Employee fitness classes still accepting participants

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GRCC employees are kicking off 2013 with fitness classes!

Cheryl Floyd is leading a 30-15-15 at Ford Fieldhouse. It encompasses 30 minutes of cardio, 15 minutes of strength and 15 minutes of core/flexibility for an efficient and total body workout. All levels are welcome. Bring a yoga mat, water and hand weights (optional).

Jami Kok leads a Yoga/Pilates/Core Fusion class at Tassell M-TEC  This class provides the student with a yoga mat challenge that will focus on strengthening and conditioning the core muscles and getting sufficiently warmed up and centered. Students will also experience a flowing yoga series that will encourage gentle yet deep stretching and control. Modifications, Pilates principles and inward focus will help each individual get the most out of this class. All levels welcome. Bring a yoga mat please.

Both of these classes are still accepting participants. For  more information, or to sign up, click here.

GRCC In the News, 1-31-13

Hope jazz instructor to be honored, Feb. 16

January 30, 2013 The Holland Sentinel

Holland — Edye Evans Hyde of the Hope College music faculty has been chosen by the Grand Rapids Symphony to receive a 2013 Celebration of Soul Dr. MaLinda P. Sapp Legacy Award during the symphony’s eighth annual Celebration of Soul dinner at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Feb. 16.

(She served as assistant director of admissions at GRCC.)

Video: the latest from GRCC TV on YouTube

“Sabbatical Application Time”

Upcoming events at Center for Teaching Excellence

Below are details on the upcoming events in the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE).  One piece of news to share first, though — the CTE officially moved to 308 Main!  We are still getting settled, but have lounge chairs and conference space to sit and work with you on your courses or to just chat about teaching. You can register for all our events and see full descriptions at www.grcc.edu/ctereg (the descriptions can be viewed by clicking the “+” next to the name)

THIS WEEK:

Creating Accessible Documents Using Word and PowerPoint:  Thursday, January 31 from 2:30 – 3:30 in 351 Main.  Instructional Designer, Meegan Willi from Distance Learning and Instructional Technologies will facilitate this session that will cover the basics of how to create accessible documents in Word and PowerPoint.

Making Your Instructional Materials Accessible (Webinar replay):  Friday, February 1 from 9:00 – 10:00 in 351 Main.  This webinar from November introduces the principles of Web accessibility and offer techniques educators can use to create accessible instructional materials. Areas that will be covered include the materials commonly upload into the college’s learning management systems-for example, Word, PDF, and PowerPoint files.  CTE Office Hours will follow from 10:00 – 11:00 in 308 Main.

NEXT WEEK:

Universal Design and Accessible Course Content: Monday, February 4 from 12:00 – 1:00 in 351 Main.  Professor of Business, Ann Alexander will discuss Universal Design and its application to technology.  Participants will learn specific ways to integrate UD into their own classrooms.

Donuts and DLIT & Bagels and Blackboard:  Wednesday, February 6 from 11:30 – 1:30 in 347 Main.  Join Distance Learning and Instructional Technologies for coffee, donuts, and bagels!  This is a time to ask questions, share stories, and just hang out.  No registration is necessary and you can drop in anytime.  More info is available at www.grcc.edu/donuts.

ADA in the Classroom: Wednesday, February 6 from 2:00 – 3:30 in 316 Main.  Join us for an interactive webinar where you will learn about recent amendments and changes to the ADA related to instruction and your work with students.

Sharing Your Expertise: Creating and Facilitating a Session Through the CTE: Thursday, February 7 from 3:00 – 4:00 in 316 Main.  CTE Director, Jeremy Osborn will explain the process of creating a session through the CTE and will work with participants on developing their ideas into workshops for their colleagues.

Your Teaching, Their Learning, and Technology: Friday, February 8 from 11:00 – 12:00 in 306 Main.  Mursalata Muhammad, Professor of English leads this kick-off to our Friday morning Teaching With Technology Series.  This introductory session to teaching with technology is just that – an introduction to how you might take your teaching style, student-learning styles, and use various technology tools to help make learning happen.

To Care and Comply: Approaching Accessibility in Online Courses (Webinar):  Friday, February 8 from 1:00 – 2:30 in 316 Main.  Are your online courses accessible? Join us to learn more about Portland Community College’s strategy and lessons learned in addressing accessibility for over 400 instructors’ teaching approximately 2400 sections of online classes annually.

Also, if you have been looking for an opportunity to sit and chat with your peers from across campus, in two weeks we are launching a Universal Design Learning Circle. Meetings will be held February 13, March 13, and April 10 from 3:00 – 4:00. For each session, we will be discussing 2-3 articles that discuss Universal Design and how it applies to higher education. You can attend any or all of the sessions.

Here are the links and citations to the articles for February 13th.

1) Rose, D. H., Harbour, W. S., Johnston, C. S., Daley, S. G., & Abarbanell, L. (2006). Universal design for learning in postsecondary education: Reflections on principles and their application. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 19(2), 17 http://www.udlcenter.org/sites/udlcenter.org/files/UDLinPostsecondary.pdf

2) Edyburn, D. L. (2010). Would you recognize universal design for learning if you saw it? Ten propositions for new directions for the second decade of UDL . Learning Disability Quarterly ( http://www.cldinternational.org/Publications/LDQ.asp ), 33(1), 33-41. http://www.udlcenter.org/sites/udlcenter.org/files/UDL2ndDecade_0.pdf

All sessions are open to both full-time and adjunct faculty.  You can register for all sessions at www.grcc.edu/ctereg.  You can also “like” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/teachexcellence to receive the latest information on sessions, news, conferences, and other noteworthy happenings.

If you have any questions or have problems registering, contact us at teachexcellence@grcc.edu.  Register now, as space in each session is limited.

Thanks, and I hope to see you in the CTE!

Learning Opportunity from Staff Development

It’s not too late to register for ‘Effective Facilitation Skills’ with the Woodrick Diversity Learning Center.

This is a two-part course: Part 1 will be presented Tuesday, February 5, 2013 and Part 2 will be presented Wednesday, February 20, 2013. Both sessions will run from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM in Room 122, LRC.

Skills for promoting learning through self-discovery are explored. Principles of adult learning and competencies of effective facilitators are discussed. Best practices for facilitating learning in groups will be explored.

Learning Objectives:

• Enabling situations that promote active involvement in learning
• Facilitating in accordance with adult learning principles
• Managing group dynamics to promote self-discovery.

Call Staff Development at 616.234.4285 or register online at http://cms.grcc.edu/currentlearning  to reserve one of the seven seats available.

 

 

Pharmacy Technician course begins February 12, 2013

The need for certified Pharmacy Technicians is growing dramatically in the West Michigan area. If you are interested in working in the medical field, or are currently working in a pharmacy but would like to be certified, GRCC’s Pharmacy Technician program will prepare you for the next step.

This newly revised and updated 18 week pre-certification class will take you through everything you need to know to be ready to take the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam. Using textbooks from the American Pharmacists Association, this course will prepare you to be a pharmacy technician at the retail or hospital level. Course goals include completing an internship at a local pharmacy and taking the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.

The course runs 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting February 12, 2013. The cost is $1,580, and a payment plan is available. To register, click here.

Continuing education credits offered in social work

Social workers can earn continuing education hours with these new courses:

• Rewinding Racism: Applying a Non-Judgment Code of Ethics for Healthcare Professionals — Health-care professionals face multiple cultural differences in caring transactions among patients, co-workers, and other professionals. Participants learn the social sources of these judgments and practice how to apply a nonjudgment code of ethics with options to confront and challenge societal expectations that would deny such behaviors. This course, led by Ken Taber, runs 6-9 p.m. February 13, 2013. It costs $45. To register, click here.
• Beginning the Ending of Life – Often we begin to plan for the end of life after few choices remain or too little time remains to carry out the plan. This workshop explores the relationships of the person who is dying with an attorney, relatives, physician and hospice. The class, led by Beth A. Swagman, costs $35. It runs 6-8 p.m. February 21. To register, click here.
• The Process of Addiction — This seminar looks at the biological, social and physical aspects of the addiction process, with emphasis on the biology of the brain and addiction. The class, led by Dennis Potter, runs 6-8 p.m. February 26 and costs $35. To register, click here.

Lean Champion Champion Certification program starts February 11, 2013

Lean Enterprise isn’t just about the tools. It’s a strategic link to your business plan.

In GRCC’s Lean Champion Certification program, you will learn to develop and use your organization’s value stream map to identify and drive your improvements. Critical to learning the principles and various tools is applying them to your current work. By successfully completing a lean implementation (or value stream) project of your choice from your company, you will yield ROI from this program immediately.

You will earn a certification after completing 19 classes and a viable Lean Implementation Project for your organization. You must achieve an 80 percent competency score in each class and complete homework assignments.

Courses begin February 11, 2013. For more information, click here.

A special, one-time scholarship of $500 is available for a limited time. All you need to do is take ACT Workkeys Talent and Fit Assessment. Call 234-3400 for information.

Body Fat Testing Clinic scheduled for February 4, 2013

The Wellness Department is hosting a Free Body Fat Testing Clinic at the Ford Fieldhouse. Come test or re-test your body fat percentage to keep you on track with your goals!

The clinic will be held 2-5:30 p.m. February 4, 2013, in the Ford Fieldhouse cage.

Why get tested?

• Measures where you currently are to set goals for your future!
• Spring break is only weeks away! Come get your body fat tested to be ready to reach your goals!

What do I do?

• Simply show up with your staff or student ID.
• Stand on a machine and leave knowing your body fat percent!
• It’s quick, easy and free!

Results are only seen by you and the administrator!

Contact Jodi Gee with any questions: jgee@grcc.edu

Dance teams sought for half-time shows at basketball games

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The Byron Center Varsity, 5th, and 6th grade Dance Teams performed at half time at last Friday’s Basketball game – and the crowd that turned out to support the BC and GRCC teams was impressive.  Charlie Wells is looking forward to working with other dance and cheer teams who would like the opportunity to perform at halftime.  If you know someone who might be interested please e-mail or call him at 234-3992 or cwells@grcc.edu.

Catch a recap of Friday’s game here.

Nominations sought for wellness award

The Presidents Health & Wellness Award, which recognizes a GRCC employee who exemplifies the 7 dimensions of wellness through actions and words, is open for nominees! If you would like to nominate someone for this award, please fill out the nomination form here.

If you have any questions feel free to contact Julie Otte at x3490

First aid course targeted to construction trades industry

Prepare for and prevent medical emergencies in the construction trades industry with the First Aid/CPR Initial Certification course. This course covers primary assessment, heart problems, fractures, wounds and bandaging, stroke and shock management, eye injury, dislocation and splinting, obstructed airways, exposure to cold, control of bleeding, electrical injuries, back, head and neck injuries, epileptic seizures, and one-rescuer CPR. Sessions are scheduled for 6-10 p.m. March 11 and 18, 2013, at the Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC. The cost is $60. To register, click here.

After completion, you will be certified in First Aid/CPR and will receive an official card. Initial certification expires two years after completion. To maintain certification, you must then take a recertification class. The next session is set for 6-10 p.m. February 28 at Tassell M-TEC for $50. To register, click here.

People’s Choice Award added to student photo exhibit

The GRCC Paul Collins Art Gallery is proud to announce it latest exhibit: Photo Student Exhibition. It runs through February 8, 2013, in the gallery on the fourth floor of Main. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and noon to 3 p.m. Fridays.

This year we have added to the excitement by including a People’s Choice Award.  GRCC students, faculty and staff are being asked to cast a vote for the three works they consider to be the “Best of Show.”  Each photograph and photo video is marked with an identifying number – simply write down the numbers of your top three choices on a ballot available from the Art Gallery Attendant and place it in the ballot box located on the reception desk. The winner will be the work that receives the most votes so there is no need to indicate first, second or third.  Ballots must be cast no later than Tuesday, February 5th at 7:00 p.m. to be counted.

Instructors are encouraged to bring their classes to the exhibit and to ask their students to vote – the success of the competition is dependant on everyone’s participation!

We also want to extend an invitation to you to join us at the Closing Reception And Awards Ceremony on: Wednesday, February 6th from 5:00 P.M. TO 7:00 P.M.

Our Photography Instructors and their students sincerely appreciate your support and we look forward to seeing you there!

Wellness Department looks at stretching in February 2013 newsletter

The Wellness Department’s February 2013 newsletter features tips on stretching and a Valentine’s Chex mix. Visit the department’s webpage and click on the newsletter to read about all the topics.

Celebrate Digital Learning Day with DLIT

Come and celebrate national Digital Learning Day with the department of Distance Learning and Instructional Technologies!

What: Donuts and Distance Learning & Blackboard and Bagels – Digital Learning Day
When: Wednesday, February 6 from 11:30 to 1:30
Where: Room 347 Main

The focus of this day is about engaging students, celebrating innovative faculty, inspiring great teaching, and creating better learning experiences to improve student success  through leveraging technology in the classroom!

For more information, click here.