Special Topics

Advanced registration is required for all KCPDC events. Registration is FREE to employees of member institutions. Please contact your campus representative for registration.

The Special Topics Series is an annually planned group of seminars. Topics are chosen collectively by KCPDC board members based on identified development needs from each member institution. Employees participating in the seminars can learn new skills, build relationships and share ideas with colleagues from other institutions, having some fun in the process. Effective July 1, 2011, Special Topics sessions may be used to satisfy the elective requirements for the Supervisory and Faculty Development Certificate Programs.

View the 2011 – 2012 Calendar or learn more about the topics, scheduled times and program locations below.

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2012

Generational Conversations: Transcending and Including

Date & Time: April 5, 2012 – 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Location: DeVry University - LeValley Conference Room

Presenter: Jim McGraw, Ed.D

In recent years diverse perspectives have been offered on generational differences. While many people recognize that generational differences exist, it continues to be challenging to understand and interact with diverse generations in the classroom or on the job. Ken Wilbur, philosopher and author, suggests that positive evolutionary processes include both “transcending and including” what has gone before. He views this growth process as preferable to practices that could deny differences, repress change, and hinder growth. With this perspective in mind, generational issues can be explored by examining those generational characteristics we want to “include” and those we hope to “transcend.” To that end, this highly interactive workshop will engage participants in:

• Reviewing and discussing updated information on generational issues.
• Participating in discussions with individuals from diverse generational cohorts (e.g., “Baby Boomers,” “Gen Xers,” and “Millennial.”)
• Developing and sharing approaches to foster productive communications/interactions with individuals from different generations.
• Examining resources for further inquiry into this issue, and prognosticating about the next generation.

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Time Management & Productivity

Date & Time: March 8, 2012 – 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Location: Colorado Technical University - Kansas City Campus

Presenter: Adrianne Ford, MBA

This will be a completely hands-on event with handouts, team dialogue and practice activities to enforce new behaviors. Primary topics and themes to be addressed during the session include:

• Time wasters
• Integrity and character
• The benefit of being predictable and accountable
• Leversaging the morning
• The value of time
• Productivity killers and procrastination
• The danger of a wandering, wondering mind & how to avoid engaging in fantasy and day-dreaming
• The value of list making, budgets and calendars
• How to leverage smart phones, planners and Microsoft Outlook
• How to make correct choices that net productivity benefits

Attendees are asked to bring with them to the session a list of time management points of frustration, challenges, & concerns and whatever calendaring tool they utilize (i.e. smart phone, Franklin planner, notepad).

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Academic Integrity

Date & Time: March 28, 2012 – 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Metropolitan Community College - Business & Technology Campus

Presenters: Jon Burke, PhD & Rich Higgason, PhD

Academic integrity has long been recognized as a significant issue in our institutions. Studies have shown that upwards of 50% of students have self-reported engaging in some type of cheating. Technology, particularly the Internet and smart phones, only seem to make it easier for students to cheat. The integrity of the learning environment necessitates that we not turn a blind eye to this problem. In this interactive session, participants will:

• Identify basic concepts and key legal issues relating to academic integrity.
• Describe common teaching challenges and new tools in the effort to reduce academic dishonesty.
• Define the unique nature of academic integrity as both a student development issue and an academic issue.
• Describe a variety of contextual issues that impact efforts to address the problem.
• Explain academic integrity from an educational perspective.

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2011

Social Software and Web 2.0 Apps in the Classroom and in the Department

Date & Time: Sep. 20, 2011 – 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Location: JCCC

Presenter: Keith Krieger

In this lecture-only session, weÕll explore how social software and Web 2.0 applications can be used with students and colleagues. As we examine these tools, we'll discuss how to best use them in the classroom and show examples of how instructors put them to use. In addition, we'll take a look at the ways to pull together social software and Web 2.0 applications to create personal learning networks for our professional development.

Participants are welcome to bring their laptops, smartphones, and other web-connected devices to the session.

The objectives of the session:

• Introduce participants to web-based applications
• Examine methods to incorporate social software and web 2.0 applications into class work
• Demonstrate how to build personal learning networks and share knowledge and expertise with colleagues

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Check Your Retirement I.Q.: It's About More Than Money

Date & Time: Sep. 28, 2011 – 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Location: MCC-BTC, CA 104B

Presenter: Ben Hayes and Helen Burnstad

This interactive workshop will focus primarily on the non-financial aspects of retirement. While there are a multitude of workshops, books, articles, etc, regarding retirement finances, little information is provided about the other important aspects of a successful retirement. Participants will leave this workshop with an ACTION PLAN for LIVING in retirement!

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Behavioral Interviewing

Date & Time: Oct. 6, 2011 – 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Location: Baker Overland Park

Presenter: LeAnna Wilson

The single best predictor of future job performance is past job behavior in similar situations. Participants will go through the process of planning and conducting effective hiring interviews, evaluating candidates and arriving at the right hiring decision. Participants are encouraged to bring a job description or job descriptions of those they may supervisor.

The objectives of the session:

• Understand why it is important to have a plan when hiring
• Identify the pre-work that sets the stage for a successful job-related interview and candidate selection
• Develop interview questions that will reveal success patterns in the candidate's background and the ability to perform the essential functions of the position
• Formulate expectations based on the job description and derive interview questions from these expectations
• Identify relationship between job expectations and performance evaluation
• Understand how to assess technical skills and performance skills

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Conflict Resolution in Dynamic Workplaces

Date & Time: Nov. 2, 2011 – 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Location: KCKCC

Presenter: Valerie Burke

In busy, dynamic workplaces, there are sure to be internal and external conflicts. Spending time dealing with such conflict situations can drag organizations down – ruining reputations, costing lost productivity and creating negative publicity. By mastering some improved communication skills, participants will better navigate conflict in their workplace. So many people blame others for conflict situations, but remember the only one we can change is ourselves – so it is up to YOU!

• 4 Keys to Constructive Communication
• How to Quit Taking It Personally (QTIP)
• Using a Positive No
• How Going to Your BEACH Will Help