Sharon Jones Reflects on Governor's Teaching Fellows Experience

Posted: October 13, 2023 by Noël Hahn

Dr. Sharon Jones, Assistant Professor of Nursing and ABSNT Coordinator on the Gainesville Campus, was chosen for the Governor's Teaching Fellowship (GTF).

Jones said she was "grateful for the opportunity," and that when she found out it was "honestly, somewhat mind-blowing and overwhelming at the same time."

She applied to be a University of North Georgia (UNG) nominee for the annual program and was selected to be one of twelve faculty members from across the state to participate in the 2022-2023 Academic Year Symposia.

The GTF program includes a combination of structured instructional and faculty development activities as well as self-directed activities designed to meet individual needs. Participants in the spring program attend a two-week symposium in May and participants in the academic year program attend three-day symposia held six times over the academic year. All meetings take place on the UGA campus.

Jones has a student-centered approach to instruction, with her teaching philosophy grounded in Imogene King's Theory of Goal Attainment and Patrica Brenner's Novice to Expert acquisition of skills model.

"Both models begin with the learning and strategies are designed to enhance the learning outcome of the learner and not the teacher/facilitator," Jones said.

Her favorite part of teaching nursing is "learning, developing, and creating active learning strategies that develop the critical thinking skills that can be applied in the clinical setting that ultimately results in improved patient outcomes."

Part of the reason Jones joined the GTF was to expand her creativity.

"I enjoy […] learning new evidence-based practice strategies that enhance and improve student learning outcomes and engagement."

Some of the strategies discussed during GTF that Jones has incorporated into classes include TILT, the fishbowl strategy, and flipped classroom. She is in the process of exploring and evaluating the use of collaborative testing to enhance learning and engaging.

"Students need to understand the whys," Jones said, expanding on TILT practices. "Gone are the days of the teaching head and 'do what I told you.' It explains the whys and gives a clear definition to the students of why we are doing it. You explain to them what is applicable to you, beneficial to you, and we have activities that will help you."

Participating in the fellowship offered many opportunities. One of those that Jones appreciated was being introduced to and working with ChatGPT and AI. She plans to incorporate AI in her classes perhaps in Fall 2024.

Jones's biggest takeaway from her GTF experience was "the collaboration of fellow faculty/peers and the enhance professional growth and development." She added, 'my favorite experience was the application of the various strategies."

The GTF Spring and Academic Year Fellowships applications are now open. The Spring Symposium deadline is Monday, November 6, 2023, and the Academic Year Symposia deadline is Monday, December 4, 2023. UNG can submit a total of two nominees for each fellowship. This nomination process is being facilitated by the UNG Center for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership (CTLL).