Using PowerPoint as
your Background in Zoom
Want to create more engaging Zoom classes? Try using your PowerPoint presentation as your background in Zoom while teaching! You can point to the content and connect with students just as you would in a classroom!
In this month’s 5-minute Soundbyte, Adrian shares how easy it is to use your PowerPoint slides as your Virtual Background in Zoom keeping you in the presenter role while teaching. Plus, you’ll learn how to share your screen in a breakout room as an added bonus!
The Educational Benefits
of Microlectures
Mirolectures are short videos that are usually produced by an instructor and focus on a specific key concept or skill (kind of like our 5-minute Soundbytes!). Research is showing that microlectures are improving student performance in a variety of ways. When combined with embedded interactive quizzes, (think: Edpuzzle!) these ten minute or less videos are an active learning approach that instructors could incorporate into their courses.
Empirical studies have shown that active learning approaches, such as including interactive quizzes with videos or other tasks, can improve student performance. If you need support, CCIT can help you get started with creating microlectures and embedding them into D2L.
Digital tools for Formative Assessment
In this resource-full, jam-packed article, learn about TCEA’s tool: the Amazing Learning Design Outline (ALDO) and how it is used to craft feedback that closes the learning gap. See examples of Understanding Checks, Checklists, and Self-assessment tools as well as structured feedback charts to organize your assessment planning! This article has something for everyone from the new adjunct to the seasoned instructor. If you need support employing any of the digital tools you learn about, please reach out to CCIT at any time!
Spring 2022 Learner Engagement Fieldtrip
Are you interested in showcasing an amazing engagement strategy you are using in your courses? We are looking to highlight faculty in an upcoming Coffee Talk where you can show off your strategies to increase student engagement. Possible Topics could focus on Interactive Images and Videos, Virtual Reality, Micro-lectures, Jamboards, or other activities that promote student engagement. Please fill out the following permission slip to let us know you are interested. We can’t wait to hear about the activity you would like to share.
One Zoom Link!
We now have one centralized Zoom link for all CCIT training opportunities. Please save this link for all pop-up trainings, Lunch & Learns, Coffee Talks and Tall TV episodes.
Zoom link for all CCIT Trainings: dtcc.zoom.us/j/93627251230
April Coffee Talks: Every other Friday at 9:00 am
April 8: Padlet & Teach Champions
Special Early Coffee at 8:30 am
Jason, April, and Carrie will share another great FREE online collaboration tool that is fun, colorful, and easy to use! This online bulletin board can be used to replace a discussion board, build a collaborative timeline, add resources to project plans, or even draw up a communal map. See some ideas and how-tos before creating your own for our next TEaCH Champions challenge!
April 29: Learner Engagement Fieldtrip
Delaware Tech faculty are doing amazing things to increase engagement in their courses. Zoom classes don’t have to be boring – check out some ideas from our faculty across the college. We’ll also show you where you can find consistently updated ideas that you can implement in your courses at any time! Check out the Success Stories section below to learn more.
Two Wednesdays a month at 11:00 am
April 6: Student Voices Panel: What I love about D2L
Listen as students share their perspectives on the tools they’ve encountered in D2L. Discover some new tools and explore some new applications of tools that you already love. Attend Lunch and Learn sessions following this student panel and take a deeper-dive into these student validated D2L strategies and tools. Come to hear student voices and to be inspired!
April 20: Effective Badge Use
We heard from students on the student panel and from survey results. Students enjoy a challenge. Using badges effectively in your course can create a method for students to see accomplishments and to feel engaged in the course. We’ll look at ways to use badges in your course to encourage participation and achievement.
One Tuesday of each month at 3:00 pm
April 19: Student to Instructor Feedback
What do you do if something in your course isn’t “working”? How do you make changes to your course based on student performance and data? In this session, we will brainstorm methods for taking action when things are not working as planned. Let’s generate some ideas for identifying and acting on the pinch points in your course.
Like a book club, without the time commitment!
April 13: Scaffolding, Part 2
In this session, we’ll talk about how participants in Part 1 implemented scaffolding in their courses. What were their successes? What were their frustrations? We’ll also talk about any new information we’ve gained about scaffolding in the past few weeks. This way, we can feel supported in our implementation efforts.
New D2L Release Notes Page in The Instructor Hub
Want to know about new updates and features in D2L without having to read the miles and miles of D2L Release Notes? CCIT has created a quick reference sheet for instructors that highlights D2L updates, new features, and workflow adjustments. The document is updated at the end of the month when D2L applies their updates to our system. Check out the Instructor Hub Release Notes page to see what is new in D2L.