Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness
Criterion 1 Evidence of growth and reflective practice as online educator
Criterion 1 encompasses displaying an openness to online education. This openness is displayed through being receptive to student feedback. Student feedback is important to my growth and development as an instructor. The presentation below highlights the use of a mid-course survey in SOCW 600 spring and summer semesters 2023, and how the feedback on that survey is used to make improvements in the course and adjust my teaching to meet student needs.
Please click below to view the power point presentation on the feedback from the mid-course survey
Criterion 2 Online Student and Learner Engagement
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Criterion 2 encompasses building online learning community and creating inclusive, supportive, and engaging climate for learning; as well as facilitating positive communication and respectful interaction in the online course with clear expectations for participation and interaction. The artifacts for this criterion are reflective of the principles of representation and action/expression from the universal design for learning.
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Representation focuses on providing various ways for learners to engage with and comprehend the information presented in the course. With representation, perception involves provding the same information in multiple modalities in a format that allows for adjustability. Action and expression involves learners having alternative ways to express their knowledge of the course materials and mastery of concepts presented in the online learning environment.
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The image and video below of a lecture from SOCW 683 encompasses the elements of the universal design for learning with the material being presented in a visual and audio format, in written form with a power point presentation that is provided to students in advance of the lecture video being posted, and closed captioning being used for accessibility for all learners. With the use of closed captioning, there is a transcript that learners can download for further engagement and accessibility.
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The universal design for learning element of action and expression discusses providing students with an alternative way to demonstrate knowledge of course materials and learning. One of those alternative methods is discussion forums. The images below are of discussion forums from SOCW 600 where students can demonstrate engagement with the course materials by answering a question related to the topic for that module. Students also have the option of recording a response in the discussion forum as an alternative to writing a response. In courses that I teach, I also give students the option of attending a synchronous class session where we can discuss the discussion forum question in that zoom meeting in lieu of writing in the discussion forum.
Criterion 3 Assessment of Online Student Learning and Achievement
Criterion encompasses providing prompt feedback to students on assignments and how that feedback can transform the learning process for students. Providing students with substantive feedback on their assignments is important to their mastery of course concepts and materials, and the development of skills needed to practice as professional social workers.
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Below is feedback provided to students on assignments from SOCW 600 and SOCW 683.
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The feedback below was provided to students from SOCW 600 spring 2023 and summer 2023 on the ethical dilemma memo where students were presented with an ethical dilemma that social workers may encounter in practice and they were to apply the NASW Code of Ethics and elements of critical thinking to resolving the dilemma.
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The purpose of this assignment was for students to demonstrate the understanding and ability to apply the NASW Code of Ethics to their practice as social workers and in resolving ethical dilemmas. This goal was met in your paper as you did an outstanding job with identifying and applying the code of ethics to the scenario to provide critically sound guidance to the social worker in the scenario. As you discuss the ethical standards, values, and principles; provide more discussion on how they apply to the dilemma and the proposed action.
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Your submission did not meet the guidelines for the assignment. You were to discuss how you would resolve the dilemma in question. The instructions were clear on identifying the related social work value and ethical principle as well as the ethical standards related to the dilemma. This does not seem to be included in your submission. You also did not apply critical thinking and any questions related to your perspective on the dilemma, nor did you present a proposed course of action. I am available to meet if you need assistance with anything in the course or you need support in completing the assignments.
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In the first example of feedback provided to a student, the purpose of the assignment was provided as taken from the instructions in Blackboard and the feedback to the student is connected to how their assignment met the purpose of the assignment, what things they did well, and improvements needed for the assignment. In the second example, it was communicated to the student how their submission did not meet the criteria for the assignment and the availability of me, the instructor to assist them with understanding the assignment and how to complete it.
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The feedback below was provided to a student from SOCW 683 fall 2022 where they completed a treatment plan assignment demonstrating the ability to develop a treatment plan with a client using an appropriate treatment modality to treat the mental disorder.
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Successful treatment planning and review is a core component of the clinical practice that aids in behavioral shifts within family systems. The goal of this assignment ws for students to demonstrate knowledge and skill in selecting interventions which are matched with client problems across diverse populations, cultural backgrounds, sociopolitical contexts, and available resources. This goal was met in your treatment plan as you demonstrated the ability to use information from the assessment to determine the most appropriate treatment plan and goal for a client. The choice of CBT activities/interventions was appropriate for this client and to address symptoms of anxiety.
As an educator, I value feedback from students and use that feedback to take reflective action on how I can improve my teaching and the course. Please find below, quotes from students that show my effectiveness in student learning and achievement. Examples from student evaluation of teaching reports are also included.
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Dr. King, Words cannot express the gratitude I have for you as a professor at George Mason University, where I have been a student of yours since your SOCW 600-001 class. Dr. King, you are my inspiration, and I hope to be like you when I finish growing in my career. My long-term objective is to become a professor and assist other BIPOC students in becoming excellent future social workers. Thank you for your assistance, Dr. King.
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Dr. King, I appreciate the notification emails you send out to keep the students informed. When I see an email from you I immediately click on it because I know that it's something to help us. I like having the opportunity to choose which professor's class I'd like to take. Thank you so much for all your guidance! I'm enjoying the journey.
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Due to the low class size for SOCW 600 summer semester 2023, I do not have a SET reprort for this class, however, feedback from these students were provided in the section above featuring feedback on the mid-course survey.
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Criterion 4 Online Teaching Effectiveness and Impact
Criterion 4 involves demonstrating quality standards for online teaching excellence and providing example of online course design and teaching. The summary of student evaluation of teaching reports provide support for this criterion being met through the courses I teach.
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To address the lack of SET report data for courses due to a low reponse rate threshold, I have begun to send reminders to students during the last module in the course to complete the student evaluation of teaching form. I also communicate to the students how important the evaluations are to improve my teaching and the course.
Please click the button to view the full pdf of the student evaluation summary.
The following lists my contributions to the scholarship of teaching:
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Presenting "Best Practices in Teaching" workshop at Stearns Center Innovations and Teaching Conference and Online Learning Consortium Conference.
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Created Expectations for Teaching and Instructor Resource Guide for faculty teaching in the online program. Both documents were provided under criterion 1 in the Evidence of Teaching Excellence section of the portfolio.
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Developed and refreshed numerous courses in the online program to ensure best practices in student learning are met.
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The following is how I have demonstrated service to the Mason Community:
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​Served on various search committees in the College of Public Health.
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Served as chair of search committee for Department of Social work.
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Member of Faculty, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, 2022-2023.
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Member of Effective Teaching Committee, 2023 - present.
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Faculty Advisor for students in the online program.
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Mentoring adjunct and new full-time faculty in the Department of Social Work.
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Part of planning for ARIE conference.
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Co-chair of MSW Program and MSW Admissions Committees in Department of Social Work.
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Co-Advisor for Phi Alpha Honor Society.
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Co-Advisor for MSW Student Association.
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This section features letters of support from colleagues in the Department of Social Work and two students that I have mentored. Letters from the Department of Social Work include the Chair and Director of Practicum Education. The letters from students are two students that served as my GTA's in addition to my mentees or student advisees.
Support Letter from Chair, Department of Social Work
Support Letter from Director of Practicum Education, Department of Social Work
Support Letter from Former MSW Online Student
Support Letter from Current MSW Online Student