How to Succeed in Online Learning

 Timing Set a time of the week that you will log in to your course and spend one 3-hour “class” online or two 90-minute classes. Let yourself out early some days. Know when you shine – I’m a morning person, so my time was set at 6:00am (yup). Take advantage of the flexible scheduling. Get a head … Read more

Instructor and Tech Success Story – Ted Zak Offers Students Classroom Captures

EdTech in Action: Ted Zak offers students classroom captures When you introduce a new teaching tool into your everyday teaching and students can’t stop asking for more then you know you’re on to something, and Ted Zak, Carpentry instructor, is definitely on to something with his classroom capture. Ted has found a need to record his classes … Read more

Another Way to Make the Magic Happen: Contact the Teaching and Learning Centre

  We’ve all seen this simple graphic, or something similar too it, but it speaks volumes about our teaching practices. Sometimes we are thrown out of our comfort zone unintentionally and find amazing outcomes. For example, a few times while teaching many classes, I brought the wrong material to a class which quickly threw me out of my comfort zone. … Read more

Educational Conundrum of the week – Impact many students by catering to a few with UDL

Impact many students by catering to few with UDL Students’ learning needs and preferences are being recognized as being more diverse, which is why the demand for UDL (Universal Design for Learning) is becoming a greater focus in curriculum design. We’ve seen many exciting UDL activities in Blackboard course shells. Blackboard offers a wide variety … Read more

Educational Conundrum of the Week – Access to Accessibility

Access to accessibility Educational Technology Services (ETS) was asked to provide a solution for a student who recently injured her hand and was unable to take notes, but desperately wanted to. Other students in the same class try to keep up with the note taking. What solutions would you provide this temporarily disabled student? Would … Read more

Educational Conundrum of the Week – Capture that Lecture

  Capture that lecture Lecture capture has been getting more popular and inquiries about it at Educational Technology Services (ETS) have been steadily growing. We can all see the benefits capturing a lecture for students to review. Also, note taking may be reduced allowing students to better connect with the content at hand.  But, when … Read more

Blackboard Features that Make Your Students and Your Academic Life Easier

We all use apps that organize and enhance our lives in a variety of ways. There are many features in Blackboard that can organize and enhance the delivery of your courses. Here are three Blackboard features that when used, can organize and enhance the academic experience of your students. One: Calendar Blackboard has a real-time … Read more

(Profile) Pictures worth a 1000 Words, or Just One

  We’ve all heard the expressions “It’s nice to put a face to the name”.  Or, I prefer to “meet face to face”.  Both of these have pleasant nuances, and few can argue that both build better relationships.  Why then do so many students lack a picture profile?  I have seen more blank mugs than … Read more

Faculty Focus

Five Ways to Teach Students to Be Learning Centered, Too by Higher Ed Teaching Strategies from Magna Publications