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FREE ACCESS TO
Distance Education Report,
Online Classroom &
The Teaching Professor
The University of North Texas has a Group Online Subscription allowing campus members free access to
Distance Education Report, Online Classroom & The Teaching Professor from Magna Publications.
These electronic newsletters provide the information faculty, deans, chairs, and other academic decision-makers use for effective leadership within their colleges or departments as they support the institution's mission of teaching and scholarship.
Go to www.magnapubs.com/group
and select the correct publication. If logging in from a campus computer, you will not need to enter a password.
If you wish to access these publications from off campus or if you would like to receive an email message each time a new issue is posted, you will need to register and enter a campus voucher code and pin number. Please email amberb@unt.edu to obtain this information.
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Need Help?
CLEAR Faculty Helpdesk
New Recommended Java Version for Blackboard!
Faculty users of Blackboard Vista & Blackboard Learn 9.1 receive technical support from the CLEAR Faculty Helpdesk (also known as the Blackboard Faculty Helpdesk).
Report a problem with Blackboard Active and Resolved Outages (Calendar) Check status of open cases you have placed Email: clearhelp@unt.edu Phone: 940-369-7394 In person: Chilton 112C
Support Hours for
Summer 2012
| | Mon - Thu | 8am - 9pm | | Fri | 8am - 5pm | | Sat | 11am - 3pm
| | Sun | Closed |
We offer training in various emerging technologies in classroom, online, and individual sessions. We also support and provide technical assistance with the following technologies: - Blackboard Learn 9.1
- Respondus
- Turnitin/GradeMark
- Wimba Live Classroom and Voice Tools
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Greetings!
We've got a lot to share this month -- CLICKERs Technology, Blackboard Training, UNTVN Open House... oh my. Got a hankering for a sweet treat? Then come by the various training offered and get your cookie, coffee, or tasty tidbit today! |
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Are you curious about CLICKERS?
Join CLEAR & Turning Technologies on July 19th!
Are you interested in CLICKER technology but are too shy to ask? Well, wait no more... Steve Sheely, Turning Technologies Higher Education Implementation Specialist, will be at UNT on July 19th to offer two presentations on the wonderful world of CLICKERS. Steve will be presenting information for New Users and the Curious from 2:00pm-3:00pm and will be offering a Q&A session for All Users from 3:15pm - 4:00pm.
Please contact Kathy Krejci to reserve your seat -- and your cookie!
July 19th in Chilton Hall 245 2:00pm - 3:00pm New User / Are You Curious?
3:15pm - 4:00pm Q&A session for All Users
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The Blackboard Learn Boot Camp is a workshop introducing instructors to designing your courses for online delivery. This hands-on workshop is targeted for instructors new to Blackboard Learn and/or those interested in learning more about quality course design. Topics will cover best practices for course design as well as the basics of Blackboard Learn.
WHEN: Session #0005 - July 23: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Session #0003 - July 31: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Session #0004 - August 8: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Session #0006 - August 14: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Session #0007 - August 22: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided Where: Chilton 245 WORKSHOP INFORMATION: *Course Code: UO12BC *Title: "Bb: Blackboard Learn Boot Camp" *Seating limited to 15 per session
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CLEAR Summer Coffee Breaks:
Blackboard Learn 9.1 Open Lab
CLEAR will be offering open lab support sessions for faculty, staff and teaching/graduate assistants to drop-in and get assistance with their Blackboard Learn 9.1 Courses.
You may clean up your courses, get Blackboard Learn assistance, or just have a dedicated place to work on your course - all while having a CLEAR Instructional Consultant on hand! It's ok to come late or leave early. Bring your work, your laptop and your favorite coffee mug. Ask specific questions. Get help with any aspect of Bb Learn and work on your class with an IC at the ready. Some familiarity with Bb Learn is recommended.
Bb Learn open labs are designed for faculty, staff, and teaching/graduate assistants who have attended training but need some extra help working in their course. Coffee will be available at all sessions.
WHERE: Chilton 112K WHEN: Friday afternoons, 1-4 p.m. through August 31, 2012
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Blackboard Innovative Teaching Series
Who should attend?
All faculty members are invited to join, regardless of your technical know-how or experience using Blackboard or other learning management solutions. These webinars are designed to share innovative practices - content that is applicable to faculty of all levels and disciplines. See the schedule and register for the BITS series below. Please note that space is limited for this webinar series.
Session: Why and How to Best Use Rubrics in Blackboard Learn 9.1 This session will explore the pros and cons of using Rubrics, how Rubrics employ Chickering and Gamson's Seven Principles of Good Teaching Practice, and how the use of Rubrics will benefit your students. - Time & Date: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ET, Tuesday, July 24, 2012
- Presenter: Katherine C. Riley, BS, Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes Jewish College
We hope that you will take advantage of this faculty webinar series to enhance your training on pedagogy that promotes both educator efficiency and improved learning outcomes in an online or blended delivery. Please note that space is limited.
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UNT Videoconference Network
OPEN HOUSE
Come celebrate with us!
The UNT Videoconference Network will be holding their annual Open House on Monday, July 30th from 9:00am - 11:00am in Chilton Hall Room 245. During that time, UNTVN will also be shedding a tear of farewell and lauding the praises of Sapora Bradley. Sapora (our Videoconference Graduate Assistant) recently completed her Master's in RTVF at UNT and is pursuing a doctorate at Pepperdine University.
Come by and enjoy a cupcake with the UNTVN Gang! Monday - July 30th 9:00am - 11:00am
at Chilton Hall 245
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Instant Messaging with Blackboard Collaborate™
(formerly Wimba Pronto)
Blackboard Collaborate™ enterprise instant messaging capabilities (formerly Wimba Pronto) is an instant messaging tool used at the University of North Texas. Blackboard IM includes several communication tools, including text chat, voice and audio chat, whiteboard, and application sharing. Blackboard IM can be used for online office hours, tutoring, help desks, meetings, and desktop video conferencing.
Benefits include:
- Connecting with classmates, staff, and faculty for informal learning and timely ad-hoc meetings
- Whiteboard with built-in learning objects and templates
- Application sharing
- Queued chat for tutoring and online office hours
Click here for the Blackboard IM Guide for BbVista Users.
Click here for the Blackboard IM Guide for Bb Learn Users.
For additional information on how to better incorporate Blackboard IM into your course, contact your Instructional Consultant.
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Did you know Blackboard Vista is going away at the end of the fall 2012 semester (say good-bye) and being replaced with the new Blackboard Learn?
CLEAR is providing three resources to help you transition smoothly to Blackboard Learn.
#1 Visit the Blackboard Learn 9.1 Migration website. Here you can find out about Blackboard Learn, new tools to enhance your courses, and sign-up for upcoming training.
#2 Summer "Bootcamp Training" is available! We are adding new sessions all the time to keep up with demand.
#3 The Blackboard Learn Migration Central organization has been created in Blackboard Learn for you. Go to the "Organizations" tab to access the course! From there, you will be able to:
- Ask questions about Bb Learn
- Access self-paced lessons covering tools offered in Bb Learn
- Discuss with CLEAR staff and other instructors concerning best practices in Bb Learn
Were you not able to find information you needed in Migration Central? Let CLEAR know! A feedback button in the lower right hand corner of the Migration Central home page is available to report back to CLEAR any topics that you couldn't find!
If you need any assistance accessing any of these resources, contact:
CLEAR Faculty Helpdesk:
Chilton Hall 112C
(940) 369-7394
clearhelp@unt.edu
Lauri Morrow
Instructional Consultant
Center for Learning Enhancement, Assessment, and Redesign
University of North Texas
1155 Union Circle #310889
Denton, TX 76203-5017
Office: 940-369-8175
Fax: 940-369-7619
CLEAR
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UNT Teaching Excellence Seminar
The Important Role of Teaching Assistants, Teaching Fellows, and Adjunct Faculty for Student Success at UNT - August 23, 2012
UNT has a strong commitment to undergraduate education. We know that quality undergraduate education requires quality instructors. As a way to provide our new teaching assistants, teaching fellows, adjunct and new faculty access to best practices in teaching and supportive resources, UNT is offering a one-day seminar on August 23, 2012 at the Gateway Center that will provide an experiential learning opportunity for these new instructors.
Purpose of the seminar The purpose of this one-day seminar is to provide participants an opportunity to explore effective teaching practices, issues that arise when working with students, and resources that can assist students. In addition to sharing ideas with one another, seminar participants will have the opportunity to hear UNT faculty from over 20 departments describe effective teaching practices using examples from their own classrooms.
Developing strategies to maximize student interaction and engagement
By interacting with colleagues and participating in activities, participants will experience both successful practices and challenges related to providing quality educational experiences for UNT students. They will discuss interacting with students both during and outside of class and ways to help facilitate exploration of ideas and engagement with content.
Registration now open at
http://clear.unt.edu/go/train
We look forward to meeting new TA's, TF's and Adjunct Faculty on August 23. Advance registration is required. No walk-in registration will be allowed.
Please contact Mark Maxwell or Dr. Nancy Fire
for more information.
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Spotlight on NextGen
CLEAR seeks to highlight the efforts and insights of hardworking faculty as they utilize CLEAR's various services and resources.
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Dr. Jim Mueller - JOUR1210
Earlier this year, NextGen instructor Dr. Jim Mueller was in the national spotlight as a guest expert on an NBC show called "Who Do You Think You Are?" Dr. Mueller, a journalism historian, helped actress Edie Falco learn more about her relative who worked as a newspaper reporter in the late 19th Century. Dr. Mueller was called upon to describe what journalism was like back in the day as he helped Falco flesh out the story of her relative's life. Get the whole story at: http://www.nbc.com/who-do-you-think-you-are/video/edie-falco/1395260/#.T4IxRT_sKp8.mailto).
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Student Government Association Vocal in Their Support of NextGen Courses
Earlier in the month, the SGA passed a resolution in support of Classroom Innovation. The clear winner... NextGen Courses.
UNT's Student Government Association in Support of NextGen Courses Resolution S2012-18 Classroom Innovation WHEREAS the role of SGA is to represent the students of UNT; and
WHEREAS UNT students deserve the best education possible; and WHEREAS fact retention is no longer as important as critical thinking in terms of higher education; and WHEREAS UNT students would benefit by having classes that included more application, engagement, innovation, and participation; and WHEREAS there are departments on campus that are striving to include these aspects in the classroom; LET IT BE RESOLVED THAT the Student Government Association of the University of North Texas support the efforts of CLEAR and NextGen courses to create a more innovative classroom environment using modern technology; and LET IT FURTHER BE RESOLVED THAT a copy of this approved Resolution is sent to the Dean of Students, the Vice President of Student Affairs, President Lane V. Rawlins, the Provost, the Vice Provost for Educational Innovation, the Director of CLEAR, the Director of NextGen Courses, and all College Deans.
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 NextGen Boot Camp coming this August!
NextGen faculty will begin their redesign process on August 15, 2012 with the NextGen boot camp -- a three day event designed to jump start the course redesign efforts of the 2012-2013 NextGen faculty. CLEAR team members and other UNT colleagues will walk the NextGen faculty through the entire process of course redesign - giving ample time for those "what if" questions that are so crucial in redesigning - not just face-lifting - a college course. At the completion of the event, NextGen faculty will have the general components in place for the Fall session and will be ready to begin their adventure in redesigning their course to interact with the 21st century.
WHERE: Willis Library Lunch will be provided Interested in knowing more about NextGen?
Contact Shana Luster, NextGen Program Manager, for more details!
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Graduate Student Teaching Excellence Program
(GSTEP)
The Application period for the UNT Graduate Student Teaching Excellence Program is now open. For UNT graduate students who are currently TA's or TF's or are interested in teaching in their future, this program will provide valuable experience. In line with the UNT strategic goal to "provide the best undergraduate educational experience in Texas" and as a practical demonstration of UNT's commitment to undergraduate teaching, the Graduate Student Teaching Excellence Program (G*STEP) is designed to prepare graduate students for college/university level teaching, regardless of discipline or major. Interested students may find more information at http://tsgs.unt.edu/GSTEP.
Upon completion of G*STEP, participants will be able to effectively teach or support those who teach a university course; i.e. articulate their role and resources, organize and explain materials, establish and maintain an effective learning environment, and promote self-regulated learning. Graduate students who, have completed at least one year of a UNT doctoral or Master's degree program, and are interested in gaining teaching experience and knowledge are eligible to apply. The only cost to students is the time investment (approximately 15 hours per month), passion, the purchase of a book and a minimal fee for an electronic portfolio. Participants must complete all components of the program within 1 year.
G*STEP students can expect to:
* Participate in 8 online teaching effectiveness workshops (offered year round during scheduled weeks)
* Develop a teaching philosophy and teaching portfolio
* Work with an experienced teaching mentor and a network of peer mentors
* Participate in reflection and problem solving with a cohort of participants working as a community of practice
* Develop and implement 2 classroom teaching practicum experiences
* Obtain university recognition for completion of the program
* Receive a letter of reference regarding their participation for future use
* Provide input to further program development
The G*STEP pilot program was launched in January 2012. A total of 65 students applied for the 20 slots in the pilot program. During this pilot phase we worked with two mentors and three instructional designers, all working 10 hours per week, supervised and coached by Dr. Nancy Fire, Faculty Development Specialist from CLEAR. An advisory committee representing the Provost's office, Toulouse Graduate School, CLEAR, Undergraduate Studies and the Department of Higher Education provide support. To date, we have established many of the core components of G*STEP and are preparing for 80 new participants in the program in Fall, 2012.
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Outcome-Based-Assessment Workshops
by Dr. Ron Carriveau for AY 2012-2013 Coming this August, CLEAR will be offering 50 minute workshops by Dr. Ron Carriveau that provide everything needed to develop measurable student learning outcomes and outcome based assessments. It is not necessary to take the workshops in the order shown below, but it is highly recommended that workshop 1 be taken first. Each workshop is limited to 10 participants and will be offered more than once in a semester. The information offered in these workshops covers the same assessment information received by NextGen Faculty Fellows which ensures their courses qualify as a NextGen course. (For more information on NextGen courses offered at UNT, contact NextGen Course Redesign project manager Shana Luster .) The text for the workshops is Connecting The Dots: Developing Student Learning Outcomes and Outcome Based Assessments (2011, R.S. Carriveau), which is not required but is highly recommended. Workshop participants can purchase the book at a reduced price. - Developing Measurable Student Learning Outcomes
This workshop focuses on how to begin the outcome based process, the application of a three-level SLO model, guidelines for writing measurable SLOs, writing higher level thinking SLOs, and question templates for writing outcomes and test items. - Developing Your Assessment Plan
This workshop focuses on developing an outcome-item reference map, an overall assessment plan, and test blueprints. - Writing Multiple-Choice Test Items
This workshop is on writing outcome based multiple-choice test items, including guidelines for writing the item stem and the item options (answer choices), and developing a test-item bank. - Writing Constructed Response Test Items and Scoring Rubrics
This workshop covers guidelines for writing different types of constructed response test items with a focus on extended responses, types of rubrics (holistic and analytic), developing analytic rubric proficiency descriptors, and setting rubric score cut points. - Using Multiple-Choice items to Measure Critical Thinking
This workshop covers the rationale, advantages, and limitations of measuring critical thinking skills with MC items, and provides guidelines for developing a critical thinking item set, examples of higher order thinking items, and an example of a MC critical thinking test that is not course content specific. - Reporting Results with the Three-Level Model
This workshop shows how to calculate a direct measure of student attainment of learning outcomes (without the use of grades) using results from MC and constructed response tests, and how to report attainment at three outcome levels and then linking to program and institutional levels, all with an emphasis on the importance of test item validity.
Advance Registration is required to attend these workshops. Please contact Mark Maxwell to register. Workshop topics and times will be posted here within the event section of the CLEAR website.
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Sloan-C Perspectives in Quality Online Education
The University of North Texas is a premium member of
Sloan-C College Pass.
To request free enrollment in an online workshop by Sloan-C, please contact Amber Bryant with the name and date of the workshop selected.
Learn about the Online Teaching Certificate Program.
See the Full 2012 Sloan-C Workshop Schedule
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Workshop Date
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Workshop Title
| July 25, 2012 - August 3, 2012
| Going Beyond Google and Bing
| July 25, 2012 - August 3, 2012
| Copyright Compliance for Online Educators
| July 25, 2012 - August 3, 2012
| Dismantling the Barriers to Digital Literacy for Students with Disabilities
| August 1, 2012 - August 17, 2012
| Getting Started: The First Steps in Online Teaching
| August 1, 2012 - August 10, 2012
| What Now? Managing Online Faculty When Things Start to Go Bad
| August 15, 2012 - August 31, 2012
| Using the Quality Matters Rubric to Improve Your Middle or High School Online or Blended Course
| August 15, 2012 - August 24, 2012
| Excuse Me Professor: What Motivates You?
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Take the next step -- contact CLEAR today!
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