DL Tip of the Week - Color Coding in the Bb Grade Center

This week’s tip is about color coding in the Blackboard Grade center. Color coding allows the Instructor to build rules to apply color to the cells in the Grade Center grid, either by grade or status. Adding color rules to the Grade Center provides visual indicators to help instructors interpret information quickly. For example, the Instructor can use red to highlight graded items with failing scores, so that with only a quick glance, students and columns that require attention are prominent. For additional information review the resources below.


Video How-to (This video has a lot information about the Bb Gradecenter, but the first 3-4 minutes is about color coding-feel free to watch the entire video.)
Video How-to (from Blackboard)
Handout

If for any reason the links appear broken, or if you have an idea for a DL Tip of the Week, please email us at HCTC-DL@kctcs.edu.

Remember if you need assistance; please let a member of the DL Team know.

Brad Roberts, DL Specialist (Faculty/Student Support) – Lees
Paul Currie, DL Specialist (Faculty Support) – Hazard, Knott, Leslie, Tech
Wendy Davidson, LoD Program Coordinator (LoD support and Student Support)

The 2014 Kentucky Pedagogicon Conference: Practicing Scholarly and Creative Teaching

More information and to register, click here...

Moving a Face-to-Face Course Online without Losing Student Engagement

The rapid growth and popularity of online learning is necessitating the creation of online courses that actively engage learners. Research has shown that effective integration of multimedia that is content relevant and pedagogically sound can be a valuable teaching tool for facilitating student learning (Mandernach, 2009). Read more...

DL Tip of the Week - Snapping Your Screen!

This week’s tip is about how to snap your screen! What exactly does this mean? Have you ever needed to have two windows open on your monitor at one time? Have you ever needed to copy something in one document over to another document in another window? Did you know there is an easy way to snap the two windows on your monitor. It is relatively easy to do. The video below will show you how. Special thanks to Lisa Ison and Rebecca Stidham for this DL Tip of the Week.

How-to Video
Website - Microsoft
Website - Gadgetwise

If for any reason the links appear broken, or if you have an idea for a DL Tip of the Week, please email us at HCTC-DL@kctcs.edu.

Remember if you need assistance; please let a member of the DL Team know.

• Brad Roberts, DL Specialist (Faculty/Student Support) – Lees
• Paul Currie, DL Specialist (Faculty Support) – Hazard, Knott, Leslie, Tech
• Wendy Davidson, LoD Program Coordinator (LoD support and Student Support)

New to Online - Fundamental Online Teaching Skills Development - FREE

New To Online – Sloan-C Workshop Series for Fundamental Online Teaching Skills Development - FREE

Event Date: April 30, 2014 - 2:00 pm Eastern Time 

Are you in the beginning stages of developing an online or blended class? This webinar provides an overview of the Sloan-C New to Online Workshop Series and how you can develop the skills you need to successfully design and deliver your class.

Join us to learn more about the Sloan-C New to Online Series, what to expect in a workshop, and how you can sign up to take part in an upcoming workshop. This webinar has no prerequisites and can be taken by anyone who is interested in improving the quality of their online course design and how to start teaching online.

Register for this Webinar

Learn more about the 2014 Sloan-C Workshop Catalogue here:

http://sloanconsortium.org/workshops

KCTCS Teaching and Learning with Technology Institute

Just a reminder about the last Teaching and Learning with Technology Institute. If you can go, I encourage you to sign up before April 16. Information is located below.

April 25 @ Ashland (Technology Campus) Registration closes April 16
Please join us in April as KCTCS (The Office for Professional Development and Innovation, Distance Learning and Professional Development) hosts regional Teaching & Learning with Technology Institutes! The Institute will be held at 3 locations across the state and will offer the same tracks and sessions to ensure consistent information is shared among all faculty and staff. During lunch you'll be able to participate in round table discussions and visit with partners and vendors of educational technology and products. Whether you teach online, on-campus, or a combination, you are sure to find sessions that will spark creative ideas for your courses.

The 6 Teaching and Learning tracks are:

• Pedagogy - sessions on pedagogy include topics like Engaging Students, Learning Styles and modes of instruction
• Assessments - these sessions will give you ideas and tools for improving course assessments and managing grading tools such as rubrics and online grade centers
• Instructional Resources: Creating and Curating Content - sessions in this track include tools, technology and ideas to spice up your current course content
• Best Practices: Tips, Tricks & Shortcuts - this track has a variety of topics to help you manage your courses, use engaging content and go further with web 2.0 and social tools
• Next Level: these sessions give ideas on taking your course to the next level
• Using external sources: Publisher and 3rd Party Tools

View the program schedule.
The event is free for all KCTCS faculty and staff, but you will need to get approval from your local college for travel reimbursement.

Register now as space is limited!

Partners and Vendors will be set up during lunch for you to visit with!

(Partners and vendors may vary at each location)

DL Tip of the Week - Deleting Extra Menu Options / Managing Menu Option Appearance

This week’s tip is about deleting extra menu options and managing the appearance of your course menu. Each time you course copy from one semester to another, or use the Export/Import option, a default set of menu options are added in addition to your menu. It is good habit to review your menu before each new semester starts to make sure you clean up your menu.

How-To Video

If for any reason the links appear broken, or if you have an idea for a DL Tip of the Week, please email us at HCTC-DL@kctcs.edu.

Remember if you need assistance; please let a member of the DL Team know.

• Brad Roberts, DL Specialist (Faculty/Student Support) – Lees
• Paul Currie, DL Specialist (Faculty Support) – Hazard, Knott, Leslie, Tech
• Wendy Davidson, LoD Program Coordinator (LoD support and Student Support)

DL Tip of the Week - How to Make a Banner

This week’s tip is about how to make a banner and add it to your Blackboard announcement area. A banner can add appeal to your class. You can also add an image of your book with your course title allowing students to see the book they should have.

How-to Video

If for any reason the links appear broken, or if you have an idea for a DL Tip of the Week, please email us at HCTC-DL@kctcs.edu.

Remember if you need assistance; please let a member of the DL Team know.

• Brad Roberts, DL Specialist (Faculty/Student Support) – Lees
• Paul Currie, DL Specialist (Faculty Support) – Hazard, Knott, Leslie, Tech
• Wendy Davidson, LoD Program Coordinator (LoD support and Student Support)

DL Tip of the Week - Adding a Final Grade Column

This week’s tip is about how to add a final grade column in blackboard. although this video shows you how to add a final grade column in Blackboard, remember that even in publisher provided sites, you can add a final grade column. Posting your final grades to the class for students to review, can save stress for both the instructor and the student, before the grade is officially submitted.

How-to Video

If for any reason the links appear broken, or if you have an idea for a DL Tip of the Week, please email us at HCTC-DL@kctcs.edu.

Remember if you need assistance; please let a member of the DL Team know.

• Brad Roberts, DL Specialist (Faculty/Student Support) – Lees
• Paul Currie, DL Specialist (Faculty Support) – Hazard, Knott, Leslie, Tech
• Wendy Davidson, LoD Program Coordinator (LoD support and Student Support)