Teaching, Learning, & Technology Blog

Rubrics: Use Pre-Designed Rubrics created by SSC Outcomes Committee or Create Your Own (Online Webinar) (.25 PGU)
2025-03-06 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Rubrics in D2L are a great way to easily communicate assignment expectations to students for any type of course (traditional, hybrid or online). Rubrics in D2L also saves faculty time evaluating and grading while providing quality and objective feedback on student assignments.

In this webinar, we’ll cover the following:

Attaching a pre-designed SSC General Education Rubric created by SSC Outcomes Committee.

Creating your own rubric from scratch and attaching it to an assignment.

Using two different rubrics for one assignment.

Using a rubric directly within gradebook column (for assignments from publisher or observing-type assignments, such as presentations or participation).

Grading an assignment using a rubric and discover how students see their feedback.

Rubric Data: demonstrate ways for instructors to view rubric reporting within a course and the latest customized data dashboard available to instructors which show case the institutional general rubric data collected from the Outcomes Committee. Guage the overall rubric use, with the ability to sort by semester, department, and rubric criterion level.

Join the Teaching and Learning Center for this online webinar as we get instructors started using Rubrics in D2L.

Unable to attend? View recordings of this session at: https://tl.ssc.edu/rubrics-at-ssc-general-education-and-course-level/

Register for this Event

Adjunct Faculty Micro-Credential Session: Using D2L Gradebook and Assignments for In-Person, Flex and Online Courses (Online Webinar)
2025-03-05 18:00 - 19:00
This webinar is part of the D2L Brightspace Basics Bootcamp Micro-Credential for Adjunct Instructors at South Suburban College. Webinar sessions are offered on Saturdays, but also offered during the working week. Adjunct Instructors are welcome to attend these sessions at a time and date convenient to them.

About the D2L Brightspace Basics Bootcamp Micro-Credential for Adjunct Instructors

Complete these three webinars presented by the Teaching and Learning Center before the end of the term to receive the certificate of completion and compensation:

D2L Basics Introduction

D2L Gradebook and Assignments

Using Practice Quizzes in D2L to Prepare Students for Higher Stakes Assignments

This session covers: Using D2L Gradebook and Assignments

Register for this Event

CARLI: Turning Data into Action: Responding to Illinois Student's Need for Equity in Course Material (Vendor Webinar)
2025-03-04 13:00 - 14:30
In this webinar, hear how a diverse group of institutions are responding to Illinois students’ course material experiences and preferences expressed in the 2023 Illinois Course Materials Survey: Student Perspective. Representatives from College of DuPage, Lincoln Land Community College, Millikin University, Oakton College, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale will describe their institutional support and methods for distributing the statewide survey, their methods for analyzing and sharing the survey data, and what impacts and benefits have resulted.

Presenters:

Amber Burtis, Southern Illinois University Carbondale;Scott Ebbing and Tammy Kuhn-Schnell, Lincoln Land Community College;Lauren Kosrow, College of DuPage;Michelle Oh, Oakton College;Amanda Pippitt, Millikin University.

Register for this Event

Instructor Training for LockDown Browser & Respondus Monitor: Prevent Cheating During Online Exams (Vendor Webinar)
2025-03-04 12:00 - 13:00
This comprehensive training webinar is intended for instructors who plan to use LockDown Browser and/or Respondus Monitor with online exams in Blackboard, Brightspace, Canvas, Moodle, and Schoology.

LockDown Browser is a custom browser that prevents digital cheating during an online exam. Respondus Monitor is a companion product for LockDown Browser that deters cheating when students take online exams in non- proctored environments. Students use their own computers with a standard webcam to record assessment sessions.

The training will cover:

– How to use LockDown Browser to prevent digital cheating in proctored testing environments

– How to use Respondus Monitor in non-proctored environments, to protect exam integrity and confirm student identity

– The student perspective using each application

– Efficient review of the assessment data collected, including the Review Priority system, timeline, and milestone features

– Best practices and tips for success with both applications

Register for this Event

Adjunct Faculty Micro-Credential Session: Introduction to Teaching Best Practices (Online Webinar)
2025-03-01 10:00 - 11:00
Are you new to teaching at the college level and/or perhaps would like to pick up a few tips and tricks on teaching best practices? Join the Teaching and Learning Center as they provide helpful tidbits on communication with students, classroom management (in both face-to-face and virtual classroom settings) and discuss examples of designing content based on educational strategies.

We will conclude this session by introducing you to the new ION course entitled Welcome to Effective Teaching and Learning Strategies. This course is designed to take teaching best practices to the next step. Tuition for this 8-week, fully online ION course will be fully paid for by the college and will greatly enhance your teaching skills. A certification of completion will be granted, which you can provide to the Teaching and Learning Center to showcase your accomplishment.

Adjunct Faculty Micro-Credential Session: Introduction to Teaching Best Practices (Online Webinar)

This webinar is part of the Inclusive Teaching Micro-Credential for Adjunct Instructors at South Suburban College. Webinar sessions are offered on Saturdays, but also offered during the working week. Adjunct Instructors are welcome to attend these sessions at a time and date convenient to them.

About the Inclusive Teaching Micro-Credential

Complete these three webinars presented by the Teaching and Learning Center before the end of the term to receive the certificate of completion and compensation:

Introduction to Teaching Best Practices

Anthology Ally (Accessibility tools within D2L)

SSDO Passports & Accommodations (including pregnancy)

This session covers: Introduction to Teaching Best Practices (Online Webinar)

Register for this Event

Holiday - College Closed
2025-02-28 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-17 08:00 - 17:00

Adjunct Faculty Micro-Credential Session: D2L Basics Introduction (Online Webinar)
2025-02-27 18:00 - 19:00
This webinar is part of the D2L Brightspace Basics Bootcamp Micro-Credential for Adjunct Instructors at South Suburban College. Webinar sessions are offered on Saturdays, but also offered during the working week. Adjunct Instructors are welcome to attend these sessions at a time and date convenient to them.

About the D2L Brightspace Basics Bootcamp Micro-Credential for Adjunct Instructors

Complete these three webinars presented by the Teaching and Learning Center before the end of the term to receive the certificate of completion and compensation:

D2L Basics Introduction

D2L Gradebook and Assignments

Using Practice Quizzes in D2L to Prepare Students for Higher Stakes Assignments

This session covers: D2L Basic Introduction

Register for this Event

Adjunct Faculty Micro-Credential Session: Using Practice Quizzes in D2L to Prepare Students for Higher Stakes Assignments (Online Webinar)
2025-02-22 10:00 - 11:00
This webinar is part of the D2L Brightspace Basics Bootcamp Micro-Credential for Adjunct Instructors at South Suburban College. Webinar sessions are offered on Saturdays, but also offered during the working week. Adjunct Instructors are welcome to attend these sessions at a time and date convenient to them.

About the D2L Brightspace Basics Bootcamp Micro-Credential for Adjunct Instructors

Complete these three webinars presented by the Teaching and Learning Center before the end of the term to receive the certificate of completion and compensation:

D2L Basics Introduction

D2L Gradebook and Assignments

Using Practice Quizzes in D2L to Prepare Students for Higher Stakes Assignments

This session covers: Using Practice Quizzes in D2L to Prepare Students for Higher Stakes Assignments

Register for this Event

Introduction to D2L Media Library (Online Webinar) (.25 PGU)
2025-02-21 10:00 - 23:00
This one-hour training session on the D2L Media Library will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively use this robust tool for managing audio and video content within their D2L courses. Participants will learn how to access their media library and highlighting the auto transcription feature, which generates transcripts for media files that can be downloaded by students as additional notes and study support.

In addition, the training will explore advanced features of the D2L Media Library such as applying chapters to videos for better navigation, use the built-in video editing tools for minor adjustments, and record videos outside of specific D2L course for use across multiple course offerings.

By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with the skills and confidence to effectively use the D2L Media Library to create dynamic, accessible, and efficient course content.

Register for this Event

D2L Basics and Simple Syllabus Refresher (Online Webinar)
2025-02-19 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-13 16:00 - 17:00
Join the Teaching and Learning Center for this online webinar as we get instructors started using D2L.  We’ll demonstrate D2L navigation, how to add and organize content into modules, how to create assignments, basic gradebook functionality, and ways to communicate with your students.

In this webinar, we’ll cover the following:

Introducing the D2L Pulse App and easy notifications to students (sort of like text messaging to mobile phones).

Where to locate your Syllabus – using Simple Syllabus

Creating weekly modules and posting a variety of content into those modules (powerpoints, pdf’s, videos, etc.).

Creating assignments (discussion forum, written assignment, online practice quiz) and passing the score to the D2L gradebook.

Basic grading functionality and submitting attendance, midterm and final grades to the student information system.

Various ways to communicate with your students (announcement, emails, students who missed assignments, etc.).

Register for this Event

Quality Matters: Designing for Everyone: Accessibility, Usability and the New ADA Ruling (Vendor Webinar)
2025-02-19 12:00 - 13:00
Accessibility is not just about compliance; it’s about creating better experiences for everyone. In this session, we’ll outline the recent ADA updates that extend regulations to websites and mobile apps, and what they mean for organizations. We’ll also explore actionable strategies for improving accessibility, such as optimizing page structure, enhancing readability, and designing inclusive videos and images. Whether you’re new to accessibility or looking to refine your approach, this session will provide valuable insights to help you create more inclusive content.

Register for this Event

Note: SSC is a member of Quality Matters which provides instructors free accounts. If asked to create an account, please use your SSC email. There should be no charge for attending this event.

Promethean ActivPanel Display Refresher (Hands-on Training in Room 3127) (Registration Required)
2025-02-18 16:00 - 17:00
Some SSC classrooms are equipped with a Promethean ActivPanel as a display. Join the Teaching and Learning Center for this hands-on training where we will demonstrate the technical aspects of using the Promethean ActivPanel in the classroom.

In this live training, we’ll cover:

Navigating the center console, unified menu and touch screen.

Locating and launching applications that are pre-installed.

Allowing students to share their devices with you and other students by initiating a 6-digit sharing code.

Utilizing engaging lessons and activities pre-built into the Promethean ActivPanel that include annotation, capture app, spinner, timer, whiteboard, along with access to internet via Chrome, just to name a few.

Save content altered on the Promethean ActivPanel to USB drive.

Import existing resources, such as PDF’s, images and Powerpoints and/or connecting to your D2L course to access your course content.

Due to limited seating, please register by emailing: ssconline@ssc.edu. You will receive an email confirmation.

This hands-on training will be held in room 3127.

Educause AI Series - Part 5 - AI Across the Curriculum and Design Principles for Assessments (Online webinar)
2025-02-18 12:00 - 14:00
The EDUCAUSE AI Webinar Series is a five part series. Each webinar dives deep into the latest innovations, practical applications, and future trends of AI, providing you with the knowledge and tools to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Note: Each webinar requires individual registration. Don’t miss out—secure your spot for each webinar.

Session 1: AI Across the Curriculum

Session 2: Generative AI and Assessment: Design Principles for the Future of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Register for this Event

Note: SSC is a member of Educause, so registration for this event is free. If you haven’t created your Educause account, please do so using your SSC email. Then register for the event.

12-Week Courses Begin
2025-02-18 08:00 - 17:00

D2L Mini-Webinar Series for Higher Education: Part 4 - Course Design Best Practices (Online Webinar)
2025-02-12 12:00 - 13:00
Save your seat for our “Bright Ideas” 💡 Webinar Series. Each webinar is 45 minutes followed by 15 minutes of Q&A and networking. Take a deep dive with D2L tips and tricks for better digital learning experiences!

Part 4: Course Design Best Practices

📃 Learn how to create Assignments, Discussions, and Quizzes

🎉 Features to personalize and differentiate learning

📊 Tips to enhance your assessment skills

👩‍🏫 Ideal for faculty and instructional designers

Register for this Event

Free Online Conference: Reaching Today's Learner: Impactful Teaching Practices in Higher Education (Vendor Conference)
2025-02-12 11:00 - 2025-02-13 15:00
This annual 2025 virtual Empowered Educator conference will bring higher ed instructors together to share and discuss evidence-based, game-changing teaching and learning approaches that impact student success. This year’s event is all about exploring and implementing teaching practices that resonate with today’s students. We’ll cover everything from assessment to collaboration.

The sessions will motivate and equip you with transformative teaching approaches, new instructional models and innovative learning technologies, like GenAI, to achieve better student learning outcomes.

Evolving college teaching approaches can be central to achieving better results for today’s learners. Join to discover fresh ways to ignite learning for your students ― as well as connect with and learn from your peers.

Sessions include:

Feb. 12, 2025 – 11:00am to 3:00pm

College Teaching Excellence: Aspiring to New Heights.

Transforming Higher Ed with Virtual-Hybrid Learning.

Building Bridges: Faculty, AI & the Future of Higher Ed.

Revolutionizing Learning: Do you Have What it Takes?

Cracking the 2 Sigma Code: One-to-One Tutoring with GPT.

Using Short Form Videos in Your Curriculum.

Leveraging AI: Empowering Students to Enhance Discussion.

Testing with AI: Teaching Critical Thinking & Awareness.

Simulations & AI: Critical Thinking Improvement.

Feb. 13, 2025 – 11:00am to 3:00pm

Introduction to GenAI Tools in Teaching and Learning.

Implementing Student AI Usage with a 3-Tier Approach.

Ungrading & Self-Assessment: Practical Ways to Empower Students.

Empowering Faculty with GenAI: Assessment Strategies.

Reach Your Learners using Online Newspapers.

GenAI: Revolutionizing Project-Based Learning.

Scaffolding, GenAI and a Touch of Human Kindness.

SMARTER Prompt Engineering: A Practical Framework for Using GenAI in Higher Education.

Collaborative Reflective Practice: Google Docs/ChatGPT.

Register for this Event

Note: This conference is sponsored by Cengage, but you do not have to be using Cengage to attend. After the main registration, you’ll select which of the above sessions you’d like to attend.

ILCCO Free Virtual Conference: Growing Online Learning
2025-02-11 10:00 - 2025-02-13 15:00
Join other community colleges in Illinois by attending the ILCCO (Illinois Community College Online) for a free virtual conference with the theme of Sustainability Through Excellence. Here are the sessions:

February 11, 2025

10:00 to 11:00 am – Keynote: Teaching Smarter, Not Harder: Online Course Edition.

2:00 to 3:00pm – The Student Perspective on Engagement and Success in Online Courses.

February 12, 2025

10:00 to 11:00am – Online Course Standards: Using the QM Framework to Create an Internal Peer Review Process.

2:00 to 3:00pm – HyFlex: Faculty Strategies for Teaching and Implementation.

February 13, 2025

10:00 to 11:00am – Faculty Perspective on the College Quality Assurance Process at John A. Login College.

2:00 to 3:00pm – Formative & Summative Assessment for Online and Face-to-Face Courses.

Register for this event and see full description of sessions.

D2L Accessibility: Introduction to Blackboard Ally and ILCCO Accessibility Best Practices (Online Webinar)
2025-02-10 11:00 - 12:00
Have you noticed new colorful icons next to all content posted in your D2L courses? That is Blackboard Ally working to provide alternative methods to students in consuming your content.

We are excited to announce the implementation of Blackboard Ally with Brightspace D2L. Blackboard Ally is a revolutionary product that focuses on using inclusivity, sustainability and automation as its key pillars in helping faculty tackle accessibility in a way that benefits all students. Blackboard Ally automatically converts content posted to D2L courses in alternative formats, such as using the Immersive Reader, Beeline Reader, audio, electronic braille, and translation into many different languages, just to name a few.

In this session we will also introduce you to the Illinois Community College Online (ILCCO) accessibility best practices to discover how Blackboard Ally will increase SSC’s requirements in meeting accessibility standards for all students.

Join the Teaching and Learning Center as we showcase Blackboard Ally in D2L.

Register for this Event

Educause AI Series - Part 4 - Navigating the Future of Gen AI (Online webinar)
2025-02-06 11:00 - 12:00
The EDUCAUSE AI Webinar Series is a five part series. Each webinar dives deep into the latest innovations, practical applications, and future trends of AI, providing you with the knowledge and tools to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Note: Each webinar requires individual registration. Don’t miss out—secure your spot for each webinar.

Session 1: Navigating the Future: Open Education with Generative AI

Session 2: Design Forward: The AI Challenge

Register for this Event

Note: SSC is a member of Educause, so registration for this event is free. If you haven’t created your Educause account, please do so using your SSC email. Then register for the event. Part 5 of this series takes place February 18, 2025

Instructor Training for LockDown Browser & Respondus Monitor: Prevent Cheating During Online Exams (Vendor Webinar)
2025-02-04 14:00 - 15:00
This comprehensive training webinar is intended for instructors who plan to use LockDown Browser and/or Respondus Monitor with online exams in Blackboard, Brightspace, Canvas, Moodle, and Schoology.

LockDown Browser is a custom browser that prevents digital cheating during an online exam. Respondus Monitor is a companion product for LockDown Browser that deters cheating when students take online exams in non- proctored environments. Students use their own computers with a standard webcam to record assessment sessions.

The training will cover:

– How to use LockDown Browser to prevent digital cheating in proctored testing environments

– How to use Respondus Monitor in non-proctored environments, to protect exam integrity and confirm student identity

– The student perspective using each application – Efficient review of the assessment data collected, including the Review Priority system, timeline, and milestone features

– Best practices and tips for success with both applications All attendees will receive a link to a recording after the session.

**Students should not register for this session but instead, contact the instructor or institution for assistance.**

Register for this Event

Need Help Submitting 10-day Attendance? Sign up for D2L Gradebook for In-Person, Flex and Online Courses (Online Webinar) (.25 PGU)
2025-02-03 10:00 - 11:00
Join the Teaching and Learning Center for this online webinar as we get instructors started using the D2L Gradebook.

Here’s what we play to cover:

Best practices of exporting Attendance, Midterm and Final Grades to the SIS (Student Information System).

Demonstrate how assignments, quizzes and discussion forums sync to the Gradebook.

Manually creating Gradebook columns and how to simply enter grades.

If weighing grades, setting up categories and applying to the Gradebook columns.

Register for this Event

10th Day Attendance Due
2025-02-03 08:00 - 17:00

D2L: Analyze Your Fall 2024 Course Data to Tweak Your Spring 2025 course (Online Webinar)
2025-01-28 14:00 - 15:00
Knowing how and when students are interacting with course material can be invaluable in various ways. First, it allows instructors the opportunity tweak and adjust their content during the term. Second, at the end of a term, instructors can view data and see what worked and what didn’t and have the statistic data to back up these findings. This allows an instructor to tweak their course content for next term.

Join the Teaching and Learning Center team in this online webinar where we focus on various places within D2L instructors can access analytics and statistics about their courses. Other areas that will be explored include looking for trends in late and missing submissions, viewing quiz questions and responses, comparing student learning between topics, confirming student are indeed accessing course material and strategic planning for intervention, if necessary.

Register for this Event

D2L Basics and Simple Syllabus Refresher (Online Webinar)
2025-01-23 16:00 - 17:00
Join the Teaching and Learning Center for this online webinar as we get instructors started using D2L.  We’ll demonstrate D2L navigation, how to add and organize content into modules, how to create assignments, basic gradebook functionality, and ways to communicate with your students.

In this webinar, we’ll cover the following:

Where to locate your Syllabus – using Simple Syllabus

Creating weekly modules and posting a variety of content into those modules (powerpoints, pdf’s, videos, etc.).

Creating assignments (discussion forum, written assignment, online practice quiz) and passing the score to the D2L gradebook.

Basic grading functionality and submitting attendance, midterm and final grades to the student information system.

Various ways to communicate with your students (announcement, emails, students who missed assignments, etc.).

Introducing the D2L Pulse App and easy notifications to students (sort of like text messaging to mobile phones).

Register for this Event

Educause AI Series - Part 3 - Policy Creation and Information Literacy (Online webinar)
2025-01-21 14:00 - 15:00
The EDUCAUSE AI Webinar Series is a five part series. Each webinar dives deep into the latest innovations, practical applications, and future trends of AI, providing you with the knowledge and tools to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Note: Each webinar requires individual registration. Don’t miss out—secure your spot for each webinar.

Session 1: AI Practice: Policy Creation and Implementation

Session 2: AI and Information Literacy Online Module

Register for this Event

Note: SSC is a member of Educause, so registration for this event is free. If you haven’t created your Educause account, please do so using your SSC email. Then register for the event. Part 4 of this series takes place February 6, 2025Part 5 of this series takes place February 18, 2025

Start of the Spring 2025 Term
2025-01-21 08:00 - 17:00

College Closed - Holiday
2025-01-20 08:00 - 17:00

Adjunct Faculty Development Day
2025-01-18 08:00 - 13:00
