E-Learning Newsletter

The Committee on eLearning's Bi-annual Newsletter.

Issue 1 | April 2017

Kevin Kolack, Chair | kkolack@qcc.cuny.edu

News & Announcements

Technology Update

Did you know that important news from the ACC and upcoming faculty technology workshops are listed right on the Blackboard homepage once you're logged in?

Did you know CUNYfirst is down for scheduled maintenance every month? Check the CUNYfirst homepage for details so you can plan ahead.

Did you know that all computers on the QCC campus are replaced on a 3-year schedule? If you think your computer is due for an upgrade, contact Help Desk.

Quicklinks

eLearning Website
What is eLearning?
eLearning Guidelines
Faculty Resources

View Newsletters

Faculty Technology Workshops

Learn about utilizing instructional technology:

VoiceThread: create discussions and other educational experiences using multimedia.
SoftChalk: build interactive websites and multimedia eBooks.
Playposit: design videos and embed activities and questions to reinforce key concepts.
And many more!

What are PNET/FNET classes?

CUNYFirst allows classes to be designated 8 different ways, but only 2 are used at QCC.

Traditional, in-person classes receive no desgination but may have online components.
Classes that have some in-class time moved online are designated PNET (partially online).
Classes that do not meet in person at all are designated FNET (fully online).
"Web-enhanced" classes may use Blackboard or some other online enhancements to the class, but are generally not designated differently from traditional classes.

It is critical that all faculty, staff and students are aware what these designations mean so that students are properly informed what type of class they are registered/registering for.

Resources for eLearning Development

The eLearning Institute

The Office of Academic Affairs invites all QCC Faculty to apply for eLearning Institute. This institute is offered during the Spring or Summer semesters (as per announcement). Selected participants explore best practices for promoting online learning by developing courses that are Web-Enhanced, Hybrid (PNET), or Fully Online (FNET). Prior experience with online teaching is not required.

eLearning Events

"How do I convert a face-to-face class to a PNET class?"

Brown Bag Lunch in collaboration wih CETL - LUNCH PROVIDED

Our last bag lunch, "In Blended courses, what should students do online?" was very well received.

Links and Resources

eLearning Policies and Standards are coming soon to QCC. These are being developed for appoval by the Faculty Senate and posting on the QCC website.

The eLearning Committee is actively seeking your input.

Please send your thoughts to committee Chair Kevin Kolack.

Exercise to Study Better

Did you know that prolonged uninterrupted sedentary work can be bad for your health? THat movement can help you retain information?

Check out some recommendations for healthy and effective study practices from the eLearning Committee here.

Strategies to stay healthy and learn more effectively include:

Take movement breaks while studying.
While memorizing, reading or reviewing for a test, engage in light exercise, such as standing, walking, yoga, riding on a stationary bike or Pilates.

Recent studies show that moderate exercise helps your memory. Check out this article.

Also, there is evidence that excessive sitting can take years off of your life. Check out this article.