The Professional Development Committee has sponsored a variety of events this Academic Year.

In the fall semester, the workshops the PDC held the following workshops:

On November 9, 2004, the Professional Development Committee and the Plainfield Campus Educational Seminars Committee co-sponsored “The Lighter Side of Deaf Culture” presented by Professors Eileen Forrestal and David Rivera of the ASL & Deaf Studies and Interpreters for Deaf Programs.

On November 15, Barbara Milnes presented a workshop “Teaching and Managing Students with Special Needs and Disabilities” at Cranford.

Prof. Helena Holmes conducted a workshop on November 16, “Learn to use Excel to manage and calculate grades” at Elizabeth.

In the spring semester, the Professional Development Committee sponsored several workshops and the annual Technology and Teaching Conference.

On January 19, 2005, The Professional Development Committee and the Overcoming Hatred/Creating Community Committees sponsored a workshop and luncheon in preparation for Overcoming Hatred/Creating Community Week, “Becoming American: A Look At The Challenges And Possibilities Of Becoming American” led by Peter Nelson from the organization Facing History and Ourselves.

On February 24 at the Elizabeth Campus, Prof. Margaret Deng and Dr. Huaxin Xu gave a presentation “Explore the Best of China: from Historic Landmarks to Modern Cities,” followed by a question and answer session with the speakers and Professors Barrie Chi and John McDermott.

The Professional Development Committee held its annual Technology and Teaching Conference on March 19, 2005 at the Cranford Campus.

Volunteer members of the faculty and staff ran eight separate workshops. The sessions were:

• Dr. Donna Weir, “Teaching Online Using NetTutor with WebCt”
• Prof. Howard Pomann, Prof. Deborah Kemp-Jackson, Prof. Maria Palmeri-Martinez, and Prof. Maria Mattaliano, “Creating a Student Centered Writing Lab Environment”
• Dr. Raymond Krukovsky, "Helpful Practices in Assessment of Students"
• Prof. Joanne Gouveia, “Using Television and Videos in the Classroom”
• Prof. Maureen Greenbaum, “Integrating FrontPage and WebCt”
• Steve Kato, “Video Editing and DVD Authoring for the Classroom”

• Prof. Pat Castaldi and Dr. Peter Conolly-Smith, “Roundtable Discussion On Outcomes Assessment”

•  rof. Maria Mattaliano and Dr Susannah Chewning, “Correcting Papers Online”

After lunch Dr. Matthew Reed, Division Dean of Liberal Arts at the County College of Morris, delivered a keynote speech “Higher Ed Exceptionalism: Technology-Driven Challenges Unique to Higher Education.” There were 51 participants in the conference, including speakers and organizers.

The PDC is cosponsoring with the Plainfield Campus Educational Seminars Committee a workshop on April 5 on “Educational Opportunity: What’s Our Role?” presented by Barbara Milne, Coordinator of Student Services for Students with Disabilities and Cindy Lampon, Student Assistance Counselor. This workshop covers such issues as Americans with Disabilities Act, academic accommodations, community mental health services, crisis intervention, “Language:  politically correct or inclusive?” and short-term personal counseling

The Professional Development Committee thanks you for arranging funding for the refreshments for “Becoming American” on January 19, 2005, and for the Technology and Teaching Conference on March 19, 2005.

 Stanley Cohen

PDC Chair