Now Brewing at CAFE - August 9, 2024

GenAI DEMONSTRATION AND HANDS-ON "PLAY" SESSION FOR INSTRUCTORS
Facilitator: Jacob Dolence, Director, Educational Innovation and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and Honors Faculty Scholar 
When: September 19 @ 3:30-5:00 pm
Where: Zoom
Register: https://forms.gle/PGmh3A4VBnEBWFW56 

Join us for a hands-on interactive session focused on exploring the possible integrations of Generative AI (GenAI) in teaching and learning. This session will provide a space for you to experiment with AI tools in a guided, thoughtful way, helping you assess whether and how AI might fit with your course learning outcomes.

During this session, you’ll have the chance to:

• Explore AI tools through hands-on activities.
• Engage in guided scenarios to better understand how AI might be applied to teaching and learning.
• Discuss concerns and ideas with colleagues in a supportive setting.

This session is designed to help you make informed decisions about AI use in your classroom, whether you’re just beginning to explore or already experimenting. We welcome all levels of interest and experience.

TEACHING DURING AN ELECTION YEAR: AN ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND STUDENT AFFAIRS COLLABORATION
Debate Watch: Viewing and Conversation
Facilitator: Dr. Eric Hodges, Associate Professor of Political Science
September 10 @ 7:30 PM
Blackwell Hall

The Presidential Debate is this coming Tuesday, September 10--please join us for a shared viewing and conversation led by Prof. Eric Hodges, Associate Professor of Political Science, beginning at 7:30 pm in Blackwell.  This event offers an opportunity to engage with one of the key moments of the election season.  

Faculty, if you’re considering integrating this event into your curriculum, we’ve prepared a customizable assignment template. You can use or modify it to align with your course outcomes/goals. The template is designed to support critical thinking, media literacy, and reflective writing. Go to https://blogs.longwood.edu/cafeinstitute2016/files/2024/09/2024-Presidential-Debate-Watch-Assignment.docx to download the assignment. 

Fostering Civic Engagement: A Workshop on Deliberative Dialogues
Facilitators: Isabel Fay, Assoc. Professor of Communication Studies; Kris Paal, Assoc. Professor of Communication Studies, Jonathan Page, Asst. Dean of Multicultural Affairs 
When: September 25, 3-4:30pm
Where: 101 Allen Hall
Register: https://forms.gle/g5eAPkzK5NZ4TgBj7 

In this interactive, in-person workshop participants will explore the powerful tool of deliberative dialogues, using the timely topic "Elections: How Should We Encourage and Safeguard Voting?" Participants will learn how to facilitate and implement these structured conversations to promote thoughtful civic engagement among students and colleagues. 

Workshop Highlights

• Introduction to deliberative dialogue principles and best practices
• Practice with a sample dialogue on election integrity and voter participation
• Strategies for integrating deliberative dialogues into classroom discussions and  campus activities
• Tools for fostering respectful, productive discussions on complex issues

Participants will gain practical skills to: 

• Design and facilitate deliberative dialogues
• Encourage critical thinking and active listening
• Navigate challenging conversations about civic issues
• Empower students and colleagues to engage in constructive democratic discourse

Using Constructive Dialogue Activities to Talk About Difficult Issues 
Facilitators: Isabel Fay, Assoc. Professor of Communication Studies; Kris Paal, Assoc. Professor of Communication Studies, Jonathan Page, Asst. Dean of Multicultural Affairs 
Monday, September 30th from 3-4:15 pm on Zoom
Register @ https://forms.gle/KbLswkmr54fDZoCU9 

In this interactive session, faculty and staff will experience a variety of discussion activities designed to enhance dialogue skills, civil discourse, and critical thinking.  Participants will be equipped with practical resources and exercises to promote meaningful and constructive dialogue for students.  

Election 2024 Resources
Lancers Vote-Voting 101 Canvas course @ https://longwood.instructure.com/enroll/WW3YTA
Updated CAFE blog @ https://blogs.longwood.edu/cafeinstitute2016/ Teaching and learning resources to facilitate thoughtful and inclusive conversations in the classroom on critical issues such as democracy, governance, and public policy.

DESIGNING YOUR LIFE FACULTY LEARNING COMMUNITY
Dates: September 13th and 27th, October 18th, November 1 and 15th 
Time: 3:00-4:00 pm
Location: Zoom

Join a group of Longwood faculty as we prepare for the Post-Graduate Success Initiative by reading Designing Your Life by Burnett, Evans, and Evans.  We’ll meet twice a month (except in October) for an hour via Zoom, and we’ll read most of the book this semester.  We'll cover 35-40 pages per meeting.  We understand that you might have conference or work plans that might prevent you from attending all 5 sessions.  If you can make most of the meetings, please do come. You can sign up here: https://forms.gle/mb1Zf76UTpqPhGbc6. The form includes information on readings, the book, and the Zoom address.

WEEKLY WELL-BEING
MEDITATION
Dates: Tuesday, September 10th 
Time: 11:30 am-12:00 pm
Location: Zoom https://shorturl.at/5WIIr 
Research shows that since COVID, university faculty and staff have been experiencing burnout at higher rates than average. One way to combat the exhaustion is to try mindfulness techniques. Join Renee Gutiérrez to create a pause in your day. All are welcome for a brief, guided meditation; no previous experience is required.

FOCUSED PRODUCTIVITY SESSIONS

• Join CAFE for pomodoro sessions again this semester. All faculty and staff are welcome. The sessions use a focused cycle: set a goal, work towards it for 25 minutes, and then take a five-minute break. You will repeat the cycle three times. Choose the session that fits your needs: