We know it’s difficult to balance daily work activities with finding the time to squeeze in professional development around online teaching and learning. That’s why WesternOnline is announcing Build Bits!
Build Bits are 30-minute bite-sized trainings that combine WesternOnline’s love of all things course design with presentation materials inspired by our favorite treat-motivated pet companions. Join these short, synchronous online sessions to come away with new tricks for popular and timely topics in online teaching and learning.
Four-legged friends are always welcome to make Zoom appearances from home offices as we hope to generate a paw-sitive, supportive virtual environment to inspire, learn, and ask questions.
Upcoming Build Bits
Defining and Doing Regular and Substantive Interaction
Wednesday, March 13th – 11:00-11:30 AM
Several years ago, the Department of Education announced the new requirement for online courses. This mandate, called Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI), describes the types and frequency of instructor interactions with students. Learn more about how to ensure your courses include this fundamental component in this 30 minute session.
Optional Q&A time from 11:30-11:50 AM.
Dig In! Aligning Online Course Content and Activities
Tuesday, April 16th – 3:00-3:30 PM
It’s easy to go down a rabbit hole by focusing on the important content of our subject matter by adding engaging readings, videos, and other resources to help students understand various topics. WesternOnline will help you dig your way through making considerations about the rest of your course’s assignments, activities, and assessments to ensure your course aligns with the expectations for learning and your department’s goals for what students should be able to demonstrate at the completion of your instruction.
Optional Q&A time from 3:30-3:50 PM.
Dive In! Summer Engagement Strategies
Wednesday, May 22nd – 2:30-3:00 PM
Make a splash by getting a head start on planning how you will structure opportunities in your online courses to foster student engagement. We’ll cover synchronous and asynchronous strategies to help your summer course go swimmingly. Bring your questions and your 4-legged friends for a cameo!
Optional Q&A time from 3:00-3:20 PM.
WWHOA! Communicating the Why, What, and How of Assignments
Tuesday, June 4th – 3:00-3:30 PM
Take the reins of your assignment expectations and directions in your online courses by using Transparent Assignment Design (TAD)! TAD is a research-based framework from the Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TILT) Higher Education Project. This strategy has been proven to be successful at increasing the learning of all students, but is especially effective for first generation, minoritized, and neurodiverse students. WesternOnline will show you how to implement TAD and empower you to ride off into the sunset with a handy TAD worksheet.
Optional Q&A time from 3:30-3:50 PM.
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