News and Events
Virtual Meetings – Tues. – Thurs. 10 am – 12 pm
CTAT will be hosting virtual office hours on Tuesday and Thursday from 10 am to 12 pm. During these meetings we will provide attendees with new ways to increase engagement in your synchronous (real-time) and asynchronous courses. We would love to help you get ready for fall and make your online instruction easier and more engaging so drop by our virtual meetings with questions, requests, or to just say hi. For our schedule of events please visit our Google Calendar.
Also, each Thurs. from 10am to 11am will we be focusing on a specific topic. You can see the schedule below.
- Using Zoom Breakout Rooms – In this session we discussed how to use breakout rooms, the annotation tool, polling, and the whiteboard in Zoom. Then demonstrated and discussed the different ways you could use Zoom “breakout rooms” to engage your students. If you missed this session you will be able to view the Using Zoom Breakout Rooms recording here.
- Creating Collaboration – In this session we looked at different ways to create collaboration in your online synchronous and asynchronous courses. If you missed this session you will be able to view the Creating Collaboration recording here.
- Using Video to Create Instructor Presence – In this session we discussed ways to use video to increase teacher presence. We demonstrated and discussed ways you can set an agenda for your course, a module or a topic. Also, create video tours, cover your syllabus, and provide a syllabus quiz you can give your students. If you missed this session you will be able to view the Using Video to Create Instructor Presence recording here.
- Faculty Roundtable Discussion – In this session RSCC faculty shared their experiences regarding this quick move to online teaching. They shared some of the tools they use to engage their students and gave a few tips and tricks they have learned along the way. If you missed this session you will be able to view the Faculty Roundtable Discussion here.
- Formative Assessment Strategies to Engage Your Students – In this session we discussed ways to check for understanding, strategies for incorporating formative assessment practices into your classroom instruction, and the D2L and Zoom Room tools you can use to incorporate these best practices into your online courses. You may also want to check out some great resources from D2L on Alternative End-of-Year Assessment Strategies If you missed this session you will be able to view the Formative Assessment Strategies to Engage Your Students here
- Creating Quizzes & Tests – In this session, we talked about the Quiz tool in Brightspace to create assessments. We looked at different ways to use quizzes in your course, create quizzes, include custom feedback for students beyond simply posting a grade, as well as viewing quiz results and statistics. You many also want to checkout D2L’s lists of Best Practices, Tips and Tricks, and extra information to help you create a powerful quiz. If you missed this session you will be able to view the Creating Quizzes & Tests here.
- Concerned about only having 55 minutes of Face-to-Face time with your students each week? We’ve got solutions for you!
In this session CTAT discussed how to implement a continuous learning experience that keeps your students actively engaged and moving forward regardless of which environment they are in. If you missed this session, you can view the recording Bridging F2F & Asynchronous Class Time here.
- Concerned about only having 55 minutes of Face-to-Face time with your students each week? We’ve got solutions for you!
- Google Tools & More – Google offers a great suite of productivity tools to use for free! In this session, faculty learned more about the capabilities of Docs, Keep, and Jamboard along with some Google Extensions that could help them create content for their class. https://youtu.be/ySVsdLGqCDY
- Zoom Basics & Beyond – In this session, CTAT covers the basics of using Zoom for conducting a meeting/class from scheduling the session to closing the session. You can view a recording of the session Zoom Basics & Beyond.
Taking Your Course to 100% online delivery
CTAT has created a central repository offering resources to support you in the transition to 100% online delivery of your course(s). Tools available to you include Momentum, Zoom and YouSeeU. Visit our Taking Your Class Online web page to learn more about teaching remotely.
Virtual Lab Resources
Since our teaching delivery method has drastically changed this semester CTAT would like to assist those faculty members who may need online lab resources for your summer courses. Please visit our Open Educational Resource Virtual Lab page and checkout our OER resources for virtual labs in Math, Physics, Environmental Science and Agriculture, Engineering, Earth Science, Chemistry, Biology, and Astronomy. If you do not see the information you need on a particular concept please send us an email to ctatmailbox@roanestate.edu and we will be glad to contact the Community College Consortium for Open Educational Resources (CCCOER) to assist us in finding the online resources you need for your summer courses.
Faculty Course Developer Self-Paced Training Modules
If you have never taught online or you are just looking for a way to make your online courses more engaging then you should participate in our “Faculty Course Developer Training.” In this self-paced training, you will complete various activities and assignments that focus on the design process, content creation, technology selection, Universal Design for Learning, assessment, and learning activities.
You will learn about multimedia principles, design theories, and how to implement pedagogical best practices within your online courses. For more information, view the Initiatives Page – Course Developer Training.
Please contact ctatmailbox@roanestate.edu if you are interested in registering for this training!
New immersive technology – virtual reality drone and Merge Cubes!
The Merge Cube is a holographic toy that allows users to physically hold and interact with 3D objects using augmented reality (AR) technology. It is compatible with iOS and Android devices. It features dozens of educational games and experiences built for it. Merge Miniverse is a portal for virtual and augmented worlds. Merge makes both physical products and apps, and it also curates a library of family-friendly experiences like 360-degree videos, virtual and augmented reality apps, and games.
The Merge Miniverse allows AR and VR explorers to choose from hundreds of apps and experiences to use with the Merge VR/AR Goggles and Merge Cube, as well as with other AR/VR devices.
Faculty, if you are interested in checking out the virtual reality drone or Merge Cubes to use in your course, please contact CTAT at (865) 882-4556 or ctatmailbox@roanestate.edu.
Recently, CTAT was awarded the President’s Imagination Mini-Grant for “Learning in 3D: Adding a New Dimension to Learning”.
This project will focus on increasing student engagement in traditional, hybrid, and online learning environments through high-tech immersive technologies (drone with 4K camera with virtual reality capabilities).
The utilization of immersive technologies in the classroom can assist with engaging and connecting students to the curriculum by creating deeper and meaningful learning experiences.
Professional Development
Monday Morning Mentors!
Each Monday morning, get on-demand access to a new online “mini-seminar” that you can watch anytime during the week—when and where it’s convenient for you. At just 20 minutes, it is easy to fit into any schedule.
Each session includes a video presentation by our most popular presenters, plus supplemental materials, PowerPoint slides, and the complete transcript.
Additionally, there is a certificate you can print off after watching the video and great handouts that you will want to print for future use.
CTAT Training Room
Do you need a place to have your meeting or training session? The CTAT Training room is located on the first floor of the library (L-100). You can now schedule the CTAT Training Room by visiting the reservation page on the library’s website. After viewing the calendar to see when the room is available click on “Room Bookings” in the right-hand column to make your reservations.
This room is equipped with AirPlay, Two 60″ Samsung TV’s, DELL laptop cart, and an instructor station so that you can project and interact with material as needed.
Course Development Assistance
CTAT instructional designers will consult with you regarding face-2-face, online and hybrid course design. Also, we will assist you with developing multimedia materials including text, images, audio, video, animation, and interactive elements for use in instruction. If you need help with structuring your Momentum/D2L course or with hosting media files please contact us at ctatmailbox@roanestate.edu or phone (865) 882-4556.