Contact Us
Email: digitallearning@msmc.edu
Phone: 845-569-3457
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00a – 4:30p (Closed Weekends)
Faculty Workshops & Trainings
Our workshops and trainings are designed with the MSMC instructor in mind. Our goal is to provide you with the opportunity to explore the digital teaching and learning tools available at the College, as well as introduce you to practical and evidence-based best practices for digital instruction. Through these opportunities, we strive to provide you with insight that is based in both research and experience as you are inspired to try new things: both in the classroom and online.
eClass Basics is required for all new instructors at MSMC, regardless of course modality. It is continuously available as an optional refresher for all MSMC faculty.
The goal of this training is to provide instructors with a foundational understanding of eClass and its primary uses. Participants will learn:
- Course Management Basics (navigation, customizing course settings, etc.).
- Adding Resources (web links, files, etc.).
- Adding Activities (discussion forums, assignment drop boxes, etc.).
- Designing a Basic eClass Gradebook
- …and more
After completion, a digital badge will be awarded that is displayed on one’s eClass profile. Faculty are welcome to follow this training with a one-on-one consultation with an eClass expert to discuss particular goals/usage of eClass to enhance in-person instruction. Once a faculty member completes eClass Basics, they will not be required to participate again.
Accessing eClass Basics:
- Log in to eClass.
- Click the “Getting Started” link on the homepage.
- Click “eClass Basics for Faculty” to self-enroll and begin.
After completing eClass Basics, faculty may choose to participate in this optional training to expand their eClass skills and knowledge beyond the basics. Participants will:
- Learn how to import course materials
- Understand more advanced features of quizzes/online assessments
- Observe other advanced tools available in eClass
- Understand advanced gradebook design and management
- …and more
After completion, a digital badge will be awarded. Faculty are welcome to follow this training with a one-on-one consultation with an eClass expert to discuss particular goals/usage of eClass to enhance in-person instruction.
Accessing eClass Advanced: The training will become available to faculty only after completion of the eClass Basics training.
The Training to Teach Online (TTOL) is a required certification workshop for faculty teaching hybrid or online courses at MSMC. It addresses teaching with technology and instructional design principles, pedagogical approaches to teaching online and hybrid courses, as well as the organization and management of an online course. Furthermore, participants will be immersed in:
- Research-based frameworks to support learning design and digital pedagogy;
- Guidance on effective facilitation and best practices for developing virtual teaching presence;
- Strategies for creating online learning activities and assessments;
- Models for developing and sustaining a sense of community.
Maintaining Certification: In order to continue teaching hybrid or online courses at MSMC, participation in a re-certification workshop is required every three years after initial certification.
About the Initial Certification Process
This workshop contains five modules of guiding videos, self-paced tasks, helpful resources, and course building exercises conducted within one’s own eClass course. By the end of the workshop, participants will have created one full module or week, as well as supporting course documents, in alignment with online course design best practices. The workshop should be completed prior to course delivery.
- Modality: Online (95% asynchronous and 5% synchronous, consisting of self-paced tasks and at least one personalized Zoom meeting/course review with an Instructional Designer).
- Time Investment: 2-5 hours, varies (Faculty with more expertise in online teaching, use of learning management systems, or pre-developed online curriculum may complete in less time. Beginners may need additional time to complete).
About the Re-Certification Process
The re-certification workshop serves as a self-paced review of instructional design principles and pedagogical approaches to teaching online. The workshop concludes with a self-review of one’s upcoming hybrid or online course. Meeting(s) with an Instructional Designer are available, but optional.
- Modality: Online (100% asynchronous)
- Time Investment: 1-2 hours (varies depending on previous experience teaching hybrid and/or online courses at MSMC).
Workshop Enrollment
Since certification is required to teach hybrid-online courses, our department works directly with Chairpersons to identify certification needs for the faculty approximately every 4-6 months. Likewise, Chairpersons are expected to notify the Director of Digital Learning and Instructional Design Services upon hiring new faculty to teach hybrid or online courses so that the proper training can be arranged in a timely manner.
Once identified, the Director enrolls the faculty member(s) in to the respective workshop. Faculty will receive more information via MSMC email from the Director and/or their Chairperson.
Exemptions
Faculty members who have advanced degrees in curriculum or instructional design and/or have formal certifications in the area of online course design/quality (e.g., Quality Matters Certified Peer Reviewer, Online Learning Consortium Certified Instructional Designer) may request a participation exemption. Exemptions will be approved at the discretion of the Director of Digital Learning and Instructional Design Services, in consultation with the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Faculty members who have partnered with the Office of Digital Learning and Instructional Design Services to develop an online or hybrid course under a contractual agreement within the past three years are exempt.
As distance, online and hybrid education philosophies, policies, and processes are always evolving and vary from institution to institution, former online teaching experience does not qualify a faculty member for an exemption.
We regularly consult with instructors about new and existing instructional technologies, pedagogical strategies, and reviewing courses for optimal learning. We assist with the framing of an instructor’s ideas for their class and help them understand what is possible with the instructional technology tools available. We share best practices and evidence-based strategies that promote active learning, engagement, and enhance learning in all environments, but particularly those occurring online.
If after you participate in the above workshops/trainings and would like additional guidance or advice, please make an appointment with us.