Author Archives: Elizabeth Simpson

Social Media in the Classroom

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In this presentation, Dr. Eileen Schroeder from the College of Education and Professional Studies shares how social media and other web 2.0 tools can be an effective way to engage and connect with students.

Dr. Schroeder explores how a variety to web 2.0 tools and techniques can enhance learning. One common use is to help learners discuss and share thoughts. Another ability of a variety of web 2.0 tools is to help students and instructors gather, sift, and evaluate information.  In this presentation, Dr. Schroeder also discusses how these tools can be used to encourage problem solving, how they can serve as a platform for assignments, and how they can help students to curate their personal information.

These tools can encourage a new kind of socially constructed learning which focuses on collaboration and knowledge building. Over the last few years, the educational community has experienced many changes in the knowledge and skills expected of students and the characteristics of learners. Simultaneously new information technologies like cell phones and web 2.0 tools have become widespread. Dr. Schroeder explains that in light of these changes, different methods for teaching and learning are needed, and web 2.0 tools can help meet these needs.

Snackable Series: Challenge Based Learning

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Snackable Bag Fall 2013Challenge-Based Learning, April 16 – 17, 2014

The innovative use of technology in higher education continues to provide new possibilities for enhancing teaching and learning.  Feel free to bring a lunch and join us!

Challenge-based learning is a model for achieving learning outcomes, similar to project- or problem-based learning.  The students work together to solve “challenges,” while the instructor serves as a guide and mentor through the process.  Normally leveraged through digital whiteboards, asynchronous discussions, and presentations, challenge-based learning is collaborative, “hands on,” and oftentimes multidisciplinary.  Examples of challenge based learning and approaches for adding these elements to your course will be examined.

Challenge-Based Learning Sessions:
Wednesday, April 16, 2014 from Noon to 1 p.m
Thursday, April 17, 2014 from 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: iCIT Training Center, McGraw 112

To register this session, please sign up at: http://signup.uww.edu  Seating is limited.

If you have any questions regarding the Snackable Series and its sessions, please contact the UW-W Learning Technology Center.

2014 Summer Institute for Online/Blended Teaching Registration Open

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The Learning Technology Center is pleased to announce the 6th annual faculty development workshop on online/blended course design and best practices.

If you need to design a new (or refresh an older) online or blended course, please consider participating in this unique opportunity to collaborate with other UW-Whitewater instructors and explore proven course design strategies and best practices.  This highly interactive summer workshop demonstrates teaching best practices using a variety of teaching methods and technology tools.  The structure of this course not only allows you to explore new teaching and course design methods, but it also enables you to participate in activities that provide you with experience in being an online “student.”

The session will consist of online components, face-to-face meetings on the Whitewater campus, and web conferencing sessions.  A one-half day orientation session will be held on April 25, and the institute will run through July 31, 2014.

All faculty and academic staff who will be teaching at UW-Whitewater during the 2014-2015 academic year are eligible to apply to attend. However, the workshop will be limited to 25 participants. Applications are due Monday, April 14, 2014.

For more details and registration, please visit the Online/Blended workshop blog at: http://blogs.uww.edu/workshops/ 

Register Today! LTDC Virtual Showcase

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LTDC LogoThe UW System Learning Technology Development Council (UWS LTDC) is pleased to announce our virtual showcase to be held on April 10-11, 2014 from 8:45 am – 3:45 pm.

Visit the session schedule and register today!

Inspiring keynote presentations by Dr. Alec Couros, University of Regina, and Dr. Gardner Campbell, Virginia Commonwealth University, will kick off each day of the showcase. Faculty and staff from UW System campuses will share their innovative uses, best practices, how-to’s and much more on a variety of learning technologies that span classroom, blended and online topics.

For more information, visit the conference website at: http://uwsltdcshowcase.wordpress.com

Snackable Series: Digital Badging

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Snackable Bag Spring 2014Digital Badging, March 19 – 20, 2014

The innovative use of technology in higher education continues to provide new possibilities for enhancing teaching and learning.  Feel free to bring a lunch and join us!

A digital badge is an earned credential, which validates a person’s specific accomplishment, knowledge, or skill.  “Badging” can be used to supplement letter grades, combat grade inflation, instill motivation to advance their level of competency, and showcase learning outside of the formal classroom.  Badges are currently awarded by Purdue University, Carnegie Mellon, the Smithsonian, Intel, Disney-Pixar, and some MOOCs as well.  In this snackable, the basic principles of badging, models of badging, and ways you can use badging in your course will be considered.

Digital Badging Sessions:
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 from Noon to 1 p.m.
Thursday, March 20, 2014 from 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: iCIT Training Center, McGraw 112

To register for one or all of these “Snackable Series” sessions, please sign up at: http://signup.uww.edu Seating is limited.

If you have any questions regarding the Snackable Series and its sessions, please contact the UW-W Learning Technology Center.

“The Flipped Classroom” Recording Now Available

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On February 11, 2014, Chris Henige, Beth King, and Katrina Liu shared their experiences with flipped classes.  Typically, “flipping” is considered to be the practice of using video segments to disseminate content-rich lessons outside of the classroom, thereby allowing classroom time to be used for interaction and hands-on activities.  However, the flipped classroom model can take many forms and may also involve a wide variety of technologies and methodologies.  The panel shared the advantages of a flipped class over traditional lectures, the roadblocks they encountered, and advice for others who are considering flipping their own courses.

If you have any questions regarding “The Flipped Classroom” session, please contact the UW-W Learning Technology Center.

Snackable Series: Gamification

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Snackable Bag Spring 2014Gamification, February 19 – 20, 2014

The innovative use of technology in higher education continues to provide new possibilities for enhancing teaching and learning.  Feel free to bring a lunch and join us!

Gamification is the application of game elements and game-like thinking to course materials to encourage active learning and deepen student engagement.  Gamification can improve student motivation, inspire increased interactivity in your classroom, and allow you to reward successful completion of learning outcomes in new ways.  Models of gamification, along with simple yet creative ways to add gamification techniques to your D2L course, will be discussed.

Gamification Sessions:
Wednesday, February 19, 2014 from Noon to 1 p.m
Thursday, February 20, 2014 from 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: iCIT Training Center, McGraw 112

To register for one or all of these “Snackable Series” sessions, please sign up at: http://signup.uww.edu Seating is limited.

If you have any questions regarding the Snackable Series and its sessions, please contact the UW-W Learning Technology Center.

Save the Date: Flipped Classrooms

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ClassroomJoin your colleagues Chris Henige, Beth King, and Katrina Liu as they share their experiences with flipped classes.  This session is scheduled for February 11, 2014, from 1:00 – 2:00 pm, in the University Center, room 259.

Typically, “flipping” is considered to be the practice of using video segments to disseminate content-rich lessons outside of the classroom, thereby allowing classroom time to be used for interaction and hands-on activities.  However, the flipped classroom model can take many forms and may also involve a wide variety of technologies and methodologies.  Join your UW-Whitewater colleagues as we consider what it means (and does not mean) to “flip” a classroom and discuss the potential benefits and pitfalls of this practice.

Reserve your seat today at https://my.uww.edu/signup/ under LEARN Center.

This event is sponsored by the Learning Technology Center (LTC) and the LEARN Center.

Snackable Series: Spring 2014

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Snackable Bag Spring 2014The innovative use of technology in higher education continues to provide new possibilities for enhancing teaching and learning.  The Learning Technology Center (LTC) Spring 2014 “Snackable Series” showcases three current approaches to leveraging technology to promote active learning and improve student learning outcomes.  Feel free to bring a lunch and join us!

Gamification, February 19 – 20, 2014

Gamification is the application of game elements and game-like thinking to course materials to encourage active learning and deepen student engagement.  Gamification can improve student motivation, inspire increased interactivity in your classroom, and allow you to reward successful completion of learning outcomes in new ways.  Models of gamification, along with simple yet creative ways to add gamification techniques to your D2L course, will be discussed.

Gamification Sessions:
Wednesday, February 19, 2014 from Noon to 1 p.m
Thursday, February 20, 2014 from 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: iCIT Training Center, McGraw 112

Digital Badging, March 19 – 20, 2014

A digital badge is an earned credential, which validates a person’s specific accomplishment, knowledge, or skill.  “Badging” can be used to supplement letter grades, combat grade inflation, instill motivation to advance their level of competency, and showcase learning outside of the formal classroom.  Badges are currently awarded by Purdue University, Carnegie Mellon, the Smithsonian, Intel, Disney-Pixar, and some MOOCs as well.  In this snackable, the basic principles of badging, models of badging, and ways you can use badging in your course will be considered.

Digital Badging Sessions:
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 from Noon to 1 p.m
Thursday, March 20, 2014 from 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: iCIT Training Center, McGraw 112

Challenge-Based Learning, April 16 – 17, 2014

Challenge-based learning is a model for achieving learning outcomes, similar to project- or problem-based learning.  The students work together to solve “challenges,” while the instructor serves as a guide and mentor through the process.  Normally leveraged through digital whiteboards, asynchronous discussions, and presentations, challenge-based learning is collaborative, “hands on,” and oftentimes multidisciplinary.  Examples of challenge based learning and approaches for adding these elements to your course, will be examined.

Challenge-Based Learning Sessions:
Wednesday, April 16, 2014 from Noon to 1 p.m
Thursday, April 17, 2014 from 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: iCIT Training Center, McGraw 112

To register for one or all of these “Snackable Series” sessions, please sign up at: http://signup.uww.edu Seating is limited.

If you have any questions regarding the Snackable Series and its sessions, please contact the UW-W Learning Technology Center.

LTC Winterim Workshop, D2L Training: January 17

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The Learning Technology Center is pleased to D2L Winterim Workshop D2L Traininginvite faculty and instructional staff to “D2L Day,” a series of hands-on sessions held on Friday, January 17, 2014 from 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM in Hyland 3101.

This D2L Winterim Workshop includes breakout sessions featuring a special session on the latest D2L upgrade to version 10.1 (the upgrade is to take place on January 8 – 9, 2014) and focuses on specific D2L tools such as quizzes and discussions.  Sessions will include a variety of hands-on “How To” activities, tips, best practices, and new strategies to effectively use D2L in your classroom.

View the D2L training schedule here:  D2L Traing Schedule, January 17

Participants may now register for the all-day workshop or for individual sessions using the UW-W Signup tool. The workshops are listed under “iCIT-LTC Training”. If you have any questions about this workshop, please contact the Learning Technology Center.