We’re looking forward to an energizing and engaging IE Orientation this year, with several senior teachers presenting for the first time. There will be updates on our evolving approach to plagiarism prevention, sessions on bringing cultural awareness and exchange into the classroom, a “pecha kucha” showcase of IE Seminars, an explanation of how to self-publish, an exciting technology panel, and a roundtable on best practices in IE Active Listening by veteran instructors of that course.
This year’s IE Orientation will be more streamlined, with only the two final presentations overlapping. This should ensure less chaos, better time management, and more opportunities for everyone to gain exposure to information, ideas, and suggestions that apply across courses rather than just related to the particular course(s) they have been assigned.
Here is the schedule. Just to remind you, the IE Orientation will begin at 8:30 AM on Saturday, April 4th, in Building 17, where we will meet briefly for coffee in room 17-808 before moving on to room 17-810 for the first session. The only session that will not be held in 17-810 will be the one titled “Best Practices in IE Active Listening,” which will take place in the Goucher Building–15-502.
The Scope & Sequence for IE Core has been updated for 2015. The biggest change is the addition of some plagiarism awareness activities and tasks at each of the three levels. Even though this document is most directly relevant to IE Core teachers, it is highly recommended that IE Writing and Active Listening teachers take a look at it as well since this is an integrated program and the changes in one course has knock on effects on the others.
We have also prepared an updated version of the English Department Handbook–a useful reference source for the rules, policies, and regulations of the department. It has helpful information about what you will need to do should you have to call in sick, etc. Teachers new to the department should definitely look through the text to see what it covers. Continuing teachers are strongly encouraged to take another look at it since there have been some updates.
