Tag Archive: pedagogy

Canvas Updates

Canvas Updates Week of September 15

Important Canvas User Notices

New Canvas 101 for Students Launched at MCC

The MCC Canvas 101 Student Orientation course has been updated! This self-enrolled, self-paced course was first made 2 years ago when MCCCD transitioned to Canvas. It is given out by faculty to orient students to Canvas. It is also published on our MCC eLearning web site, Center for Teaching & Learning Canvas Tutorials and other locations. It is highly recommended that you encourage those students new to Canvas to take this course. This will not only help them be more successful in navigating Canvas to access important course information/activities, it should also save instructional time otherwise spent on technical issues. The easiest way to share this course is to include the web link in your syllabus, welcome letter, getting started activities, etc..

Canvas 101: Student Orientation to Canvas Course – http://tinyurl.com/learncanvas

Keep Your Browsers Current & Clean!

Many of the issues users face with Canvas relate to the web browser. Canvas supports the latest two versions of all the major browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Safari and Firefox). Although users may be able to access Canvas with older browser versions, they may experience a variety of issues including loss of functionality and worse, loss of work if the browser crashes.

In addition, it is important for browser health and for the usability of Canvas and Canvas features to regularly clear the browser cache. We recommend that users mark their calendar to do this maintenance at least a few times per month or whenever they experience issues like being unable to record video or audio using the Canvas media tools. Some Canvas features also require Flash and the Java plug-in.

A few words on security. Canvas is a secure environment and this can sometimes cause issues with certain multimedia features like embedded videos and tools working or displaying properly due to browser security. It is important to provide links to media and tools, as well as the embedded versions to ensure that students are able to see and interact with course material.

Learn more about Canvas and browser compatibility including security. **Bookmark this resource and give it to students it is extremely valuable!

Resources for Clearing Browser Cache

When in Doubt, Switch Browsers!

One of the first things a user should try when they are experiencing an issue in Canvas is to switch browsers. It may sound like a Help Desk cliche, but a little flexibility in browsing preferences can save a lot of time and frustration. Currently most users are preferring the functionality provided by Google Chrome or Firefox. Internet Explorer is supported, but not recommended.

Canvas Update Cycle

Canvas is on a 3-week update-release cycle. The next beta (preview) release is on 9/15, production notes will follow on 9/22 with the release and documentation to follow on 9/27. Follow the release schedule on the Canvas Updates Calendar.

Recent Changes

Big changes come in small packages! Many of the recent updates to Canvas have been tiny tweaks to functionality that will make your life and the learning of your students better and better! Review all the recent changes from the 9/6/2014 release.

Canvas Course List All-Stars

The Canvas Course list functionality has been changed to allow all users (students and faculty) to more easily manage their Canvas courses. The previous customize option (to control what courses appeared in the ‘quick list’ drop-down course menu) has been combined with the My Courses page. Now users can view all their courses and select which courses to display (using the new star icons to mark favorites) in the drop-down menu all within the same location.

Your course(s) marked as a ‘favorite’ will correspond to your Courses drop-down menu, Canvas Conversations Inbox menu and Calendar menus so it is worth taking the time to customize your course list each semester!

Canvas Course Menu and Page
Additionally the My Courses page includes more information about the status of a course including whether it is published or not. Note: Unpublished courses are listed in gray and include a tag which is visible to faculty and students. When students hover over an unpublished course they will see a message stating – “This course had not been published. Students should contact the course instructor for access.”
Learn More
How do I customize my Courses drop-down menu?

Canvas Convo Logo

Call for Proposals! 3rd Annual Canvas Conversations

Mark Your Calendar & Join the Conversation

Please plan to join us for the 3rd Annual Canvas Conversations event on Friday, November 7, 2014 from 9 am to 3 pm at Scottsdale Community College. This event is open to all Maricopa faculty and staff. This all day event will focus on all things Canvas. Opportunities for everyone – from beginner to advanced! Participate in:

  • Roundtables
  • Hands-on workshops
  • Show and tell
  • Dialog with colleagues

Registration will open soon! Check the MCLI web site for details!

Submit a Proposal to Present at the Conference

We know you are doing awesome work in Canvas; please consider sharing your ideas and expertise by submitting a proposal todayProposals are due by 11:59 pm Sunday, October 19, 2014.

MCLI

Student Success Conference October 17

Registration Open for the 2014 Student Success Conference

The Division of Academic and Student Affairs & Maricopa Center for Learning & Instruction

REGISTER TODAY

Expectations, Aspirations, and Achievement

The 26th Annual Student Success Conference will be held Friday, October 17, 2014, at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel. Please reserve this date on your calendar and register today to engage in systemic conversations focused on student success and completion. Detailed information regarding the keynote speakers, breakout presentations, and registration can be found at:

http://mcli.maricopa.edu/success/2014

Location:

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel
340 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix
(Conference parking available to attendees)

Keynote Presenters:

Pedro Noguera, Peter L. Agnew Professor of Education New York University, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Development and Executive Director, Metropolitan Center for Urban Education

Terry O’Banion, President and Senior League Fellow League for Innovation in the Community College and Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Graduate Faculty, North American University

For questions regarding the Student Success Conference contact:

Dr. Ramona Cox at 480-731-8300
ramona.cox@domail.maricopa.ed

MCC Course Design Series Begins September 9

Course Design Series Begins September 9

Course Design: A Blueprint for Success

Are you looking for tools to take your course to the next level? Do you want to incorporate design strategies that focus on student success?

Join the MCC Center for Teaching & Learning for our Course Design Series. This 3 part series focuses on the best practices in course design pedagogy. Take this opportunity to participate in a highly engaging and collegial process of mapping and aligning your course and building informative assessments linked to your learning objectives! Sessions beginTuesday, September 9

Review the full schedule below! Course building teams welcome! Faculty Professional Growth (FPG) pending approval for Part 2 & 3.

Register through HRMS (Time & Labor System)             Registration Instructions

Having Trouble? Call us at (480) 461-7331 and we will register you.

Part 1: Curriculum Mapping & Lesson Design – FPG Approved!

Learn more about Faculty Professional Growth (FPG), including how to apply.

Session Description: In this session, you will design a curriculum map based on the most relevant concepts related to your course and competencies to build thematic units. Using this map, you will create a unit alignment by writing measurable learning objectives that connect your course materials and assessments to the course competencies.

Session Dates: (Select from one of the following)

Tuesday, September 9, 3:30pm – 6:30pm
COURSE #001760, Session #0009 Register through HRMS

Friday, September 19, 9:00am – 12 noon
COURSE #001760, Session #0010 Register through HRMS

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Web-Based Teaching & Learning Summer 2014

Prepare to Teach Online with MCC this Fall

Interested in Teaching Online/Hybrid or Web-Enabled Classes?  

Prepare with CIS 236 & 237 at Mesa Community College this Fall Semester

The CIS 236 and CIS 237 series is designed to help you get started in teaching & learning in the hybrid and online formats or to support you in web-enabling your ground/face-to-face course. First, experience the ‘student’ perspective and discover new digital teaching tools in CIS 236 and then explore course design and content creation in CIS 237. Instructors will complete the series with practical tips, researched pedagogy and a duplicative structure for building and facilitating an online or hybrid format class.

Advantages of the Open Entry / Open Exit Format

Mesa Community College is offering CIS236 and CIS237 in the Open Exit/Open Exit format for the Fall 2014.

Flexible Learning!

  • Pick your own start date (8/25 – 10/17)
  • Set your own pace over an 8 week period
  • No hard deadlines.

Enroll Today

Enrollment through My.Maricopa.edu.

  1. Complete your Student Information Form
  2. Register for Class
  3. Pay for the course, Learn About MCCCD Tuition Waivers: http://www.maricopa.edu/publicstewardship/resources/tw.php

If you have difficulties registering or have questions about these courses, contact the instructor:

CIS 236:  Web Based Teaching & Learning I (2 credits), Section #28083

Experience using a web-based learning environment from an online student’s perspective. Use communication tools, submit assignments, use evaluation tools, and navigate an online-learning environment.  Introduction to the basics of online pedagogy and lots of hands-on experience with a web-based learning environment and digital teaching tools! Prerequisites: CIS133CA or CIS 133DA, or permission of instructor. Contact instructor for override code.

  • Offered fully online during Fall 2014 (Open Entry/Open Exit) – Choose a start date between August 25 and October 17. Students will have 8 weeks to finish the course from the start date.

CIS 237:  Web Based Teaching & Learning II (3 credits), Section #28084

Discuss theories, methods, and best practices for designing, developing, and delivering an online course including Classroom Assessment Techniques, Flipped Classroom, Quality Matters and more.  Create an online or hybrid course module using a web-based learning environment.  Prerequisites: CIS 236, or permission of instructor. Contact instructor for concurrent enrollment code (allowing students to take CIS236 and CIS237 simultaneously).

  • Offered fully online during Fall 2014 (Open Entry/Open Exit) – Choose a start date between August 25 and October 17. Students will have 8 weeks to finish the course from the start date.
Gold Star Quality Learning Banner

Call for Gold Star Applications

Gold Star is Looking for Mentees and Mentors for Fall 2014 – Apply Today!

Application Due Date – Tue, Sept 2, 5 pm

The CTL in collaboration with the eLearning Committee announces the Call for Applications for Mentees and Mentors to participate in the Gold Star Program for Fall 2014.  Gold Star is a faculty-centered, training and peer-review process to support MCC faculty developers (mentee) to redesign an existing or develop a new Internet or hybrid course based on the QM Rubric.  The Fall 2014 Program includes both individuals and/or collaborative teams.  

Individual: Faculty interested in re-designing an existing or developing a new online or hybrid course.

Collaborative Teams: Inner-disciplinary or cross-disciplinary faculty interested in re-designing an existing or developing a new online or hybrid course.  Not to exceed more than 3 members per team.

Additionally, the faculty developers are paired with a Gold Star Program Mentor. The Mentor supports with the design of the Mentee’s online or hybrid course.

Gold Star Application Process Table

To learn more about the Gold Star Program and to submit an application to participate as Gold Star Mentee or Mentor, go to: Gold Star.

Questions – Contact – Annapurna Ganesh, Gold Star Coordinator
Email: aganesh@mesacc.edu; Phone: 480-461-7305

PVCC Summer Fun Technology Week

PVCC Summer Fun Technology Week July 14-17

Stop by Paradise for Some Summer Fun!

Paradise Valley Community College is hosting its annual Summer Fun Technology Week Monday, July 14 – Thursday, July 17. A popular summer destination, this week is full of engaging sessions designed to help you teach, work and you and your students learn better with technology. Stay for a single session, a day or the whole week. Register Today!

MCC is Presenting!

The MCC Center for Teaching & Learning training team will be presenting a variety of sessions at PVCC including:

Captioning with YouTube – Wednesday, July 16, 1-2pm – Q305

Learn how to create captions and transcripts for your video files using the free YouTube web site. In this hands-on session participants will learn how to adjust settings in their YouTube account so uploaded video files are automatically transcribed and captioned. Participants will also learn how to adjust and correct captions within YouTube; and how to download subtitle files onto their own computers.

Building Awesome Infographics, Wednesday, July 16, 2-3pm – Q305

Infographics are a visual way for people to creatively display complex data simply. Attend this overview session to find out what infographics are, how they can be created, and how to integrate them into your department marketing plan or class assignments using free tools on the internet.

Flip it Real Good! Exploring the Flipped Model, Wednesday, July 16, 3-4pm – Q305

What is the Flipped Model? In this session we will take a look at this pedagogical model where the lecture and homework aspects of course work are reversed OR flipped! The important elements to building a flipped model will be discussed. Bring your own lessons to work on flipping.

The Art & Technology of Microlectures, Wednesday, July 16, 4-5pm – Q305

Maximize your lecture impact by micromanaging the length and focus. In this session we will identify short lecture techniques and practice using tools for lecture capture. Discover how quickly you can flip your classroom, connecting students to material online in a meaningful way and saving precious classroom time for engaging activities, collaboration and problem-based learning.

Additional Event Information

PVCC Summer Fun Week Session Schedule

PVCC Summer Fun Week Session Descriptions

Planning an extended stay? Meals are on your own, so take advantage of the Area Restaurants.

Don’t miss out on this exciting week! Register Today!

Web-Based Teaching & Learning Summer 2014

Interested in Teaching Online? Summer Opportunities

Prepare to Teach Online with CIS 236 & 237 at Mesa Community College this Summer

The CIS 236 and CIS 237 series is designed to help you get started in teaching & learning in the hybrid and online formats. First, experience the ‘student’ perspective and discover new digital teaching tools in CIS 236 and then explore course design and content creation in CIS 237. Instructors will complete the series with practical tips, researched pedagogy and a duplicative structure for building and facilitating an online or hybrid format class.

Advantages of the Open Entry / Open Exit Format

Mesa Community College is offering CIS236 and CIS237 in the Open Exit/Open Exit format for the Summer 2014.

Flexible Learning!

  • Pick your own start date (5/27 – 6/6)
  • Set your own pace over an 8 week period
  • No hard deadlines.

Enroll Today

Enrollment through My.Maricopa.edu.

  1. Complete your Student Information Form
  2. Register for Class
  3. Pay for the course, Learn About MCCCD Tuition Waivers: http://www.maricopa.edu/publicstewardship/resources/tw.php

If you have difficulties registering or have questions about these courses, contact the instructor:

CIS 236:  Web Based Teaching & Learning I (2 credits), Section #16276

Experience using a web-based learning environment from an online student’s perspective. Use communication tools, submit assignments, use evaluation tools, and navigate an online-learning environment.  Introduction to the basics of online pedagogy and lots of hands-on experience with a web-based learning environment and digital teaching tools! Prerequisites: CIS133CA or CIS 133DA, or permission of instructor. Contact instructor for override code.

  • Offered fully online during Summer 2014 (Open Entry/Open Exit) – Choose a start date between May 27 and June 6. Students will have 8 weeks to finish the course from the start date.

CIS 237:  Web Based Teaching & Learning II (3 credits), Section #16277

Discuss theories, methods, and best practices for designing, developing, and delivering an online course including Classroom Assessment Techniques, Flipped Classroom, Quality Matters and more.  Create an online or hybrid course module using a web-based learning environment.  Prerequisites: CIS 236, or permission of instructor. Contact instructor for concurrent enrollment code (allowing students to take CIS236 and CIS237 simultaneously).

  • Offered fully online during Summer 2014 (Open Entry/Open Exit) – Choose a start date between May 27 and June 6. Students will have 8 weeks to finish the course from the start date.
Camp Innovate May 19-May22

Welcome Campers!

Reminders & Pre-Camp Activities for MCC’s 5th Annual Camp Innovate

The Mesa Community College Center for Teaching & Learning 5th Annual Camp Innovate event is just a few days away. We are looking forward to seeing you at your respective sessions Monday, May 19 – May 22 at the MCC Southern and Dobson Campus. So air out your tent and grab your gear to participate around the campfire of innovative teaching and learning!

Your Camping Sessions

You will receive individual email reminders for each session you register for, but you can also review your requested sessions by visiting the HRMS Time & Labor System. After you log-in with your MEID and MEID Password, follow this path, Main Menu > Self-Service > Learning & Development > Training Summary to review your sessions.

See the Full Week Guide for a day-to-day listing and description of all events.

Pre-Camp Activities & Camp Participant Canvas Course

We have created a special camping guide (Canvas Self-Enroll Course) just for you! In this course you will find general information about camp, pre-camp activities, session information/resources, session evaluations, online camp activities and more! Presenters will place all session resources and content into this guide throughout the week. We hope that you utilize this course to find resource, interact with fellow participants!

Self-Enroll Now to Access this Course and don’t forget to complete the Pre-Camp Activities!

Camping Area, Tent Locations & Camper Parking

All Camping Sessions will be hosted in the AS Building; Southern & Dobson Campus. We recommend that you leave your camper in the Northwest Parking Lot (Lot A) which is closest to the AS Building. Review the schedule for specific tent locations.

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Camp Innovate May 19-May22

Mark Your Calendar for the 5th Year of Camp Innovate at MCC!

Head to Camp This Summer with the MCC CTL!

Monday, May 19 – Thursday, May 22

The Mesa Community College Center for Teaching & Learning will be holding its 5th Annual Camp Innovate training camp Monday, May 19 – May 22 on the MCC Southern and Dobson Campus. So air out your tent and grab your gear to participate around the campfire of innovative teaching and learning!

Camp Innovate is a week of sessions and engaging activities offered every summer at the MCC Center for Teaching & Learning that address excellence in education, technology, teaching and learning.

Visit the Camp web site for more information.

Register Now

Camp Schedule

Event topics will include Accessibility, Digital Tools, Captioning, Screencasting, Lesson Design, Adventure-Based Learning, Multimedia, Retention Strategies, Educational Technology, Canvas and more! See the Full Week Guide for a day-to-day listing and description of all events.

Camp Location & Registration

Camp Sessions will be hosted in the AS Building; Southern & Dobson CampusReview the schedule for cabin assignments.

All MCCCD faculty and staff are welcome. Attend one session, attend one day or attend all, we hope to see you there!  Space is limited, so register soon.

Note: Registration is through HRMS Time & Labor. 
Registration Instructions.

Is Camping Gear Required?

No! We won’t actually be camping. Just bring you and maybe a friend or two to enjoy the learning and community. Light provisions will be provided each day and at the Maker Party! Event Celebration on Thursday, May 22, 3:00 – 5:00pm. Register for the celebration.

Earn a Digital Badge for Participation and More

“Campers” can earn digital badges for participating in sessions, bringing guests and evaluating the event. These digital badges can be added to your professional portfolio. Learn more about using digital badges in education. The MCC Center for Teaching & Learning will track and award badges based on the individual badge criteria.

1st Time Camper Badge –Camp Innovate Digital BadgeAttend 1 Session

Avid Camper Badge  –
Attend 3 or More Sessions

Camp Inspector –
Submit an Event Evaluation

Happy Camper –
Bring a Friend to Camp

Contact Us

Need assistance with registration? Call us at (480) 461-7331 and we will register you. Questions? Send us an email at ctl@mesacc.edu.