All events are held at CTLT’s facilities in the ITDC building unless otherwise noted. If you need a special accommodation to fully participate in an event, please call the CTLT main desk at (309) 438-2542.
One Post and Two Responses: Breathing Life into the Online Discussion Forum
Facilitator: Allison Alcorn, Music
Monday, June 26 • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Online discussion forums hold such great potential for student learning… and yet, many online courses have discussions that are nothing more than “make one post and reply to two colleagues’ posts.” Students follow that instruction, and the “discussion” is over. This workshop will help you to compare and contrast both the challenges and the opportunities in online discussion forums. Through an evaluation of relevant research and best practices, you’ll explore how to transform traditional, face-to-face practices into an online experience whether used in a flipped, hybrid, or fully online setting. You’ll also construct three online discussion forums for a single course, utilizing the principles and practices discussed. Lunch is provided. A stipend is available for eligible participants. Registration is required.
Your Classroom Technology Policy
Tuesday, June 27 • 9 a.m. to noon
Research shows that students respond better when instructors set clear guidelines about the use of mobile technology, such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones, in the classroom. But you don’t have to resign yourself to teaching in spite of digital distractions. Discover ways to collaborate with students at the start of the semester to create agreement over what is, and is not, the appropriate use of technology in your classroom. A stipend is available for eligible participants. Registration is required.
Fostering Student Collaboration
Wednesday, June 28 • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Milner 213C
Learning from your peers can be powerful. Yet, when creating collaborative experiences, both instructors and students often run into challenges: Students become frustrated because they haven’t developed collaboration skills. Teachers face difficult decisions about how to structure collaborative work. They struggle to determine how to assess and grade students. It all makes the very idea of “group work” daunting. This workshop is being held in the new Collaborative Learning Classroom, located in Milner Library. Experience collaborative and cooperative learning first hand and discover how to incorporate these practices into your teaching. Lunch is provided. A stipend is available for eligible participants. Registration is required.
