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Browse Help Articles Submit a TicketFaculty Training
The Center for Online Learning & Teaching Technology will be offering various training on Quality Matters, Blackboard Learn and other supported tools. These sessions are open to all UTRGV faculty interested in learning more about Blackboard Learn and how they can apply it to their courses and beneficial for faculty who are currently teaching or will be teaching fully online or hybrid courses in the near future.
The training that we offered are listed below, please check the training services website for specific dates and times. If you need to request a special training session for a group of faculty or staff, please submit a Faculty Help Request.
Note: To receive full credit for attending training sessions, you need to be present for the entire duration of the session. Attendance will be tracked on the UTRGV Training Services portal for our departmental professional development records.
Applying the Quality Matters Rubric Workshop
This workshop goes over the Apply the Quality Matters Rubric and how to apply it in reviewing the design of online and blended courses. This rubric introduces participants to best practices, instructional design, and research-based design principles of an online/hybrid course to ensure quality assurance. This workshop is required if you are planning to teach online.
| Date | Modality | Location | Sign Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 28 - Dec. 12 | Online | Online | Register Now! |
| Dec. 1 | F2F | Weslaco | Register Now! |
| Jan. 19 | F2F | Edinburg | Register Now! |
| Jan. 30 - Feb. 13 | Online | Online | Register Now! |
| Feb. 20 - Mar. 5 | Online | Online | Register Now! |
| Mar. 29 | F2F | Brownsville | Register Now! |
Getting your Blackboard Course Ready
This training aims to prepare your online/hybrid/face-to-face course for next semester. Ensure you have all the essential elements to have an excellent online/faculty presence and show you how to create a course copy, manage course dates, and add/edit course content as needed, such as updating your course syllabus. This session will also cover adding Zoom to your course and setting up virtual meetings.
| Date | Time | Brownsville Campus | Edinburg Campus |
| Aug. 8 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Online | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 22 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Online | Online |
| Nov. 14 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Online | Online |
| Dec. 12 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Online | Online |
Blackboard Basics
This training is designed to help faculty members develop the basic knowledge and skills necessary to use Blackboard Learn. This training covers the basics of Blackboard navigation, creating, editing, and deleting items, folders, manage discussion boards, etc.
| Date | Time | Brownsville Campus | Edinburg Campus |
| Aug. 15 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Online | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep. 12 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Online | Online |
| Oct. 3 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Online | Online |
| Oct. 24 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Online | Online |
| Nov. 21 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Online | Online |
Blackboard Advanced (Gradecenter)
Empower yourself to teach with maximum efficiency by understanding Blackboard Learn’s powerful Grade Center. The Grade Center is more than just a location to record students' grades--it is an interactive tool that allows faculty to filter, sort, and access data, calculate grades, and monitor student progress. Join this session to learn the basics of efficiently managing your columns, creating a weighted column (final grade), creating smartviews and generating reports.
| Date | Time | Brownsville Campus | Edinburg Campus |
| Sep. 5 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Online | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep. 19 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Online | Online |
| Oct. 10 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Online | Online |
| Oct. 31 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Online | Online |
| Nov. 28 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Online | Online |
Panopto Basics
The Basic Training Webinar is designed for new users and beginners who would like to learn how to use the Panopto software. This webinar will cover creating, managing, and editing sessions as well as navigating the Panopto interface.
| Date | Time | Brownsville Campus | Edinburg Campus |
| Sep. 26 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Online | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 17 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Online | Online |
| Nov. 7 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Online | Online |
| Dec. 5 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Online | Online |
Respondus LockDown Browser & Respondus Monitor
This comprehensive training webinar is intended for instructors who plan to use LockDown Browser and/or Respondus Monitor with online exams. The session provides a detailed demonstration of both applications, including enhancements that make Respondus Monitor even more effective and easy to use.
| Date | Time | Format |
| Sept. 13 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Online |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 19 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Online |
| Sept. 26 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Online |
| Oct. 5 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Online |
Respondus 4.0 and the Test Bank Network
Find out how Respondus 4.0 allows you to create and manage exams that can be printed to paper or published directly to your LMS, and how the Test Bank Network enables instructors to create online tests from official publisher test banks.
| Date | Time | Format |
| Sept. 14 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Online |
|---|
Top Hat
Engage Your Students in Any Environment with Top Hat
Sign up for Top Hat webinars and tutorials. Learn how to use Top Hat for engaging students into active learning.
SoftChalk
Enhance your eLearning experiences with SoftChalk webinars!
Sign up for SoftChalk webinars designed for new and existing SoftChalk users, with practical examples, Q&As and high-quality support from experts.
Herramientas digitales para la evaluación formativa
Blooket y Quizizz son dos herramientas de evaluación formativa que nos ayudan a aumentar el nivel de participación en el aula ya que gamifican el aprendizaje. Acompáñanos a explorar estas dos aplicaciones que te ayudarán a crear cuestionarios para repasar, consolidar o introducir contenidos a tus alumnos.
| Fecha | Hora | Brownsville | Edinburg |
| Sep. 29 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Online | Online |
|---|
Hybrid Learning: Strategies and Tools
In this session, we will explore the components of hybrid learning, identify teaching and learning strategies, and the technologies available to make your courses more efficient, participatory, and engaging to meet students and instructors needs in hybrid environments.
| Date | Time | Brownsville Campus | Edinburg Campus |
| Oct. 18 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Online | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 27 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Online | Online |
What’s in your closet? Harnessing accessibility practices for your course
Do you feel like your practices toward accessibility have become a bit disheveled? With so many course materials available, how do you ensure they are accessible? Like a closet, a course contains many components contributing to its strength. We know that having loose shelves in our closets can lead to future problems like a course containing materials that lack basic principles of accessibility. Join us as we demonstrate how you can build your closet (course) using components of accessibility that work for your learners.
| Date | Time | Brownsville Campus | Edinburg Campus |
| Oct. 20 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Online | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 9 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Online | Online |
The X-Files on Best Practices for Online/Hybrid Courses
Are you wondering what supernatural best practices are in an Online or Hybrid Course? We will investigate and solve the mystery of best teaching practices for an Online or Hybrid course. Please join our investigative team and discover meaningful strategies for an online learning environment.
| Date | Time | Brownsville Campus | Edinburg Campus |
| Oct. 6 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Online | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 15 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Online | Online |
AI: Evolution in Educational Technology
Join us to explore available AI tools and how to incorporate them into your course! We will discuss how different disciplines can utilize these various AI tools including how to create assignments and assessments with AI assistance. The resources shared in this presentation will provide an opportunity to expand your toolbox by exposing students to the evolution of productivity tools, facilitating meaningful learning experiences, and preparing learners for the future of their workplaces.
| Date | Time | Brownsville Campus | Edinburg Campus |
| Oct. 4 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Online | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 30 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Online | Online |
Meaningful Feedback
In today's dynamic world, the ability to provide and receive feedback is crucial to our students’ learning process and success. This cycle can foster stronger relationships, improve academic performance, and cultivate a culture of continuous improvement.
Join us in this engaging session as we delve into the art of meaningful feedback, combining frameworks with classroom scenarios and interactive activities to help you develop the skills needed to provide actionable guidance effectively. This session will explore the key elements that make feedback valuable, constructive, and impactful. Become a catalyst for growth and success in your teaching journey through the power of meaningful feedback!
| Date | Time | Brownsville Campus | Edinburg Campus |
| Nov. 10 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Online | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 17 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Online | Online |
