Adjunct Faculty Learning Day This Saturday, October 13

Come join your colleagues for learning opportunities and networking on Saturday morning. Following refreshments and welcome by a member of the college community, you will be able to participate in professional development offerings specifically designed to meet the needs of adjunct faculty members. This is your opportunity to learn more about the the Developmental Education/Foundations Program, Assessment of Student Learning, and i>clickers. Each workshop will be offered twice, so you may choose two topics. While this event is targeted to adjunct faculty at GRCC, it is open to full or part-time faculty members from any institution of higher learning.

Date and Time
Saturday, October 13, 2012, 8:30 a.m.– 12:15 p.m.
Room 120, Applied Technology Center (ATC)

Agenda
8:30-9:15 a.m.
Refreshments and Networking
Welcome by Ric Underhile, Associate Dean of Instructional Support and Interdisciplinary Studies
9:30-10:45 a.m.   Session 1 (3 choices)
10:45-11:00 a.m. Break
11:00-12:15 p.m. Session 2 (3 choices)

Workshop Choices
-Intro to i>Clickers
Presenter: Lisa Gloege, Assistant Professor, Economics
Ph.D., University of Notre Dame, M.A., University of Notre Dame
i>clicker is GRCC’s campus standard for student response systems.  Learn ‘hands on’ how to use the i>clicker classroom response system in your classes. Using i>clicker can significantly change the way you and your students interact by enabling you to assess your students’ knowledge, keep their attention, provide immediate feedback, and encourage all students to participate. After completing this session, you will be able to:
·         Understand system requirements and no installation hardware setup for the i>clicker2 remote.
·         Use settings and preferences, including awarding participation and performance points for responses and customizing the tool bar for your specific class needs.
·         Use the i>clicker software to poll your audience with ANY application.
·         Export data, create reports with i>grader and integrate with your Blackboard Course Management System.

Overview of the Developmental Education/Foundations Program
Presenter: Linda Spoelman, Professor, Director of Instruction for Adult and Developmental Education
Ed.S., Appalachian State University; M.A., Eastern Michigan University
This session will go over what is developmental education with a focus on its larger history and how it differs from high school. We will look at how this work is embedded into GRCC by examining its components, how students get an AFP designation and what it means from their point of view. After completing this training session, you will be able to:
·         Define developmental education and place the GRCC program in a broad historical context.
·         List the components of GRCC’s AFP program and understand the benefits for students who participate in it.
·         Understand how developmental education is integrated into GRCC’s governing structure.

Assessment of Student Learning
Presenter: Katie Daniels, Curriculum Specialist
Ph.D. (ABD) Evaluation, Measurement, Research, Western Michigan University; M.A.,Western Michigan University
Rubrics are an effective tool for both grading and assessment of student learning.  This presentation and discussion will review the contexts in which rubrics can and should be used, and the advantages creating rubric that can serve the dual purposes of grading and assessment of student learning.  Common rubric formats will be shared and evaluated based on their intended purpose.  The basic steps for writing an effective rubric will be reviewed and applied to specific faculty needs.
·         Understand the contexts in which rubrics can and should be used
·         Understand the characteristics of quality rubrics
·         Understand the steps to developing a rubric
·         Be able to construct a rubric that can be used for both grading and assessment of student learning

Register Online
If you need assistance with registration, please contact the Center for Teaching Excellence at TeachExcellence@grcc.edu

For more information about this and other faculty professional development opportunities, visit the Center for Teaching Excellence home page.  You can also call the Center at  (616) 234-2278 or e-mail TeachExcellence@grcc.edu. Like us on Facebook to stay current with faculty professional development opportunities at GRCC.

Raider Hard Hat Salute

Many thanks to all the folks involved in vacating College Park Plaza.   From departments who relocated, to all the support who were involved in getting equipment, boxes and people moved.  Your flexibility and dependability is greatly appreciated.

Break out the HARD HATS – College Park Plaza work starts on Monday!

College Park Plaza has been completely vacated in preparation for the infrastructure improvements scheduled to begin on Monday!
All departments have been relocated – check out http://www.grcc.edu/hardhats for specific information.  A shred truck will be on site tomorrow morning, and on Monday the 15th contractors will begin removing all furniture from the building, which they will be storing at an off-site location for the length of the project.   They will also begin prepping the exterior of the building, which means both of the parking areas will be closed for the duration of the project.

Raider Salute To Dan Zehr and Facilities

I would like to thank Dan Zehr for his help at yesterday’s Education Transfer Fair.  When I approached him for assistance, he did not hesitate for one second before he began to help.  His willingness to help make the fair more comfortable and user friendly for our visiting guests and students.

I would also like to thank facilities for their quick response and helpfulness.  It was truly a team effort that worked out well.  I appreciate all of the positive attitudes. 

Thank you-

Tricia Siegel

Fall Cider & Donuts Staff Development Open House

The Fall Cider & Donuts Staff Development Open House on October 24 has been moved from the McCabe Marlowe House to the White Hall Dining and Sitting room on the DeVos Campus.  This is an open house for all staff and faculty.  So come between 1:00 and 3:30 for some cider, donuts and snacks – we can’t wait to have you!

Dialogue, Discussion, and Donuts with DLIT – Recap

On Wednesday, October 10 from 8:30 to 10 AM, DLIT hosted a “Donuts and Distance Learning & Bagels and Blackboard” event on the Snedan Campus.  This informal gathering of faculty and staff has become a popular time to discuss and share best practices as well as to network with peers from across the campus!

Each month this event is held with a unique theme.  This month’s theme was a “Listening Session” where faculty can share and discuss what is working well and what can be improved with Blackboard, instructional technologies, and online learning.  Full time, adjunct faculty, and staff attended this event from departments that included Mathematics, Economics, Criminal Justice, and Language Arts as well as attendees from the DLIT and IT departments.

Topics discussed at this event centered around:

* Ideas for improving faculty support and communication around new features and “how to” information for faculty.  Suggestions included a “friday tips” email, and enhanced organization of current tip sheets that are available.
* Areas of suggested improvement included problems with some classroom computers displaying missing plugin information in Firefox, timely browser updates, and problems in displaying item tracking reports in Blackboard.  These concerns were received and are being tracked for resolution.
* New features in Blackboard that faculty are finding benefit include the course themes, fast course switching, and a new signup tool that will be available soon was shared.
* Interest in expanding awareness around open education resources, YouTube EDU, Kahn Academy, and Camtasia Relay.
* Strategies for working with Blackboard assessments were also shared during this event such as using a password on quizzes to allow for students that need extra time or an extra day to complete the assessment after the deadline.

Join DLIT for next month’s donut event where the focus will be on creating exemplary courses in Blackboard!  See: http://www.grcc.edu/donuts for details.

Learning Opportunity from Staff Development: ORS Retirement Reform

The last 2 sessions of ‘ORS Retirement Reform’ will take place next week. If you have not yet attended this informational session, please grab one of the few remaining seats by registering online at http://cms.grcc.edu/currentlearning. We will present these final sessions as ‘standing room only’ to allow everyone to attend, so if the website shows “session full: add to wait list” please enter your information so we know how many people to expect.

• Monday Oct 15, 2012 (5 seats available), 3:30-4:30 PM, 147 ATC

• Tues Oct 16, 2012 (3 seats available), 3:00-4:00 PM, 141 ATC

Reminder: IIPD Grant Applications Due Friday

The deadline for submission of grant applications for the Instructional Improvement & Professional Development (IIPD) program is 4:30 p.m., October 12, 2012.  The IIPD Application Packet and Guidelines are available in the Professional Development section of the Grants Office website at www.grcc.edu/iipdgrants. Please note: All applications should be delivered to the new location of the Grants and Resource Development Office at Room 137, Calkins Science Center.  If you have any questions about IIPD grants, please contact Judith Larsen, Director of Grants and Resource Development at 234-3910 or at jmlarsen@grcc.edu.

GRCC In The News 10-11-12

Brighton grad student wins Clean Commute Campus Challenge
CM Life October 10, 2012
Brighton graduate Samantha Fiani pedaled and walked her way through 25 commutes throughout a five-day challenge. Fiani is the winner of Capital Area Transportation Authority’s 2012 “Clean Commute Campus Challenge.”
Fiani logged more clean commutes than any participant in the state-wide college competition among Central Michigan University, Michigan State University, Lansing Community College, Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College.

TRiO Student Support Services for the MICUP Poster Presentation

All GRCC Faculty & Students are invited to come join TRiO Student Support Services for the MICUP Poster Presentation on Wednesday, October 24, 2012. The research posters are presented by GRCC students who participated in the Summer 2012 MICUP Program (Michigan College/University Partnership) at Michigan Technological University.

Stop by anytime between 1:00pm to 4:00pm in the Student Center – Stairwell Landings 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Floors.