Adjunct Faculty Training: Getting Results at GRCC – Online

The Center for Teaching Excellence is happy to offer the following opportunities specifically designed for our Adjunct Faculty:

• Getting Results at GRCC – Online | March 17
• Adjunct Faculty Learning Day | March 19
• Blackboard Basics for Faculty | March 18
• Blackboard Blogs, Journals and Wikis | March 23
• Biological Illustration Presentation | March 24
• 5th Annual Teaching and Learning with Technology Showcase | March 31
• Performing CATS | April 1, April 9
• Reciprocity: Non-Zero Sum Protocol for Socially Innovative Partnership | April 8
• Adjunct Faculty Learning Day | April 16
• Blackboard Grade Center | April 19

For full details, see below the fold…

Photos: Student Sculpture Work on 3rd Main

The students of Scott Garrard’s 3 Dimensional Design class have been displaying their work on the 3rd floor of the Main Building throughout the semester. They just put out sculpture of the human form today.  If you have a minute you should make the time to stop by to enjoy them.  Here are some photos if you can’t make it over:

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GRCC Partners With the WORD Project for Citizenship Classes

GRCC is offering free Citizenship Classes sponsored by The WORD Project and the college.  The classes are available for anyone preparing for the U.S. Citizenship Exam.  In order to be eligible, you must have a permanent residence card (green card) for five years, and be able to speak, read and write in Advance ESL level 3. (CASAS testing)

The Word Project will provide the instructors, textbooks, printed materials and consultants to guide the students through the process of filling out the N-400 forms.  GRCC will provide the network for class enrollment, classroom space and building support on Saturday.

The six-week program will take place at the GRCC West Side Learning Corner, 665 Seward NW, Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday mornings, February 26 – April 2, 2011, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. For more information, contact Lorena Aguayo-Márquez, 616-234-3172.

Faculty Invited to Attend Michigan Blackboard Users Group Meeting 3/18/11

This Friday at the Michigan Blackboard Users Group Meeting at Grand Valley State University, Garry Brand and Mursalata Muhammad from GRCC will be presenting.  They are presenting on the following topics:

Using Tools that Students Use

Students use social media, video, search and mobile technologies to learn. Too often, we take them out of that environment and “deliver content” through a “learning management system.” When is the last time you saw a student using a discussion board outside Blackboard? Join us as we explore how the latest version of Blackboard integrates blogs, wikis, journals, YouTube, instant messaging, mobile and other emerging technologies into the learning process. – Garret Brand, GRCC Business Professor

Partnerships Through the Using Blackboard Technology

This break out shares an example for how technology is useful in creating unique learning environments where community partners can serve as co-educators in classrooms that emphasize civically engaged curriculum like service-learning. – Mursalata Muhammad, GRCC English Professor

This event is FREE! If you are planning to attend, please register at: http://mibug.org/events | View Program (.pdf)

miBUG attendees are also invited to the GVSU Teaching and Learning with Technology Symposium.

GRCC Professor Paul Krieger Presents on Biological Illustration of Marine Life

Paul Krieger, Professor of Biology, will be presenting on “My Biological Illustration Course at the Shoals Marine Lab” Thursday, March 24, 2011 from 3:00 – 4:00 PM in the Science Center Auditorium.

Paul’s presentation will cover his one-week intensive Biological Illustration course at the Shoals Marine Lab (SML) on Appledore island, Maine during summer 2010. Faculty will learn about the wonderful courses offered at SML, as well as the field of biological illustration as a career choice, and be able to share these opportunities with their students. In addition, faculty will learn about the conservation and sustainability efforts being practiced on the island.

Classroom faculty help advise students on learning opportunities and career choices. The courses offered at SML are very unique field experiences that often serve as the spark for students to become biology majors. Since SML is a well kept secret, faculty can spread the word about this fabulous place. Moreover, the career fields of medical and scientific illustration are not well known, so faculty can share more information about this with their students.

There will be an opportunity for questions and answers following the presentation.

By the end of this course, participants will:

• explain the components of a biological illustration course.
• understand more about scientific and medical illustration as a career choice for students
• explain the mission of the Shoals Marine Lab (SML).
• identify the conservation and sustainability practices at SML.
• better understand what day to day life is like for students at SML.

This presentation is being offered to all full-time and part-time faculty.  Registration is not required, however there will be a sign-in sheet if you would like your attendance recorded.

For more information, contact the Center for Teaching Excellence| teachexcellence@grcc.edu | 234-2278

Free Services From Priority Health (Golf Fitness, Blood Pressure, Shopping Secrets, Fitness, Cholesterol)

Priority Health is offering a number of health-related information sessions to GRCC Employees (you need not be a Priority Health member to participate:

GOLF FITNESS- Length and Strength for a Better Game
This class will give participants a better understanding of what golf fitness is, and the key roles both muscular strength and flexibility play in making you a better golfer. Walk away with golf specific stretches and strength exercises designed to improve your all around game.

Tuesday, March 22, 6-7 p.m., Priority Health Conference Center, 3111 Leonard St. NE, Grand Rapids

Other upcoming sessions:

Lowering High Blood Pressure –Tuesday, April 19 6-7 p.m.
This class offers tips for getting your blood pressure under control and keeping it there. Learn about blood pressure basics, measuring change and the definition of what’s normal.

Secrets to Smart Shopping –Tuesday, May 10 5:30-7 p.m.
Shopping for healthy, quick, easy and affordable meals doesn’t have to be difficult! Join dietitian Kara Boley, MA, RD, of Priority Health, for an educational session and tour/scavenger hunt at Meijer. Learn about smart choices you can make at the grocery store for nutritious meals that won’t break your budget. We will also discuss the NuVal Nutritional Scoring System, and how it can help to make your shopping easier.

Fitness Fundamentals — Tuesday, May 17 6-7 p.m.
Starting an exercise program for the first time can be intimidating if you’re not sure where to begin. This class will teach you the basics of how often, how long, and how hard you should exercise. Learn the components of fitness to improve your health and help you to look your best!

Cholesterol Counts — Tuesday, May 17 6-7 p.m.
Learn the latest recommendations for healthy cholesterol levels. We will review current guidelines for nutrition and fitness, and learn the important role of stress reduction when striving for a healthy heart.

Register for any of these sessions here.

NOTE: You don’t need to have Priority Health as your insurance provider to participate..  This information is provided to the employees of GRCC by the Wellness & Enrichment Team.