Office of Educational Outreach > Faculty Learning Series

Bright Ideas

Bright Ideas is an ongoing series of small group faculty discussions on classroom pedagogy.  For the spring 2011 academic semester, Dr. Chaelon Myme, and Mr. John Rindy will host and facilitate small group discussion and learning about effective classroom pedagogy and the use of instructional technology

Inital sessions will include:

A Lecture in the Life. . .Using New Classroom Technology (RSVP to x2181)

In this workshop we'll look at things that can go right with classroom technology, but also some things that can go wrong and what to do about them.  This is a refreshing look at how to deal with "bumps in the road" to teaching and learning through technology, as well as methods to capitalize on the great new systems available on campus. Two sessions are available on either:

February 8, 2011 from 2:00-2:50 in AC-210, or

February 15, 2011 from 3;00-3:50 in AC-210

Please RSVP to x2181

Later this spring: Maximizing Presentation Software

There are various ways to use presentation applications such as PowerPoint.  Dr. Myme begins the open discussion by presenting some approaches that have worked well in fostering student comprehension, in addition to some uses that have been less effective.  In this focused learning session, we examine the question of "best practices in using PowerPoint."

Later this spring:  Creating Rich Classroom Presentations using Digital Resources

Altering and importing photos, using web-based resources to organize and share resources within a department.  Aplying video and web recoursces, scans, document cameras to share unique, high impact learning resources.

Technology-Based Instruction/POET Program

In 2009, the office of education outreach published the Proficient On-Line Educator Training Program (POET).  This program was developed to assist Thiel College faculty with the following activites:

• Understanding the on-line teaching and learning environment
• Managing the various challenges posed exclusively in the on-line classroom
• Developing technology-based courses while maintaining learning outcomes and academic rigor
• Using the plethora of technological innovations in the on-line educational environment
• Employing effective pedagogy to appeal to the various types of learners encountered in the on-line environment

The POET program is a fully asynchronous learning opportunity for faculty, to hone their on-line and other technology-based teaching and facilitation skills.  The program offers a printed or on-line study guide along with an asynchronous learning program which is divided into a series of modules. 

Program modules include information on the history of distance education, fair use and copyright issues, course design and navigability, on-line discussions, course management, the challenges of on-line education, designing effective assessments, course communication and other areas pertinent to the on-line learning environment.

Members of faculty who complete the POET program are awarded a certificate as a proficient on-line educator and a stipend from the office of educational outreach.

This program is available to full-time and adjunct faculty members who have filed, or intend to file, a Course Modification for Summer School Distance Delivery form to the Curriculum Study Committee, with an intent to teach an on-line course at Thiel College.