Ally for Everyone - Lunch & Learn Sessions
Join us for an informational session on Blackboard’s Ally – a powerful tool designed to enhance the accessibility and usability of course content for all students. We will provide an overview of the tool, dive into the process of becoming an Ally Advocate, and highlight the numerous benefits associated with it. If you’re already an Advocate, don’t miss the opportunity to learn about the exciting new addition of Ally Peer Coaching, available this year. No matter what your previous experience is with Ally, we have something to share with you!
* These sessions will be offered once a month in a flexible format, so you can choose how you would like to attend. In-person attendees will be provided with lunch and Ally swag. Registration is required.
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Removing or Adding Students in Blackboard
During the first few weeks of the term, you may notice that once in a while your Student Information System (SIS) roster does not match your Blackboard roster. The system usually makes these updates so the rosters match, but in case something is missed, you can manually add or remove a student if needed. After comparing your SIS and Blackboard rosters, if you find a discrepancy, then view the following video for steps to add or remove a student from your Blackboard course.
Looking for more tips on Blackboard tools? Visit the Faculty Blackboard Support page on the Academy website and find the heading "Blackboard Tips, Tools, & Resources for Faculty". Click the toggle to view a list of topics with a quick write-up and/or short video for each topic.
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Flex Learning at Harper College: Embracing the Present, Empowering the Future
More than 30 Harper College faculty have been piloting Flex Learning (offering 2-3 modality options for participation in class sessions) over the past year. During the Fall 2023 Opening Week, pilot faculty and Academy staff provided an update on the principles behind Flex Learning, what Harper College faculty and students experienced during the pilot, and plans for next steps for Flex Learning at Harper College.
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Connect More with the Academy this Year & Win!
The Academy is here to help you Connect MORE in 2023-2024! The Connect MORE theme of this semester’s Opening Week seems to fit so well with what everyone is feeling and needing - interconnectedness that makes our work meaningful. Professional development opportunities are available through the Academy to help you make these connections with students by removing barriers to learning, taking part in collective efforts toward closing equity gaps, finding and implementing focused solutions in your classroom, and enhancing your instruction.
To celebrate faculty who Connect MORE this year, teaching tech-themed prizes are available to all faculty who participate in at least four highlighted Academy workshops, Graduate Equivalency Courses (GECs), events, or other professional learning opportunities from now through May 2024.
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Rethinking Assessment in the Age of AI - Free Webinar with Co-Presenter Jeff Przybylo, Hosted by GoReact
As ChatGPT and other AI tools become increasingly integrated across academia, faculty are rethinking what they want students to learn and how they can assess knowledge and skills. GoReact is hosting a free webinar tomorrow, August 31, featuring a conversation with several instructors, including Professor of Communication Jeff Przyblo, who will share ideas and tools for optimal assessment strategies that enable students to demonstrate their learning and drive growth through meaningful feedback. A recording will be provided to all registrants.
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Fall Resources: Blackboard Course Template, Syllabus Template, and More
The Academy team has developed some resources to help you as you prepare for the Fall 2023 semester, including a Blackboard Course Template and a revised and streamlined Syllabus Template.
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Academy & Blackboard Support for Faculty: How to Get Help
The Academy team is available on campus for drop-in support in Building F, Room F317, as well as available for remote support.
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.
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Please consider sharing the following resources and links with your students in a Blackboard announcement:
This video provides an overview of Harper's completion model, Flight of the Hawks Prepare to SOAR. Learn about the Search, Onboard, Advance, and Realize components of the model and see how they positively impact the student experience at Harper. You will also receive some tips and suggestions for supporting students and contributing to this model.
Harper Happenings is filled with information and links to many Harper events, activities, programs, resources, and services for our students and community. Learn more using the link above.
Register now for the 10th Annual Adjunct Faculty Teaching & Learning Conference on September 14 from 4:30-8 p.m. Learn more using the link above.
In honor of National Suicide Prevention Month in September, stop by the Avanté Concourse on September 6, to help break the stigma surrounding mental health. The Well-Being Bash will feature campus and community mental health and well-being resources.
Please contact the Service Desk with any technical issues or questions: 847.925.6199, servicedesk@harpercollege.edu. You can also visit the Service Desk HIP page for information about Office 365, take-home software, Employee Technical Skills Training information, to Live Chat with the Service Desk, and more.
Use the link above to view important deadline and due dates from the Registrar's Office.
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Register Now for the Assessment Conference & Share Fair
Shared by the Learning Assessment Committee
Registration is now open for the 15th Annual Assessment Conference & Share Fair. This in-person professional development event will feature an engaging poster session; a keynote session - Building Responsiveness and Serving Our Students: For Integrity, Efficacy, and Equity; additional breakout sessions, and more. Attendees can earn up to 0.4 CEUs.
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Communities of Practice Action Plantasia
If you are interested in continuing a Community of Practice or starting a new one, please make sure you sign up for Action Plantasia to share your 2023-2024 action plan so that we can support your shared learning goals and allocate resources for your group.
Visit the CoP resources page to read more about our annual cycle and download the action plan template. Within the action plan, there is a link to sign up for Action Plantasia to share your action plan; please make sure you have selected a time on September 6, 7, or 8 that works well for a few members of your CoP to present.
Please reach out to Stephanie Whalen (swhalen@harpercollege.edu) as your group works on your action plan or if you have any questions about Communities of Practice at Harper. We look forward to learning about your visions!
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Starfish Awards: Annual Faculty Superstars
Shared by Advising Services
Communication and collaboration are key to helping students advance along their Path for Success. Starfish helps faculty recognize students for their effort and achievement and connect them with their team of support when they may be struggling. Of the 500+ faculty members who leveraged Starfish last year, some of you deserve a little extra recognition – as Starfish SUPERSTARS.
Starfish Superstars:
- Responded to 100% of surveys; or
- Leveraged the manual/anytime feedback option by raising both flags/referrals and kudos.
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"We Can Do Hard Things: Facilitating Discussions on Social Issues in the Online Classroom"
As we gain momentum in this new term, opportunities may present themselves for incorporating discussions of current social issues as they apply to course concepts. By facilitating these discussions, you can help students to learn about relevant, everyday life issues through critical thinking.
In this guide, "We Can Do Hard Things: Facilitating Discussions on Social Issues in the Online Classroom", Stacey Tucker, PhD, MSP, offers five best practices for facilitating these valuable online discussions. We hope you find her tips to be helpful and applicable.
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Upcoming Professional Development Credit Opportunities |
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September 12, 1 p.m. (CEUs: 0.1)
September 14, 4:30 p.m. (CEUs: 0.35)
September 22, 11 a.m. (CEUs: 0.2)
September 25 - October 30 (GECs: 3) register by: September 11
September 26, 3 p.m. (CEUs: 0.15)
September 29, 8 a.m. (CEUs: up to 0.4)
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What's Happening @ Harper? |
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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