Program for Online Teaching Newsletter #46

Moodle 2 workshop is Tuesday 2-3:20 – attend on campus OC4607 or online!

MiraCosta will switch to Moodle 2 this summer, and it’s a very different animal. Jim Julius’ workshop “Introducing the New Moodle” this Tuesday, is now open for online attendance, for the same flex credit. Training is provided remotely by Moodlerooms. To log in to the online version of the workshop:

https://www3.gotomeeting.com/join/996529438

Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) – a headset is recommended. Or, call in using your telephone.

Dial +1 (619) 550-0002
Access Code: 996-529-438
Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting

Meeting ID: 996-529-438

Sign up now at the flex website.

POT flex on Thursday

11:15 Screencasting for Educators (1.5 hours – OC 4804) Robert Kelley and Shafin Ali — this workshop is full!

Screencasting is a great way to share mini-lecturettes, make quick replies to students, demonstrate a method, or provide students with feedback on their assignments/quizzes. Importantly, you’ll get hands on experience with how to do this easily and for free!  We’ll focus on learning the basics of Screencast-O-Matic.  You’ll learn how to share your screencasts either as a URL link or how to embed the video directly within your course (e.g., using Bb or Moodle).  This is a hands-on workshop.

1:00 Blackboard vs Moodle Smack Down (1 hour – OC 4809) Pilar Hernandez vs Lisa M Lane

The ultimate contest between our two learning management systems. Blackboard and Moodle go head to head on the most challenging jobs of the online instructor. Which is best for you? Keep score to find out! (Betting is not permitted on college grounds.)

2:00 Top 10 Resources for Teaching Online (1 hour – OC 4809) Lisa M Lane, Pilar Hernandez, Robert Kelley and Laura Paciorek

Have a question about online teaching but don’t know where to go? Just starting teaching online and want to know where to start? Been teaching online awhile but want to try a new tool? Need tutorials on Blackboard or information on how to earn flex credit watching videos about online teaching? We will explore a number of resources collected by the Program for Online Teaching.

3:00 Open discussion on online teaching (1 hour – OC 4809) Laura Paciorek and Jo Moore

Come and discuss your online teaching adventures with fellow faculty members. Individuals with no, little, some, and a lot of online teaching experience are all welcome. This discussion will focus on what the group wants to discuss.  However, prompts will also be provided to start the discussion. Questions are welcome, too! This workshop benefits faculty by giving them ideas that may improve instruction.

Sign up now at the flex website.

First Fridays during Spring semester

Get great ideas and renew enthusiasm at our on-campus First Friday workshops. Join the community for discussing online teaching, with hosts Laura Paciorek and Jo Moore.

Feb. 1 – 3:00 – 4:20 (1.5 hours) – POT Discussion and Hands-On – Content Resources

Have you always wondered what neat content/information resources are out there for your classes?  Are you looking for high quality videos, animations, or articles?  This discussion and work workshop will give us a chance to learn about and share content resources that we could use in teaching our classes. If you have an idea of a content resource to share, please bring the idea along with you.  The focus of these is on learning from one another.  We will save the last part of the workshop to actually work on finding things or looking at the tools discussed.  Individuals with no, little, some, and a lot of online teaching experience are all welcome. Each First Friday will focus on what the group wants to discuss, however, prompts will also be provided to start the discussion. Questions are welcome, too! This workshop benefits faculty by giving them ideas that may improve instruction.

Mar. 1 – 3:00 – 4:20 (1.5 hours) – POT Discussion and Hands-On – Tool Resources

Have you ever heard about some neat technology tools out there, but haven’t had time to try them?  Do you feel new to the idea of teaching online with technology tools outside of the course management system?  This discussion and work workshop will give us a chance to learn about and share technology tools that we could use in teaching our classes. If you have an idea of a tool to share, please bring the idea along with you.  The focus of these is on learning from one another.  We will save the last part of the workshop to actually work on finding things or looking at the tools discussed.  Individuals with no, little, some, and a lot of online teaching experience are all welcome. Each First Friday will focus on what the group wants to discuss, however, prompts will also be provided to start the discussion. Questions are welcome, too! This workshop benefits faculty by giving them ideas that may improve instruction.

Apr. 5 – 3:00 – 3:50 (1 hour) – POT Making Your Mark – Personalizing Courses

Have you ever wondered how to make your courses reflect how you are as an instructor?  Do you have questions about how you might be able to make some of your content in a place like a blog or website? Come and discuss these topics and/or your online teaching adventures with fellow faculty members. Individuals with no, little, some, and a lot of online teaching experience are all welcome. Each Program for Online Teaching (POT) First Friday will focus on what the group wants to discuss, however, prompts will also be provided to start the discussion. Questions are welcome, too! This workshop benefits faculty by giving them ideas that may improve instruction.

May 3 – 3:00 – 3:50 (1 hour) – POT First Friday – Wrap Up/Renewal

What are your plans for your future classes? What did you learn or what do you want to try next? Come and discuss these topics and/or your online teaching adventures with fellow faculty members. Individuals with no, little, some, and a lot of online teaching experience are all welcome. Each Program for Online Teaching (POT) First Friday will focus on what the group wants to discuss, however, prompts will also be provided to start the discussion. Questions are welcome, too! This workshop benefits faculty by giving them ideas that may improve instruction.

Sign up now at the flex website.

Free Educational Technology class starts soon!

Educator extraordinaire Alec Couros is hosting a Massive Open Online Class in educational technology, starting January 13. Alec is a master teacher, whose connections to the online educational community (both K-12 and college) are far-reaching. Unlike the MOOCs you read about in the New York Times, this class is not-for-profit and its sole purpose is learning and forming community among teachers who want to improve their skills in using the latest technologies.

Check out http://etmooc.org for more information.

Flex credit opportunities

We know that our flex obligation has increased, and POT can help. If you teach online, might teach online someday, or want to use educational technology as part of your classroom, POT has resources and workshops that count for flex. Check out our Get Flex Credit page for ways to earn flex outside of on-campus workshops. All POT activities are always open to all, full-timers, associates, and faculty from other colleges.

Happy online, hybrid, and technology-enhanced teaching,

Lisa