Designing and Presenting Effective CDL Courses: A Faculty Development Workshop

Why should I take this course?

Designed for judicial educators who want to improve their teaching skills, this workshop emphasizes a “learning by doing” model. Using Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory, you will identify your own learning style while recognizing the need to teach to your participants’ varied learning styles. The faculty will empower you to write effective learning objectives, which are the foundation of your teaching. Learning objectives help you to avoid the classic error of providing too much information. You will facilitate learning activities to improve comprehension and retention, avoiding the over-long, dry lecture. Structuring a presentation is an art. This workshop gives you the tools to create dynamic and interactive courses. To avoid death by PowerPoint, you will learn best practices in slide design. You will also learn the difference between teaching and reference materials.

The NJC’s faculty actively engages you throughout the workshop giving you the opportunity to present on at least two occasions, once in a team and once alone. With that understanding, you can improve upon your teaching effectiveness and ultimately ensure that your future learners achieve greater results.

Who should attend?

This course is designed for anyone who teaches in continuing judicial education courses.

Who are the members of the faculty?

The faculty includes Joseph Sawyer, director of the NJC’s faculty development courses; William Brunson, the NJC’s director of special projects; Kelly Tait, University of Nevada, Reno instructor and communications expert.

How is this course taught?

This course is highly interactive and includes hands-on practice with PowerPoint, and provides opportunities for the participants to: take the Learning Style Inventory; draft learning objectives; create a group and solo presentation; write a presentation plan; and provide constructive feedback to their colleagues on effective teaching strategies.

What should I tell my presiding judge or funding agency so that my attendance will be approved?

If you are a leader, educator, or trainer in your court or agency, this class is essential. The skills you will learn will help you educate others about any judicial education topics that interest you. After this course, you should be able to communicate more effectively with greater confidence.

Whom should I contact for more information?

For more information, please contact the Registrar’s Office at (800) 255-8343 or registrar@judges.org.