Blackboard Collaborate Preview

April 30, 2012 By

Online Archive

Since 2009, the Wimba Classroom collaboration tool has been integrated into Blackboard and has been used by NIU faculty and staff for online web conferencing activities ranging from online lectures, office hours, to group activities. NIU is currently testing Blackboard Collaborate, the next generation version of Wimba Classroom that includes an easier-to-use interface that simplifies many of the tasks presenters typically perform. Join us for this online preview of Blackboard Collaborate I offered 4/27/2012 to see the new interface and features first-hand and learn more about NIU’s options for moving forward with upgrading to Blackboard Collaborate. | view online archive | view podcast in iTunes | view mp4

For details on upcoming FREE online workshops offered by NIU Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center, visit www.niu.edu/facdev/programs/online

Filed Under: Blog, Featured, Workshops Tagged With: , ,

2012 Presidential Award for Excellence

April 18, 2012 By

Jason Rhode receiving Presidential Award for Excellence from NIU President John Peters

I was honored to have been nominated for, and having received, the 2012 NIU Supportive Professional Staff Presidential Award for Excellence in recognition of “excellent performance and significant contributions to Northern Illinois University.” Only four such awards are given each year to NIU staff and the award can only be received once…so it was quite a humbling experience to have been honored in this way.

The best part of receiving the award was that my family was able to be a part of the awards ceremony, even though I think my two little girls had the most fun climbing up and down the stage before the ceremony :)

Rhode Family with NIU President John Peters, April 17, 2012

I look forward to many more years of serving the faculty and staff of NIU…forward, together forward!

Filed Under: Blog, News Tagged With:

Timesaving Tips Using the Blackboard Grade Center

March 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Blackboard Grade Center not only provides an easy-to-use interface for posting grades and feedback for students but also numerous advanced features including smart views, grading periods, and calculated columns for more easily accessing, entering, sorting, and managing grades in Blackboard. During this online workshop offered 3/30/2012 I shared proven tips and best practices for configuring the Blackboard Grade Center that will save you time and make it easier than ever before to post grades and provide feedback to students. Handout accompanying this session is available at niu.edu/blackboard/assess/gradecenter/tips.shtml | view podcast in iTunes | view mp4

For details on upcoming FREE online workshops offered by NIU Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center, visit www.niu.edu/facdev/programs/online

Filed Under: Workshops Tagged With: ,

Text Messaging in Teaching Workshop Preview

March 30, 2012 By

Beginning April 4, 2012, I’ll be leading a 10-day online professional development workshop on text messaging in teaching through the Sloan Consortium. Check-out a preview of the workshop and feel free to join us!

For more details or to register, visit http://sloanconsortium.org/institute/workshops/text-messaging-teaching-tips-and-techniques-trenches

Filed Under: Blog, Presentations, Videos, Workshops Tagged With: ,

Tips for Effective Group Collaborations in Blackboard

March 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The built-in groups tools available in Blackboard make it possible for students to engage easily in online discussion, share files, chat, and email. However, simply placing students in groups in Blackboard and enabling these available tools is no guarantee that students will engage in meaningful group collaborations. What are the most efficient and effective uses of the Blackboard group tools? During this online discussion I led on 3/23/2012 we sought to answer this question and shared tips and best practices for creating and sustaining group activities using Blackboard. | view podcast in iTunes | view mp4

For details on upcoming FREE online workshops offered by NIU Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center, visit www.niu.edu/facdev/programs/online

Filed Under: Blog, Workshops Tagged With: ,