Academy News - February 23, 2022
engagement
Easy Tools for Student Engagement

In this fast-paced workshop, you will discover three easy-to-use tools that are available at Harper to add some new engagement opportunities into your courses. Join us and get started with using Webex’s Slido, Google Jamboard, and Google Chat.

academy
Fix Your Content with the Academy on Friday

Have you noticed the Ally indicators in your Blackboard course, but haven’t had the chance to explore Ally further? Have you opened the Ally course report, only to close it because you don’t know where to begin? Or maybe you’ve worked to improve the accessibility of your content, but have specific questions?
 
Then join the Academy for a virtual “Fix Your Content Hour” this Friday, February 25 from 10-11 a.m. where you get the hour to focus on improving your content while having members of the Academy there to answer questions.
 
academy chris dobson
Academy & Blackboard Support: How to Get Help

The Academy team is here to support all full-time and adjunct faculty at Harper. We continue to be available remotely as well as on campus for 1:1 drop-in support in Building F, Room F317.


Not sure what to ask or where to start? We’re here for you! Just fill out the Academy Request Form, and an Academy team member will follow-up with you.
Equity Teaching Academy
Equity Teaching Academy: Redesign for Equity - Register by Tomorrow!
 
“Redesign for Equity” is the third course in a series of the inaugural offering of the Equity Teaching Academy. This course prompts faculty to consider institutional and course-level data as they envision ways to redesign aspects of their courses around equity pedagogies.
 
Learn More & Register (registration deadline: February 24)
anatomy lab
Academic Support Center

The Academic Support Center is here to help students succeed! Tutors are ready to meet with students by drop-in or appointment in the Tutoring Center, Writing Center, Success Services, Developmental Math Center, and the Anatomy Study Room. Here's how students can make an appointment:
  1. Go to the Student Portal
  2. Click on Academic Success
  3. Click on Schedule a Tutoring/Writing/Success Services Appointment (this link is in a box that says "ASC Resources").
Students can also call 847.925.6539 or email ascdesk@harpercollege.edu.

Visit the Academic Support Center website to view the schedule and Live Chat with staff.
Google Assignments is an integration between Blackboard and Google Docs which allows instructors to distribute a Google assignment and grade student work all from within Blackboard. In this workshop you will learn how to setup a Google Assignment in Blackboard and provide additional collaboration opportunities for students within Harper’s Google Workspace. Learn more and register using the link above.

The application cycle for the Level II Adjunct Faculty Engagement Program 2022 is now open. Use the link above to learn more and watch the recording of the virtual info session. Completed applications are due to division deans by February 25.

Ally Advocates are recognized for their ability to leverage the Blackboard Ally tool to improve the accessibility, quality, and usability of course content for all students. Ally Advocates will be awarded a badge and 1.0 CEUs for completing a chosen pathway in the Ally Checklist. This badge can then be shared through various platforms to show verification of completing training and criteria for course accessibility.

​​​​​​​​​There are shared workspaces around campus available for adjunct faculty. Several of these spaces are open throughout the day and evening while others have set hours. Use the link above to view a list of workspaces and locations. If you have a question about a workspace, hours, or accessing a space, please contact your division office.

Check out the "Blackboard Known Issues/Updates" webpage to see the latest updates and fixes for Blackboard. You can toggle between the Known Issues/Updates pages in the top right corner of the page.

​​​​​​​​​As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, student engagement is going through some growing pains. With students attending class online, some enrolled on campus in-person, and some doing a little bit of both, it can sometimes feel as though they are not connecting as deeply with their course work. We want our students to feel part of the community here at Harper, and to participate fully in their course work when they are in our classrooms. One way to encourage this mindset is to give students the opportunity to select a hands-on project that not only aligns with their interests and values, but also with your course objectives. This is where the Library's Make Shop can help. Learn more using the link above.
Student Learning
love
Don't LOVE assessment? Linda Suskie offers three reasons why you should!

Submitted by Brett Fulkerson-Smith, Chair of the Learning Assessment Committee

Don’t LOVE assessment? Linda Suskie offers three reasons why you should (“Why are We Assessing?,” Inside Higher Ed, October 26, 2010)!

First, assessment helps us ensure that we are providing our students with the best possible education. But this can only happen when the work of assessment is undertaken in the context of improving teaching and learning. “Too many of us are separating work on assessment from work on improving teaching and learning, when they should be two sides of the same coin.”

Faculty Experience
faculty retreat
Faculty Retreat

This year's Faculty Retreat will be held on Friday, April 8, beginning at 12 p.m. The retreat will take place at Chicago Improv in Schaumburg and include lunch and an engaging session by the Second City. There will also be an option to attend virtually by watching a livestream.

Watch for more information and registration details in an upcoming issue of the Academy News.
Online Learning
tracie addy
"What Inclusive Instructors Do"

The Teaching in Higher Ed podcast explores the art and science of being more effective at facilitating learning. There are literally hundreds of practical and interesting episodes offered. Check it out here: https://teachinginhighered.com/episodes/.

This particular episode features Tracie Addy, co-author of What Inclusive Instructors Do: Principles & Practices for Excellence in College Teaching. (Total length is 45 minutes. Content begins at 11:32, if you wish to skip the introductory chatting.)

Link to podcast and resources: "What Inclusive Instructors Do"
Upcoming Professional Development Credit Opportunities
February 24, 3 p.m. (CEUs: 0.15)

March 4, 1 p.m. (CEUs: 0.1)

March 10-May 5 (GECs: 3) register by: February 24

March 11, 10 a.m. (CEUs: 0.15)
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.