New Faculty Orientation and Resources
In addition to hosting a New Faculty Orientation each August, the university provides several resources for new faculty to help them get started and excel in their new roles.
- Teaching Innovation and Pedagogical Support (TIPS) - A one stop shop for all technology help as it relates to teaching.
- Blackboard - the university's learning management system where faculty add materials for students to access, including syllabus, quizzes, homework, and discussion boards.
- IT Help Desk - Faculty can also call 479-575-HELP (4357) for assistance (or 479-575-2904 after hours).
- Workday Student - the program used for maintaining student records, including class rosters, grade rosters, and your advisees. See what Workday trainings are offered for additional assistance.
- Campus Map
- Benefits - includes retirement, health insurance, and much more.
- New Employee Orientation
- Childcare on Campus - Jean Tyson Child Development Center
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Discounts for UA Employees
- Fine Arts on Campus
- Pat Walker Health Center
- University of Arkansas Speech and Hearing Clinic
- Human Resources
- Razorback Card Office
- Procedures to order keys for offices and labs
- Nursing Stations on Campus / Lactation Rooms
- Transit and Parking Office
- University Relations Office
- University Recreation Facilities
- Arkansas Razorback Tickets
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Support for Students
- Student Success Center
- TRIO Student Support Services
- Center for Educational Access
- Math Resource and Tutoring Center
- Pat Walker Health Center Counseling and Psychological Services
- University of Arkansas Speech and Hearing Clinic
- Study Abroad
- Testing Services
- UA Cares - Refer students who are distressed or getting behind academically.
- Learn from our colleagues and adapt their great ideas to your class.
- Evaluate yourself on the topic of teaching so that you recognize “good” ideas.
- Attend Teaching and Faculty Support Center Programs.
- Never forget why you got into this in the first place.
- Keep your passion for your discipline fervent, and make it central to your teaching.
- Bring to the classroom a fine balance of expertise and enthusiasm.
- Get as much training as possible in teaching techniques as early in your career as possible.
- Model what you liked in your own teachers; Avoid what you disliked in your own teachers; Learn from these positive and negative examples to develop your own teaching style.
- Take a simple approach to teaching:
- Define reasonable learning objectives.
- Teach to those objectives.
- Test fairly to those objectives.
- Treat the students with respect – they will do likewise to you.
- Always remember that every day in class, you always have a new chance to do something positive and affirmative.
- Take time to learn the “system” and “culture” you have joined, before you try to “fix” every problem in your Department: i.e.: Build strong collegial relationships to be most effective.
- Don’t take yourself too seriously. Lighten up, and allow your students and yourself to enjoy your classes.
- Discuss your teaching with your colleagues and always keep an open mind about new ways of doing things.
- Ask your colleagues to show you their teaching methods and talk about what you do in class with your colleagues.
- Prepare lessons/lectures to be clear and interesting, and do not take it personally if the students choose not to learn. At some point, motivation is the students’ responsibility.
- Do not play “hide the ball.” Err on the side of giving your students too much help to prepare for assessment. They don’t know as much as you know.
- Have fun with teaching and interacting with students.
- Sign up for Teaching Camp (it happens inAugust!
- Stay in touch with “pop culture.” Know what your students are hearing and watching. It helps with examples.
- Remember how you felt as a freshman.