{"id":3999,"date":"2025-07-29T17:31:23","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T17:31:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/?post_type=furman-update&#038;p=3999"},"modified":"2025-07-29T17:34:30","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T17:34:30","slug":"support-for-a-successful-fall-semester-start-up","status":"publish","type":"furman-update","link":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/updates\/support-for-a-successful-fall-semester-start-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Support for a Successful Fall Semester Start-Up"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4000 alignright lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/108\/2025\/07\/LeadStory1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"297\" height=\"202\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 297px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 297\/202;\" \/>Yearning for cooler temperatures can be our signal to savor the remainder of precious summertime, but it can also be an invitation to begin thinking about your fall courses. The FDC has collected a set of resources below to help facilitate your transition to fall when you are ready to turn your mind to all things fall semester! <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The following are some FDC resources that can help smooth your own re-entry to campus and into the semester:\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you are modifying or reconsidering course assessment approaches, review: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/furman.box.com\/s\/0j0bpftf00bwk0fzz5snkocx90z0ryax\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">5 Steps to Update Assignments to Foster Critical Thinking and Authentic Learning in an AI Age<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you are beginning to update your syllabus, Furman\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/furman.app.box.com\/file\/826233050041?s=3nqavz2eiykdyug5ys4q7uqyxokql99w\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">general syllabus<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> and<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/furman.box.com\/s\/qgnmoi3rxvrvu71pl12mztnm6p9q5tp0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">fall 2025 course schedule<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> templates may be useful.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Incorporating a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/furman.app.box.com\/file\/848142293966?s=afntdfm8f94f00qwy7e4lrbk9obehszq\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">SoTL statement<\/span><\/a> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">in your syllabus can also help keep the door open for new research projects this semester related to your teaching efforts!\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Making your expectations concrete in the syllabus now can help improve student learning for all down the road. Consider a \u201cverb audit\u201d in your course goals or objectives by swapping out nebulous words like \u201cknow\u201d for more concrete behavioral learning indicators like \u201corder,\u201d \u201cidentify,\u201d or \u201creproduce.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/davenport.libguides.com\/learningoutcomes\/action_verbs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Bloom\u2019s Taxonomy-based Action Verbs<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> gives helpful inspiration for word choice.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you would like to spruce up your first day approaches to enhance student engagement, peruse this comprehensive<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/resources.depaul.edu\/teaching-commons\/teaching-guides\/learning-activities\/Pages\/the-first-day.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">DePauw University \u201cThe First Day of Class\u201d<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> guide.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Seeking feedback for improvements on your already effective teaching is one of the signature behaviors of virtuosic teaching.\u00a0 As you develop your syllabus, plan now for mid-term, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/programs-grants\/small-group-instructional-feedback\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Small Group Instructional Feedback<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> (SGIF), or peer observations.\u00a0 To sign up, please complete an online <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/furman.az1.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_6swEpK56yqwvuSh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">collaboration request form<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> to work with FDC staff or peer coaches this semester.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Finally, mark your calendars and join the FDC for any of our upcoming Fall Professional Development programs. For more details, visit our website<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">events page<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yearning for cooler temperatures can be our signal to savor the remainder of precious summertime, but it can also be an invitation to begin thinking about your fall courses. The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","update-categories":[],"class_list":["post-3999","furman-update","type-furman-update","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/updates\/3999","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/updates"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/furman-update"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/updates\/3999\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4003,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/updates\/3999\/revisions\/4003"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3999"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"furman-update-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/update-categories?post=3999"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}