Celebrate #NDLW with Open SUNY

Open SUNY is pleased to host and showcase three presentations from our SUNY campuses in celebration of National Distance Learning Week (NDLW) 2017. Presenters will share a teaching strategy, initiative or project in a 30 minute lunch time webinar. This is a terrific opportunity for you to learn from your peers and ask questions!

Registration is not required for these free webinars. All sessions will be recorded. A link will be posted below for each session after the session has ended.

Monday, November 6, 2017
Time: 12:00pm – 12:30pm (EST)
Topic: Are rubrics worth it?
Presenter: Carol Beckley, Buffalo State College
Description: Join Carol Beckley, faculty at Buffalo State College, in an interactive experience with project grading rubrics. Participants will be guided in an activity followed by a group discussion. Each participant should have some kind of cup with some kind of liquid in it ready for the activity. This webinar is for those who use rubrics, those who don’t, and those who have never heard of a rubric.
Session Recording

Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Time: 12:00pm – 12:30pm (EST)
Topic: Using open-source virtual-reality environments for community building online
Presenter: Eileen O’Connor, Empire State College
Description: Immersive, 3-D environments have offered opportunities for distance participants to share in any number of activities. With the advent of open source environments that are low-cost and that come either pre-configured or easily configured, this instructor has used these environments in class activities including: presentations, discussions, poster sessions, team meetings within a class, and shared activities (such as visiting other islands or testing 3-D building). Using action research the effectiveness of these environments on community building has been studied and published; students have overcome the isolation of discussion-board-driven online environments and been able to form more effective academic and personal relationships within courses. Activities will be presented and discussion will be welcomed.
Session Recording

Friday, November 10, 2017
Time: 12:00pm – 12:30pm (EST)
Title: Exploring Emerging Technologies for Lifelong Learning and Success: A MOOC for ALL Learners
Presenter: Roberta (Robin) Sullivan, University at Buffalo and Cherie van Putten, Binghamton University
Description: The State University of New York is currently transitioning a successful online faculty development project with a 5-year history into a MOOC that addresses the needs of ALL learners, including students, faculty, and professionals alike. This innovative professional development model enhances participant’s 21st-century skills, including communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. Established and emerging technology tools are necessary for lifelong and lifewide learning and are a huge part of our lives for career and personal advancement in today’s digital age. Through the “Exploring Emerging Technologies for Lifelong Learning and Success” (#EmTechMOOC) learners gain a deep understanding of the value and implications of using established and emerging technology tools. An underlying principle of the MOOC promotes a growth mindset, a necessity to keep pace with technology change. This session provides an overview of the project’s history and a look into how the future iteration of the project will take shape.
Session Recording

National Distance Learning Week is sponsored by the USDLA. For more NDLW sessions being hosted around the globe, visit their website.

Access webinars from Open SUNY NDLW 2016.