Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Engaging Your Students Using a Student Response System
I attended a one-day conference last week about using clicker technology in the classroom. It was very engaging and the day went by too quickly.
Derek Bruff, Assistant Director, Vanderbilt Center for Teaching, was one of the main speakers. He has done a lot with using clickers in the classroom and has written a book on the subject. He has a great list of resources at the following website:
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/cft/resources/teaching_resources/technology/crs_biblio.htm#communications
There are a few faculty that are using clickers now, and more are interested in implementing this technology into their teaching. There are pedagogical reasons for using them. Faculty and students both benefit from their consistent use--especially if you are teaching a large, lecture type course with complicated concepts.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Changes to Faculty Professional Development Schedule
There are changes to the following sessions in the 2009 Faculty Professional Development calendar:
Session 8, Using Scholar in Your Bb Course, that was originally scheduled for Friday, September 11 from 8:30-9:30, is being postponed. It will be rescheduled at a later date.
Session 10, Blogs and Wikis, that was originally scheduled for Friday, September 18 from 8:30-9:30 is postponed until a later date.
I apologize for any inconvenience this causes.
You can view a slideshow about Scholar in the blog post prior to this one.
Session 8, Using Scholar in Your Bb Course, that was originally scheduled for Friday, September 11 from 8:30-9:30, is being postponed. It will be rescheduled at a later date.
Session 10, Blogs and Wikis, that was originally scheduled for Friday, September 18 from 8:30-9:30 is postponed until a later date.
I apologize for any inconvenience this causes.
You can view a slideshow about Scholar in the blog post prior to this one.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Course Preparation for Potential H1N1
It is recommended that each faculty member develop and communicate a course continuity plan in case you become too ill to teach for several classes and/or in case a number of students become ill and miss several class sessions.
Your course continuity plan should include the following:
Preparation
Use Blackboard as your main course communication tool. Blackboard is a vehicle that will allow for private communication with students on how to handle assignments and exams. Students should be made aware of those mechanisms at the beginning of the term.
Suggestions:
Remind students of CDC guidelines regarding the normal course of the flu and expectations for absences. Explain to students that they may complete the assignments electronically to make up for class absences. They will be responsible for completing all missed assignments, but they may need additional time.
Suggestions:
Your course continuity plan should include the following:
Preparation
Use Blackboard as your main course communication tool. Blackboard is a vehicle that will allow for private communication with students on how to handle assignments and exams. Students should be made aware of those mechanisms at the beginning of the term.
Suggestions:
- Sign up for Fall workshops to learn how to use Blackboard. Workshop dates/times and descriptions can be found at http://www.drake.edu/it/instructional/professionaldevelopment.php and at http://factechseries.blogspot.com
You can also take advantage of our how-to guides and other resources at
http://www.drake.edu/it/instructional/blackboardfaculty.php
or call Peggy Steinbronn, x4510 to set up an individual consultation time.
- Create a short assignment (online syllabus quiz, download an online document, send an email to the instructor) for the first week of class that will ensure your students know how and where to access your online course materials.
- Create alternative assignments that can be completed outside of class and submitted electronically.
- Include in your syllabus expectations for minimal absences, requirements for completing all course and fieldwork, and instructions for completing a course in the event of extended student illness. Let students know what your plans are for keeping up with their class should they become ill for an extended period of time. Tell them how you will issue updates about changes in your class plans or update them on assignments—Blackboard announcement features, email updates can be used but your students need to know where to look for new information.
- In your syllabus and grading policy, outline how you will handle late assignments or missed exams. You might want to consider how to fairly assess late work from students who become ill and keep them informed so they know what to expect.
- If you feel flu symptoms, stay at home and notify your chair/dean and chair's assistant that you are ill and must miss class. Flu symptoms include an illness of sudden onset with a high fever (generally over 100.4 degrees F), sore throat and a cough. People with flu often may have a headache, runny nose, fatigue, body aches, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.
- Notify your students electronically that class is cancelled, and instruct them to complete alternative assignments.
- Emails to students can be sent through already established courses in Blackboard.
- Think through the goal of your class - what is it you really want students to be able to do at the end of each class session? Be able to solve a certain kind of problem? Critically analyze an event or theory?
Brainstorm the various ways that students can achieve these goals through homework or out-of-class assignments. For example, ask students to pose a thought-provoking question to the class in an online discussion and to respond to at least two other students' questions; have students submit one-page analysis of the weeks' readings, have students solve a problem using the resources you've provided, etc.
- Consider collaborating with a colleague in your department to review each other's course assignments, continuity plans, and to assist each other in the event of instructor illness.
- Follow CDC recommendations and take good care of yourself to avoid serious flu complications.
- Please be in contact with your chair/dean regarding your health and your plans to return to class.
- If you are up to interacting with students, hold virtual office hours with Blackboard’s Collaboration tool to answer student questions about course content, and/or assignments.
Remind students of CDC guidelines regarding the normal course of the flu and expectations for absences. Explain to students that they may complete the assignments electronically to make up for class absences. They will be responsible for completing all missed assignments, but they may need additional time.
Suggestions:
- Students can submit assignments electronically through the Digital Dropbox or the Assignment feature. If you would like assistance using Blackboard to create electronic assignments, please contact Peggy Steinbronn, x4510.
- Consider recording and posting your class sessions using Lecture Capture technology. Students who miss class can watch and listen to the recording and respond to a few questions from you to make up their absences. With a good microphone this technology can capture class discussions in a small class. For information about using Lecture capture technology, contact Peggy Steinbronn, Instructional Technology, x 4510 or James McNab, DTC, x2842.
- Should a student be absent for a prolonged period, refer him or her to information regarding the following: course withdrawals/incompletes, medical stop-outs, tuition refund policy/appeal, and academic exceptions.
Remember, you can always contact me, (x4510) for assistance with sending information to your students should your own illness prevent you from communicating directly with them.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Fall 2009
The summer is almost over--at least as far as students being away from class for the summer. In one week classes will begin anew. It is always an exciting time. The campus becomes alive again.
New students, new challenges, and yet there are some issues that always remain.
I am posting the sessions for the Fall 2009 Faculty Development Workshops.
The sessions are listed below. Please feel free to come to all or a few of them. Call me if you have questions.
The following sessions will be offered throughout the semester for any faculty member who wishes to participate. A new topic would will be offered each week at two different times during that week. Please check back for updates and announcements about these sessions.
Here is the list:
Weekly Sessions
Session 1: Introduction to Blackboard
Recommended for faculty who are new to Blackboard, have never used it, or may not even know what it is about.
This workshop will focus on the basics of using Blackboard. The features of Blackboard will be demonstrated and initial course structure will be discussed. This will include a basic demonstration of the Blackboard software as well as a brief introductory hands-on component.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 1/2 hours
August 20 8-9:30 a.m.
Session 2: Repeat of Session 1
August 21,1-2:30 p.m.
Session 3: Using Respondus Lockdown Browser
Recommended for all faculty who use Blackboard for online tests, exams and quizzes.
How secure are your online exams and quizzes? Reduce the likelihood of students cheating on your assessments by following some best practices to make your online assessments more secure. Topics for this new workshop include strategies to minimize cheating, and preventing students from copying and printing your exam questions and results.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
August 25, 3:30-4:40 p.m.
Session 4: Repeat of Session 3
August 28, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Session 5: Grade Center and Assessment
Recommended for all faculty who use Blackboard for recording grades.
This session will explore the new interface and options within the Grade Center with a particular focus on: creating a grading schema, adding grade columns, column categories, organizing columns, in-line grading, overriding/changing grades, and viewing grade history.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
September 1, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Session 6: Repeat of Session 5
September 4, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Session 7: Using Scholar in Your Bb Course
Recommended for all faculty who are interested in using Scholar to share web resources with their students as well as ask students to share web resources with each other.
Blackboard Scholar is an educational social bookmarking service that enables faculty and students to store, share and discover valuable resources for the course and research on the web.
The topics covered in this hands-on workshop include:
* Set up your scholar account and install your bookmarklet
* Tags and tag cloud;
* Add web resources to your bookmarks or add a stream;
* Use Scholar in your course.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
September 10 3:30-4:30 p.m.
(Note: This is a change from the printed schedule. Updated on 8-19-09)
Session 8: Repeat of Session 7--Postponed-will be rescheduled at a later date.
(Note: This is a change from the printed schedule. Updated on 09-10-09)
Session 9: Blogs & Wikis
Recommended for all faculty who are using Blackboard, and are interested in adding a Blog and/or Wiki to their course.
This workshop will focus on how to add a Blog and/or a Wiki to your Blackboard course and explore the types of learning projects and outcomes possible with its use.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
September 16, 3:30-4:40 p.m.
Session 10: Repeat of Session 9--Postponed-will be rescheduled at a later date.
(Note: This is a change from the printed schedule. Updated on 09-10-09)
Session 11: Clickers in the Classroom
Recommended for all faculty who wish to use an ARS (Automated Response System) and integrate it into their Blackboard courses.
This workshop will demonstrate the capabilities of using an ARS (clickers) in a course. Topics covered: what the potential for use is, how to use it, how to incorporate it into a Blackboard course, how to get the data.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
September 22, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Session 12: Repeat of Session 11
September 25, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Session 13: Podcasting
Recommended for all faculty who wish to make use of podcasting in their courses.
Many people are familiar with podcasts but have never considered making their own. This session demonstrates just how easy it can be to create and publish your own podcasts using free software and equipment that you probably already have access to. Participants will walk away with the knowledge necessary to create their own audio podcasts and upload them to Drake’s iTunesU.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
September 29, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Session 14: Repeat of Session 13
October 2, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Session 15: Creating Multimedia Materials for Teaching
Recommended for all faculty who want to incorporate more visual interest in their courses.
This workshop will be an opportunity for hands-on experience of preparing multimedia for online presentation. File formats and compression for images, audio, and video will be discussed, and participants will learn techniques for incorporating multimedia effectively into Blackboard.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
October 6, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Session 16: Repeat of Session 15
October 9, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Session 17: Self & Peer Assessment Tools
Recommended for all faculty who utilize, or would like to utilize, peer assessment and student self-evaluation in their courses.
The Self and Peer Assessment tool enables students to review and evaluate work submitted by themselves or their peers. Using criteria specified by the instructor and optional sample responses, students can assign points and provide feedback on submitted assignments.
* Create a Peer and Self Assessment;
* Set up questions and criteria for peer and/or self evaluation;
* Review assessment submissions, evaluations and results;
* Send the results to Grade Center.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
October 13, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Session 18: Repeat of Session 17
October 16, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Session 19: Free & Easy to Use Web Tools
Recommended for all faculty who are interested in using the most popular web tools—free and easy to use.
An overview of Web 2.0 tools that have potential for creative use in higher education. Engage your students with these simple-to-learn but powerful tools.
Google Docs
A collaborative online office suite that includes a word processor, a spreadsheet, and a presentation tool. Compatible with MS Office file formats, free, and lets multiple people work on a document at the same time!
Skype
A text, voice, and video conferencing tool that lets you contact other computers for free or dial regular telephones for a tiny fee.
Google Earth
Zoom around the world or under the ocean! Using layers, look at geological features, historical sites, or just find your house.
Flickr
Organize and share your photos, communicate with friends, and browse for cool pictures.
Pandora
If you like the Beatles, you will like... A free streaming music service that plays songs you like. You rate the songs as you listen, and Pandora suggests similar music that you might also like. Great for finding new music.
Poll Everywhere
An easy way to create one-question online polls. People respond online or by texting from their mobile phones. The responses are updated in real time, showing results instantly.
And many more...
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
October 23, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Session 20: Plagiarism—Using Safe Assign
Recommended for all faculty who want to encourage ethical writing practices.
SafeAssign is a tool used to encourage original writing and proper citation practices within a course. Participates will learn to create a SafeAssignment using this tool:
* Create a SafeAssignment and choose various options;
* View, interpret and grade the submission of a SafeAssignment;
* Manage SafeAssignments.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
October 27, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Session 21: Repeat of Session 20
October 30, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Session 22: Twitter, Facebook & Other Sites
Twitter
Lets you post short messages describing what you're doing in 140 or fewer text characters. Great for posting class announcements.
Facebook
The most popular social network for college students is now available to everyone. Get back in touch with distant friends and family, share photos, chat, play games, send messages, join special interest groups.
Social Bookmarking with Delicious
Chances are that you've marked favorite pages in your web browser and then used those bookmarks to quickly return to the pages. But if you work on more than one computer or use more than one browser, you've probably been frustrated by "missing" bookmarks. Wouldn't it be nice if you could have all your bookmarks in one easily accessible place, and better yet, if you could tag your bookmarks with keywords so you can organize them and search for them later? Social bookmarking tools like Delicious, StumbleUpon, and Bb Scholar do just that. These online tools are available from any computer or any browser, and they let you share your bookmark collections with students and colleagues. By comparing your tags with those of others who have similar interests, you can be introduced to new useful sites.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
November 3, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Session 23: Repeat of Session 22
November 6, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Session 24: Using the Grade Center
Recommended for all faculty who utilize, or would like to utilize, the Grade Center options within the course structure of Blackboard.
The Grade Center enables the instructor to record, post course grades, and calculate the totals. This hands-on workshop will include:
• Set up the Grade Center – add, modify, and remove grade items, change item order, modify display options and create smart views;
• Retrieve and review grade details by item or by student;
• Enter and modify grades;
• Customize letter grade scheme;
• Weigh grades;
• How students access their grades and view feedback from the instructor.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
November 17, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Session 25: Repeat of Session 26
November 20, 8:30-9:30
Session 26: Open Session
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
December 1, 3:30-4:30
Session 27: Open Session
December 4, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Session 28: Free & Easy to Use Web Tools
(Repeat of Session 19)
Recommended for all faculty who are interested in using the most popular web tools—free and easy to use.
An overview of Web 2.0 tools that have potential for creative use in higher education. Engage your students with these simple-to-learn but powerful tools.
Google Docs
A collaborative online office suite that includes a word processor, a spreadsheet, and a presentation tool. Compatible with MS Office file formats, free, and lets multiple people work on a document at the same time!
Skype
A text, voice, and video conferencing tool that lets you contact other computers for free or dial regular telephones for a tiny fee.
Google Earth
Zoom around the world or under the ocean! Using layers, look at geological features, historical sites, or just find your house.
Flickr
Organize and share your photos, communicate with friends, and browse for cool pictures.
Pandora
If you like the Beatles, you will like... A free streaming music service that plays songs you like. You rate the songs as you listen, and Pandora suggests similar music that you might also like. Great for finding new music.
Poll Everywhere
An easy way to create one-question online polls. People respond online or by texting from their mobile phones. The responses are updated in real time, showing results instantly.
And many more...
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
December 8, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Session 29: Preparing Bb Course for Spring Semester
Learn how to recycle existing course content for a new course, when to archive and when to export, other “housekeeping” tips to keep your Blackboard site in-shape. We will also discuss how to move your grades automatically from Blackboard into DUSIS.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
December 11, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
New students, new challenges, and yet there are some issues that always remain.
I am posting the sessions for the Fall 2009 Faculty Development Workshops.
The sessions are listed below. Please feel free to come to all or a few of them. Call me if you have questions.
Fall 2009
Faculty Development Program
Faculty Development Program
The following sessions will be offered throughout the semester for any faculty member who wishes to participate. A new topic would will be offered each week at two different times during that week. Please check back for updates and announcements about these sessions.
Here is the list:
Weekly Sessions
Session 1: Introduction to Blackboard
Recommended for faculty who are new to Blackboard, have never used it, or may not even know what it is about.
This workshop will focus on the basics of using Blackboard. The features of Blackboard will be demonstrated and initial course structure will be discussed. This will include a basic demonstration of the Blackboard software as well as a brief introductory hands-on component.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 1/2 hours
August 20 8-9:30 a.m.
Session 2: Repeat of Session 1
August 21,1-2:30 p.m.
Session 3: Using Respondus Lockdown Browser
Recommended for all faculty who use Blackboard for online tests, exams and quizzes.
How secure are your online exams and quizzes? Reduce the likelihood of students cheating on your assessments by following some best practices to make your online assessments more secure. Topics for this new workshop include strategies to minimize cheating, and preventing students from copying and printing your exam questions and results.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
August 25, 3:30-4:40 p.m.
Session 4: Repeat of Session 3
August 28, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Session 5: Grade Center and Assessment
Recommended for all faculty who use Blackboard for recording grades.
This session will explore the new interface and options within the Grade Center with a particular focus on: creating a grading schema, adding grade columns, column categories, organizing columns, in-line grading, overriding/changing grades, and viewing grade history.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
September 1, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Session 6: Repeat of Session 5
September 4, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Session 7: Using Scholar in Your Bb Course
Recommended for all faculty who are interested in using Scholar to share web resources with their students as well as ask students to share web resources with each other.
Blackboard Scholar is an educational social bookmarking service that enables faculty and students to store, share and discover valuable resources for the course and research on the web.
The topics covered in this hands-on workshop include:
* Set up your scholar account and install your bookmarklet
* Tags and tag cloud;
* Add web resources to your bookmarks or add a stream;
* Use Scholar in your course.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
September 10 3:30-4:30 p.m.
(Note: This is a change from the printed schedule. Updated on 8-19-09)
Session 8: Repeat of Session 7--Postponed-will be rescheduled at a later date.
(Note: This is a change from the printed schedule. Updated on 09-10-09)
Session 9: Blogs & Wikis
Recommended for all faculty who are using Blackboard, and are interested in adding a Blog and/or Wiki to their course.
This workshop will focus on how to add a Blog and/or a Wiki to your Blackboard course and explore the types of learning projects and outcomes possible with its use.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
September 16, 3:30-4:40 p.m.
Session 10: Repeat of Session 9--Postponed-will be rescheduled at a later date.
(Note: This is a change from the printed schedule. Updated on 09-10-09)
Session 11: Clickers in the Classroom
Recommended for all faculty who wish to use an ARS (Automated Response System) and integrate it into their Blackboard courses.
This workshop will demonstrate the capabilities of using an ARS (clickers) in a course. Topics covered: what the potential for use is, how to use it, how to incorporate it into a Blackboard course, how to get the data.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
September 22, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Session 12: Repeat of Session 11
September 25, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Session 13: Podcasting
Recommended for all faculty who wish to make use of podcasting in their courses.
Many people are familiar with podcasts but have never considered making their own. This session demonstrates just how easy it can be to create and publish your own podcasts using free software and equipment that you probably already have access to. Participants will walk away with the knowledge necessary to create their own audio podcasts and upload them to Drake’s iTunesU.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
September 29, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Session 14: Repeat of Session 13
October 2, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Session 15: Creating Multimedia Materials for Teaching
Recommended for all faculty who want to incorporate more visual interest in their courses.
This workshop will be an opportunity for hands-on experience of preparing multimedia for online presentation. File formats and compression for images, audio, and video will be discussed, and participants will learn techniques for incorporating multimedia effectively into Blackboard.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
October 6, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Session 16: Repeat of Session 15
October 9, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Session 17: Self & Peer Assessment Tools
Recommended for all faculty who utilize, or would like to utilize, peer assessment and student self-evaluation in their courses.
The Self and Peer Assessment tool enables students to review and evaluate work submitted by themselves or their peers. Using criteria specified by the instructor and optional sample responses, students can assign points and provide feedback on submitted assignments.
* Create a Peer and Self Assessment;
* Set up questions and criteria for peer and/or self evaluation;
* Review assessment submissions, evaluations and results;
* Send the results to Grade Center.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
October 13, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Session 18: Repeat of Session 17
October 16, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Session 19: Free & Easy to Use Web Tools
Recommended for all faculty who are interested in using the most popular web tools—free and easy to use.
An overview of Web 2.0 tools that have potential for creative use in higher education. Engage your students with these simple-to-learn but powerful tools.
Google Docs
A collaborative online office suite that includes a word processor, a spreadsheet, and a presentation tool. Compatible with MS Office file formats, free, and lets multiple people work on a document at the same time!
Skype
A text, voice, and video conferencing tool that lets you contact other computers for free or dial regular telephones for a tiny fee.
Google Earth
Zoom around the world or under the ocean! Using layers, look at geological features, historical sites, or just find your house.
Flickr
Organize and share your photos, communicate with friends, and browse for cool pictures.
Pandora
If you like the Beatles, you will like... A free streaming music service that plays songs you like. You rate the songs as you listen, and Pandora suggests similar music that you might also like. Great for finding new music.
Poll Everywhere
An easy way to create one-question online polls. People respond online or by texting from their mobile phones. The responses are updated in real time, showing results instantly.
And many more...
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
October 23, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Session 20: Plagiarism—Using Safe Assign
Recommended for all faculty who want to encourage ethical writing practices.
SafeAssign is a tool used to encourage original writing and proper citation practices within a course. Participates will learn to create a SafeAssignment using this tool:
* Create a SafeAssignment and choose various options;
* View, interpret and grade the submission of a SafeAssignment;
* Manage SafeAssignments.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
October 27, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Session 21: Repeat of Session 20
October 30, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Session 22: Twitter, Facebook & Other Sites
Lets you post short messages describing what you're doing in 140 or fewer text characters. Great for posting class announcements.
The most popular social network for college students is now available to everyone. Get back in touch with distant friends and family, share photos, chat, play games, send messages, join special interest groups.
Social Bookmarking with Delicious
Chances are that you've marked favorite pages in your web browser and then used those bookmarks to quickly return to the pages. But if you work on more than one computer or use more than one browser, you've probably been frustrated by "missing" bookmarks. Wouldn't it be nice if you could have all your bookmarks in one easily accessible place, and better yet, if you could tag your bookmarks with keywords so you can organize them and search for them later? Social bookmarking tools like Delicious, StumbleUpon, and Bb Scholar do just that. These online tools are available from any computer or any browser, and they let you share your bookmark collections with students and colleagues. By comparing your tags with those of others who have similar interests, you can be introduced to new useful sites.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
November 3, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Session 23: Repeat of Session 22
November 6, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Session 24: Using the Grade Center
Recommended for all faculty who utilize, or would like to utilize, the Grade Center options within the course structure of Blackboard.
The Grade Center enables the instructor to record, post course grades, and calculate the totals. This hands-on workshop will include:
• Set up the Grade Center – add, modify, and remove grade items, change item order, modify display options and create smart views;
• Retrieve and review grade details by item or by student;
• Enter and modify grades;
• Customize letter grade scheme;
• Weigh grades;
• How students access their grades and view feedback from the instructor.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
November 17, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Session 25: Repeat of Session 26
November 20, 8:30-9:30
Session 26: Open Session
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
December 1, 3:30-4:30
Session 27: Open Session
December 4, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Session 28: Free & Easy to Use Web Tools
(Repeat of Session 19)
Recommended for all faculty who are interested in using the most popular web tools—free and easy to use.
An overview of Web 2.0 tools that have potential for creative use in higher education. Engage your students with these simple-to-learn but powerful tools.
Google Docs
A collaborative online office suite that includes a word processor, a spreadsheet, and a presentation tool. Compatible with MS Office file formats, free, and lets multiple people work on a document at the same time!
Skype
A text, voice, and video conferencing tool that lets you contact other computers for free or dial regular telephones for a tiny fee.
Google Earth
Zoom around the world or under the ocean! Using layers, look at geological features, historical sites, or just find your house.
Flickr
Organize and share your photos, communicate with friends, and browse for cool pictures.
Pandora
If you like the Beatles, you will like... A free streaming music service that plays songs you like. You rate the songs as you listen, and Pandora suggests similar music that you might also like. Great for finding new music.
Poll Everywhere
An easy way to create one-question online polls. People respond online or by texting from their mobile phones. The responses are updated in real time, showing results instantly.
And many more...
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
December 8, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Session 29: Preparing Bb Course for Spring Semester
Learn how to recycle existing course content for a new course, when to archive and when to export, other “housekeeping” tips to keep your Blackboard site in-shape. We will also discuss how to move your grades automatically from Blackboard into DUSIS.
Workshop is conducted as a: Hands-on training in a computer lab. No materials required. 1 hour
December 11, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Mobile Learning
Today has been an interesting mix of learning. I attended a web conference on mobile learning. As a result, I am posting this from my iPod Touch. Remarkable!
Peggy Steinbronn
Peggy Steinbronn
Monday, April 13, 2009
Creating a Slide Show Using SlideRoll
Do you want an easy way to create a slide show with photos? There is a web program that will allow you to upload a limited amount of photos for free and it creates a slide show. You can then grab the code and embed into your web course, blog, ePortfolio, or other web page. I created one in about 5 minutes using photos I took of my nieces and grandson over the week-end. It also has an application to do the same thing with video.
Here is a sample (sorry the example is not "education" worthy--but as a grandma, I think it is great.)
Here is a sample (sorry the example is not "education" worthy--but as a grandma, I think it is great.)
Go to http://www.slideroll.com/ to see the application. Since it is all web-based, it doesn't matter what platform of computer you are using. Web 2.0 technology is great.
Friday, April 10, 2009
The World Is Talking Are You Listening?
The following is a presentation about podcasting.
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
Have you looked at SlideShare? It has some great presentations, along with others that may not be so useful.
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
Have you looked at SlideShare? It has some great presentations, along with others that may not be so useful.
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