Destination
This annual professional development program brings Valencia colleagues together to explore teaching and learning innovations, challenges, and solutions. Each year's program will feature multiple experiences that will be valuable for faculty who have participated in Destination and those who are new to the experience. Join us this summer to explore teaching and learning innovations, challenges, and solutions with colleagues from diverse fields with varied experiences and interests. All Valencia faculty members, part-time and full-time, are encouraged to apply.
All tracks will award $500 for successful completion. As with previous Destination sessions, professional development (PD) hours are not available for the summer portion of the program.
Be a part of Destination 2023!
This 25th anniversary experience comes to you in a mixed-mode format that provides a way for us all to reconnect. The sessions will consist of three face-to-face sessions and two asynchronous online sessions during five Friday afternoons of the summer term
Track Details
Constructing Student Engagement and Connection Online
It's time for a no demo renovation of your student engagement practices in your online
courses. Pull out your punch list and join colleagues in designing a blueprint for
how students interact with your content, with one another, and with you. Together
we will explore practices to increase student engagement online within and across
disciplines through the three lenses of learner-to-content, learner-to-learner, and
learner-to-instructor engagement.
Track outcomes:
- Examine principles and resources commonly used to engage students with content, peers, and instructors in the online environment.
- Evaluate student engagement practices in online course design and facilitation.
- Design artifacts to use in online classes supporting meaningful student engagement through one or more of the three lenses: content, peers, and instructors.
Student Wellness in the Learning Environment
Have you ever considered the relationship between student wellness and academic success?
This Destination track will address how participants can support student wellness
in all learning environments to improve the student experience. Participants will
identify best practices based on educational neuroscience, including but not limited
to creating a sense of belonging, nurturing resilience, building relationships, fostering
a sense of autonomy, and encouraging confidence in the learning environment. The track
will culminate with presentations on the development of tools and strategies to aid
students with their well-being in the learning environment.
Track outcomes:
- Identify different factors that contribute to student wellness.
- Reflect on the relationship between student wellness and academic success.
- Curate resources to support student needs for all learning environments.
- Present a plan to infuse best practices in the learning environment to address student wellness needs.
Summer Dates and Times:
Destination 2023 Kick-off and Session #1
Friday, May 19, 2023 - Face-to-Face
12 - 1 p.m. Kickoff and Lunch
1 - 4 p.m. West Campus
Session #2: Friday, May 26, 2023 - Online Work
Session #3: Friday, June 2, 2023 - Face-to-Face
1 - 4 p.m. West Campus
(specific location details provided by track leader)
Session #4: Friday, June 9, 2023 - Online Work
Wrap-up and Session #5: Friday, June 16, 2023 - Face-to-Face
1 - 4 p.m. West Campus
(specific location details provided by track leader)
Destination 2023 Application has closed
All applicants will receive notification by mid April
Questions or For More Information
For general questions, please contact, Stacy Robinson, Faculty & Instructional Development Coordinator at srobinson89@valenciacollege.edu
*Your employment status at the time of application will determine compensation. Full-time non-exempt staff and part-time staff are paid their hourly wage; overtime may be paid, if applicable. Please note that overtime is paid after 40 hours of work, not inclusive of leave or paid time off. If you have any questions about how you would be compensated for participation in the program, please contact Organizational Development and Human Resources at HR4U@valenciacollege.edu, or call HR4U helpline at 407-299-5000, extension HR4U (4748).
Highlights from Past Destination Sessions
Locations
West Campus and Online (Canvas space)