Teaching & Technology

• Assigning Asynchronous Assignments
  We will explore in this workshop how to communicate asynchronously with students through techniques like class related topic-discussion boards, online team collaborations, virtual term projects, assessment review, and online field trips that supplement classroom delivery methods. We will create and develop these asynchronous tools (e.g. facilitating dialogue in the discussion area, aligning technology to class objectives and outcomes.
  
  
• Multimedia for Teaching
  This workshop will start with a review of individual learning styles. This is a hands-on workshop that will elaborate on how to use multimedia in your class, why one would use a scanner to improve teaching, or a digital camera to improve visual learning. We will also learn about some of the advantages of integrating video clips from camcorders to create video and voice images. We will then demonstrate how to integrate this media into your class by way of WebCT.
  
  
• Visual Learning and Thinking Tools
  We will look at Concept Mapping tools. Visual learning is one of the most effective means for teaching thinking skills. Concept Mapping tools are used to develop ideas and organize thinking. One tool we will look at is; Inspiration which is used across the curriculum primarily in language arts, social studies, and science - for a variety of visual thinking and learning activities, including concept mapping, outlining, webbing, brainstorming, and more.
  For example;
  Brainstorm to generate ideas and develop thoughts
  Web to show how different categories of information interrelate
  Diagram to graphically represent content and its components
  Plan to express large volumes of information in a concise format
  Think Critically to visually analyze, criticize, and advocate ideas
  Map to illustrate relationships between ideas
  Organize to clarify thoughts for writing
  Outline to create a structured format for information

Teaching Strategies

• How to use Formative Assessment
  One of the most important characteristics of an advanced learning environment is its ability to evaluate knowledge acquisition. This workshop is designed around formative assessments. More specifically how to review what has been learned by asking quiz questions after a lecture or teaching experience from the traditional classroom. This formative graded (or non-graded) assessment focuses on what concepts were learned and what concept needs elaboration. Immediate results and immediate analysis of data would be obtained through the WebCT platform without having to grade papers by hand for this review.