**New** Tools and Features Coming to Blackboard
Thursday, May 10, 2007 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am
With the expected upgrade of the Blackboard course management system to version 7.1 later this year, NIU faculty should expect to see a number of new and enhanced features when they log in to Blackboard. The new version will introduce significant changes in the layout and functionality of the discussion board, some enhanced features of the gradebook and assessment component as well as a redesigned Visual Text Box Editor tool, among others. This session will highlight and provide a preview of these new and enhanced features and tools. In addition, faculty will be able to learn about the training opportunities and resources that will help them learn the new version. Advanced registration is required.
**New** Designing Effective Instruction
Thursday, May 17, 2007 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
What strategies do you use to plan your instruction? Have you considered how technology may improve what you teach? How do you focus on the needs of your students? These questions can be addressed through effective Instructional Design (ID). Instructional design is a systematic process that incorporates principles of learning and instruction to help plan the use of materials, activities, resources and evaluation in online and face-to-face instruction. In this workshop we will refresh old ideas and learn new techniques to design instruction to be both effective and efficient using a step-by-step instructional design model that really works. Please bring a course syllabus to the workshop. Advanced registration is required.
Teaching with Technology Institute
Monday, May 21, 2007 from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Blogs, Podcasting, Social Bookmarking, Streaming, Gaming, Clickers and various other technologies and techniques for integrating them within the learning framework will be presented. This is not a hands-on program, but a ll faculty, staff, and teaching assistants interested in learning more about these emerging technologies and integrating them in their teaching will find this institute beneficial. Registration Deadline: May 7, 2007. Advanced registration is required. for more information and to register, please visit: http://www.facdev.niu.edu/facdev/programs/05212007.shtml.
Short Focused Tutorials
Friday, May 25, 2007 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
This hands-on workshop will demonstrate the mechanics of adding voice/video to existing PowerPoint slide presentations that are streamed using broadband connectivity. Faculty may consider using this educational strategy to reinforce a concept presented in their own face-to-face-class session, provide a tutorial on new information, or review material for an upcoming examination. Participants will be using Articulate Presenter. Participants should be familiar with Microsoft PowerPoint and audio capture. Advanced registration is required and seating is very limited.
Write Well, Publish More! Workshop
Thursday, May 31, 2007 from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
This daylong, interactive workshop by Dr. Brad Peters (Department of English) will put into practice habits that successful, publishing writers use. Get started, nail down the central idea, find your voice, gather feedback, revise, and join the conversation! R egistration Deadline: May 17, 2007. Registration is required. For more information and to register for this program, please visit: http://www.facdev.niu.edu/facdev/programs/05312007.shtml.
Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard
Tuesday, June 12, 2007 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Learn the basics of creating and developing a course in Blackboard, NIU's Web Course Management System. Participants will get an overview of course layout and navigation, have an opportunity to place materials in a sample course, and also get assistance with requesting their own Blackboard courses. Participants who wish to request their courses during the workshop need to have an active NIU Account ID. [For information about NIU Account IDs used in Blackboard, contact ITS Customer Support: helpdesk@niu.edu or 753-8100.] Workshop prerequisites: Knowledge of Web browsing and basic computing skills. Advanced registration is required.
Writing Goals and Objectives: There is a Difference
Thursday, June 14, 2007 from 1:30 to 3:00 pm
Instructional goals are broad, generalized statements about what is to be learned. Instructional objectives, on the other hand, are focused, measurable statements that will help you and your students reach your goals. When written well, instructional goals and objectives will assist in identifying course content, help organize your instruction, and best of all, help students achieve your expectations. In this workshop, we will review the characteristics of instructional goals and objectives and practice writing these two important components of successful instruction. Please bring a list of goals and objectives to the workshop for a friendly critique. Advanced registration is required.
Blackboard II: Building Your Blackboard Course
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
This hands-on workshop is a follow-up to the Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard workshop; we will cover the specifics of developing a course in Blackboard, including personalizing course navigation, setting up a materials-delivery structure and creating discussion areas. Participants will work in their own Blackboard courses and should bring to the session any course materials they want to upload or work with during the workshop. Files need to be on a flash drive (readable in a USB port) or on CD. Prerequisites: Basic computer skills and attendance at the Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard workshop or previous experience using Blackboard. Advanced registration is required.
Introduction to Podcasting
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Podcasting is a powerful means of publishing recorded audio online, making it available for students to download and listen to on either their personal computer or mp3 player, such as an iPod. This hands-on workshop provides participants with an overview of podcasting technology and the opportunity to create a podcast and practice subscribing to podcasts. No iPods are necessary to participate. Advanced registration is required.
**New** Clickers in the Classroom
Thursday, June 21, 2007 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Now that NIU has adopted the eInstruction CPS personal response system (clickers), faculty can use this technology in conjunction with Blackboard to create an interactive learning experience. Faculty can use CPS in the classroom to engage students and provide them with instant feedback. Student assessment results can then be uploaded to Blackboard. This workshop is designed to explore the instructional possibilities of the CPS clicker system and its integration with Blackboard. Advanced registration is required.
**New** Teaching a New Course
Wednesday, July 11, 2007 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Preparing to teach a new course involves a number of tasks that require planning and organization. This workshop will focus on general strategies such as budgeting time for class preparation, knowing which instructional methods and strategies that work best for the course content, understanding the varied students enrolled in the course, and sequencing the material to fit the class time period. Technology integration, homework, exam format, and grading will also be covered. Participants will create a list of tips and techniques that can be immediately used as they prepare to teach a new course. Advanced registration is required.
Blackboard II: Building Your Blackboard Course
Tuesday, July 17, 2007 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
This hands-on workshop is a follow-up to the Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard workshop; we will cover the specifics of developing a course in Blackboard, including personalizing course navigation, setting up a materials-delivery structure and creating discussion areas. Participants will work in their own Blackboard courses and should bring to the session any course materials they want to upload or work with during the workshop. Files need to be on a flash drive (readable in a USB port) or on CD. Prerequisites: Basic computer skills and attendance at the Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard workshop or previous experience using Blackboard. Advanced registration is required.
Podcast Series: Audio Podcasting
Thursday, July 19, 2007 from 9:00 am to 11:30 am
While the Introduction to Podcasting workshop provided participants with an overview of podcasting technology, the Audio Podcast workshop will be a more thorough hands-on experience for preparing audio content for online distribution. Topics will include a discussion of the pedagogy behind audio podcasts, a review of hardware/ software necessary for audio capture, editing, and file conversion, and a review of procedures to make content available for students to subscribe. A prerequisite for the workshop is the Introduction to Podcasting workshop or previous experience with Podcasting. No iPods are necessary to participate. Advanced registration is required.
Creating and Using Course Wikis
Tuesday, July 24, 2007 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Wikis are powerful web-based spaces that allow students to collaborate, share resources and build community learning environments. This hands-on workshop provides participants an opportunity to practice posting materials to a wiki and to create their own learning environment. We will discuss the pedagogical implications and limitations of this online resource. Advanced registration required.
Multimedia Integration into Blackboard
Thursday, July 26, 2007 from 9:00 am to 11:30 am
This workshop will cover basic multimedia integration using Blackboard. Participants will learn how to import images, video and audio clips into different sections of Blackboard. Participants will be using a browser (Internet Explorer). Prerequisites: Basic computer skills and attendance at the Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard workshop or previous experience using Blackboard. Advanced registration is required.
Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard
Wednesday, August 1, 2007 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Learn the basics of creating and developing a course in Blackboard, NIU's Web Course Management System. Participants will get an overview of course layout and navigation, have an opportunity to place materials in a sample course, and also get assistance with requesting their own Blackboard courses. Participants who wish to request their courses during the workshop need to have an active NIU Account ID. [For information about NIU Account IDs used in Blackboard, contact ITS Customer Support: helpdesk@niu.edu or 753-8100.] Workshop prerequisites: Knowledge of Web browsing and basic computing skills. Advanced registration is required.
Redesigning Course Materials for Online Delivery
Wednesday, August 8, 2007 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
The true challenge in delivering online materials is keeping the environment dynamic and interactive. The goal of this workshop is to provide suggestions and offer examples of how to retool current course materials and develop other instructional aids that will promote an effective online teaching and learning experience. Advanced registration is required.
Blackboard II: Building Your Blackboard Course
Monday, August 13, 2007 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
This hands-on workshop is a follow-up to the Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard workshop; we will cover the specifics of developing a course in Blackboard, including personalizing course navigation, setting up a materials-delivery structure and creating discussion areas. Participants will work in their own Blackboard courses and should bring to the session any course materials they want to upload or work with during the workshop. Files need to be on a flash drive (readable in a USB port) or on CD. Prerequisites: Basic computer skills and attendance at the Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard workshop or previous experience using Blackboard. Advanced registration is required.
Teaching Effectiveness Institute
Fundamental Principles of Effective Instruction
Thursday, August 16, 2007 from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Teaching Effectiveness Institute is designed to introduce faculty to basic principles of teaching, offer information about support resources related to teaching, and discuss how faculty deal with students’ needs. Participants will have opportunities to network with both new and experienced faculty at NIU. This institute will include interactive presentations by NIU faculty and staff. The institute is geared toward an audience who is new to teaching and to those wanting to refresh their knowledge about teaching fundamentals. For more information and to register, please visit: http://www.facdev.niu.edu/facdev/institute/tei/08162007.shtml.
Teaching Effectiveness Institute
Engaging Community for Learning: Making Connections for Your Classroom and Campus, Your Students and Colleagues
Friday, August 17, 2007 from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
across classrooms, disciplines, and curricula. Learning communities, both student and faculty, foster increased retention, rate of intellectual development, and civic contributions. The safety and support provided by a community enable risk taking and the achievement of both individual and team objectives. Evidence shows that learning community approaches can provide "deep learning," and they support us to investigate, attempt, assess, and adopt new approaches to learning and teaching.
More specifically, what is community and how might it help you achieve some of your course learning objectives? Beyond the classroom, what are ways that learning communities help achieve student, faculty, and institutional learning objectives? This workshop will provide opportunities to reflect on these questions, examine evidence of success, and consider ways to engage learning communities that can benefit your students, colleagues, and institution. For more information and to register, please visit: http://www.facdev.niu.edu/facdev/institute/tei/08172007.shtml.
New Tools and Features in Blackboard
Monday, August 20, 2007 from 9:00 am to 10:30 am
With the of the Blackboard course management system to version 7.1 in May 2007, NIU faculty now see a number of new and enhanced features when they log in to Blackboard. The new version introduces significant changes in the layout and functionality of the discussion board, some enhanced features of the gradebook and assessment component as well as a redesigned Visual Text Box Editor tool, among others. This session will highlight and provide a preview of these new and enhanced features and tools. In addition, faculty will be able to learn about the training opportunities and resources that will help them learn the new version. Advanced registration is required.
Media Services Smart Classroom Training
DuSable Hall, 348
Media Services is offering training on using the audiovisual equipment in Provost sponsored smart classrooms. New equipment was installed in many classrooms this summer and there are major changes in how the equipment is operated. Both new and returning instructors should benefit from these brief seminars.
These seminars are open-ended and run continually so you won't miss a thing no matter when you drop by. The program will take approximately an hour of your time. If you cannot attend one of the above sessions, call one of our smart classroom trainers and they will arrange a time that is convenient for you. Note that once the semester begins, it will be difficult to schedule a training session during the weekdays because these rooms are in almost constant use. No registration necessary.
SMART Interactive Computer Monitor and SMART Notebook Software Training
Friday, August 24, 2007 in Cole Hall 101
10:30 am to 11:30 am - or - 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
The computer monitors in the Provost sponsored general purpose smart classrooms throughout campus have been replaced with new interactive monitors. These new touch screens enable software to be activated by using a stylus instead of a computer mouse. The stylus can also be used to annotate and highlight over anything displayed on the computer monitor in a variety of ways. Faculty, staff, and TAs are invited to attend introductory training on the use of these interactive displays. SMART Technologies representatives will demonstrate the hardware and introduce the accompanying software.
Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard
Tuesday, August 28, 2007 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Learn the basics of creating and developing a course in Blackboard, NIU's Web Course Management System. Participants will get an overview of course layout and navigation, have an opportunity to place materials in a sample course, and also get assistance with requesting their own Blackboard courses. Participants who wish to request their courses during the workshop need to have an active NIU Account ID. Workshop prerequisites: Knowledge of Web browsing and basic computing skills. Advanced registration is required.
Effective Teaching with Interactive Pen (SMART Panel) Displays
Wednesday, August 29, 2007 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
NIU is currently equipping many of its smart classrooms with SMART™ Interactive Pen Displays (IPD) which allow users to display, annotate and capture on-screen electronic material such as PowerPoint slides, video clips, and multimedia content. For example, users can simultaneously write on a projected PowerPoint slide, save the file, and then send it to others. Using Interactive Pen Displays as an instructional resource requires careful consideration of those features that would effectively support your teaching. This workshop is designed to explore the possible pedagogical possibilities of IPDs and to illustrate ways in which you can utilize a number of its tools and features such as screen shade, magnifier, pointer, and screen capture. Advanced registration is required.
Personalizing the "Look" of Your Blackboard Course
Thursday, August 30, 2007 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Learn the basics of how to customize the interface of your Blackboard course. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn basic interface design principles and have the opportunity to create a customized course banner and buttons for use in their own Blackboard course. Prerequisites: basic computer skills and attendance at the Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard workshop or previous experience using Blackboard. Advanced registration is required.
These programs are open only for faculty (including instructors and adjuncts) and teaching staff (SPS and Civil Service), and not graduate assistants. Please register online at http://www.facdev.niu.edu/facdev/forms/fsprogreg.shtml.
Locations will be made available when you register. If you register for a program (except for those programs that already have registration and cancellation deadlines) and are unable to attend, please notify the Center at least two working days in advance so that those on the waiting list can be given the opportunity to attend that program. We request that participants have an active NIU AccountID and password before coming to workshops. Contact ITS (753-8100) for information concerning IDs. Contact sponsoring units for more information about their programs.
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Last Updated: 08/01/2007