University Business: U of Maryland, Baltimore County Seeks Fresh Ways To Teach Familiar Introductory Courses

http://www.universitybusiness.com/news/u-maryland-baltimore-county-seeks-fresh-ways-teach-familiar-introductory-courses

Bill LaCourse felt inadequate.

Some of his Chemistry 101 students sat in the back of the lecture hall and spaced out. Others simply left class as they pleased. "Maybe you're just not a good teacher," his department head said when LaCourse sought advice.


His ego would not tolerate that as a final answer. So the University of Maryland, Baltimore County professor decided to put up a fight. If he couldn't make the class work in a traditional lecture format, the format would have to change.


"We need to do something drastic," he remembers thinking as he and his colleagues dreamed up a space they christened the Chemistry Discovery Center. The center would become a prime example of the teaching innovation that is a major component of UMBC's rising national reputation.

Source: The Baltimore Sun

University Business: U of Maryland, Baltimore County Seeks Fresh Ways To Teach Familiar Introductory Courses

Campus Technology: Federal Commission Recommends Sending Faculty to Accessibility School

http://campustechnology.com/articles/2011/12/07/federal-commission-recommends-sending-faculty-to-accessibility-school.aspx

By David Nagel
12/07/11
The federal AIM Commission this week posted recommendations for improving accessibility in higher education, among them the recommendation for mandatory, system-wide faculty orientation programs concerning accessibility "in all aspects of the education enterprise, including readings, courseware and instructional technology, assessments and instructor-made materials."

The Advisory Commission on Accessible Instructional Materials in Postsecondary Education for Students with Disabilities ( http://www2.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/aim/index.html ) -- known more colloquially as the AIM Commission--was established for the purpose of making recommendations to Congress and the United States Secretary of Education for improving the state of accessible educational resources for students with disabilities, to improve the effective use of those resources, to identify best practices in the use of accessible materials, and to support model demonstration programs. The commission's membership includes academic, corporate, non-profit, and government leaders.



Following a 14-month review of the state of accessibility in higher education, the group issued several findings on the shortcomings of accessibility in education in its final report, along with 18 recommendations for overcoming some of those problems. Those recommendations fell into five broad areas: policy and the law, market, technology, capacity-building, and discretionary investments in demonstration projects. ***MORE***

Campus Technology: Federal Commission Recommends Sending Faculty to Accessibility School

Campus Technology: Islands in the Stream: Academic Technology, Digital Copyright, and The TEACH Act

By Raymond Uzwyshyn
12/14/11
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2011/12/14/academic-technology-digital-copyright-and-the-teach-act.aspx
Puzzling over the arcana of the TEACH Act [Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization Act, 2002], more than a few university administrators will be reminded of the minutiae of the tax code. To be sure, copyright law needs to be reconceptualized for the new millennium. Libraries and universities are witnessing a sea change from an earlier era of historical development. Definitions of copyright, technology, and the online classroom need to be recast or the laws become peripheral in handling digital copyright questions that increasingly arise. Recent cases represent the widespread confusion among players. Various strong opposing debates regarding streaming media and the TEACH Act illustrate these facts well. [For examples in the education media read Steve Kolowich’s article, “Hitting Pause on Class Videos,” Inside Higher Ed, January 26, 2010, or his more recent article, “Stream Away,” also in Inside Higher Ed, October 5, 2011.]  ***MORE***

Campus Technology: Islands in the Stream: Academic Technology, Digital Copyright, and The TEACH Act

SEF Southern Education Foundation: Getting Pass GO!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9RJWFF8

January 10, 2012

11:00a.m. - 6:00p.m.

SEF is pleased to announce that we are co-sponsoring an important online conversation with Getting Past Go, Project PREPARE at the University of Massachusetts Boston, and Knowledge in the Public Interest.


The Issue: Although MSIs have participated in the national conversations on developmental education, they have not been a focus of the discussion. However, recent research shows that MSI's use effective assessment, placement, and support practices that lead to success for students.


The Goal: This Jam will bring practitioners together to share practices and explore the unique challenges facing MSI's. We hope to identify successful practices while understanding their institutional context, to uncover evidence of effectiveness, and potentially to develop an agenda for collaboration on improving outcomes for students.


The Opportunity: Please join this important conversation on January 10th and ask your colleagues to do so as well. A JAM is an online, text-based discussion that is moderated by experts in the field. The Jam will take place from 11:00am to 6:00 pm EDT and you can participate whenever your schedule allows.


The Outcome: A JAM Report, a network of people with shared purpose, valuable resources, and the groundwork for future work on policy and practice . The JAM Report will be published and highlight key findings and promising practices based on an analysis of the exchange.


To Register: Click Here... You will receive the link to the JAM site, your username and password in early January. We invite a diverse group of participants from all levels and departments from your institution, so please feel free to share this email and the registration link with others.


Who Should Participate: College and university presidents, provosts, faculty, academic and student affairs staff.


A JAM is asynchronous, so you can come into the discussion when you can, and come and go as your time allows.

Questions: If you have any questions about the JAM, please contact Lisa Levinson at Knowledge in the Public Interest or Dr. Tara Parker at ProjectPREPARE, University of Massachusetts, Boston.

Southern Education Foundation

135 Auburn Ave NE

2nd Floor

Atlanta, GA 30303

404.523.0001 Office

404.523.6904 Fax

SEF Southern Education Foundation: Getting Pass GO!

Ruth Simmons and Ronald Burns Appointed to Board of Trustees

http://www.dillard.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1112:ruth-simmons-and-ronald-burns-appointed-to-board-of-trustees&catid=42&Itemid=890

December 12, 2011



Dear Members of the Dillard Community:


I am proud to announce the appointment of two new members to Dillard University’s Board of Trustees: Dr. Ruth J. Simmons, president of Brown University, and Mr. Ronald V. Burns Sr., president and CEO of BMG Enterprises.


Ruth J. Simmons has served as president of Brown University since July 3, 2001 and plans to step down from that position at the end of the 2011-2012 academic year. She holds an appointment as professor in the Department of Comparative Literature and the Department of Africana Studies. She was president of Smith College from 1995 until the time of her appointment at Brown.


A native of Texas and a 1967 graduate of Dillard University, Simmons received her Ph.D. in Romance languages and literatures from Harvard University in 1973. She was recently appointed by President Obama as a member of the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships. She has earned numerous awards throughout her storied career in academia, including the German DAAD, a Fulbright Fellowship to France and the Centennial Medal from Harvard University. In 2001, Time Magazine named her America’s best college president. In 2007, she was named one of US. News & World Report’s top U.S. leaders.


Ronald V. Burns Sr. is president and CEO of BMG Enterprises, a diverse corporation consisting of Quick Courier Services, Inc., Burns Management Group and Global Parking Systems. Burns graduated from Dillard University in 1973 with a B.S. in Accounting. In 1974, Mr. Burns assumed the position of vice president and internal auditor with Liberty Bank and Trust Company, which he held until 1984.


In 1984, Burns founded Quick Courier Services, Inc., a same-day expedited delivery and logistics service. He is active in the Messenger Courier Association of America, and in 1992 he was elected as its first African-American board member. In 1992, he started Burns Management Group, a consulting firm with an emphasis on business development and government relationships. In 1993, he founded Global Parking Systems, a parking management company with offices in Louisiana, Texas, Indiana and California. Their clients include the Louis Armstrong International Airport and the Los Angeles International Airport.


I am very excited to welcome these two stellar individuals to Dillard University’s Board of Trustees. Between their appointment and the recent announcement of Dr. Walter Kimbrough as our next president, it is a very exciting time at Fair Dillard.

Happy Holidays,


Joyce Roche’

Chair, Dillard University Board of Trustees

Ruth Simmons and Ronald Burns Appointed to Board of Trustees

Join SimpleK12 on Tuesday, December 13, 2011, for FREE "Day of Learning" Webinars for 2011!

http://www.simplek12.com/tlc/webinars

Tomorrow is the last "Day of Learning" for 2011...don't miss out!



This fun-filled free online conference is packed with virtual sessions all day long. Attend one, or attend them all.

Here are the details...

Keynote Kickoff: More Interactive Sites for Your Interactive Whiteboard
Time: 12:30 PM- 1:00 PM Eastern Time, USA
Engaging your students with Interactive Whiteboard activities is easy...you just need to know where to start! Take a look at some of our favorite free resources that are perfect for any whiteboard brand.
Register Now: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/298961698


Easily Create Detailed Classroom Observations with iPad Apps
Time: 1:30 PM- 2:00 PM Eastern Time, USA
As requirements for formative classroom assessment through teacher observation increase, educators are turning to their iPads and iPod Touches to document observations of students and their work. Join us in this webinar to learn about three free, easy-to-use apps you can download and start working with tomorrow!
Register Now: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/251478178


The Knowledge Journey: Ways to Keep Students Learning During Breaks
Time: 2:30 PM- 3:00 PM Eastern Time, USA
In this webinar, participants will discover tips for motivating students to learn during school breaks and after leaving the classroom.
Register Now: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/852898722


Create Student ePortfolios using VoiceThread
Time: 3:30 PM- 4:00 PM Eastern Time, USA
Digital student portfolios provide a way for students to show teachers, classmates, and family members evidence of the progress they're making toward learning targets. During this webinar, we'll look at one free web tool that is a great fit for creating and maintaining digital student portfolios.
Register Now: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/280611490


Build a Class Website and Create a Class Identity
Time: 4:30 AM- 5:00 PM Eastern Time, USA
By the end of this webinar you will be able to create a free, easy-to-use, website that all of your students and parents can be involved in, bringing your class into the 21st century.
Register Now: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/632696626

LiveBinder Tips and Tricks
Time: 5:30 PM- 6:00 PM Eastern Time, USA
Many educators have found LiveBinders very helpful for collaborating, sharing, and organizing online information and resources. Learn LiveBinder tips and tricks that will help you to get the most out of your LiveBinders.
Register Now: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/361836234


The first session begins at 12:30 PM Eastern Time on December 13...

Join SimpleK12 on Tuesday, December 13, 2011, for FREE "Day of Learning" Webinars for 2011!

Campus Technology: Students Learn Leadership and Skills Via Mobile App Group

http://campustechnology.com/articles/2011/12/07/students-learn-leadership-and-skills-via-mobile-app-group.aspx

With the support of Vanderbilt University, a pioneering student organization is helping students learn how to develop mobile apps--and land lucrative jobs.

By Toni Fuhrman

12/07/11

Campus Technology: Students Learn Leadership and Skills Via Mobile App Group

The St. Louis American: HBCU advocates ask Congress to maintain funding

 

http://www.stlamerican.com/news/local_news/article_cd94307e-10c9-11e1-b4db-001cc4c002e0.html 

November 17, 2011
Groups representing a coalition of more than 100 colleges and universities are fighting to persuade Congress and its deficit-reducing "Super Committee" not to cut $85 million or more in federal funding for the colleges and their students.


The coalition consists of the National Association for Equal Opportunity In Higher Education, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and UNCF (United Negro College Fund). These organizations, which collectively represent the 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and 50 Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), are opposing proposals that will cut federal funds to HBCUs by $85 million or more and would zero out support for PBIs.


The proposed funding cuts would come on top of $30 million in cuts already made in HBCU funding.


The colleges face a double-barreled threat. Funding cuts could be contained in the Super Committee recommendations or made through the normal appropriations process for the current fiscal year. The three organizations support funding levels contained in an appropriations bill passed by a Senate Appropriations Committee for the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. They oppose the sharply lower levels proposed by House appropriators.


"The colleges that would have to absorb these cuts serve students who employers are counting on as the next generation of engineers, scientists, teachers, doctors and nurses," said Michael L. Lomax, UNCF president and CEO. "Their education is being threatened at the worst possible time – in the midst of an economic downturn that is already making it hard for them to stay in school and graduate."


"In addition to the students they educate, they impact more than 180,000 jobs, including professors, counselors, staff members and others,” Thurgood Marshall College Fund president and CEO Johnny C. Taylor Jr. said.


“Local businesses and national companies depend on the money that the colleges, their employees, and students spend. Their total economic impact is estimated at over $13 billion."


The coalition seeks to rally students, alumni, faculty, staff, administrators and all supporters of HBCUs and PBIs to get their U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives to persuade the Super Committee members not to cut the deficit by disinvesting in higher education. The Super Committee has until November 23 to submit recommended budget reductions and revenue increases.


Visit www.UNCF.org/Advocacy  and click on the "Take Action" icon to send a message to Congress to protect HBCU funding.

The St. Louis American: HBCU advocates ask Congress to maintain funding

WIAReport Weekly Newsletter 11-22-11: Women Outnumber Men in Rhodes Scholarships

http://www.wiareport.com/2011/11/women-outnumber-men-in-rhodes-scholarships/?utm_source=Women+In+Academia+Report&utm_campaign=ae4ded6982-Women_in_Academia_Report_6_14_116_13_2011&utm_medium=email

WIAReport Weekly Newsletter 11-22-11: Women Outnumber Men in Rhodes Scholarships

12 Reasons to Be Thankful You Are a Teacher | TeachHUB

12 Reasons to Be Thankful You Are a Teacher TeachHUB

12 Reasons to Be Thankful You Are a Teacher | TeachHUB