Fall 2019 Professional Development Series to Feature New Topics

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Office of Distance Learning hosts professional development sessions throughout the year to support ULearn Certified Teachers and Course Designers.

The Fall 2019 professional development schedule includes several new offerings, centered around best practices in online and hybrid course design.

ULearn Certified faculty members can choose attend sessions online or in person. Registration is open now on SignUpGenius.

Faculty interested in becoming certified to teach online or hybrid courses should register to participate in the Applying the Quality Matters Rubric Workshop (APPQMR) Nov. 1-18. The two-week online workshop allows faculty to explore online course design standards through in-depth discussion and hands-on application. For more information, email distancelearning@louisiana.edu.  

September 2019

Facilitating Engaging Discussions (VoiceThread) NEW
1-2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26
Dupre Library Rm. 102
Join us to learn strategies and approaches to using VoiceThread features effectively in your online and hybrid courses. These practices can humanize student interaction by providing students with the opportunity to engage in conversation rich with audio, video, and graphics. 

Basic Online Assessment Strategies (Moodle)
10 -11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30
Moody Hall, Rm. 220
Assessing student learning is a key component of course design in all disciplines. Join us as we explore ways Moodle assessments (forums, assignments, quizzes) can be used in your course.

October 2019

Web-conferencing as an Instructional Tool (Zoom)
10-11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7
*Zoom webinar only
Hosting virtual synchronous class meetings can be a great way to engage your students and “humanize” your course. Join us to learn how web-conferencing can enhance your students’ experiences in your online and hybrid courses.

Moodle User Group (MUG) Meeting
9-10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11
Dupre Library Employee Lounge (2nd floor)
Learn more about using selected Moodle features. Invite fellow Moodle users to join you at the MUG meeting. All faculty are welcome!

Advanced Online Assessment Strategies (Moodle / Turnitin) NEW
10-11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 17
Moody Hall, Rm. 220
Have you ever wanted to design student assessments that go beyond the more commonly used types? Join us as we further explore ways Moodle components (advanced quiz question types, Turnitin, Workshops, Games) can expand assessment strategies in your course.

Designing a Hybrid Course NEW
10-11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 18
Dupre Library, Rm. 102
Designing and teaching hybrid courses provides a unique set of challenges and opportunities. Join us as we explore best practices for hybrid course design.

November 2019

Engaging Students with Interactive Video (Panopto)
11 a.m.-12 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4
Dupre Library, Rm. 102
Video is not just a visual method of presenting content. In fact, video can be used in different ways to engage and challenge students. Join us as we explore different ways to engage students with video and highlight the interactive features of Panopto.

Best Practices for Forum Discussions (Moodle) NEW
10-11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 7
Dupre Library, Rm. 102
Effective and engaging online discussion forums require thoughtful planning, clear expectations, and nurturing guidance. Come learn about best practices for creating and facilitating forum discussions with Moodle features and options.

Applying the Quality Matters Rubric Workshop (APPQMR)
Nov. 1-18
Online course
Two-week Quality Matters Online Workshop for faculty interested in ULearn certification.

December 2019

Let’s Talk Video: Choosing the Right EduTool for the Job
2-3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16
Dupre Library, Rm. 102
Adding videos to your course can enhance learner engagement. But which program should you use? This presentation will look at EduTools (Zoom, VoiceThread, Panopto) to help you decide which is right for your next video project.

Best Practices for Learner-Centered Course Design NEW
10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17
Dupre Library, Rm. 102
Learner-centered course design is an approach to education where students are active participants rather than passive receptacles in the learning process. Join us as we share the best practices for creating learner-centered online courses.

Gradebook Strategies and Options (Moodle) NEW
1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17
Dupre Library, Rm. 102
Accurate calculation of course grades to match your syllabus requirements are important for student success. Join us as we outline basic gradebook strategies and navigate the options and settings of the Moodle gradebook.