**NEW**Blackboard 8.0 Grade Center Preview
**ONLINE**Monday, May 11, 2009 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
With the anticipated upgrade of the Blackboard course management system to version 8.0, NIU faculty will see an entirely redesigned and newly named Grade Center. This online (not a hands-on) workshop will preview the significant changes in the layout and functionality of the Grade Center and will introduce new features that will be available after the upgrade, including: using inline editing, entering comments, sending email from the Grade Center, using interactive and non-interactive views, and customizing the default Grade Center look. Advanced registration is required.
**NEW**Blackboard 8.0 Self and Peer Assessment Preview
**ONLINE**Tuesday, May 19, 2009 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Blackboard 8.0 brings some very exciting new features, including the Self and Peer Assessment tool. This tool allows students to submit work through Blackboard which is then evaluated by a random group of fellow students. Students may even reflect upon and evaluate their own work. This online (not a hands-on) session will explore some practical applications for using Self and Peer Assessment in a course and will provide a brief overview of how the Self and Peer Assessment tool functions. Advanced registration is required.
Teaching a New Course
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 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, aligning instructional methods and strategies with course goals and objectives, understanding the varied learning styles of students enrolled in the course and sequencing course material to fit the class time period. Technology integration, assignments, exam format and grading will also be discussed. 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.
**NEW**Free Software Tools for the Classroom
**ONLINE**Tuesday, June 2, 2009 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Many of the software tools that are the most useful in the classroom are unfortunately also some of the most expensive software tools. Often, budgets require that software is limited to a few users or a few locations, which prevents faculty and instructors from utilizing the technology with their students. It even prevents students from learning from these valuable tools. Don’t let licensing fees hold you back! There are free versions of many of the expensive software tools, if you know where to look. This online session will introduce free versions of some of the most common software programs and share ideas for using them in the classroom. Advanced registration is required.
Clickers in the Classroom
Wednesday, June 3, 2009 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Faculty can use the eInstruction CPS personal response system (clickers) 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.
Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard
Thursday, June 4, 2009 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 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. Participants will be assisted with requesting their own Blackboard courses. Participants who wish to request their courses during the workshop need to have an active NIU Account ID. Advanced registration is required.
Writing Goals and Objectives: There is a Difference
Wednesday, June 10, 2009 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Instructional goals are broad, generalized statements about what is to be learned. Instructional objectives, on the other hand, are focused measurable statements which will help you and your students reach your goals. When written well, instructional goals and objectives will assist in identifying course content, help organized 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 course syllabus to the workshop. Advanced registration is required.
Promoting Online Collaboration with Wimba Classroom in Blackboard
Thursday, June 11, 2009 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Many faculty consider live, personal interaction to be the most valuable element of quality teaching and learning experiences. Wimba Classroom is an online collaboration tool that integrates seamlessly with Blackboard allowing faculty and students to engage in meaningful and memorable interactions by combining interactive technologies with instructional best practices. This hands-on workshop will provide an overview of the different features of this collaboration tool and will walk participants through the process of creating and managing Wimba classrooms. Advanced registration is required.
Using the Blackboard Content Collection to Manage Your Course Content
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
The Blackboard Content Collection feature provides NIU faculty with an easy and efficient way to store, share, and manage their course content. The Content Collection feature fully integrates with the Blackboard System and provides an easy way for faculty to manage files, grant file permissions, and link the same files to multiple courses and sections without the need for duplication. This session will provide a preview of the Blackboard Content Collection and will walk participants through the process of managing course content using the new features and tools. Advanced registration is required.
Creating and Delivering Effective PowerPoint Presentations
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
It’s not necessary to be a graphic designer or an artist to create great looking PowerPoint slides. However, it helps to know fundamental design and presentation principles to relay your intended message to your audience. In this interactive workshop we will first evaluate the effectiveness of an existing PowerPoint presentation using a visual design appraisal checklist. Workshop participants will then create their own presentations following robust design and presentation principles. Bring existing work for a friendly critique. Experience using Microsoft PowerPoint is required. Advanced registration is required.
Blackboard II: Building Your Blackboard Course
Thursday, June 25, 2009 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am
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 should be on a flash drive (readable in a USB port) or on CD. Advanced registration is required.
**NEW**Blackboard 8.0 Self and Peer Assessment
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
This hands-on workshop covers one of the most exciting new features in Blackboard 8.0, the Self and Peer Assessment tool. This tool allows students to submit work through Blackboard which is then evaluated by a random group of fellow students. Students may even reflect upon and evaluate their own work. This session will explore some practical applications for using Self and Peer Assessment in a course. Participants will experience the Self and Peer Assessment process and will create a Self and Peer Assessment in Blackboard. Prerequisites: basic computer skills and attendance at the Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard workshop or previous experience using Blackboard. Advanced registration is required.
Formative and Summative Feedback for Teaching and Learning
Tuesday, July 8, 2009 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Providing and receiving feedback is known to enhance teaching and learning. But how (and why) do we choose the most appropriate form of feedback for any given situation? We will discuss different forms of feedback, compare formative and summative feedback, and strategize which forms of feedback work best in different learning situations. Advanced registration is required.
**NEW**Blackboard 8.0 Grade Center I: Basic Features
Thursday, July 9, 2009 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
With the recent upgrade of the Blackboard course management system to version 8.0, NIU faculty will see an entirely redesigned and newly named Grade Center. This hands-on workshop will review the significant changes in the layout and functionality of the Grade Center and will cover such topics as recording grades using inline editing, entering comments, sending email from the Grade Center, using interactive and non-interactive views, and customizing the default Grade Center look. Additionally, such topics as creating calculated grades, hiding, displaying and freezing columns, Grade Center searching and sorting functionalities will also be covered. Prerequisites: attendance at the Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard workshop or previous experience using Blackboard. Advanced registration is required.
Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard
Wednesday, July 15, 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. Participants will be assisted with requesting their own Blackboard courses. Participants who wish to request their courses during the workshop need to have an active NIU Account ID. Advanced registration is required.
Creating Branching Tutorials in PowerPoint
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
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 II: Building Your Blackboard Course
Thursday, July 23, 2009 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 am
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 should be on a flash drive (readable in a USB port) or on CD. Advanced registration is required.
**NEW**Blackboard 8.0 Grade Center II
Tuesday, July 28, 2009 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am
With the recent upgrade of the Blackboard course management system to version 8.0, NIU faculty will see an entirely redesigned and newly named Grade Center with many new advanced features. This workshop will briefly review the significant changes in the layout and functionality of the new Grade Center in Blackboard 8.0 and will then cover advanced topics of Grade Center management, such as smart views, grading schemas, downloading /uploading grades, and setting up grading periods. Additionally, such topics as managing categories, managing grading history/reverting grades, and creating grading reports will also be covered. Prerequisites: attendance at the Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard workshop or previous experience using Blackboard and attendance at the Grade Center I: Basic Features workshop. Advanced registration is required.
Concept Mapping for Teaching and Learning
Thursday, July 30, 2009 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Concept maps are learning tools which represent information visually. These diagrams “visually arrange” concepts and ideas, show connections and relationships among concepts, and help increase understanding of complex information. Concept maps help students see the underlying structure and “big picture” of a concept which can lead to meaningful learning. This hands-on workshop will provide practical and immediate applications in your teaching and your students’ learning. Please bring a course syllabus or concepts to the workshop. Advanced registration is required.
**NEW**Blackboard 8.0 Grade Center Overview
**ONLINE**Wednesday, August 5, 2009 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
With the recent upgrade of the Blackboard course management system to version 8.0, NIU faculty will see an entirely redesigned and newly named Grade Center. This online workshop will review the significant changes in the layout and functionality of the Grade Center and will introduce new features, including: using inline editing, entering comments, sending email from the Grade Center, using interactive and non-interactive views, and customizing the default Grade Center look. Advanced registration is required.
Clickers in the Classroom
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Faculty can use the eInstruction CPS personal response system (clickers) 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**Blackboard 8.0 Self and Peer Assessment
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
This hands-on workshop covers one of the most exciting new features in Blackboard 8.0, the Self and Peer Assessment tool. This tool allows students to submit work through Blackboard which is then evaluated by a random group of fellow students. Students may even reflect upon and evaluate their own work. This session will explore some practical applications for using Self and Peer Assessment in a course. Participants will experience the Self and Peer Assessment process and will create a Self and Peer Assessment in Blackboard. 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
Monday, August 17, 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. Participants will be assisted with requesting their own Blackboard courses. Participants who wish to request their courses during the workshop need to have an active NIU Account ID. Advanced registration is required.
**NEW**Blackboard 8.0 Grade Center I: Basic Features
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
With the recent upgrade of the Blackboard course management system to version 8.0, NIU faculty will see an entirely redesigned and newly named Grade Center. This hands-on workshop will review the significant changes in the layout and functionality of the Grade Center and will cover such topics as recording grades using inline editing, entering comments, sending email from the Grade Center, using interactive and non-interactive views, and customizing the default Grade Center look. Additionally, such topics as creating calculated grades, hiding, displaying and freezing columns, Grade Center searching and sorting functionalities will also be covered. Prerequisites: attendance at the Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard workshop or previous experience using Blackboard. Advanced registration is required.
Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard
Friday, August 21, 2009 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 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. Participants will be assisted with requesting their own Blackboard courses. Participants who wish to request their courses during the workshop need to have an active NIU Account ID. Advanced registration is required.
Blackboard II: Building Your Blackboard Course
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am
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 should be on a flash drive (readable in a USB port) or on CD. Advanced registration is required.
Promoting Online Collaboration with Wimba Classroom in Blackboard
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Many faculty consider live, personal interaction to be the most valuable element of quality teaching and learning experiences. Wimba Classroom is an online collaboration tool that integrates seamlessly with Blackboard allowing faculty and students to engage in meaningful and memorable interactions by combining interactive technologies with instructional best practices. This hands-on workshop will provide an overview of the different features of this collaboration tool and will walk participants through the process of creating and managing Wimba classrooms. Advanced registration is required.
**NEW**Blackboard 8.0 Grade Center II
Thursday, August 27, 2009 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
With the recent upgrade of the Blackboard course management system to version 8.0, NIU faculty will see an entirely redesigned and newly named Grade Center with many new advanced features. This workshop will briefly review the significant changes in the layout and functionality of the new Grade Center in Blackboard 8.0 and will then cover advanced topics of Grade Center management, such as smart views, grading schemas, downloading /uploading grades, and setting up grading periods. Additionally, such topics as managing categories, managing grading history/reverting grades, and creating grading reports will also be covered. Prerequisites: attendance at the Blackboard I: Introduction to Blackboard workshop or previous experience using Blackboard and attendance at the Grade Center I: Basic Features workshop. Advanced registration is required.
Please register online at http://www.facdev.niu.edu/facdev/forms/taprogreg.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.
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Last Updated: 08/05/2009