes and fundamental practices of educational research at ATSU. Alongside expert researchers, you will work toward starting and/or the completion of your own individual research plan.
The 2020 TLC Introduction to Educational Research is a 10-week course for educators interested in conducting educational research activities. Applications will be accepted starting September 15th through September 30th. Stay tuned for the application announcement or check here for more information.
Educational research journal club
The TLC educational research journal club supports members of ATSU’s research community who want to deepen their understanding of current trends and topics in educational research by reading and discussing articles with colleagues across the University. Articles are selected by you, rotating each month, with the ultimate decision being made by the member facilitating the discussion for that meeting.
Research writing circle
The TLC research writing circle supports faculty in the writing and drafting stages of their educational research. This informal group provides time to write, offers peer feedback, and helps to create structure during the writing process.