Murray State University Faculty Development Center

Murray State University Faculty Development Center Murray State University Faculty Development Center

WHAT a 🌞Beautiful 🌞 Thursday morning to join us for the second session of CREATE ENGAGING VIDEOS AND SCREENCASTS FAST wi...
04/30/2026

WHAT a 🌞Beautiful 🌞 Thursday morning to join us for the second session of CREATE ENGAGING VIDEOS AND SCREENCASTS FAST with Gari Wild, Instructional Technology Specialist for the FDC!

Starts at 11:00-11:50 a.m. Via: Zoom TODAY!

Are you interested in creating short videos and screencasts that clarify concepts without eating up your prep time? Would you like to add dynamic screen recordings to your courses using tools that are readily available?

Join us to explore practical options in Canvas Studio, and Canva that make video content more effective, and discover simple techniques you can quickly apply to strengthen your course materials and improve student focus and retention.​

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify video and screen casting tools available in Canvas Studio and Canva.
2. Describe the primary features and use cases for creating recorded presentations, screencasts, and short instructional videos in Canvas Studio and Canva.
3. Apply basic recording and editing features in Canvas Studio and Canva to improve the effectiveness and learner engagement of videos and screencasts.
4. Assess video examples to determine how editing choices impact instructional effectiveness and learner engagement.

Presenter: Gari Wild, Instructional Technology Specialist, Faculty Development Center

Register: https://forms.gle/PDop5AZ6rAiUHJKP7

Happy Tuesday! Don't forget to jump on this afternoon for: CREATE ENGAGING VIDEOS AND SCREENCASTS FAST with Gari Wild, I...
04/28/2026

Happy Tuesday!

Don't forget to jump on this afternoon for: CREATE ENGAGING VIDEOS AND SCREENCASTS FAST with Gari Wild, Instructional Technology Specialist for the FDC!

Today, April 28, 2:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.

Via: Zoom

Register: https://forms.gle/PDop5AZ6rAiUHJKP7

Join us via Zoom Tuesday, April 28, 2:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. and Thursday, April 30, 11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. as Gari Wild, ...
04/27/2026

Join us via Zoom Tuesday, April 28, 2:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. and Thursday, April 30, 11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. as Gari Wild, FDC Instructional Technology Specialist leads our session on:

CREATE ENGAGING VIDEOS AND SCREENCASTS FAST

Are you interested in creating short videos and screencasts that clarify concepts without eating up your prep time? Would you like to add dynamic screen recordings to your courses using tools that are readily available?

Join us to explore practical options in Canvas Studio, and Canva that make video content more effective, and discover simple techniques you can quickly apply to strengthen your course materials and improve student focus and retention.​

Learning Objectives

1. Identify video and screen casting tools available in Canvas Studio and Canva.
2. Describe the primary features and use cases for creating recorded presentations, screencasts, and short instructional videos in Canvas Studio and Canva.
3. Apply basic recording and editing features in Canvas Studio and Canva to improve the effectiveness and learner engagement of videos and screencasts.
4. Assess video examples to determine how editing choices impact instructional effectiveness and learner engagement.

Presenter: Gari Wild, Instructional Technology Specialist, Faculty Development Center

Register: https://forms.gle/PDop5AZ6rAiUHJKP7

What an ENGAGING session we had yesterday for SUPERCHARGE YOUR SLIDES WITH INTERACTIVE DESIGNS!You can still join today'...
03/26/2026

What an ENGAGING session we had yesterday for SUPERCHARGE YOUR SLIDES WITH INTERACTIVE DESIGNS!

You can still join today's session (Thursday) at 11:00 a.m.!!

Register: https://forms.gle/PDop5AZ6rAiUHJKP7

SUPERCHARGE YOUR SLIDES WITH INTERACTIVE DESIGNS!

Have you ever seen a great presentation and wondered what made it work so well? Are you interested in making your own slide presentations even more engaging and interactive?

Join us to explore options in PowerPoint and Canva that make presentations more effective, and discover simple, practical techniques you can quickly apply to strengthen your course materials and enhance student learning and engagement.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify interactive design features available in PowerPoint and Canva, including editing tools, animation paths, transitions, zoom features, and 3D elements.
2. Describe how interactive features in PowerPoint and Canva can enhance learner engagement and information delivery.
3. Use selected interactive design tools in presentation slides to improve effectiveness and student engagement.
4. Assess presentation designs to determine how interactive elements can support learning goals.

Presenter: Gari Wild, Instructional Technology Specialist, Faculty Development Center

When: Thursday, March 26, 11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

Where: Via Zoom

Register: https://forms.gle/PDop5AZ6rAiUHJKP7

The 🌞 is shining, 🐦 are chirping and🌡️are rising!! For now, at least!!Who wants to SUPERCHARGE YOUR SLIDES WITH INTERACT...
03/25/2026

The 🌞 is shining, 🐦 are chirping and🌡️are rising!! For now, at least!!

Who wants to SUPERCHARGE YOUR SLIDES WITH INTERACTIVE DESIGNS?!

Have you ever seen a great presentation and wondered what made it work so well? Are you interested in making your own slide presentations even more engaging and interactive?

Join us to explore options in PowerPoint and Canva that make presentations more effective, and discover simple, practical techniques you can quickly apply to strengthen your course materials and enhance student learning and engagement.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify interactive design features available in PowerPoint and Canva, including editing tools, animation paths, transitions, zoom features, and 3D elements.
2. Describe how interactive features in PowerPoint and Canva can enhance learner engagement and information delivery.
3. Use selected interactive design tools in presentation slides to improve effectiveness and student engagement.
4. Assess presentation designs to determine how interactive elements can support learning goals.

Presenter: Gari Wild, Instructional Technology Specialist, Faculty Development Center

When: Wednesday, March 25, 2:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Thursday, March 26, 11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

Where: Via Zoom

Register: https://forms.gle/PDop5AZ6rAiUHJKP7

Catch the 2nd session of Designing Multimedia That Helps Students Learn today at 11:00 a.m.! It is so insightful! Our ow...
03/12/2026

Catch the 2nd session of Designing Multimedia That Helps Students Learn today at 11:00 a.m.! It is so insightful! Our own Gari Wild, Instructional Technology Specialist for the Faculty Development Center discusses so much!

Designing Multimedia That Helps Students Learn!

Have you ever spent hours creating slides, videos, or online modules that looked great but somehow didn’t seem to connect with students the way you hoped? Have you ever noticed that some slides, videos, or online modules seem to “click” with students more than others, even when the content is similar?

The way we combine visuals, text, and narration can either guide or overload learners’ thinking. Research by Richard Mayer offers clear, practical insights that help make multimedia more effective and engaging. Join us in this session to explore simple, research-informed strategies you can quickly apply to strengthen your course materials and support deeper learning.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe how multimedia design decisions influence student learning and attention.
2. Distinguish between effective and ineffective examples of multimedia materials.
3. Apply evidence-based guidelines to revise or create one short multimedia element for a course.
4. Evaluate a piece of instructional media and suggest specific improvements to enhance clarity and understanding.

When: Thursday, March 12, 11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Where: Via Zoom
Register: https://forms.gle/PDop5AZ6rAiUHJKP7

In case you missed the Teaching Tuesday Newsletter, join us this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. as our own Gari Wild, Instructio...
03/11/2026

In case you missed the Teaching Tuesday Newsletter, join us this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. as our own Gari Wild, Instructional Technology Specialist for the Faculty Development Center discusses:

Designing Multimedia That Helps Students Learn!

Have you ever spent hours creating slides, videos, or online modules that looked great but somehow didn’t seem to connect with students the way you hoped? Have you ever noticed that some slides, videos, or online modules seem to “click” with students more than others, even when the content is similar?

The way we combine visuals, text, and narration can either guide or overload learners’ thinking. Research by Richard Mayer offers clear, practical insights that help make multimedia more effective and engaging. Join us in this session to explore simple, research-informed strategies you can quickly apply to strengthen your course materials and support deeper learning.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe how multimedia design decisions influence student learning and attention.

2. Distinguish between effective and ineffective examples of multimedia materials.

3. Apply evidence-based guidelines to revise or create one short multimedia element for a course.

4. Evaluate a piece of instructional media and suggest specific improvements to enhance clarity and understanding.

When: Wednesday, March 11, 2:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Thursday, March 12, 11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

Where: Via Zoom

Register: https://forms.gle/PDop5AZ6rAiUHJKP7

Rainy☔️cloudy ☁️days are perfect for joining us via Zoom for a session! We'll be on today, March 5 from 3:30 p.m. - 4:20...
03/05/2026

Rainy☔️cloudy ☁️days are perfect for joining us via Zoom for a session! We'll be on today, March 5 from 3:30 p.m. - 4:20 p.m. to hear Ed Thome, Associate Professor, Mathematics and Statistics talks about:

BUILDING AN EXECUTIVE-FUNCTION-FRIENDLY CLASSROOM

Why do some students struggle to “just get started”? Have you noticed a shift in your classes lately? You see the potential in your students, yet many hit a wall when it comes to essential academic habits: meeting deadlines, managing complex projects, following through on academic tasks, or even staying focused during a lecture. It’s easy to characterize the absence of these habits as a lack of maturity, but what if it’s actually a gap in Executive Function Skills (EFS)?

To support these students, we need a clearer view of the cognitive framework that supports or hinders their work. The Brown Model of Executive Function identifies six critical clusters that shape student performance: Activation, Focus, Effort, Emotion, Memory, and Action.

When these systems are out of sync, student progress stalls. Based on my recent work, I estimate that approximately 25% of incoming freshmen arrive with substantial weaknesses in several of these areas, while another 20% have challenges they gradually overcome. When nearly half of a class is struggling with these self-management capacities, it changes the entire teaching dynamic.
Developed as the capstone for my recent project at Landmark College, this session offers a practical roadmap for moving beyond faculty frustration. We will explore how to help students navigate these hurdles so they can more consistently execute the high-level work they are capable of producing.

Learning Objectives

In this session, we move past abstract theory to focus on high-impact classroom practice. By the end of the presentation, you will be able to:

1. Analyze the impact of the six EFS clusters on student learning and academic performance.
2. Recognize EFS weaknesses by connecting classroom behaviors, such as chronic procrastination or “zoning out,” to underlying cognitive factors.
3. Select evidence-based instructional strategies that scaffold student success without compromising academic rigor.
4. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of different EFS support frameworks to determine what best fits your discipline.
5. Construct a plan to integrate “EF-friendly” cues and structures into your own classes.

Presenter: Ed Thome, Associate Professor, Mathematics and Statistics

When: Thursday, March 5, 3:30 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.

Where: Via Zoom

Register: https://forms.gle/PDop5AZ6rAiUHJKP7

BUILDING AN EXECUTIVE-FUNCTION-FRIENDLY CLASSROOMWhy do some students struggle to “just get started”? Have you noticed a...
02/24/2026

BUILDING AN EXECUTIVE-FUNCTION-FRIENDLY CLASSROOM

Why do some students struggle to “just get started”? Have you noticed a shift in your classes lately? You see the potential in your students, yet many hit a wall when it comes to essential academic habits: meeting deadlines, managing complex projects, following through on academic tasks, or even staying focused during a lecture. It’s easy to characterize the absence of these habits as a lack of maturity, but what if it’s actually a gap in Executive Function Skills (EFS)?

To support these students, we need a clearer view of the cognitive framework that supports or hinders their work. The Brown Model of Executive Function identifies six critical clusters that shape student performance: Activation, Focus, Effort, Emotion, Memory, and Action.

When these systems are out of sync, student progress stalls. Based on my recent work, I estimate that approximately 25% of incoming freshmen arrive with substantial weaknesses in several of these areas, while another 20% have challenges they gradually overcome. When nearly half of a class is struggling with these self-management capacities, it changes the entire teaching dynamic.

Developed as the capstone for my recent project at Landmark College, this session offers a practical roadmap for moving beyond faculty frustration. We will explore how to help students navigate these hurdles so they can more consistently execute the high-level work they are capable of producing.

Learning Objectives

In this session, we move past abstract theory to focus on high-impact classroom practice. By the end of the presentation, you will be able to:

1. Analyze the impact of the six EFS clusters on student learning and academic performance.

2. Recognize EFS weaknesses by connecting classroom behaviors, such as chronic procrastination or “zoning out,” to underlying cognitive factors.

3. Select evidence-based instructional strategies that scaffold student success without compromising academic rigor.

4. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of different EFS support frameworks to determine what best fits your discipline.

5. Construct a plan to integrate “EF-friendly” cues and structures into your own classes.

Presenter: Ed Thome, Associate Professor, Mathematics and Statistics

When: Wednesday, February 25, 10:30 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Thursday, March 5, 3:30 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.

Where: Via Zoom

Register: https://forms.gle/PDop5AZ6rAiUHJKP7

Are you interested in joining other faculty to work consistently toward your writing goals in a quiet virtual space? You...
02/24/2026

Are you interested in joining other faculty to work consistently toward your writing goals in a quiet virtual space?

You are invited to join the FDC's Writing Group to get your important work done in a space with like-minded individuals! Whether you need to work on your articles, books, grants, book chapters, or other writing projects, you will be challenged to commit to your most important goals and receive encouragement, accountability, and much more along the way.

Facilitator: Dr. Firm Faith Watson, Director, Faculty Development Center

When: Tuesdays, February 24; March 10, 24; April 7, 21; 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Where: Via Zoom

Register: https://forms.gle/PDop5AZ6rAiUHJKP7

Address

100 Pogue Library; Murray State University
Murray, KY
42071

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30am
Saturday 8am - 4:30pm

Website

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