Academy News - October 27, 2021
technology
Why integrate technology in your instruction? What tools are supported by the Academy?

Integration of technology into instructional practices can increase student learning and engagement. This is especially true when the technology is aligned with course and learning objectives.

The process of choosing the appropriate technology for your learning objectives or goals may not always be immediately obvious, but the Academy is here to help you find creative and constructive ways to integrate technology into your instruction. 

The learning technologies listed on the Academy's Integrating Technology webpage are available across the institution and meet Harper College’s criteria for cost, security, and accessibility. Choosing a tool supported by the College offers advantages, such as access to the full features of the tool and support for you and your students.


If you would like to consult with the Academy to choose the best tool to fit your needs please fill out the Academy Request Form.
Equity Series
Enacting Equity Series: Who is Represented in Your Course?

How are they represented – and how aren’t they? Representation in education – in textbooks, images, examples, and more – is a continuing challenge for many student populations. In this workshop, part of the Enacting Equity Series this semester, we will explore examples of representation across various dimensions and identify ways to address representation gaps in different fields.

Campus Free Speech and Free Expression Series Begins November 2

The Campus Free Speech and Free Expression Series will address the challenges of complying with the First Amendment’s right to freedom of speech and expression while maintaining a safe and inclusive campus. The series begins with an overview of the legal principles of the First Amendment and how they apply to higher education settings. Seminars later in the series will focus specifically on free expression in and out of classroom settings, respectively. The series will conclude with a review of current events on college campuses around the country and how institutions have grappled with these issues. The seminars will be held virtually and each session will include case studies and opportunities for audience participation.

The first session in the series, Campus Speech and Expression in Today’s Social and Political Climate: Understanding Speech Protections and Limitations Under the First Amendment, will be offered twice, November 2 and 4.​ See dates and times and add the sessions to your calendar.
academy staff
Academy & Blackboard Support: How to Get Help

The Academy is here to support all full-time and adjunct faculty. During the Fall 2021 semester, we will continue to be available remotely during our normal business hours. In addition, Academy staff are also available (on a rotating basis) on campus for drop-in support: View Schedule and Details.

Additional resources and links to assist you this semester:
What would you do if you received a grant for $4,000, $10,000 or $20,000? Associate Professor Mukila Maitha used his RFE grant to develop a comprehensive Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) course of study for the Drone Technology and Applications Certificate by adding the teaching of fixed wings sUAS and providing professional development for Harper faculty developing fixed wings sUAS curriculum materials. The fiscal year 2023 RFE grant application window will open on January 6, 2022. Learn more about Mukila's project and the RFE grant program using the link above.

Dr. Proctor invites you to join her for a virtual conversation. Share your thoughts and ideas about the work you do at Harper. Choose from one of three dates (space is limited; first come, first served):
  • 9-9:45 a.m. Thursday, October 28
  • 2-2:45 p.m. Tuesday, November 9
  • 1-1:45 p.m. Wednesday, December 1
Sign up now using the link above.

Would your students benefit from research help, but you don’t have enough class time to devote to a visit from a librarian? Consider assigning research appointments as library instruction! The library offers 25-minute online appointments for any student to meet with a librarian. Appointments are like personal library instruction, allowing students to request targeted, individualized help for themselves.
Student Learning
quantitative reasoning
How well do Harper students perform on quantitative reasoning skills?

Shared by the Learning Assessment Committee
 
Our General Education Learning Outcomes state that students should be able to “Use quantitative analytical skills to interpret and evaluate problems” at the time they graduate from Harper. Last spring, the Learning Assessment Committee and its Quantitative Reasoning Work Group led an assessment of this outcome. Students were presented with data and were asked to answer questions related to graphs, tables, and number sense. In total, more than 1,200 student assessments were collected and analyzed. The criterion for success was set at 70% of students will answer at least 5 of 6 questions correctly.

  • What did the Spring 2021 results show?
  • What's next?
  • How can you get involved or share your ideas?

Faculty Experience
Ally Advocate
Faculty Journey of Improving Content Accessibility
 
If you aren’t familiar with Ally yet, it’s a tool that integrates with Blackboard allowing instructors to address accessibility issues (learn more). Ally also gives students the ability to download course content in a format that meets their needs.

Two Ally Advocates at Harper shared their experience and advice using Ally while answering the following questions:
  • Explain the approach you took to improve the accessibility of your content. Include how using Ally helped guide your remediation.
  • What advice would you give faculty who want to make their course content more accessible and are just getting started with Ally?
  • How has Ally changed your views and approach to providing accessible content for students? How will you approach accessibility in future courses?

Online Learning
Teaching Online Successfully: Spring 2022

Register now for a Teaching Online Successfully course for Spring 2022. There are three course options to choose from based on your needs:
  • Create: you’re developing an online or blended course
  • Facilitate: you’re teaching an online or blended course
  • Enhance: you’re looking for tools and techniques to enhance your online course to encourage student engagement

Please note: Completion of either the Create course or Facilitate course fulfills the professional development requirement for new online/blended instructors at Harper.

Upcoming Professional Development Credit Opportunities
November 8, 1 p.m. (CEUs: 0.15)

November 19, 3:30 p.m. (CEUs: 0.1)

December 8, 9:30 a.m. (CEUs: 0.15)

January 31-February 13 (GECs: 1) register by: January 17
What's Happening @ Harper?
Academy for Teaching Excellence | 847.925.6174 | Building F, Room F317
Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
The mission of the Academy for Teaching Excellence is to create a vibrant teaching and learning culture for full-time and adjunct faculty that cultivates professional development in support of student success.
Accessibility: Individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation or who have questions about physical access may contact the event host or Access and Disability Services at ads@harpercollege.edu, 847.925.6266, at least two weeks in advance of the event date.
Harper College enriches its diverse communities by providing quality, affordable, and accessible education. Harper College, in collaboration with its partners, inspires the transformation of individual lives, the workforce, and society.