Categories for News

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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Canvas Draft State User Information Sessions

Canvas Draft State User Information Sessions

Introducing the Canvas Draft State

Canvas has recently released the highly anticipated Draft State feature that allows for content in Assignments, Quizzes, Modules, Pages, and Discussions to be in an unpublished (draft) state even if the course is published. Draft content will be invisible to students and excluded from grade calculations.

Draft State will become a standard, permanent part of Canvas on July 5, 2014 and will be activated for all Canvas courses within MCCCD on Saturday, May 10, 2014. 

Teaching this Summer? ‘Opt-in’ to Draft State Now
The Draft State feature will impact all of the major instructional user interfaces within Canvas and will have a small cosmetic impact on the student view of courses. Because this change is anticipated for the middle of the summer session, we highly recommend that you remain ‘opted-in’ to the draft state feature before your summer course starts to avoid any potential disruption, albeit small, for students.

Draft State User Information Sessions
The MCC Center for Teaching & Learning has scheduled a few information sessions to help users with this transition.

Register Now

Registration Instructions

Choose from the following:
Monday, May 12, 9:00 a.m.  –  10:00 a.m. 
HRMS Course #002116, Session #0002; CTL Lab AS Building, Room 175

Monday, May 12, 4:00 p.m.  –  5:00 p.m. 
HRMS Course #002116, Session #0003; CTL Lab AS Building, Room 175

Thursday, May 15, 11:00 a.m.  –  12:00 p.m. 
HRMS Course #002116, Session #0004; CTL Lab AS Building, Room 175

Monday, May 19, 1:00 p.m.  –  2:00 p.m. 
HRMS Course #002116, Session #0001; CTL Lab AS Building, Room 175

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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.

Canvas End of Semester Updates

Canvas Update: End of Semester Reminders

Finish the Semester Strong!

In order to ensure a smooth, end of the semester, please consider following the best practice activities for closing your course and transitioning to the next semester.

Important Note: Withdrawn student data, downloading of data, and sending of messages is not available after final grades have been entered in My.Maricopa (SIS).

BEFORE Grading in My.Maricopa (SIS)

  • Archive Grades – Download your gradebook to CSV to archive it locally on your computer or flash drive (Click on Grades > Click on the Gear symbol > Click on Download to CSV)
  • Gather Data – Download any course surveys, quizzes or exam results to archive them locally on your computer or flash drive (Click on Quizzes > Select the Quiz > Click on Quiz Statistics > Select the download option of Student and/or Item Analysis)
  • Send Final Communications – Send end-of-course messages to students, if desired

AFTER Grading in My.Maricopa (SIS)

  • End Course – You can leave your course “as is” and it will automatically go into a read-only mode for students. They will no longer be able to submit assignments or communicate with the class. If you prefer, you can also end your course (Settings > Edit Course Details > Enter an Ending Date for the course). We DO NOT recommend concluding your course as it becomes inaccessible to you.
  • Locking Content – If you do not want students to view Quiz Questions after the end of a semester you will need to set and ending date for your course. Click on Settings > Edit Course Details > Enter an Ending Date for the course. 

PREPARING for Summer/Fall

  • Course Copy – Get ready for Summer/Fall by copying your course shells. Navigate to the Summer or Fall 2014 course, open Settings and then follow the Course Copy Instructions.
  • Enable Draft State – Draft State (view feature video) will become a permanent change to the Canvas interface on July 5, but will be implemented for all Summer/Fall courses by MCCCD on May 10. Information sessions about this new feature will be offered in May and before the fall semester.
  • Clean Your Inbox – Archive your Spring messages in your Conversation Inbox so that you can start the Summer/Fall semester(s) with a clean slate. Archiving Conversations.
  • Customize Your Course Menu – Remove your Spring classes from and add your Summer/Fall courses to your course drop-down menu. Customize Course Menu.

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Congratulations to MCC’s 2013 Excellence Award Recipients!

The League for Innovation in the Community Colleges annual John and Suanne Roueche Excellence Award honors faculty and staff in the community college for their outstanding leadership and contributions to the community college. This year MCC is proud to announce the two recipients of this years awards:

Join us in congratulating them both for their outstanding contributions to student success.

Blended Course Design Principles Webinar April 28

Blended Course Design Webinar April 28

Webinar: Blended Course Design Principles
Monday, April 28, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. *

Hosted by the MCC Center for Teaching & Learning, Southern & Dobson Campus, AS Building Room 175, Register Now

When executed properly, blended courses provide a high level of engagement from learners and establish measurable learning outcomes with the means for achieving them. How are you ensuring that the blended courses you are designing combine the best components of both online and face-to-face classes? Join us in the MCC CTL for a discussion around blended course design principles and how they align with instructional strategies.

Sponsored by the MCCCD MCLI.
Presented by: Academic Impressions
Dr. Denise Lowe; Instructional Design Team Lead,
Center for Distributed Learning University of Central Florida

*Note: This session is hosted at the MCC Center for Teaching & Learning. You must come to the Center to participate.

Who Should Attend

Instructional designers, faculty, and faculty developers who are at the beginning or intermediate stages of blended course development will benefit from this program. You will leave with key steps to using sound instructional design strategies to design, organize, and assess your courses. Learn more.

MCC Hosted Session

Monday, April 28
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
AS Building, Room 175

FREE

REGISTER NOW

About the MCC CTL

The mission of the MCC Center for Teaching & Learning is to lead and inspire the advancement of innovative teaching and learning for student success. Learn more about the CTL staff and programs at ctl.mesacc.edu.

Visit the CTL Calendar for dates for all upcoming sessions.

Mark Your Calendar for MCC’s 5th Annual Camp Innovate

The MCC Center for Teaching & Learning’s 5th Annual Camp Innovate is just a little more than a month away. Please air out your tent and grab your gear to participate in this exciting week of sessions around the campfire of innovative teaching and learning; Monday, May 19 – Thursday, May 22. Stay-tuned as this engaging week develops.

Turnitin Plagiarism Education Week FREE Webinars

MCC CTL Features FREE Plagiarism Education Week Sessions

FREE Web Series: TurnitIn® Plagiarism Education Week April 21-25

Join us in the Mesa Community College Center for Teaching & Learning April 21-25, 2014 for this week of FREE, daily webcasts and webinars “devoted to sharing ideas and best practices to teach educators and students how to move from copying to critical thinking”.

“From Copying to Critical Thinking”

Monday, April 21 – Friday, April 25; CTL Lab AS175
Head to the CTL Lab (AS Building Room 175, Southern & Dobson Campus) daily to tune in to a selection of the webcasts and webinars being offered. Sessions are focused around the topics of: promoting critical thinking, preventing plagiarism, creating contextualized assignments and more.

Full Week Schedule & Registration
Join your colleagues in the CTL to attend the sessions together (no registration required). Each featured session will be followed by a 15 minute idea share/dialog.

Can’t make it in? Register for the sessions individually to participate remotely in your office or at home. Certificates of Participation are provided for registered participants.

Featured Session for Monday, April 21

Student Online Research and Critical Thinking: Wikipedia in Education

10:00am to 10:45am followed by a 15 minute idea share/dialog until 11:00am

Featuring Jake Orlowitz, editor/administrator of Wikipedia

During this session, you’ll gain insight into the site’s founding pillars and core policies, its importance to the free knowledge movement, as well as its internal debates and challenges, particularly when used in an educational setting. Session Details

Featured Session for Tuesday, April 22

Engaging Arguments: Research and Writing in the Digital Age
1:00pm to 1:45pm followed by a 15 minute idea share/dialog until 2:00pm

Featuring Linda Friedrich, Ph.D.

This sessions will highlight how the National Writing Project is working with teachers to help students build critical research and writing abilities. Session Details

Featured Session for Wednesday, April 23

“I Plagiarized My Child’s Birth”: From Extreme Plagiarism to Contextualized Understanding
1:00pm to 1:45pm followed by a 15 minute idea share/dialog until 2:00pm

Featuring Audrey Wick, Professor of English at Blinn College and Turnitin MVP All-Star

This session will discuss how you and your institution can decrease plagiarism, increase student accountability, and improve critical thinking through contextualized examples. Session Details

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Canvas User Updates Week of April 12

Summer Canvas Course Shells are Open

Important Notices

Summer Canvas Course Shells are Open

Summer 2014 course shells have been opened in Canvas. You will find links to all your summer courses on your Course List under Future Enrollments. TIP: Customize your course menu to include summer courses in your quick pick list.

The ongoing Daylight Savings Time (DST) issue that delayed summer course shells has been resolved and instructors will be able to copy courses from one semester to the next without having to worry about due dates/times changing when dates fall over DST. TIP: It is still best practice for faculty to review all of their due dates/times each semester.

Fall 2014 course shells will be created within the next few weeks.

Canvas Proactively Addresses ‘Heartbleed’

You may have heard recently of the ‘Heartbleed’ security vulnerability. Canvas IS NOT considered to be a high target threat, but nonetheless they have reported their security notice and are working proactively to address any potential security concerns. The MCCCD District IT is working with Canvas to ensure that Canvas and our student and instructional data remains safe and secure. There is no imminent threat to Canvas security.

What can you do to help with security?

Although we do not anticipate any issues with security, we can all take regular preventative steps to ensure that our data is safe. We recommend that you update your MEID password every few months and never, ever give your password to anyone under any conditions. MEID Password Maintenance Instructions.

Scheduled Maintenance Event April 16

Wednesday, April 16, 2014 between 2:00 AM and 3:00 AMMountain Time, Canvas will perform a very brief (<10 minutes) scheduled maintenance event. The purpose of the event is to install upgrades to key databases supporting the Canvas application.

Canvas Connections Logo

Canvas Connections User Group

Don’t miss the next meeting Wednesday, April 16, 12 noon – 1:00pm, CTL Team Spot – AS Bldg

Discussion: Best Practices Using the New Draft State

This informal user-focused group will meet bi-monthly to discuss: Features, Best Practices, Upcoming Changes, Issues/Bugs, Teaching Strategies, Design and Feature Requests.

Users should bring their own lunch. Snacks and desserts may be provided.

Join Now!

Canvas Update Cycle

Canvas is on a 3-week update-release cycle. The next beta (preview) release is on 4/21, production notes will follow on 4/28 with the release and documentation to be published on 5/3. For information about Canvas updates follow the release page.

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Plagiarism Education Week 2014

FREE Web Series: Turnitin® Plagiarism Education Week April 21-25

Free Web Series Addresses Plagiarism

Join Turnitin® their second annual virtual conference for Plagiarism Education Week April 21-25. This week of FREE, daily webcasts is “devoted to sharing ideas and best practices to teach educators and students how to move from copying to critical thinking”. Certificates of Participation are provided for registered participants!

What is Turnitin?

Turnitin® is a service that is used by thousands of institutions in over 80 countries.  It has a range of options, but the primary tool is its Plagiarism Prevention component, which has been purchased by MCCCD. Turnitin® is integrated with Canvas making it easy for you check for plagiarism in work submitted by students within Canvas. Learn more about using Turnitin® at MCC.

Schedule

This FREE series will kick off on Monday, April 21, and will include 45-minute webcasts on the following:

Monday, April 21 
Understanding Plagiarism with Help from Dr. Seuss, Begins at 1PM
Stephen Fox, Psychology Instructor at the University of Hawaii, Maui College

Tuesday, April 22
Tweets from the French Revolution? Using What Students Know to Promote Original Work and Critical Thinking, Begins at 3pm

Daniel Velasco, Ph.D., Professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and Tokyo Medical and Dental University

Wednesday, April 23

“I Plagiarized My Child’s Birth”: From Extreme Plagiarism to Contextualized Understanding, Begins at 1PM

Audrey Wick, Professor of English at Blinn College

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