Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard
Wednesday, April 1, 2009 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 and will have an opportunity to place materials in a sample course. We can also assist participants with requesting their own Blackboard courses. Workshop prerequisites: knowledge of Web browsing and basic computing skills. Advanced registration is required.
Blackboard Open Lab
Friday, April 3, 2009 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, Adams Hall, Room 323
Open lab provides an excellent opportunity for faculty and staff to ask specific questions about Blackboard and other teaching-related technologies. Staff from Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center will be on hand to individually address your questions. We cannot provide an overview of Blackboard at this session, but will be happy to answer specific questions about using Blackboard and other instructional technologies. No advanced registration required.
Creating Branching Tutorials in PowerPoint
Thursday, April 9, 2009 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Part video game, part case study, and a lot like a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book, branching tutorials are a powerful instructional tool. Students apply their knowledge to realistic scenarios, which can really bring your content to life. This hands-on workshop will cover both design and development techniques that will allow you to create branching tutorials without sophisticated software. All you need are a few tricks with PowerPoint. Basic knowledge of PowerPoint is required. Advanced registration is required.
Blackboard Communication Tools
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
The discussion and file-sharing tools provided by Blackboard can enrich communication in the web-enhanced traditional classroom as well as in the online venue. These tools provide faculty with a wealth of opportunities for building course communities, encouraging academic discussion outside the classroom and collecting assignments electronically. This hands-on session covers the features of asynchronous and synchronous discussion, group discussion, and electronic file exchange. Prerequisites: Blackboard I or previous experience using Blackboard. Advanced registration is required.
Problem-Based Learning
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is a focused, experiential learning strategy organized around the exploration and resolution of an authentic, real-world problem. PBL involves three parts: The Problem, which typically does not have an easy solution, The Learners, who often work in self-directed groups to solve the problem, and The Instructor, who assumes the role as facilitator and coach once the problem has been presented. We will discuss ways to find and develop a problem and student and instructor involvement during a Problem-Based Learning situation. Advanced registration is required.
David Raymond Grant Reception and Presentation
“Using Wiki-Based Collaborative Authoring in the Lab and Classroom to Enhance Writing and Understanding"
By James Horn (Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Thursday, April 16, 2009 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, Heritage Room, HSC
While wiki websites, such as the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, are familiar to most students and instructors, their experience with such sites is typically limited to only reading online content. However, a wiki website used in its full capacity, which includes reading, writing, editing and management, can be an excellent teaching tool for both students and instructors. James Horn will demonstrate his use of web-based collaborative authoring in classroom and laboratory settings. The presentation will include examples of how this technology provides new opportunities for students to improve writing and presentation skills beyond traditional approaches. A highlight of this technology is that it provides excellent opportunities for student and instructor assessment. Additional uses of wiki websites as teaching tools will be discussed along with exploring the overall advantages and disadvantages of this technology. Everyone is invited; no registration is necessary. Light refreshments will be served. The 2009 grant recipient will be announced after the presentation.
**NEW**Greener Teaching Techniques
**ONLINE**Wednesday, April 22, 2009 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Greener living has increasingly become a central issue in American life. In our personal lives, we recycle, use reusable bags at the grocery store, and light our homes with CFL bulbs. However, what can we do to make our teaching practices environmentally friendly? This informal online session will highlight a few techniques that can make the classroom greener. Come and share your techniques for greener teaching and learn from others! Advanced registration is required.
Online Teaching Brown Bag
**ONLINE**Friday, April 24, 2009 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
If you have taught online, currently teach online, or are considering teaching online in the future, please join your colleagues for an informal online discussion concerning aspects of online teaching and learning. Participate in this open online discussion from any Mac or Windows computer with an Internet connection via Wimba Classroom and join the emerging conversations. Advanced registration is required.
End-Of-Semester Considerations for Your Blackboard Course
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Once the semester is over and all course materials are organized and posted in Blackboard, faculty can take steps to preserve the course for future use. While courses are not deleted for about 15 months, certain parts of each course, such as the gradebook, should be downloaded and saved. This session will cover the save and copy features available through the Blackboard interface and offer suggestions for what types of activities faculty should routinely follow at the end of an academic term. Prerequisites: Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard or familiarity with Blackboard. Advanced registration is required.
**NEW**Introduction to Online Teaching and Learning
Thursday, April 30, 2009 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Teaching in the online environment involves principles and practices unlike traditional face-to-face instruction methods. Unique pedagogical and pragmatic considerations for teaching online must be considered when contemplating the development of an online course. In this session, we will introduce the unique characteristics of online instruction and provide an overview of the components in an engaging and interactive online course. We will also share various institutional resources for further assistance with getting started teaching. This workshop is geared toward an audience who is new to online teaching and to those wanting to refresh their knowledge about online teaching fundamentals. Advanced registration is required.
Please register online at http://www.facdev.niu.edu/facdev/forms/taprogreg.shtml.
Please email your name, NIU Employee ID, classification, department, NIU email, NIU phone, and special accommodations (if any), to the Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center at tadev@niu.edu, or register online at www.facdev.niu.edu/facdev/forms/taprogreg.shtml. Program locations will be made available when you register. After submitting your registration, if you do not receive a response within two working days, please contact the Center. If you register for a program and are unable to attend it, 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. For information about NIU Account IDs used in Blackboard, contact ITS Customer Support: helpdesk@niu.edu or 753-8100.
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Last Updated: 04/29/2009