Pellissippi State Community College
2022 Distance Learning Conference
Session 2 Descriptions and Links
11:30 AM EST - 12:30 PM EST
Option 1:
Close Encounters of the First Kind
Presenters: Darlene Davenport, Melissa Newman
The biggest challenge to distance learning continues to be first encounters. We will collaboratively plan initial encounters which clearly signal to students, “You matter. Our connection is important." Interactions should perpetuate inquiry, curiosity, and exploration, but should ultimately reassure. Participants work together to: 1) analyze how setting clear expectations impacts classroom environment and influences instruction; 2) connect how first encounters are an important step in leveraging teacher knowledge of students to personalize learning; and 3) plan first encounter strategies to provide students with clear expectations and begin building teacher knowledge of students.
Option 2:
Increasing Engagement Through the Use of Technology
Presenter: Raquel Adams
In this session, we will focus on how to increase student engagement using technology. Virtual learning environments can be challenging for both faculty and students. During this session, we will learn how to use student-centered digital tools for synchronous and asynchronous courses. We will explore how to utilize gamification, differentiated instruction, and how to uplift student voice in your courses.
Option 3:
Virtual Study Halls: High Touch in a High-Tech Online Learning Environment
Presenter: Tanya Mooney, Jennifer Robinson
During this interactive session, participants will consider elements of designing a virtual study hall (VSH). While sharing about the presenter’s experiences, attendees will recognize community building interactions and dispositions. Through the presentation, professionals will reflect on the impact of interactions and experiences in relation student retention, persistence, and success. By the end of the session, individuals will formulate a hypothetical virtual event that builds community and personal interactions in their own context. This session requires interactive polling. Participants will brainstorm uses for a VSH in their professional context.
Option 4:
Balancing ADA Compliance in Online Courses with Verbal and Listening Skills Requirements
Presenter: Erika Stevens
According to the ADA, students requiring academic adjustment must receive accommodations. In higher education, these accommodations are not to alter the substantive content or the nature of the course/activity. This creates an issue for courses that require verbal and listening skills such as foreign language and communication. While this issue exists in the traditional classroom, there is more of a struggle in an online course. How can faculty address these student needs while maintaining the integrity and requirements of their online course? The issues and some possible solutions will be discussed along with time for participants to share their ideas.
Option 5:
Understanding the Process to Find, Adapt, Attribute, and Share OERs
Presenter: Latonya Motley
The goal of this presentation is to share tips and best practices for managing open educational resources (OERs) in any course. Participants will leave the session with strategies for locating OERs, learn about the best practices for adapting OER material as well as hear recommendations for checking accessibility and including the proper attribution before sharing the open educational resource.
If you need assistance today, please contact:
Dr. Paul Ramp - pframp@pstcc.edu/(865) 539-6691
Dr. Stephanie Markowitz - ssmarkowitz@pstcc.edu/(865) 539-7031
