eLearning Newsletter: Volume 12 | October-November 2019

Volume 12 | October-November 2019

Featured Staff

Meet Your New ID!

eLearning would like to introduce Donya Rahimi as our newest Instructional Designer. Donya is a Learning Scientist coming to us from Simon Fraser University (SFU), in Vancouver, Canada. She was involved in the research and design of tools and learning analytics for an online learning software (nStudy) to improve students' learning and academic success. Welcome to the team and Cal Poly Pomona!

Contact Donya

Celebrating Learning

Student raising hand in class with faculty smiling in front of class

Faculty Consultation Method Based on Still Photography

New in 2020, eLearning’s April Dawn offers “Photographic Essays” for faculty. April, a professional photographer, will visit your class, take many photos, select images to share, and you’ll discuss what the photos reveal about the students’ and your experiences . Contact April for potential 2020 scheduling opportunities.

View Photo Gallery

Workshops and Learning Opportunities

eLearning Accessibility Champions Workshop (CLASS)

Tuesday, November 12, 3:00pm–5:00pm

Join Dr. Denisa Chatman-Riley, the CLASS Accessibility Champion , and eLearning to learn more about accessibility and quality assurance in this back-to-back workshop event. Those interested may register for either or both workshops. Full workshop objectives can be found on the Eventbrite.

eLearning Accessibility Champions Workshop (College of Science)

Thursday, November 14, 12:00pm–2:00pm

Join Professor Dale McCabe, the College of Science Accessibility Champion , and eLearning to learn more about accessibility and quality assurance in this back-to-back workshop event. Those interested may register for either or both workshops. Full workshop objectives can be found on the Eventbrite.

eLearning Accessibility Champions Workshop (CEIS)

Wednesday, November 20, 11:00am–1:00pm

Join Dr. Giselle Navarro-Cruz, the CEIS Accessibility Champion , and eLearning to learn more about accessibility and quality assurance in this back-to-back workshop event. Those interested may register for either or both workshops. Full workshop objectives can be found on the Eventbrite.

eLearning Accessibility Champions Workshop (College of Agriculture)

Thursday, November 21, 1:00pm-3:00pm

Join Dr. Kimberley Miller, the Don B. Huntley College of Agriculture Accessibility Champion , and eLearning to learn more about accessibility and quality assurance in this back-to-back workshop event. Those interested may register for either or both workshops. Full workshop objectives can be found on the Eventbrite.

Master Blackboard Hands-On

Tue & Wed, Dec. 17-18, 9:00–4:00pm

We are currently at capacity for this 2-day intensive experience that takes users from Blackboard novices to experts. This interactive, hands-on workshop will significantly increase your efficiency and effectiveness to support your students' success. Join the wait-list in case a seat becomes available.

Join Wait-list for Bb Mastery Seminar

Learn How to Create Hybrid, Online, and Flipped Courses!

January 13-14, 9:00am–4:00pm

Join eLearning for a two-day workshop that will provide time, resources, and research-based information for faculty to begin creating hybrid, online, or flipped classes that support success for diverse students without compromising course rigor.

Limited to 30 participants with priority to AG faculty.

eLearning and Faculty Center News

eLearning Accessibility Champions Program (EACH)

We are proud to introduce the brand new eLearning Accessibility Champions (EACH) Program! F aculty have committed to being EACH Champions for their respective colleges to create a network of empathy, both towards students who benefit from universal design and accessible course materials, and towards faculty who provide those materials.

Learn About the EACH Program

Bb Ally's New Features

There is now a great new feature that gives you the ability to see your own Ally score and report. This feature includes an overview and a content tab that give you a big picture as well as specific details about the accessibility of your digital course content.

The report also provides an overall score that can range from Low to Perfect. The higher the score the fewer the issues. See tip #1 on Tips From the Pros below to learn how to access your Ally Report.

Learn About Bb Ally's New Feature

EquatIO Pilot Seeking Participants!

e Learning is seeking 7 faculty members in STEM or related fields to test and adopt technologies that make mathematical content accessible for all students. Access and training provided for EquatIO to create accessible mathematical equations, MathType , and 247 Accessible Documents . We will provide $750 in professional development funds from SPICE grant funding and CSU Chancellor’s Office support.

Contact eLearning to Participate

Tips from the Pros

Tip #1: Use Bb Ally to give you a report about the accessibility of your course.

Bb Ally's new Course Accessibility Report feature can give you a pretty good sense of where you are with the accessibility of your course. Use the following steps to access your report.

You will need to add a new Tool Link to your Blackboard course’s left-hand navigation menu. Inside your course:

Ensure Edit Mode (located in upper-right corner) is On
Click the plus (+) icon in the upper-left corner of your course navigation menu
Click Tool Link
Give your new Tool Link a name (e.g., “Ally Report”)
Change Type to Accessibility Report
Leave Available to Users unchecked (unless you’re comfortable allowing student access to your Ally report)
Click Submit

Tip #2: Beat the 10 Week Slump

If you feel like your students are giving up on you around week ten, try some of these active learning strategies for interactive ways to make your class more engaging. Some of our favorite ones include: Chalk Talk (#238), Student-Generated Test Questions (#218), Infographic(#62), and Think-Pair-Share (#97).

Tip #3: Take a break to an amusement park with discounted tickets!

We all need a break and it helps to get discounts on tickets! The Bronco Student Center offers discounted tickets to fairs, amusement parks, and even movies. Give them a visit online to find out if they have the tickets you want.