Professional Development Workshops
The Office of Distance Education offers opportunities for professional development throughout the academic year. Professional development workshops are offered through multiple delivery methods including face-to-face sessions, online courses, and webinars. Our focus is to prepare faculty to design and deliver online courses. Workshops cover both technology features and functionality as well as online teaching best practices and pedagogy. Some workshops are required for faculty to be eligible to teach online courses. See the professional development schedule and registration form below.
Professional Development Workshop Schedule
ECHO 360 Virtual Training Workshop
Monday, February 21, 2022
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Major Topics: Learn how to add engaging content into your Blackboard Ultra course. Participants will learn how to create their Echo360 course within Blackboard and become familiar with the Universal Capture software and its associated workflows. Participants will learn how to embed and use Echo360 content using Blackboard Ultra's new Content Market and learn how to record their audio, video, and computer screen with one easy to use tool. Finally, participants will learn how to access quick walk-through guides and tutorials to help them become familiar with Echo360 features and functions.
Facilitator: Echo360/Office of Distance Education Staff
ECHO 360 Virtual Training Workshop
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Major Topics: Learn how to add engaging content into your Blackboard Ultra course. Participants will learn how to create their Echo360 course within Blackboard and become familiar with the Universal Capture software and its associated workflows. Participants will learn how to embed and use Echo360 content using Blackboard Ultra's new Content Market and learn how to record their audio, video, and computer screen with one easy to use tool. Finally, participants will learn how to access quick walk-through guides and tutorials to help them become familiar with Echo360 features and functions.
Facilitator: Echo360/Office of Distance Education Staff
ECHO 360 Virtual Training Workshop
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Major Topics: Learn how to add engaging content into your Blackboard Ultra course. Participants will learn how to create their Echo360 course within Blackboard and become familiar with the Universal Capture software and its associated workflows. Participants will learn how to embed and use Echo360 content using Blackboard Ultra's new Content Market and learn how to record their audio, video, and computer screen with one easy to use tool. Finally, participants will learn how to access quick walk-through guides and tutorials to help them become familiar with Echo360 features and functions.
Facilitator: Echo360/Office of Distance Education Staff
Creating Authentic Activities & Assessments
June 13: 10am – 11am
Most often, students are met with multiple choice assessments, basic call and response
discussions, and the usual PowerPoint presentations. Whether face-to-face, fully online
or blended instruction, activities and assessments should have a positive impact on
student learning, help meet the desired learning outcomes, and actually be engaging.
The types of activities and assessments you use aid in the overall learning experience.
This session will explore:
- SAMR Model to transform online/hybrid teaching using technology.
- Cultivating small group and breakout discussions in online and blended instruction.
- Reframing student presentations to demonstrate knowledge in more creative ways.
Digital Storytelling & Timelines
June 20: 10am – 11am
Storytelling has been around for centuries. With advancements in technology, we can
now share those stories digitally. In this session we will explore:
- The art of digital storytelling and digital timelines.
- Examples of digital stories and timelines.
- Benefits of digital stories and how you can use them in your course.
- Tools you can use to create digital stories.
Using Infographics to Assess Learning
June 27: 10am – 11am
Infographics (Information + graphics) are data-rich visual representations of information
that can educate, inform, and build awareness about specific topics. They are intended
to present complex information quickly and clearly. This session focuses on what ‘good’
infographics are comprised of and how you can use infographics to assess student learning.
This session will explore:
- The elements of infographics
- Benefits of using infographics as assessments
- How you can use infographics in your courses
- Tools you can use
- Examples of good infographics
Rethinking Assessments
June 30: 10am – 11am
Are you new to teaching and need ideas on different types of assessments you can include
in your course? You could also be a seasoned instructor interested in using different
assessment strategies. This session will cover:
- Formative and Summative assessments
- How assessment data can be used for you and your students
- Different assessment strategies you can incorporate into teaching
Creating Assessments using a Test Generator in Ultra
July 1: 10am – 11am
In this session, we will cover how to setup a test or quiz using a test generator. We will review the formatting required for successful setup, importing the assessment into Blackboard, and the setup options for the assessment.
Note: This session was originally scheduled for May 30. This offering is the rescheduled session.
For access information to training sessions, contact Kathleen Mapson at khmapson@ecsu.edu
Learn Ultra Course Seminar
About the Seminar
Blackboard Learn Ultra provides a modern course experience, that engages students and eases the burden on instructors. However, moving to the Learn Ultra Course View requires preparation and support. Our Learn Ultra Course Seminar provides you with the information and best practices to start building and preparing your course in the Learn Ultra experience.
This seminar is comprised of two 90-minute sessions on consecutive days, where we explore the Learn Ultra course features and functions within two primary areas:
Setting up and designing a Learn Ultra course
Using the course for assessment, interaction, collaboration, and learner support
Participants have direct access to product experts with extensive backgrounds in education and peers who are also preparing to use the Learn Ultra Course View.
Who is this Seminar for?
Instructors, course builders, instructional designers, and others who support educators in the design and execution of their courses.
Seminar Dates:
- Seminar 6: Aug 24 – Aug 25 Time: 2:00pm EDT
- Seminar 8: Oct 12 – Oct 13 Time: 2:00pm EDT
- Seminar 10: Dec 6 – Dec 7 Time: 2:00pm EST
- Seminar 7: Sep 14 – Sep 15 Time: 11:00am EDT
- Seminar 9: Nov 9 – Nov 10 Time: 10:00am EST
Sessions in Spanish are now available! More information and dates here. ¡Sesiones en español disponibles! Más información y fechas aquí.
August Sessions
August 22: 2pm – 3pm; Mastering the Gradebook in Ultra
In this session we will cover how to setup your gradebook. We will also share a few tips on managing and getting the most out of using the gradebook.
August 23: 11am – 12pm; Creating Assessments using a Test Generator in Ultra
In this session we will cover how to setup a test or quiz using a test generator.
We will review the formatting required for successful setup, importing the assessment
into Blackboard, and the setup options for the assessment.
August 24: 2pm – 3pm; Creating Assignments & Discussions
In this session we will cover how to set up assignments and discussions. We will review
the settings for each and demonstrate how to connect these items to the gradebook.
August 29: 10am – 11am; Mastering the Gradebook in Ultra
In this session we will cover how to setup your gradebook. We will also share a few tips on managing and getting the most out of using the gradebook.
August 30: 3pm – 4pm; Creating Assignments & Discussions
In this session we will cover how to set up assignments and discussions. We will review the settings for each and demonstrate how to connect these items to the gradebook.
August 31: 12pm – 1pm; Creating Assessments using a Test Generator in Ultra
In this session we will cover how to setup a test or quiz using a test generator. We will review the formatting required for successful setup, importing the assessment into Blackboard, and the setup options for the assessment.
Join Zoom Meeting
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Passcode: 714874
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ACUE Online Teaching Toolkit
To support instructors needing to make a quick transition to utilizing an online environment, the Association of College and University Educators is offering resources and recommendations that can be immediately put to use by instructors, to benefit both faculty and their students. Provide a justification summary of what you learned.
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Exploring Ultra
Looking to better understand Ultra and what it can do for you? In two 90-minute sessions,
we will explore the features within Base Navigation and Ultra Course View to help
you get all your questions answered. Get all your Ultra questions answered by registering for one of the Exploring Ultra
offerings here.
Ultra-Course Seminar
Preparing to use the Ultra Course View? Our free 3-hour seminar will guide you through
setting up and designing an Ultra course as well as assessment, interaction, collaboration,
and learner support in Ultra courses. Register here for one of the Ultra Course Seminar sessions to start preparing your
course for the Ultra Course View.
Teaching in Ultra
Ready to discover (or revisit) best practices on using the Learn Ultra classroom to
engage students, create content, and more? Attend this 90-minute webinar to learn
how easy it is to create content in Ultra to encourage collaborative learning and
engagement, and best practices for the overall student experience. Register for one of the Teaching in Ultra sessions to learn best practices for collaborative
learning and engagement using Ultra Course View.