Daily Archives: April 4, 2012

Online Learning Increases 43 Percent Over two Years at GRCC

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GRCC’s Distance Learning and Instructional Technology (DLIT) department has an excellent blog post up about the dramatic increases in online learning at the college:

“More students are enrolling in online classes at GRCC and learning through distance learning instead of driving to campus, waiting in line for a parking spot in the ramp, and going to a face to face classroom.

This trend is expanding nationwide as more than 6 million students are enrolled in at least one online course, according to the “Going the Distance” report by the Sloan Consortium and the Babson Survey Research Group.  Online learning is also growing in K-12 as local communities such as Jenison are beginning to offer online courses and credits that will contribute to a high school diploma through the Jenison International Academy.

Over the past 2 years, online enrollment at Grand Rapids Community College has grown by 43 percent.”  (More)

GRCC College Channel Programming Schedule 4/4/12-4/22/12

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The broadcast schedule for the College Channel is now available online. All new line-up of programming including the latest Diversity Lecture Series speaker and two new World Affairs Lecture Series presentations is up.  These listings can also be found on our website at http://cms.grcc.edu/channel28

Here’s an example of the amazing programming on – the California Guitar Trio appearing as part of the Music Department’s annual International Guitar Series:

 

Saving Energy During the Holiday Weekend

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As you prepare to leave for the upcoming holiday please remember this simple but vital concept: If you won’t be using something, make sure it won’t be wasting energy.

Whether you’re faculty, staff, or a student worker at GRCC, you’ll soon be leaving behind a room full of appliances and electronic devices that suck valuable electricity from the wall as long as they’re plugged in, even if they’re turned off. To make sure that we do not waste any energy this weekend please remember to do the following:

  • Remember to shut off all computers and monitors in your classroom when classes are done on Thursday
  • Before you close that door for the long weekend, LOOK AROUND, is there anything still powered ON that doesn’t need to be?
    • Turn off your computer, monitor, speakers, and local printers
    • Unplug chargers for cell phone, camera, and other electronics
    • If possible, unplug any small appliances
  • Close curtains and blinds

Please unplug and save. Enjoy the holiday knowing you did your part to help save energy and the environment.

GRCC in the News – 4/4/12

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Senseless killing of Trayvon Martin resonates in Grand Rapids
The Rapidian | by Ryan McCarthy (Ryan McCarthy) on Wednesday Apr 4th, 2012 10:09am

There is a law in Florida and nine others states called “Stand Your Ground.” It reads: “a person is justified in the use of deadly force and does not have a duty to retreat if: […] They covered a lot of ground and were noticed by many people. ‘The Silent Hoodie’ is another march and rally scheduled for April 4th. This event is being organized by Grand Rapids Community College’s black student union.  (More)

Compost piles and philosophers: Essay contest winners ruminate on sustainability
Published: Tuesday, April 03, 2012, 10:04 AM | Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – They wrote about compost piles and “Plato, Kant, Bentham and their dead philosopher friends.” […] Honorable mentions went to Allison Arnold, a junior at Grand Rapids City High School; Brian Shultz, a Renewable Energy Program Developer at Grand Rapids Community College; and John Zeich, who co-owns and operates RecycleBoxBins, a Grand Rapids company that markets recycling bins in single, double and triple configurations.  (More)

Death of Grand Rapids Symphony maven, feisty philanthropist Edith Blodgett, marks end of an era
Published: Tuesday, April 03, 2012, 6:00 AM Updated: Tuesday, April 03, 2012, 11:19 AM

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — There was always some kind of musical event to attend when Wendy Greeney would visit her mother, Edith, in Grand Rapids. […] She attended Grand Rapids Junior College, (now GRCC), and studied harmony and music theory under Karl Wecker, the Grand Rapids Symphony’s first conductor.  (More)

Learning Opportunities from Staff Development With Zoe Carmichael

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Staff Development is delighted to introduce Zoe Carmichael as a new facilitator for the five Communications sessions detailed below.

Zoe is a Communication Consultant helping businesses and individuals confidently convey their messages. Her professional background includes public speaking training and teaching a variety of communication courses at Davenport University, Calvin College and Aquinas College. She specializes in coaching speakers on the creation and delivery of short, to the point, engaging presentations. She has also coached speakers for the Momentum Michigan Start Up Teams, ArtPrize 2011, TEDxGrandRapids and TEDxMacatawa. Zoe is currently serving as the President of the Parent Teacher Organization at Grand Rapids Montessori School and sits on the Children’s Advisory Council at Calvary Church.
All classes are being offered as part of our 2012 spring/summer lineup. We urge you to reserve your seat today.

Presentation Skills 101
Wed April 11, 2012 | 1-3:00 PM | 214 Sneden

“Help, I’ve got a presentation coming up next week and don’t know what to do”. In this survival session we highlight the basic skills that YOU MUST KNOW before your next presentation. Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to: identify the skill required to conduct an effective presentation, establish a positive learning environment, understand participants needs and respond appropriately, apply adult learning principle to the presentation, demonstrate the appropriate use of visuals, and deliver concise, meaningful content.

Persuasive Communication
Friday April 20, 2012 | 9:00-11:00 AM | 214 Sneden

Scientifically-supported methods of getting others to say `Yes’ are discussed. Practical approaches to being more influential are demonstrated. Critical moments of persuasion are highlighted. Small changes in how you deliver your messages can have a dramatic effect be the difference between Yes and No.

Nonverbal Communication
Wed May 2, 2012 | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM | 214 Sneden

People communicate with more than words. Other means of communication include movement, posture, gestures, eye contact, facial expressions, tone of voice, and use of space and time. Participants will learn how to control their nonverbal communications to make their communications more effective.

Team Leadership
Tues May 22, 2012 | 1:00-3:00 PM | 214 Sneden

Team roles, processes, and effectiveness are explored. Best practices for team leadership are presented. Diagnostic tools for teamwork and team effectiveness are completed.

Leadership/Followership
Tues June 5, 2012 | 2:00-4:00 PM | 214 Sneden

Leadership is the process of an individual influencing a group of individuals to achieve a common goal. Effective leadership requires people to fulfill their roles as leaders and as followers. However, there are many different styles of leading and following and not all of them are effective. This course will examine different styles of leadership and followership in order to promote more effective leadership processes.