Professional Week

Facilitator(s): Paul Miller

This session covers the basics of Blackboard Learn Ultra, from the interface and navigation to best practices when building a new course.

Register for Workshopnew window

---

Facilitator(s): Tom Cantu

This session introduces converting an existing course from Blackboard Learn Original to Blackboard Learn Ultra. Two recommended course copy approaches and the benefits of each approach are explained step-by-step.

Register for Workshopnew window

---

Facilitator(s): Michele Knight

This session provides an overview of the Gradebook in Blackboard Learn Ultra, including best practices, workflows and how to set up the gradebook. The MC Learn Ultra Transition team will provide answers to FAQs and information about additional resources. 

Register for Workshopnew window

---

Facilitator(s): Anna Donohoe

The MC Learn Ultra transition team invites you to join us virtually for office hours. We are here for you to answer questions and connect you to resources around MC’s transition to Blackboard Learn Ultra. We encourage you to request and verify your access to a development course in Blackboard Ultra before attending office hours. For more information, visit the Hub.new window

Register for Workshopnew window

---

Facilitator(s): Gloria Barron 

Grading writing assignments can take a lot of time, but with helpful strategies and the right tech tools, you can make it faster and easier. This one-hour workshop will discuss and demonstrate useful tools and methods for grading more efficiently while still giving quality feedback. We will cover a variety of methods that aim to save you time and support student learning. Join us to explore ideas and tools that will make your grading process smoother and more effective.

Register for Workshopnew window

---

Facilitator(s): Megan Calvert

In this hands-on workshop, we will walk through the basic steps to ensure documents are accessible and inclusive for all. Focusing on Microsoft Word, participants will learn to format documents using accessibility best practices, such as headings, alt text, meaningful links and proper contrast. We’ll also learn common pitfalls to avoid and use Word’s Accessibility Checker to identify and resolve issues. Once completed, we will show you how to convert a Word document to a PDF and ensure that the accessibility features are properly preserved.

Register for Workshopnew window

---

Facilitator(s): Angela Lanier 

Whether you view Artificial Intelligence as a disruptive nuisance or a useful tool, it has likely impacted your teaching in some way. So how do we manage the prevalence (and use) of AI tools while promoting learning in the different disciplines? In this session, we will reflect on the different ways AI has impacted both learning and industry and explore ways to build a learning culture that acknowledges the role of AI while honoring ethical standards and authentic learning experiences.

Register for Workshopnew window

---

Facilitator(s): Paul Miller

This workshop is designed for faculty seeking effective strategies to create and maintain a productive and respectful classroom environment. Participants will gain practical tips for managing classrooms, addressing challenging behaviors, and cultivating a positive atmosphere that supports learning and student engagement. Through interactive discussions and scenario-based activities, faculty will leave with actionable tools to handle classroom dynamics confidently and empathetically.

Register for Workshopnew window

• Assessment Center
• Gateway to Wonders: Exploring the MC Library Resources for Your Personal and Professional Development
• Organizational Efficiency
• Leveraging LinkedIn Learning for Professional Growth
• Stress Management
• Using OERs to Support Instruction

Register for Workshopnew window

Facilitiator(s): Paul Miller and Anna Donohoe

Join the MC Learn Ultra Transition team for an overview of important Blackboard Learn Ultra updates, followed by an engaging panel discussion with MC Faculty who have taught courses in Blackboard Learn Ultra. The MC Learn Ultra Transition team will take you on a tour of MC’s Blackboard Learn Ultra resources and provide answers to FAQs.

Register for Workshopnew window

Facilitiator(s): Nell Feldman, Kristen Roe, Paul Miller 

Recent updates to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) signal significant changes in how educational institutions address accessibility. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of these changes and their implications for Montgomery College. Facilitators will explore how these updates affect physical spaces, digital environments, and instructional practices, as well as the steps MC is taking to ensure compliance. Participants will learn about the college’s strategies for fostering accessibility, equity, and inclusion in response to these new requirements.

Register for Workshopnew window

• Assessment Center
• Grants 101
  
• Introduction to CITI Training
• Making Your Classroom Welcoming for All
• Pegging Your Memory
• Pressbooks and Open Publishing
• Student Mental Health and Well-Being Resources
• Zoom Refresher

Register for Workshopnew window

Facilitator(s): Philip Bonner

This session covers the basics of Blackboard Learn Ultra, from the interface and navigation to best practices when building a new course.

Register for Workshopnew window

---

Facilitator(s): Tom Cantu

This session introduces converting an existing course from Blackboard Learn Original to Blackboard Learn Ultra. Two recommended course copy approaches and the benefits of each approach are explained step-by-step.       

Register for Workshopnew window

---

Facilitator(s): Michele Knight

This session provides an overview of the Gradebook in Blackboard Learn Ultra, including best practices, workflows and how to set up the gradebook. The MC Learn Ultra Transition team will provide answers to FAQs and information about additional resources. 

Register for Workshopnew window

---

Facilitator(s): Anna Donohoe

The MC Learn Ultra transition team invites you to join us virtually for office hours. We are here for you to answer questions and connect you to resources around MC’s transition to Blackboard Learn Ultra. We encourage you to request and verify your access to a development course in Blackboard Ultra before attending office hours. For more information, visit the Hubnew window.

Register for Workshopnew window

---

Facilitator(s): Megan Calvert and Sara Kalifa

Research has demonstrated that students in classes with active learning are 1.5 times less likely to fail than students in traditional lecture-based classes (Freeman et al, 2014) and that active learning can narrow achievement gaps for underrepresented students (Theobald et al, 2020). In this workshop, we’ll look at several quick and easy ways any instructor can incorporate active learning into their classroom, including round robins, concept mapping, peer teaching, and collaborative documents. You will be able to try some of the techniques yourself and reflect on ways you might adapt them for your teaching context.

Register for Workshopnew window

---

Facilitator(s): Paul Miller

In this session, explore strategies to cultivate a welcoming and supportive classroom environment that enhances student motivation, collaboration, and academic success. Participants will engage in activities that demonstrate how to build trust, promote inclusivity, and encourage active participation in their courses. This workshop will provide tools to create a strong sense of belonging for students from diverse backgrounds.

Register for Workshopnew window

---

Facilitator(s): Gloria Barron       

Join us for an interactive session where you'll discover how AI can serve as a powerful ally in your teaching toolkit. This workshop goes beyond basic AI awareness to provide practical, immediate applications for your courses. You will use AI tools to improve your teaching materials, make learning more personalized, and refresh your course design—all while keeping high standards and best practices in mind.

Register for Workshopnew window

• Five Team Building Exercises Each Supervisor Should Know
• Power Up with Microcredentials
• SMARTIE Goals to Start the New Year
• Using Zoom Polling Tools for Instant Feedback

Register for Workshopnew window

Facilitator(s): Philip Bonner

This session covers the basics of Blackboard Learn Ultra, from the interface and navigation to best practices when building a new course.

Register for Workshopnew window

---

Facilitator(s): Tom Cantu

This session introduces converting an existing course from Blackboard Learn Original to Blackboard Learn Ultra. Two recommended course copy approaches and the benefits of each approach are explained step-by-step.       

Register for Workshopnew window

---

Facilitator(s): Michele Knight

This session provides an overview of the Gradebook in Blackboard Learn Ultra, including best practices, workflows and how to set up the gradebook. The MC Learn Ultra Transition team will provide answers to FAQs and information about additional resources. 

Register for Workshopnew window

---

Facilitator(s): Anna Donohoe

The MC Learn Ultra transition team invites you to join us virtually for office hours. We are here for you to answer questions and connect you to resources around MC’s transition to Blackboard Learn Ultra. We encourage you to request and verify your access to a development course in Blackboard Ultra before attending office hours. More information, visit the Hubnew window.

Register for Workshopnew window

---

Facilitator(s): Angela Lanier

Assets are resources that have valuable and future benefits. How can we transform learning assessments into assets that have ongoing benefits for both instructors and learners? In this workshop we will review several metacognitive practices that promote reflection, goal setting, or tracking learning progress.

Register for Workshopnew window

---

Facilitator(s): Paul Miller

This workshop introduces faculty to the principles of backward design, enhanced by the capabilities of generative AI. Participants will learn how to start with clearly defined learning outcomes and use AI tools to inform the development of assessments and instructional strategies that align with those outcomes. This hands-on session will demonstrate how generative AI can streamline course design, foster creativity, and ensure a cohesive learning experience for students.

Register for Workshopnew window