If you have not done so already, please feel free to access our D2L guided instructor training course by clicking the link with the D2L moose on your homepage. At first this training looks barren with only a few items, but as you complete each module a new one will open up! This training goes through the basics of D2L all the way through more advanced tools and is available to all instructors of the college. Complete this training to be automatically entered for a prize at the end of the semester!
This release updates the Assignment Annotations tool from PSPDFKit Version 2023.4.0 to Version 2024.3.0 This update fixes several defects; in addition, some icons and menus have received minor changes and may vary from the previous version.
Assignments – Microsoft 365 option available in File Upload | New
The option to directly upload a file from Microsoft OneDrive® is now available when editing and evaluating an assignment. Users can upload a file by clicking File Upload, and then clicking Microsoft OneDrive in the Add a File window.
Previously, Microsoft OneDrive files could only be added as link attachments.
Brightspace – In-Product Feedback | New
Some of you may see a new in-product feedback rating window as you access parts of D2L. This is an extremely rare occurrence and once prompted for feedback you will not be asked again in the future.
The in-product feedback asks users for ratings on one to two questions; these questions ask about users’ experience with Brightspace as a whole, their experience meeting goals in Brightspace, or their experience in a particular workflow.
Exam Guidelines can now be viewed using a side panel that does not overlay on top of exam content. The side panel can be left open throughout an exam, providing students with better visibility of exam guidelines when needed. This information was previously only available prior to starting the exam.
Instructor Guided Training – Reminder
If you have not done so already, please feel free to access our D2L guided instructor training course by clicking the link with the D2L moose on your homepage. At first this training looks barren with only a few items, but as you complete each module a new one will open up! This training goes through the basics of D2L all the way through more advanced tools and is available to all instructors of the college.
XPAA-232 (90052) Is Your Course User Friendly? Friday June 21st 9:00 am – 10:00 am. Description: This PD workshop shares helpful tips on ways to help increase student engagement and the successful completion of a course. Topics explored are course navigation, course terminology, professional etiquette, and PTC policies pertaining to the grading timeframe and email response time.
XPDE-205 (90054) Focus on Facilitation. Friday June 21st 10:00 am – 12:00 noon. Description: This Brightspace PD session will share great tips on how to facilitate an existing course. The session will evaluate assessments, releasing grades, moderating discussions, editing, and enhancing content, adding supplementary materials, creating groups, posting announcements, and using the manage dates feature. The overall purpose of this session is to increase student interactions and engagement within courses to improve student success rates.
To register for the PD sessions, please click on link and register by Thursday June 20th by 12:00 noon ET:
Lesson delivery in a virtual setting is different than a face-to-face classroom for sharing content. However, the focus must be on engaging students, meaningful interactions between the students, and between the students and the instructor. At a time when substantive intervention and evidence of engagement are needed, AVID provides best practices that make it a win for students and a win for instructors!
Lesson delivery in a virtual setting is different than a face-to-face classroom for sharing content. However, the focus must be on engaging students, meaningful interactions between the students, and between the students and the instructor. At a time when substantive intervention and evidence of engagement are needed, AVID provides best practices that make it a win for students and a win for instructors!
Registration deadline is Thursday June 13th by 12:00 noon. Click on the link to register:
Lesson delivery in a virtual setting is different than a face-to-face classroom for sharing content. However, the focus must be on engaging students, meaningful interactions between the students, and between the students and the instructor. At a time when substantive intervention and evidence of engagement are needed, AVID provides best practices that make it a win for students and a win for instructors!
Registration deadline is Thursday June 13th by 12:00 noon. Click on the link to register:
As generative AI continues to revolutionize teaching and learning, it is imperative for educators to understand how this technology impacts assessment practices. Join us for our upcoming webinar, “Redefining Assessment in the Age of AI,” where we’ll discuss the transformative effects of AI on student learning and the necessity of evolving assessment methods to keep pace with these changes.
Attendees will gain valuable insights into:
The importance of adapting assessment practices in response to AI advancements.
Practical strategies for designing AI-resistant assessments.
Innovative approaches to leveraging AI for enhanced assessment.
Opportunities for creating balanced, AI-integrated educational environments.
The next virtual PD offerings are scheduled for this coming Friday May 24th from 9:00 am 11:00 am. Virtual sessions are as follows:
Friday May 24th from 9:00 am – 10:00 am
iTeach, iLearn, iRobot: Teaching and Using AI
iTeach, iLearn, iRobot: Teaching and Using AI with Integrity
Course Description: Times, they are a-changing. And it appears that we either must get on board or get out of the way. In the case of artificial intelligence (AI), it seems it is here to stay. Workplaces, organizations, and companies are utilizing AI in their everyday practices, and we must ensure our students are well informed on the effective use of AI, enhancing their job readiness skills. In this session, we will discuss the need to educate our students on how to use AI effectively, appropriately, and most importantly with integrity. We will also discuss various ways to incorporate this into your already existing classrooms and courses. Plan to attend this session for a fun and informative professional development on AI in the classroom!
Near the Finish Line: A Closer Look at the English
Near the Finish Line: A Closer Look at the English Redesign Project
Course Description: A growing body of research shows that co-requisite learning is much more effective than the traditional prerequisite approach. The English Redesign Project aims to significantly reduce the number of remedial (or prerequisite) courses needed to start college-level coursework. With fewer or no remedial courses, students get near the finish line faster and with far less debt.
Registration deadline is Thursday May 23rd by 12:00 noon. A link to the presentations will be sent to all attendees who registered for the virtual PD session. Attendance will be recorded at each PD session to ensure accuracy in recording PD credit.
Grades – Feedback files are now available in Grades for Assignments, Quizzes, and Discussions | New
This feature allows instructors to ensure that students can easily review feedback from the Grades tool.
Instructor feedback added in Assignments, Quizzes, and Discussions is now visible to students under Grades.
Previously, feedback files were only available to the student by accessing the activity.
Figure: Students can review feedback from the Grades page.
Instructor Guided Training – Reminder
Going forward we will be adding a reminder to these monthly updates regarding the Guided Instructor Training. If you have not done so already, please feel free to access our D2L guided instructor training course by clicking the link with the D2L moose on your homepage. At first this training looks barren with only a few items, but as you complete each module a new one will open up! This training goes through the basics of D2L all the way through more advanced tools and is available to all instructors of the college.
