**NEW - ONLINE** Equitable Grading - Reducing Biases and Increasing Students Success
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Effective grading communicates student achievement, incentivizes learning, and informs instruction. However, traditional grading can be biased and hinder growth. In this workshop, we will explore grading practices that are growth-minded and promote more equitable outcomes without lowering expectations. Advance registration is required.
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**ONLINE** Holding Virtual Office Hours
Wednesday, July 3, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Online teaching often necessitates a virtual option for office hours since students in online courses cannot always make it to a professor's physical office space. Students in face-to-face classes may face similar scheduling or proximity challenges. Since office hours are an important opportunity to make connections and support student success, holding virtual office hours could be an important option to provide to students, especially those in online courses. In this workshop, we will discuss the options available for holding office hours online so that you can find one to suit your needs and help you make meaningful connections with your students. Advance registration required.
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**ONLINE** Book Chat: Creating Wicked Students by Paul Hanstedt
Wednesday, July 10, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
In a book chat, we read the book so you don’t have to! During the next book chat, we will be discussing Creating Wicked Students: Designing Courses for a Complex World by Paul Hanstedt. We will discuss the author’s view that courses should include “wicked problems” that provide students opportunities to develop strategies for addressing complex problems they will encounter in life after college. This book provides examples to help instructors consider how to apply the concepts in their own courses. You will have the opportunity to share your own experiences, ask questions, and connect with your colleagues. Advance registration is required.
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Applying the Quality Matters Rubric
Thursday, July 11, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
The Quality Matters (QM) Rubric identifies the characteristics of high-quality online courses that promote engagement and support student learning, based on an extensive body of research on online learning. In this day-long workshop, you will learn about the QM Rubric and its use in reviewing the design of online and blended courses by discussing the standards and conducting a partial course review. It is intended for a broad audience, including but not limited to faculty, instructors, instructional designers, and administrators who wish to understand more about the QM process and perhaps become QM Peer Reviewers. Learn more at citl.niu.edu/appqmr. Advance registration is required.
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**ONLINE** The Secret to Classroom Engagement: Everyone Has a Voice
Monday, July 15, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Active learning enhances student engagement, thinking skills, motivation, and retention. However, active learning can be counterproductive if it lacks structures to promote equitable participation and engagement. Equitable and inclusive engagement structures are crucial for the overall effectiveness of the learning experience. In this workshop, participants will explore strategies to make active learning inclusive and equitable to benefit all students. Advance registration required.
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**ONLINE** Calculating Overall Grades with Blackboard Ultra Gradebook
Thursday, July 18, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
In the Blackboard Ultra course view the Gradebook is a useful tool for tracking student grades and helping students understand their progress throughout the semester on individual assessments, but it can also efficiently calculate an overall grade on an ongoing basis as well as a final grade. The overall grade is visible to students on the Grades page in the base navigation and provides students with a sense of their current performance. At the end of the semester, NIU faculty can then use the Grade Submission tool to publish grades from the Gradebook directly to MyNIU, saving even more time. In this online workshop, we will discuss how to calculate overall grades, including how to use the weighted total feature, share best practices, and answer questions about specific grading systems. Advance registration is required.
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**ONLINE** Book Chat: Creating Self-Regulated Learners: Strategies to Strengthen Students’ Self-Awareness and Learning Skills by Linda B. Nilson
Friday, July 19, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
In book chats, we read the book so that you don’t have to! During this book chat, we will discuss Creating Self-Regulated Learners: Strategies to Strengthen Students’ Self-Awareness and Learning Skills by Linda B. Nilson. Self-regulated learners are individuals who understand their learning needs, considering factors such as environment, task management, and devising actionable plans. Nilson argues that self-regulated learning is the key to both student success and life-long learning. Together, we will discuss the ways Nilson suggests encouraging students to become self-regulated learners and consider ways to support self-regulated learning in our courses. There will be opportunities to share experiences, ask questions, and connect with colleagues. Advance registration required.
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**ONLINE** Getting Started with Blackboard Ultra
Thursday, July 25, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Blackboard Ultra Course View is modern and intuitive with streamlined workflows to improve efficiency. There are several ways to get started in Blackboard Ultra, including using CITL pre-built templates. In this online workshop, we will discuss practical strategies for building your course in Blackboard.
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Fall 2024 Teaching Effectiveness Institute - Empowering Students through Digital Literacy
Friday, August 16, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
In today’s rapidly evolving educational environment, the integration of digital literacy and creativity into our work with students is more than mere enhancement; it’s a necessity. By weaving digital literacy and creativity into the fabric of our classrooms—whether podcasting, creating posters, or engaging with generative AI—we do more than prepare students for a digital future; we craft meaningful learning experiences that bolster engagement, retention, and success.
Join us for a series of dynamic conversations and hands-on challenges led by digital innovator Justin Hodgson. This full-day program is designed to empower you with the tools and insights to nurture a generation of digitally savvy, creative, and engaged learners. Learn more.
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**ONLINE** Illinois Online Higher Education Symposium
Friday, November 8, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Join colleagues from across the state of Illinois for the inaugural Illinois Online Higher Education Symposium! This free, one-day virtual conference brings together thought leaders and practitioners with expertise in online teaching and learning to discuss the latest trends in online learning--from pedagogy to technology. All who learn, teach, develop, support, or administer online education are welcome! Learn More and Register Now!
