5 Reasons Why Faculty Should Attend the Bluenotes GLOBAL 2020 VX

Explorance supports faculty research by committing a total of $160,000 to provide Faculty Research Grants to Bluenotes community institutions. In 2020, the Bluenotes Faculty Research Grant Review Committee, chaired by Robert Goldstein from the University of Louisville, awarded grants to 16 recipients from institutions across the globe. Their research proposals represent a broad spectrum of topics that will advance the discovery of new knowledge and understanding of the use of assessment or course evaluation data in various aspects of teaching and learning.

The Bluenotes Community is inviting faculty members to join the Bluenotes GLOBAL (BNG) 2020 Virtual Experience from August 3-4, EST, where faculty researchers will present their findings. The BNG 2020 VX conference is free for faculty, and is the perfect place to meet, share, and learn about innovative solutions that Higher Education Institutions across the world are implementing to harness the power of student feedback. Here are five reasons why you should attend the Bluenotes GLOBAL 2020 VX.

1-Location – Did We Mention it was Online and Global?

This may not be the top reason you attend the Bluenotes GLOBAL 2020 VX, but we hope it might at least be one of the top 3 reasons you choose to register. The conference is truly global, as the virtual format is allowing us to create a program with over 60 institution-led sessions that are NA, EMEA, and APAC time zone friendly.

2-A Keynote Specifically for Faculty

The opening keynote (Monday, August 3, 11:00 – 12:00 pm, EST) is one session you do not want to miss. Join Dr. Salma Ghanem, the interim Provost at DePaul University, as she kicks off the conference with her presentation titled “The Dialectical Tension in the Relationship of Faculty and Administration: An Intercultural and Communication Approach.” View the conference program to learn more about her presentation.

3-An Inside Look into the 2021 Explorance Faculty Grant Program

Physical distancing mandates have led to widespread research suspensions to protect the health of researchers and participants. However, Explorance remains committed to faculty research initiatives around using assessment or course evaluation data to enhance instructional design and teaching and learning amidst COVID-19. By attending the Bluenotes GLOBAL 2020 VX, you will:

• Get an inside look at the research findings of our 16 research grant recipients for 2020
• Participate in the Research Grant Workshop – led by Robert Goldstein, the Bluenotes Faculty Research Grant Review Committee chair from the University of Louisville.
• Learn about the grant proposal review process and criteria for funding and join the review committee for the 2021 Faculty Research Grants (Monday, August 3, 2:30–3:10 pm, EST).

4- Faculty Specific Tracks for Educational Innovations

Many of the sessions in the conference program are explicitly geared towards faculty and how they can leverage student feedback to improve their teaching practices during COVID-19 and beyond. Below are just a few that you might be interested in:

Monday, August 3

• 7:45–8:25 am, EST – Investigating the Relationships between the Learning Ecology, Self-efficacy, and Academic Achievement after COVID-19 – Zayed University, Khalifa University, and Al Yasat School
• 8:30–9:25 am, EST – Debate: Student Evaluations of Teaching are an Important Assessment Tool for Evaluating Overall Faculty Performance
• 1:45-2:25 pm, EST – Mindfulness in the Learning Environment: Empowering Faculty and Students through Formative Feedback – Cleveland State University
• 3:15–3:55 pm, EST – The Administration and Faculty “Joint Venture” from Paper to Online to Improve Student Experience with our Course Evaluation Process – Washington College
• 7:40–8:40 pm, EST – APAC Panel: COVID-19 Impact on Course Evaluations – University of Western Australia and Murdoch University

Tuesday, August 4

• 6:50–7:30 pm, EST – Supporting Faculty with the Shift to Online Course Delivery during COVID-19 – King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)
• 10:05–11:00 am, EST – Panel: COVID-19 Impact on Course Evaluations – Policy, Process, People – The Ohio State University, University of Minnesota, University of Pittsburgh, McGill University, Rutgers University
• 11:05–11:45 am, EST – What Makes Feedback Usable for Instructors? – Dalhousie University
• 1:45 – 2:25 pm, EST – Evaluating Diversity and Inclusion Pedagogy in Inclusive University Classrooms: A Helpful Tool – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Princeton University
• 3:15 – 3:55 pm, EST – Instructor-Selected Questions: Using Student Feedback to Improve Teaching Practice and Student Learning – Simon Fraser University

5-Network with other Members of Faculty from Across the Globe

Networking with colleagues who share a common passion is one of the most rewarding parts of attending a Bluenotes GLOBAL conference. Since this year’s conference is virtual, we wanted to ensure you made a few new contacts and great connections that can help support you as you plan for your teaching practice moving forward.

We have built ample networking opportunity times into the program so that you can meet with your fellow conference attendees. Join the water cooler zoom room or other informal virtual networking sessions. There will be fun games to play and some cool prizes to win.

Head over to the Bluenotes website to learn about the faculty research grant for 2021.

We truly hope that you will find spending time with the Bluenotes Community rewarding and a great way to extend your learning and your connections.