It's Spring again!
We hope that you've enjoyed the year so far. School has been in full swing and now many of you are preparing and looking forward to summer breaks and vacations. We also want to send our thoughts out to those who have endured tumultuous storms and hazardous weather conditions throughout the country. We look forward to keeping you informed. Keep your feedback coming. Email tlearn@dcccd.edu |
| Distance-Learning Survey Shows Growing Concern For Student Services |  At community colleges, enrollment in online programs is growing at a faster pace than in traditional courses, and that means new challenges for administrators who must now provide student services and other support in a virtual realm. That's according to a new survey by the Instructional Technology Council. In this year's survey, college administrators ranked "adequate student services for distance-education students" as their greatest challenge, raising it two spots from No. 3 in the previous year's survey. For the past seven years, "support staff need for training and technical assistance" has been the biggest obstacle identified by administrators answering the survey. Other challenges included adequate assessment of distance-education classes, compliance with new financial-aid requirements, and operating and equipment budgets. This article was prepared by The Chronicle of Higher Education. Click here to read the entire article.
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| New Online Biology for Non-Science Majors |
Dallas TeleLearning's online Biology course for non-science majors simulates the classroom experience while providing students with the freedom and flexibility provided by online courses through animations, video demonstrations, and interactive activities. Students will experience the scientific method by formulating questions, performing experiments, making observations, recording data, and drawing conclusions. The hands-on lab kit and customized lab manual connect biology to real life situations using household items in several experiments. This course also provides suggestions for formal assessment and cooperative learning activities.
This course presents biological concepts for the non-science majors. Emphasis is on scientists and their contributions to the science field, scientific problem solving, unity of life including cells and genetic information, energy pathways important to life, and current issues in biology.
Each lesson begins with an engagement activity to link the concepts to everyday life and includes topic explanations followed by interactive activities. Animations and interactive activities reinforce the concepts. Each lesson concludes by revisiting the initial engagement activity and assisting the student to apply the lesson concepts to the real-world event. A self-assessment is included at the end of each lesson, followed by a page guiding the student to the lab activities. Each lesson contains links to a glossary and a printable version of the online lesson text.
This course is excellent for:
- Faculty teaching online for the first time
- Institutions moving to online and hybrid science courses
- Adjunct faculty teaching online courses
- Institutions with a high concern for consistency, quality, and interactivity in their distance learning program
Click here to learn more about Biology for Non-Science Majors.
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Save The Date!
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Network 2012: Learning - Technology - Innovation Conference: CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF DISTANCE EDUCATION LEADERSHIP AND NETWORKING
Kansas City, Mo. September 17-19, 2012
OPENING KEYNOTE - Dr. John Ebersole - President Excelsior College
PLAN TO JOIN US as distance learning and educational technology leaders return to where it all began 30 years ago.
About NUTN
The National University Technology Network is a networking and professional development organization for innovative leaders in the advancement of teaching and learning.
Click here for registration information.
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| Cinco De Mayo |  Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") is a celebration held on May 5. It is celebrated nationwide in the United States and regionally in Mexico, primarily in the state of Puebla. The holiday celebrates the Mexican militia's victory over the French under Napoleon's reign in 1862. Napoleon had hopes of expanding the French empire by installing his kinsman, the Archduke Maximilian of Austria, as ruler of Mexico. At this time, the U.S. was deeply engaged in the Civil War and was unable to give aide to our western neighbors. In early May, a force of 4,500 Mexican militiamen succeeded in being able to stop an entreating force of 6,500 French soldiers near the city of Puebla at the Fort's Loreto and Guadalupe. It was in Puebla and the surrounding area that the "Cinco de Mayo" became recognized as a day for celebration of national pride and unity against a common foe. In June of 2005 the U.S. Congress issued a Concurrent Resolution calling on the President of the United States to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe Cinco de Mayo with appropriate ceremonies and activities. |
Getting 'Pinned': Quick Tips for Pinterest Fame
|  Image sharing site Pinterest is the new darling of the social media set and women's magazines especially. The meteoric rise of the pin board network has been controversial (how about those copyrights, anyway?) but nevertheless unstoppable. Sites like MarthaStewart.com, BHG.com and RealSimple.com are among the most pinned brands on the network, and some sites are reporting Pinterest as their leading source of social media referrals now.
But unlike Twitter and Facebook, the secret to Pinterest success is not accruing followers or "likes." Here your own homepage in the network is less important than having your content make the rounds among members. Getting pinned and re-pinned is what a publisher wants.
Click here for Pinterest quick tips.
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| TeleLearning On The Road |
Planning to travel? We will be exhibiting and demonstrating our Digital Resource Repository and other courseware at the following conferences:
National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Annual Conference |May 27-30, Austin, TX Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities Convention and Expo| June 20-22, Las Vegas, NV |
Got questions? Feedback? Contact us toll free at 866-DISTLRN (866-347-8576); or at tlearn@dcccd.edu
Until next time,
The Marketing Team
Dallas TeleLearning
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Featured Article
|  | STARLINK Webinar Brings In National Audience
If you missed the recent webinar "The Core
Curriculum: A Focus on 21st Century Competencies," you can still view it here.
A total of 410 institutions around the country tuned in for the live webinar, produced by STARLINK and hosted by Dr. Tony Summers of Richland College and Dallas County Community College District Chancellor Dr. Wright Lassister. The program includes the Co-Chairs of the Undergraduate Education Advisory Committee who designed the new CORE along with The Higher Education Coordinating Board staff.
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Earth Friendly Living
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Green CleaningIf you plan on doing a little spring cleaning, here are a few earth-friendly tips. Use What You Already Have Don't create environmental waste by using paper towels or buying rags that you will throw away after just a few uses. Old t-shirts, socks, and towels work just as well. You'll also save money! Use non-toxic cleaning products There are several green-friendly products on the market and, if you prefer, you can make your own basic cleaning products using time-tested natural staples like baking soda, white vinegar, and tea tree oil. Clear Out the Clutter
Have a yard sale or visit a swap shop to get rid of items in good shape that you no longer use.
Recycle
Recycle electronic waste like old cell phones and computers to appropriate recycling depots in your community. Some areas have specific drop-off locations on certain days, so check online. Going through old papers and magazines? Don't forget to recycle these as well, instead of tossing them in the trash. Improve Air Quality With Indoor Plants Houseplants have been shown to improve indoor air quality and they will also enliven your living space with vibrant beauty and color. Some of best plant types for purifying the air in your home are Aloe Vera, Golden Pothos, English Ivy, and Chinese Evergreen.
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