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 us at teachexcellence@grcc.edu or (616) 234-2278.
Developing Exemplary Online and Hybrid Courses
Monday, October 10 and 17 1:00 – 2:00 PM 316 Main Building, Downtown Campus
OR Thursday, October 13 and 20 3:00 – 4:00 PM 316 Main Building, Downtown Campus
Register at http://www.grcc.edu/ctereg
Though we have already offered Part I of II, you are still welcome to participate if interested.
This two-part offering on the development of quality online courses at GRCC and the Blackboard Exemplary Course Award Program is geared towards all faculty who are interested in teaching online and hybrid courses and want to learn ways to make their courses exemplary. We will take a look at example exemplary courses from other institutions and discuss ways you can make small changes in your own course(s). Learn methods of improving online course quality; review rubric criteria; review winners and courses of the program; identify good practice ideas and course design strategies; identify methods of improving online course quality; review lessons learned from course reviewers; explore best practices. For more information on this course contact Meeghan Lillis, Instructional Designer, at mlillis@grcc.edu
Webinar: Reviewing Online Course Development and Delivery: An Ongoing Process
Tuesday, October 18 2:00 – 3:00 PM 316 Main Building, Downtown Campus
Register Online ( http://www.itcpayments.org/webinars/ ) (questions call 202/293-3132 or e-mail Amy Weinfurter ( mailto:aweinfurter@itcnetwork.org ) Amy Weinfurter ( mailto:aweinfurter@itcnetwork.org ) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) Presenter: Carla Bradley, Online Instructional Development, Ozarks Technical Community College
Participating in an effective review process can offer peer, team, and self-evaluation of online course development and delivery. When OTC Online prepared to update the online review process for its re-accreditation, the first step was to begin examining course development and delivery as two different processes, allowing reviewers to more accurately evaluate courses for multiple areas: design, navigation, collaboration, interaction, active learning, assessment, learning objectives, accessibility, and the online instructor’s role.
OTC Online looked to the recognized Quality Matters, Chico State Rubric, and Blackboard Exemplary Course Program as guides for revising its course review process. With review processes that involve instructors before and after review, evaluation can be positive and interactive rather than fragmented and isolated. Data gathered can be used for steps toward advancements for an online college, departments, course development, and individual instructors.
Webinar: Blackboard IM Collaboration Tools
Friday, October 21 9:00 – 11:00 AM Online at your location
Register 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. Learn how to use Blackboard IM’s collaboration tools, including Whiteboard, Application Sharing and Web Tour. Participants can log into the courseroom from any internet connected computer. You need to register via the CTE and will be notified when you are enrolled in the webinar. Course requirements: Blackboard IM must be installed and working on your computer and you must be equipped with speakers and microphone or headset. For more information on this course, please contact Luann Keizer, Distance Learning Faculty Facilitator, at lkeizer@grcc.edu
Adjunct Faculty Learning Day
Saturday, October 22 8:00 – 12:00 PM Tassell MTEC, 622 Grandville Ave SW, Grand Rapids
Register at http://cms.grcc.edu/adjunctlearningday
This highly acclaimed monthly gathering offers professional development opportunities especially designed for adjunct faculty. Following refreshments and a general welcome by a member of the college community, you will be able to participate in Professional Development offerings. Participants in this month’s Learning Day will enjoy a student panel, Generational Differences and Student Behavior Reporting. While this event is specifically geared toward adjunct faculty at GRCC, it is open to full- or part-time faculty member from any institution of Higher Learning. For more information about this event, contact Diane Sparks at dsparks@grcc.edu
Blackboard Basics for Faculty – online
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
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.
Coming up: Introducing the Course Curriculum Document – multiple offerings in early November – watch for dates!
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