PBS Video Conference: Instructional Technology Survival Skills

A How-to Series for Faculty
Ocotillo has arrange for us to receive this three part series from PBS Adult Learning Services with programs on October 18, November 29 (2001), and February 28 (2002).

"Instructional technology has taken quantum leaps in just a few short years, dramatically changing how people learn and how they are taught. These rapid advances present many opportunities for enriching both traditional and online courses. But the adjustments they necessitate in classroom environments and teaching styles can overwhelm even the most dedicated educators.

This new Instructional Technology Survival Skills series is designed to help faculty and administrators master the challenge. The three 90-minute live events are packed with tips, tools, and techniques for using the latest technology effectively in all kinds of classes."

See the full program description:
http://www.pbs.org/als/programs/itsk0100.htm

See also the companion web site from Dallas Community College District. There you will find the participant print packet, supplemental articles and readings, and the opportunity to email the panelists before the event. This site will be available to you for the year.
http://telelearning.dcccd.edu/FirstOnlineCourse/

Program 3: Succeed with IT!

Improving Multimedia and Online Courses with Instructional Design
February 28, 2002 at Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Room L238
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM (2:30-4pm EST)

"Faculty today are looking for ways to teach more effectively, a task made more demanding by new waves of students with busy lives, their need to have options in their academic work, and to see its real-world value. Another challenge is the new technologies and teaching environments: classrooms enriched by multimedia resources, asynchronous courses offered completely online, and myriad variations on those themes. In short, faculty feel an urgent need to master new ways of teaching. Indeed, they need a framework for creating and adapting instruction so it will be effective regardless of the multimedia tools and course delivery systems that continue to emerge. They need a solid grounding in the principles of instructional design, specifically in the ways adults learn best. That's especially important as the average age of undergraduate students continues to rise.

A key benefit of this live satellite event is that the information presented in the interactive video program will be enhanced by a special "learning package" of print and Web materials. So viewers will have a "hard copy" of valuable resources to use in future courses."

See the full program description:
http://www.pbs.org/als/programs/itsk0103.htm

Program 1: How to Master IT!

Surviving and Thriving in Your First Online Course
October 18, 2001 at Rio Salado College
Room 515
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM (2:30-4pm EST)

"Compared to teaching traditional classes, teaching an online course is a whole new world. And the more involved the course is, the greater the differences seem to an instructor with little or no experience in this environment. To compound the challenge, some of the students may be more experienced in online courses than their instructor.

Whether you are developing your own course or adapting an existing one, teaching online for the first time is difficult. But there are many ways to minimize the pitfalls and ease the anxieties as you'll discover throughout this program.

This program will examine a wide range of scenarios based on the real-world problems instructors typically face when teaching online. Experienced educators will share their strategies, offer helpful hints, and provide valuable insights."

See the full program description:
http://www.pbs.org/als/programs/itsk0101.htm

Program 2: How to Apply IT!

Using Information Technology in a Traditional Classroom
November 29, 2001 at Paradise Valley Community College
Southeast Corner of PVCC Library
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM (2:30-4pm EST)

"Computer technology pervades the daily lives of most students today, so they fully expect to use it in their college courses-even in classroom settings. As a result, many traditional faculty members who have little or no interest in teaching online courses are turning to information technology to enhance what they're already doing. Others are using I.T. as an impetus to re-examine the complexities of teaching and learning in general. In the process, classroom teaching is being expanded and re-defined in exciting ways."

Our own Donna Rebadow (Paradise Valley Community College) is a panelist on this program!

See the full program description:
http://www.pbs.org/als/programs/itsk0102.htm