October Workshops
Monday, October 2
7:00-8:00 pm
Effective Uses of Instructional Media
Instructor: Laurent Ndeze
One of the key tasks in designing a course or lesson is the selection or preparation of media that support the intended learning outcomes. Instructional media are “…the audio and visual techniques used to present words and illustrations” (Clark and Mayer, 2003, p. 54). Clark and Mayer also state that “Multimedia presentations encourage learners to engage in active learning by mentally representing the material in words and in pictures and mentally making connections between the pictorial and verbal representations.” There are many reasons for including media in instructional material, such as clarifying abstract content which may be too difficult to explain in words only; summarizing large content; and encouraging emotional response among learners.
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Explain how different types of media categories (text, image, audio, video, etc.) relate to learning
- Match media types with appropriate lesson or course content
- Explain how media selection can affect learners’ motivation
- Explain the importance of multimodal assignments and multimodal feedback
- Identify 2-3 preferred media types for a course that you teach
Tuesday, October 3
2-3:30 p.m.
Empowering Instructors with AI Language Tools
Instructors: Gloria Barron, Angela Lanier
In this workshop, participants will explore different AI generative language tools to support a variety of teaching and learning needs. Participants will have time for hands-on practice with one of the tools. In addition, we will discuss the ethical considerations and potential challenges associated with using AI in the classroom.
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Explain the benefits and limitations of using AI generative language tools to support instruction
- Construct effective prompts to generate the most useful responses for designing instructional activities
- Promote responsible use of AI generative language tools for teaching and learning
- Explore a variety of tools to determine which best serves your needs
Tuesday, October 3
1-4 pm
Microsoft PowerPoint Essentials
Instructor: Megan Calvert
This hands-on, small-group workshop will provide a solid foundation in the basic use of Microsoft PowerPoint. Whether you want an overview of the basics, are looking to become more efficient, or have used PowerPoint for years and just want to update your knowledge of some of the newer features, this course is for you. Even experienced users can benefit from valuable tips, tricks, and timesavers along the way.
The workshop will be conducted via Zoom. To fully participate, participants should be able to access both the desktop and web versions of PowerPoint. It is also best to join from a device with two screens. Visit the Microsoft Essentials website for a full list of the functions covered in this workshop and for more details on the technology required to participate.
Outcomes will be adjusted based on a participant survey and may include:
- Navigate and customize the latest PowerPoint interfaces of both the web and desktop
- Perform basic workplace tasks, including creating, saving, editing, formatting, and polishing PowerPoint presentations
- Identify and use newer features of PowerPoint, including cloud-based collaboration, modern templates, Designer, transitions, image editing, and the Accessibility checker
- Organize, present, and print presentations
Wednesday, October 4
3-4 p.m.
Let’s Get Started with Experiential Learning
Angela Lanier
Experiential learning has benefits for students’ learning during a course and prepares them for work and life beyond the course. While many courses cannot accommodate large-scale experiential learning experiences such as internships, practicum, and research, instructors can integrate meaningful, small-scale experiences that benefit student learning. Based on Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory, this workshop will guide participants to examine their course outcomes, content, and assignments for experiential learning opportunities and plan a low-stakes experiential learning activity that applies the four areas of Kolb’s theory – concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation.
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Describe the four areas of Kolb’s learning cycle
- Identify existing course opportunities that can be adapted to accommodate an experiential learning activity
- Draft a low-stakes experiential learning activity that addresses the four areas of Kolb’s Learning Theory
Wednesday, October 4
9-12 noon
Microsoft Excel Essentials
Instructor: Anna Donohoe
This hands-on, small-group workshop will provide a solid foundation in the basic use of Microsoft Excel. Whether you want an overview of the basics, are looking to become more efficient, or have used Excel for years and just want to update your knowledge of some of the newer features, this course is for you. Even experienced users can benefit from valuable tips, tricks, and timesavers along the way.
The workshop will be conducted via Zoom. To fully participate, participants should be able to access both the desktop and web versions of Excel. It is also best to join from a device with two screens. Visit the Microsoft Essentials website for a full list of the functions covered in this workshop and for more details on the technology required to participate.
Outcomes will be adjusted based on a participant survey and may include:
- Navigate and customize the latest Excel interfaces of both the web and desktop
- Perform basic workplace tasks, including creating, saving, editing, formatting, printing, and collaborating on workbooks and spreadsheets
- Manage data in spreadsheets using basic formulas, freezing, sorting, filtering and formatting data into tables
Tuesday, October 10
1:30-4:45 p.m.
Pivoting for Active Listening
Instructor: Heather V. Fogg
We all hold onto stories from prior experiences that can make it hard for us to hear one another now, despite our best efforts. When we loosen the grip those stuck stories hold by pivoting toward self-awareness and a focus on the future, our attention can match our intention to actively listen to our conflict partners. Learning to pivot provides the pathway to open our curiosity and increase understanding in conflict communication.
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Identify the lens through which you view conflict situations
- Apply three important questions to resolve internal conflict
- Practice actively listening to conflict partners with your full attention
- Release the grip of internal conflict to resolve interpersonal conflict
Wednesday, October 11
10-11 a.m.
The SAMR Hammer: Using the SAMR Model to Integrate Technology into Classroom Activities
Instructor: Phil Bonner
Developed by Ruben Puentedura in 2010, the SAMR Model supports instructors in designing or redesigning learning experiences with a significant infusion of technology that improves the learning experience. This addition of technology must be meaningful, however. Technology for the sake of technology rarely leads to good instruction, but technology utilized to elevate student learning often leads to enhanced outcomes. In this one-hour class, participants will explore how this powerful tool can aid instructors in building course activities for the digital generation.
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Identify and explain what the SAMR model is.
- Identify one class activity or assignment to refit with technology.
Wednesday, October 11
9-12 noon
Microsoft Outlook Essentials
Instructor: Anna Donohoe
This hands-on, small-group workshop will provide a solid foundation in the basic use of Microsoft Outlook. Whether you want an overview of the basics, are looking to become more efficient, or have used Outlook for years and just want to update your knowledge of some of the newer features, this course is for you. Even experienced users can benefit from valuable tips, tricks, and timesavers along the way.
The workshop will be conducted via Zoom. To fully participate, participants should be able to access the web version of Outlook. It is also best to join from a device with two screens. Visit the Microsoft Essentials website for a full list of the functions covered in this workshop and for more details on the technology required to participate.
Outcomes will be adjusted based on a participant survey and may include:
- Navigate and customize the latest Outlook web interface
- Perform basic tasks such as creating and formatting emails, using email signatures, organizing contacts, collaborating on attachments, and setting up an out-of-office reply
- Organize email with search and filter features, categories, flags, folders and more
- Create and manage tasks and appointments using the calendar and the To Do features
Thursday, October 12
2-3 p.m.
Teaching Inclusively: A Discussion of Inclusive Teaching: Strategies for Promoting Equity in the Classroom by Hogan and Sathy
Instructor: Phillip Bonner
In this three-hour book circle, participants will read and discuss Inclusive Teaching: Strategies for Promoting Equity in the College Classroom by Kelly A. Hogan and Viji Sathy. In this 2022 book, the authors explore how to foster an inclusive learning environment for all college students to promote increased student success. The authors also discuss how to include evidence of inclusive teaching practices in a dossier to be used for a new position or a promotion.
Note: Participants need to attend all three one-hour sessions to receive professional development credit for this class.
These sessions are on Oct. 12, Oct. 26, and Nov. 9, all from 2-3 p.m.
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- explain why building an inclusive classroom is so important.
- identify three or four inclusive teaching practices.
- articulate how to prepare a dossier that demonstrates inclusive practices
Thursday, October 12
2-4 p.m.
YuJa Basics
Instructors: Cantu, Carolien Annink
Are you tired of using your personal YouTube account to upload videos for your students? Would you like to eliminate the commercials that appear in the videos you have uploaded to YouTube by transferring them to another source? Have you been waiting for a college-sponsored resource for uploading videos? Are you looking for a resource that makes generating and modifying video transcripts easy to make your videos more accessible? Would you like to make minor edits, such as cutting video or merging clips, but you lack video editing software on your computer?
YuJa is a college-sponsored resource for uploading video content that takes care of these issues. YuJa allows you to upload videos without using your personal YouTube account while providing a similar value in creating auto-captions with the ability to edit those captions. YuJa is a resource for uploading a video that is commercial-free, college sanctioned, and the software provides a simple interface for editing videos.
Divided into a two-part series of training, after Part 1 of the YuJa Training, you will review the steps to:
- Log onto YuJa
- Upload a video onto YuJa
- Organize YuJa Videos
- Link to YuJa Videos in Blackboard
- Embed YuJa Videos in Blackboard
- Upload a YouTube Video to YuJa
- Add Quiz questions to a YuJa video and score in the Grade Center
- Share Media with Another User
Please note that if you are interested in learning additional advanced YuJa Features, we will offer an advanced training titled YuJa Video Advanced: Adding Captions, Editing Video, and Viewing Analytics during April and May. This advanced training will cover editing YuJa Captions, editing videos using YuJa’s built-in video editor, and YuJa video analytics.
The currently listed training, YuJa Video Basics: A College Sponsored Resource to Upload Videos for Your Students, is a prerequisite for this training.
While this training will cover the needs of faculty sharing instructional materials with their students, this training will also be helpful for MC staff who need to present or share video content. If you are an MC Staff and would like to learn more about YuJa, you are welcome to attend.
In this session, participants will review the following steps: logging onto YuJa and adding it to the left-hand menu of a Blackboard course, creating a folder to organize YuJa material, linking, embedding, and uploading videos to YuJa, uploading videos from YouTube into YuJa, and incorporating quizzes into YuJa videos. This will enable participants to effectively utilize YuJa’s features and enhance their teaching and learning experience.
Friday, October 13
1-2 p.m.
Pedagogical Discussion # 2: Trends in Higher Education: Analyzing and Acting on Data to Advance the College’s Mission
Instructor: Phillip Bonner
In the coming years, colleges are going to need to make data-informed decisions in the areas of student recruitment and retention, student success, and faculty and staff well-being. Colleges will need to know how to collect and interpret this data to make wise decisions. Please attend this one-hour roundtable discussion and share your ideas on data analytics in higher education in the coming years.
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- explain why making data-informed decisions in higher education is more important than ever.
- share their ideas on how Montgomery College can leverage data to make sound decisions.
Tuesday, October 17
1-4 p.m.
Microsoft Teams Essentials
Instructor: Megan Calvert
This hands-on, small-group workshop will provide a solid foundation in the use of Microsoft Teams. Whether you want an overview of the basics or are looking to become more efficient, this course is for you. Even experienced users can benefit from valuable tips, tricks, and timesavers along the way.
The workshop will be conducted via Zoom. To fully participate in the workshop, participants should be able to access both the desktop and web versions of Teams. To more easily follow the facilitator’s examples and instructions, it is also best to join from a device with two screens. See the Microsoft Essentials website for more details, including technology requirements.
Outcomes will be adjusted based on a participant survey and may include:
- Access Teams and identify the best uses for Teams
- Navigate and customize the Teams environment
- Use the chat and calls features for one-on-one and group communication
- Create teams within Teams and use them to share and collaborate on files and organize conversations and activities within channels
- Schedule meetings, participate in meetings, and follow up after a meeting
Wednesday, October 18
1-2 p.m.
Creating Interactive Virtual Exhibits for Student Learning and Engagement
Instructor: Angela Lanier
Museums are institutions that invite inquiry, creativity, reflection, and diversity. Drawing on these values, an interactive virtual exhibit can provide students with an integrative and experiential learning experience and create opportunities for open pedagogy. During this workshop, participants will Preview samples of interactive exhibits in different formats, Play with one of the samples, share Perceptions of the experience, and Plan an interactive exhibit of their own.
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Identify outcomes, soft skills, concepts, etc. to build an interactive exhibit
- Draft a plan for an interactive learning exhibit experience
- Collaborate with students and peers to gather feedback on the learning experience and foster open pedagogy
Thursday, October 19
2:00-3:00 pm
Using Graphic Organizers to Enhance Learning
Instructor: Laurent Ndeze
Graphic organizers are visual presentations of information showing the relationships between content elements such as facts, concepts, and procedures (Clark & Mayer, 2003, p. 54). Graphic organizers make it easier for learners to comprehend and internalize new material. For example, pictorial representations enable students to break down bigger ideas or concepts into smaller, simpler illustrations that are easily comprehended. When effectively applied, graphic organizers make it more convenient for the instructor to deliver the material including the integration of interactive learning activities. In this workshop, we will discuss types of graphic organizers and how they can be used in different teaching subjects/content areas.
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Summarize lesson or course content
- Connect prior learning to new material
- Present a visual representation of a process or procedure
- Identify at least two or three graphic organizers that are most relevant or applicable to the course that they teach.
Friday, October 20
10 -12 noon
YuJa Advanced
Instructors: Angela Lanier, Phil Bonner
Please note that YuJa Video Basics: A College Sponsored Resource to Upload Videos for Your Students is a prerequisite for this training
Were you excited when you found out about YuJa, the college-supported resource for uploading videos?
Did you attend YuJa Video Basics: A College Sponsored Resource to Upload Videos for students and are looking to do more with the software?
This second, advanced training will help faculty further meet accessibility requirements by learning the necessary skills for captioning video. It will also help you understand the basic video editing capabilities of the software and how to view analytics (or statistics on how your video is being viewed).
After this two-part training series, faculty will be able to:
- Edit video auto captions
- Perform simple edits using the YuJa Video Editor
- View YuJa Video Analytics
While this training will cover the needs of faculty sharing instructional materials with their students, this training will also be helpful for MC staff who have attended YuJa Basics Training and would like to learn more about YuJa captioning and video editing features.
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Review the steps for editing Video auto captions
- Demonstrate simple video edits using the YuJa Video Editor
- Describe YuJa’s Video Analytics feature and the details it provides
- Optional: If time allows, faculty will be provided the option for open lab Zoom time to practice the skills learned.
During this session, participants will have the opportunity to review the steps for editing video auto-captions. They will also demonstrate simple video edits using the YuJa Video Editor. In addition, the session will include a description of YuJa’s Video Analytics feature and the detailed information it provides. As an optional activity, participants may choose to join open lab Zoom sessions to practice the skills learned during the session, if time allows.
Wednesday, October 25
9-12 noon
Microsoft Excel Essentials Plus
Instructor: Anna Donohoe
This hands-on, small-group workshop will build on the foundational skills of Microsoft Excel Essentials with a focus on intermediate and advanced-level tasks. Participants do not need to have taken Microsoft Excel Essentials but should already know how to navigate the interface comfortably and perform basic tasks such as those listed in the Excel Essentials competencies.
The workshop will be conducted via Zoom. To fully participate, participants should be able to access both the desktop and web versions of Excel. It is also best to join from a device with two screens. Visit the Microsoft Essentials website for a full list of the functions covered in this workshop and for more details on the technology required to participate.
Outcomes will be adjusted based on a participant survey and may include:
- Identify practical applications for Excel data analysis and visualization tools
- Create formulas and use advanced built-in functions and filtering
- Import and export data for analysis and post-processing
- Use PivotTables and charts to summarize and visualize data
- Configure input data types with data validation
Thursday, October 26
10-11:30 a.m.
Tame Your Digital To-Do Lists: Microsoft To-Do and Planner
Instructors: Cynthia Mauris, Anna Donohoe
Is your to-do list miles long?
Do you have multiple to-do lists, both digitally and on paper?
Would you like to centralize and organize your to-do lists digitally?
If you answer yes, attend this workshop! Learn three core concepts to optimize your to-do lists in any form and explore two digital task management and planning tools to customize and manage your to-do lists easily from your computer or mobile device.
The tools, Microsoft To Do and Microsoft Planner, are free and available to all MC employees. Please make sure you log in to www.microsoft365.com with your MyMC credentials before the workshop begins so you can follow along.
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Create more effective to-do lists
- Create and collaborate on Tasks in Microsoft To-Do
- Use Microsoft Planner to categorize and track your To-Do items
- Use your time more productively
Friday, October 27
2-2:45 p.m.
Tech it Out, October 2023
Instructor: Michele Knight
Speed Session Facilitators: Paul Miller, Megan Calvert
Tech-it-Out is your opportunity to learn about new technology with a vibrant community of practitioners. During this 45-minute Tech-it-Out, participants can choose from the following brief ten-minute awareness sessions for a quick overview of a technical topic.
- Tasks by Planner Teams: A way to set up tasks using Teams in MS Office.
- AI in Education: A Brief Survey of Available Popular AI Tools and how they might be used in Education.
- Flyer Design in 10 Minutes: Ways to Design quick flyers using simple software and Techniques.
For the last thirty-five minutes of Tech-it-Out, we will have an open discussion and sharing of things that the group is already using or that look interesting in educational technology. We welcome you to sign up for this session!
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Develop an awareness of a technical topic
- Participate in a free-form technical community of practice discussion
Monday, October 30
10-11 a.m.
Flipping Out Over Flipped Learning
Instructor: Phillip Bonner
Flipped learning is a teaching approach in which the students’ first brush with new material occurs outside of class rather than in it. Students read or view materials online to gain a basic understanding of the subject, and class time is devoted to solving problems or applying the new concepts. This is the inverse of the traditional mode of lecture in class and practice at home. In this one-hour course, we will explore how to flip your class!
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Explain what flipped learning is
- Employ the flipped learning approach in their own courses
Tuesday, October 31
1-4 p.m.
Microsoft Word Essentials Plus
Instructor: Megan Calvert
This hands-on, small-group workshop will build on the foundational skills of Microsoft Word Essentials with a focus on intermediate and advanced-level tasks. Participants do not need to have taken Microsoft Word Essentials but should already know how to navigate the interface comfortably and perform basic tasks such as those listed in the Word Essentials competencies.
The workshop will be conducted via Zoom. To fully participate, participants should be able to access both the desktop and web versions of Word. It is also best to join from a device with two screens. Visit the Microsoft Essentials website for a full list of the functions covered in this workshop and for more details on the technology required to participate.
Outcomes will be adjusted based on a participant survey and may include:
- Format documents with more complex features such as columns, page breaks, page numbers, tables of contents, and hyperlinks
- Insert advanced elements into a document, such as watermarks, SmartArt graphics, charts, and citations
- Use mail merge to send customized emails and letters to a list of recipients
- Collaborate on documents using track changes and comments
- Manage document metadata and formats
Tuesday, October 31
8:45 a.m.-noon
Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue
Instructor: Cynthia Mauris
Co-Facilitators: Richard Forrest, Paul Miller
NOTE: THIS CLASS IS FIVE DAYS AND MUST BE ATTENDED COMPLETELY.
OCTOBER 31, NOVEMBER 1, 7, 8, 14
Develop skills in how to plan and have an effective and successful crucial conversation where the stakes are high, emotions are strong, and opinions are opposing. Create alignment and agreement by fostering open dialogue around any topic because if you cannot talk honestly with another person, you can expect poor results.
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Speak persuasively, not abrasively
- Foster teamwork and better decision making
- Build acceptance rather than resistance
- Resolve individual and group disagreements at a more successful level