This Week at the Center for Teaching and Learning – 9/29/11-10/7/11

The Center for Teaching Excellence is pleased to offer the following Faculty Professional Development opportunities in the next two weeks. Unless otherwise noted, our offerings are open to any full- or part-time faculty at GRCC or any institution of higher learning. For more information or registration assistance, please contact the Center for Teaching Excellence at teachexcellence@grcc.edu or (616) 234-2278.

Blackboard Basics for Faculty
Online Open entry, open exit
Register via email teachexcellence@grcc.edu

Blackboard is a web-based course management system that can be used in a variety of ways. Faculty can use the simple “point and click” tools to create an online course Web site that includes content delivery, grading, assessment, and communication.

Blackboard Grade Center
Online Open entry, open exit
Register via email teachexcellence@grcc.edu

Learn how to store student performance results in the course Grade Center. Scores from assessments delivered through Blackboard are automatically recorded in the Grade Center. The Grade Center supports custom grading scales, grade weighting, item analysis, and multiple grade book views. With the instructor’s permission, students can view their own grades (but no one else’s) in the course Grade Center.

Getting Results @ GRCC
Online September 19 through October 30
Register via email to teachexcellence@grcc.edu Last day to register is October 3

This six-week online course provides a comprehensive approach to teaching adults in the community college setting. It is based on materials from the League for Innovation in the Community College’s on-line experience, Getting Results, and Introduction to Community College Instruction: Getting Results, developed by Ivy Tech Community College. That content is enhanced by additional GRCC materials and by optional face-to-face sessions for participants.

Webinar: Blackboard Instant Messaging Communication
Friday, September 30 9:00 – 11: 00 AM Online at your location
Preregister at http://www.grcc.edu/ctereg

Through Blackboard IM (formerly Wimba Pronto) instant messaging can be leveraged for online office hours, tutoring, help desks, meetings, and desktop video conferencing. This webinar will teach you how to use Blackboard IM’s communication tools, including chat, contacts, and BB IM management.

Participants can login to the courseroom from any internet connected computer. Being on campus is not a requirement. However, you will need to pre-register through CTE so you can be enrolled in the courseroom at least two days prior to the webinar. You will be notified when you are enrolled in the webinar. Prerequisite: Blackboard IM must be installed and working on your computer (see http://cms.grcc.edu/bbim) You must also be equipped with speakers and microphone or headset.

What the Heck is a Rubric and How Do I Create One?
Friday, September 30 10:00 – 11:30 AM 316 Main Building, Downtown Campus
OR Tuesday, October 4 3:00 – 4:30 PM 316 Main Building, Downtown Campus
Register at http://www.grcc.edu/ctereg

Rubrics are an effective and dynamic tool for describing learning outcomes and assessing the quality of the teaching and learning experience. This presentation and discussion will present the basics of writing rubrics and offer ample time for working through the characteristics of effective rubrics. Additionally, we will discuss how students can create rubrics to develop their own learning objectives and measures of assessment.

Performing CATs
Monday, October 3 2:00 – 4:00 PM 316 Main Building, Downtown Campus
Register at http://www.grcc.edu/ctereg

Participants will identify, discuss and practice CATs (classroom assessment techniques), with a focus on those that assess course-related knowledge and skills. identify and recognize the importance of assessing course-related knowledge and skills, participate in at least 3 CATs and identify at least one new CAT to be used in your classroom.

Blackboard Assessments
Wednesday, October 5 9:30 – 10:30 AM 351 Main Building, Downtown Campus
Register at http://www.grcc.edu/ctereg

Instructors can deliver online, automatically-scored assessments and surveys. They can create such assessments from scratch or draw upon personal, institutional, or commercially-available “test banks” of questions. This course will teach you to identify capabilities of tests and surveys in Blackboard; create a test or survey; view student submissions; access assessment attempt details; explore best practices in using assessments and surveys in teaching and learning.

Conduct, Early Alert, BIT, Oh My! Student Behavior Reporting Options
Thursday, October 6 3:00 – 4:30 PM 351 Main Building, Downtown Campus
OR Friday, October 7 1:00 – 2:30 PM 351 Main Building, Downtown Campus
Register at http://www.grcc.edu/ctereg

This session will outline the various reporting methods and options available to faculty members when they have concerns about student behavior. The purpose, the reporting tool, and response provided with each will be outlined in respect to the conduct system, the behavioral intervention team, and Early Alert. Additionally, participants will gain further competency in preventing and managing behavior issues that arise in the classroom. During this interactive session, participants will have the ability to log onto a computer to access and explore each reporting method. Learn to identify the three reporting options available for reporting student behaviors; access and report concerns through the conduct system, the BIT, and Early Alert; and manage standard classroom disruptions within their rights.

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Grand Rapids Community College’s Center for Teaching Excellence provides an array of faculty professional development opportunities for its full-time and adjunct faculty. Additionally, through its partnerships with other local institutions of higher education the Center offers opportunities for collaborative professional development with other faculty colleagues on interdisciplinary and disciplinary topics that support practical and high quality scholarship of teaching and learning. The Center is the faculty professional development hub for Distance Learning and Instructional Technologies, the Department of Experiential Learning, the Keller Futures Center, and the Library & Learning Commons. Events are open to GRCC Faculty and Adjuncts as well as those from other institutions of Higher Education, unless otherwise specified. For a full calendar of events visit http://www.grcc.edu/ctereg. For more information or assistance with registration, contact us at teachexcellence@grcc.edu or call us at (616) 234-2278.