New
and Little-Known Features in Blackboard
By: Sue
Parker
This month,
we’ll be taking a further look
at a few of the features first introduced
in Blackboard versions 6.1 and 6.2.
The Assignment
feature
The Assignment feature (not to be confused with the
Assignment content area) provides an alternative
to the Digital Dropbox and offers several distinct
advantages. It allows students to submit assignments
electronically, which instructors can retrieve and
grade directly through the online gradebook. Assignments
can be set up as basic file attachments, consisting
of questions for students to answer, essays to summarize,
or as text to be entered directly in Blackboard.
Once a student submits an assignment, instructors
can enter grades, provide comments/feedback, return
a revised document back to the student, or add private
notes, which are not visible to students. Aside from
the convenience of assigning, grading and returning
material in an electronic format, using the Assignment
feature can also help cut down on lost papers!
(MORE)
End
of Course Evaluations Part I:
How the Process Works
By: D.
Terry Rawls
Over the past few years we have been working through
the process of aligning our instruments and practices
with the spirit of Maximizing Learning (ML). This document
serves to articulate our expectations of our faculty,
and as we move forward it is imperative that we continue
to work toward the aspirations contained in that document.
Simply put, a lot of very bright people worked very
hard to bring ML to life, and we continue to find new
ways in which to use it to improve the quality of the
programs that we deliver.
(MORE)
Why
Aren’t Students Motivated?
By: Dr. Michael Stacey
Have you had
a class where students continue to talk
while you lecture? Do your students only
care about an “A” regardless
of how much work you put into the material?
Do assignments come back half done or
poorly done? One possibility for these
problems is lack of motivation. How do
you motivate a student who may not be
interested in your ideas/ topics? The
answer is to use their motivation but
in a process you control. This way quality
is guaranteed. Students, in turn, get
to work on a real problem or opportunity
they are motivated to work on.
Is there an
alternative instructional approach that
does the above?
(MORE)
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Lilly
Conference on Teaching in Nontraditional
Formats Update
The
Lilly Conference on Teaching in
Nontraditional Formats is accepting proposals for poster
and round table sessions through
August 15. These proposals will
be accepted on a rolling basis;
expect 3 - 4 weeks for a response.
|
Lilly
North Conference Update
The
Lilly North Conference is accepting
proposals for poster and round
table sessions through August 15.
These proposals will be accepted
on a rolling basis; expect 3 -
4 weeks for a response.
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Blackboard
Tutorials
Are
you planning to use Blackboard
in your fall classes? Check out
the tutorials available on
the FaCIT web site.
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On
Target Call For Submissions
On
Target seeks and welcomes articles and
news contributions on topics of interest
to all CMU faculty. Preferred length
of articles is between 300 and 600
words, but we will consider up to
1500 words. Submissions should be
sent as an attachment to zakra1t@cmich.edu.
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Do
you have suggestions for more on-line
faculty development opportunities? Email and
let us know!
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