GRCC Summer Technology Institute Focuses on Faculty use of Tech in Teaching and Learning

Every summer for the past 6 years faculty engage with learning about new technologies and how best to implement them into their teaching. The 3 day workshop (including 5 unique sessions) will be offered on August 20, 21, and 22 is facilitated by the department of Distance Learning and Instructional Technologies along with support from the Center for Teaching Excellence.

This year brings new topics and sessions such as “Advanced Online Teaching” and “i>clicker Training”. Always a focus of the institute is a Blackboard “Bootcamp” which provides a foundation for the basics of Blackboard. This year, new Blackboard Service Pack 8 features will be presented such as: new enhanced streamlined interface, new visual textbox editor, course themes, enhanced student reports and more!

There are still a few openings, please visit the event web page at: grcc.edu/techinstitute for more information and for registration information.

Learning Opportunities From Staff Development – 9/14/12-11/15/12

New! We are now co-sponsoring sessions with GVSU as part of a Workshop Collaboration Pilot beginning Fall 2012. The learning opportunities detailed below are available to all GRCC employees, and earn Professional Development credits for 2012-13. Please consider participating in these sessions. Online registration is available at grcc.edu/currentlearning or call Staff Development at ext. 4285.

United Way Day of Caring
(Healthy Choices Option)
Fri Sept 14, 2012

Sign up for the morning, afternoon or the entire day!

Each year, more than 1600 volunteers give more than 5000 hours to nearly 80 different organizations. This year, you can create lasting change in our community by volunteering with other students, faculty, and, staff members during the United Way’s Day of Caring.

For more information or to register, contact Jeff Mutch, Community Service Learning Center, or visit http://gvsu.edu/service/day-of-caring-stuff-the-bus–47.htm.

Blackboard Down 8/16/12 From 6am-10am

On Thursday, August 16, Blackboard production will be taken offline at 6AM for an upgrade to the system. (The Blackboard environment will be down and unavailable for approximately 4 hours while the upgrade is performed.).  More information about the upgrade can be found here.

Raider Salute to Drs Gilda Gely and Ric Underhile

This Salute was sent in by Eric Kunnen in the Distance Learning and Instructional Design department:

“I would like to offer a Raider Salute to Provost Gilda Gely and Associate Dean Ric Underhile who supported my attendance and provided a letter of recommendation for the 2012 Instructional Technology Council (ITC) Leadership Academy that I attended in July.

Here in a photo from the ITC event (with Anne Johnson, Dean of Business, Inver Hills Community College and Mickey Slimp, Executive Director, Northeast Texas Consortium of Colleges and Universities).

I had the opportunity to connect with more than 25 other community college distance learning administrators across the nation while also learning best practices in the field of online learning.

Gilda Gely and Ric Underhile both exhibited a commitment to the GRCC Values of “Excellence” and “Innovation” by encouraging me to strive for the highest standards while also seeking out creative solutions through networking and connecting with peers.

Finally, their support of my attendance at this event contributes to the GRCC Access End in the College’s work to expand distance learning to minimize the barriers of time and place so that all members of the community have an opportunity to participate in college programs.”

Ransom Avenue to Reopen Today

Ransom Avenue is scheduled to re-open late morning or early afternoon on Wednesday, August 8th. Once the work crew removes the barricades, the road will be open to normal traffic. Thank you for your patience as we completed this project.