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Teaching Transformation Academy

The Teaching Transformation Academy consists of a series of workshops designed to expose faculty to:

  • the latest in pedagogical strategies
  • sound instructional design processes
  • the effective use of technology in the teaching process

The TTA is a voluntary effort and approximately 40% of VU's faculty have attended.

See the list of TTA graduates by clicking here.

TTA Resources:

TTA Reading List - http://quality-instruction.blogspot.com/2007/06/reading-list.html

Session 01 – Transformation, Effective Teaching and Quality Instruction (PEDAGOGY)
The focus is developing a personal understanding of effective teaching. How does each individual faculty member define effective teaching and quality instruction? Reflecting on the aspects of learner-centered teaching, faculty members will engage in a discussion on their own teaching styles, learning styles and the impact on the teaching environment. This session will highlight best practices and implementing these practices into their unique classrooms, whether face-to-face, fully online, or a hybrid classroom.

Session 02 – Basics of Blackboard Course Management System (TECHNOLOGY)
Most courses will explore the use and integration of a course management system or learning management system. For many, this is a new experience, both as teacher and student. This session will provide an overview and practical hands-on application to explore and create some of the basic elements of an technologically supplemented or supported class. The focus will be introduction to the basic facets of Blackboard, and skill exploration.

Session 03 – Teaching and Learning Styles (PEDAGOGY)
Understanding the myriad of teaching and learning styles can be somewhat daunting for even the most seasoned faculty member. Much of the intuitive approaches to teaching have success. The focus of this session will include a reflective and interactive discussion on both teaching and learning styles. As part of understanding and determining the impact of teaching styles on learning and learning styles on teaching, faculty will be introduced to the role of technology in teaching and learning.

Session 04 – Course Development and Concept Mapping/Outlining (PEDAGOGY, COURSE DESIGN)
Realizing that while all courses may have similar elements, all courses differ from one another. Faculty will discuss and examine the course structure and lesson structure. Identifying curricular elements and their place in course and lesson structure, faculty will focus on the development of a course, or the modification of a course, for different delivery modalities (face-to-face, fully online, or hybrid). This session will focus on concept mapping or outlining as a strategy to enhance course or lesson design. Using web based applications or other technological applications, instructional units will be mapped or outlined and these outlines will be used to identify depth and breadth of coverage.

Session 05 – Active Learning and Course Materials (PEDAGOGY)
Developing a sense and understanding of active learning is important. Using this understanding to focus, direct and redirect teaching will create an environment where all students have the same potential to learn. Active learning is, and should, be a primary method for teaching AND learning. This session will focus on modeling active learning, and a variety of active learning techniques. Creating course materials that support and enhance active learning will be discussed and examined.

Session 06 – Digital Learning Assets and PowerPoint Presentation Software (TECHNOLOGY)
The assets available for learning are growing as fast as technological changes. To understand the differences in digital audio, digital video and digital file formats is important to begin integrating these assets into the classroom. Faculty will explore and be introduced to the digital assets available and instructional strategies to incorporate and integrate these assets into their classroom. The focus will include presentation software (currently Microsoft PowerPoint 2007) introduction and basic skill development.

Session 07 – Assessment Strategies and Techniques (PEDAGOGY, COURSE DESIGN)
Assessment and evaluation are integral elements in the classroom. Expanding the variety of assessment strategies provides faculty with different methods of determining or measuring the depth and breadth of student learning. This session will focus on reviewing a variety of assessment strategies. Faculty will participate in multiple assessments and reflect on each assessment. This session will seek to integrate assessment into the classroom and use assessment to determine both student performance and teaching effectiveness.

Session 08 – Advanced Blackboard Features (TECHNOLOGY)
This session will explore the advanced features of Blackboard. Providing hands-on experience, faculty will create and manipulate many of the advanced features not addressed in the previous Blackboard session. The focus of this session is on introduction to and exploration of Blackboard features and skill reinforcement and development.

Session 09 – Desktop Audio and Video (TECHNOLOGY)
The uses of audio and video will be the focus of this session. Using readily accessible desktop software or web based software, faculty will create audio files and video files to be used in their classroom. This session will include a discussion and examination of both audio and video files in teaching and learning. Faculty will be introduced to and develop skills necessary for creating, basic editing and distributing digital or desktop audio and video files.

Session 10 – Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication (TECHNOLOGY)
Current technological applications provide seemingly immediate, continuous and rich communication venues between teacher and student. Supplementing traditional email or discussion forums, new synchronous and asynchronous communication tools are providing access anywhere, anytime and anyplace. This session will focus on introducing and exploring the new emerging communication tools, and provide opportunities for discussion on the nature of contemporary communication in teaching and learning.

Session 11 – Classroom Management (COURSE DESIGN)
Contemporary classroom management strategies are changing with changes in classroom technology, refinement and identification of teaching and learning styles and curricular expectations. How the classroom is managed depends not only on the type of classroom (face-to-face, fully online, or hybrid), the type of technologies used, but also on the learning outcomes. This session will focus on a discussion of the dynamic classroom management strategies necessary for all types of classrooms.

Session 12 – Delivering Online Content (COURSE DESIGN)
Contemporary course content should be delivered using the variety of technological means available. No longer is curricular content only text and images. Digital content can be delivered to students and updated and dynamically changed. Content becomes more current than traditional means. This session will focus on determining the most appropriate method to deliver content, whether face-to-face, fully online or in a blended or hybrid environment. Faculty will explore and be introduced to several emerging technologies that may be used to deliver content.

Session 13 – Learning Environments and Spaces (PEDAGOGY)
In the contemporary focus on learning and teaching, the physical or traditional perceptions of the classroom shift. The dynamic model of learning can occur with no regard to place or time. Resources that once were available at a unique location are now available and accessible as digital resources. This session will focus on examining and reflecting on the changes and shifts for teaching in different environments or spaces.

Session 14 – Final Reflection (PEDAGOGY)
What has been transformed? How have the participants been transformed? What are their plans for implementation and integration of the academy into practice? This session will celebrate the accomplishments of the participants and challenge them to continue their transformation.

 

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Kotter recertified as collegiate retailer

November 20, 2009


VINCENNES, IND. - Ronald L. Kotter, manager of Vincennes University’s Old Post Bookstore, recently completed the requirements to renew his Certified Collegiate Retailer (CCR) designation through the National Association of College Stores.  The CCR designation indicates skillful leadership, stewardship, and expertise in college store operations.

In addition to Kotter’s career experience in collegiate retailing, CCR designees must successfully complete a comprehensive examination that tests their fundamental knowledge of all areas of the collegiate retailing profession and their ability to apply that knowledge.  To successfully recertify for the designation, individuals complete a minimum of 60 hours of continuing education and professional development in the four years since initially earning the designation or from the date of the last renewal, as applicable.

More than 100 collegiate retailers have earned the CCR designation since its launch in fall 2004.

About NACS

Headquartered in Oberlin, Ohio, the National Association of College Stores is the professional trade association representing the $11 billion collegiate retailing industry.  NACS represents more than 3,100 collegiate retailers and approximately 1,100 associate members who supply books and other products to college stores.  NACS member stores daily serve America’s college students while supporting the academic missions of higher education institutions everywhere.  Additional information is available online at www.nacs.org.

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VU Christmas Gala Concert is Dec. 2

November 20, 2009

VINCENNES, IND. - The Vincennes University Music Department will present a Christmas Gala Concert on Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. EST, in the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center Theatre.  The concert is free and the public is invited to attend.

The concert will showcase various Christmas songs in a variety of musical styles.  Featured groups include the VU Connection, Concert Band, Concert Choir, Brass Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, String Ensemble, Blues Ensemble, performances by VU faculty members, and more.

For more information, please contact Duane Chattin, Director of Public Information, at 812-888-4164 or dchattin@vinu.edu

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Lady Trailblazers 10th, Trailblazers 25th in NJCAA’s 1st hoops polls of season

November 18, 2009


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Vincennes Lady Trailblazers are No. 10 in the NJCAA's first Div. I Women's Basketball Poll of the season, which was released today.

The VU men were in a tie for 25th in the initial poll announced late Tuesday afternoon.

The 7-0 Lady Trailblazers had been ranked No. 13 in the pre-season poll. Gulf Coast - host of this weekend's Gulf Coast Classic in Panama City, Fla, in which the Lady Trailblazers will participate – tops the first regular-season poll. VU, after beating No. 14 Lincoln Trail 69-64 Tuesday, faces Gulf Coast Saturday, after taking on No. 22 Chipola on the tournament's first day.

Each of the event’s games will be carried live on the Gulf Coast Sports Network. The broadcasts can be heard by visiting the Gulf Coast Athletics Web site at www.gcathletics.com.

The Vincennes Trailblazers, 6-1 on the season, share the 25th slot in the rankings with the College of Southern Idaho. Central Florida Community College is the top-ranked team in the first poll. The Trailblazers defeated Lincoln Trail (ranked No. 23 in the first poll) 81-77 Tuesday night.

VU will host Southeastern Illinois at 7 p.m. Saturday at the P.E. Complex.

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Former VU Blazer Baseball Player Jason Clutter Making Way in Music


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Jason Clutter's family moved from Elberfeld to Haubstadt when he was 10 and he discovered sports, especially baseball. He loved it so much that he worked hard enough to turn his God-given talent into a scholarship to pitch and play outfield at Vincennes University.

Clutter graduated in 2002 as one of the NJCAA's top closers and holding a degree in graphic design. He moved on to Oakland City and then spent part of summer 2003 in Italy playing baseball. Unfortunately, his shoulder gave out during his senior year with the Oaks and he would never play baseball again.

So Clutter looked to his other passion - country music, which until that time had been a way to pass time on baseball road trips. “I would sing on the bus on road trips during college and the team would join in," he said.

Music certainly became more than a hobby when Clutter started a local band and recorded seven original songs, two of which got fairly heavy play on Evansville market radio for almost two years. The band quickly grew from playing in front of about 20 people to crowds of about 200 per night.

Clutter has opened for 13 national acts and hopes to complete a new album for release in 2010.

**For more information, visit wwww.jasonclutter.com.

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WVUB radio receives state Community Involvement Award

November 19, 2009


VINCENNES, IND. - Vincennes University radio station Blazer 91.1 WVUB is the recipient of the “Community Involvement” award from the Indiana Broadcasters Association.  The award was presented Nov. 14 during the annual Spectrum Awards ceremonies in Indianapolis.

“I am very honored to have received this award for two reasons,” said Phillip Smith, general manager of WVUB.  “We were very happy to have been selected as Radio Station of the Year last year.  But this award has even more meaning.  This is recognition of service to our community.  Actually being concerned and involved in local events and activities is what broadcasting is all about, and being honored for that by your peers is the highest form of recognition.  Secondly, both VU and the VU Broadcasting Department were recognized and highlighted by broadcasters from throughout the state.”

According to the Indiana Broadcasters Association, the Spectrum Award recognizes broadcast excellence for outstanding achievement in broadcasting by radio and television stations throughout Indiana.  The competition was established to encourage the highest standards of reporting, community service, and production creativity.  It is the ultimate peer recognition for members of the broadcast industry in Indiana.

“When I travel throughout the state, I frequently encounter graduates of VU’s broadcasting program and they always speak highly of their preparation at VU.  Giving students the opportunity to be involved with award-winning stations such as WVUB is an important part of why our graduates achieve great success in this field.  I commend everyone associated with WVUB on receiving this honor,” said VU President Dick Helton.

WVUB Program Director Michael Woods said the award is a motivator for the station’s staff.  “The trophy shows the dedication of our staff and the acceptance of our listeners.  We promise not to let up, but to continue to deliver quality programming for the people of the Wabash valley.”

VU BROADCASTING

The VU Broadcasting Department prepares students for successful entry into radio, television, and allied career fields while earning a college degree. The program emphasizes hands-on, real-world experience for students, including many hours in VU broadcast studios and stations perfecting both on-air and behind-the-scenes technical skills.  VU’s public broadcast stations, WVUB and WVUT-TV, are the only ones in Indiana that are part of an academic broadcast program.

VINCENNES UNIVERSITY - Indiana’s First College

VU is state-supported with campuses in Vincennes and Jasper and additional sites such as the Indianapolis International Airport.  VU also offers instruction at military sites throughout the nation.

In addition to offering 200 associate degree and certificate programs, VU also offers bachelor’s degree programs in technology, homeland security, nursing, and secondary education programs in mathematics, science, and special education.

VU enrolls students from throughout Indiana, 26 other states, and 37 foreign countries.  Tuition and fees are the lowest among Indiana campuses with residence halls.  VU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Founded in 1801, VU is Indiana’s first college and is the only college in the nation founded by an individual who would later become President of the United States.  William Henry Harrison, the ninth U.S. President, founded VU while serving as governor of the Indiana Territory.  More information is available at www.vinu.edu.

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H1N1 vaccination clinic for VU students is Nov. 23

November 19, 2009


VINCENNES, IND. - An H1N1 vaccination clinic will be offered to Vincennes University students on Nov. 23 from 5:00-7:00 PM EST (or until all vaccine is given) in VU’s Beckes Student Union, Fort Sackville Room 1.

“We have a limited number of vaccinations and we must follow the priority guidelines set by the Center for Disease Control and the Indiana State Board of Health for administration of the vaccine.  We will be offering additional H1N1 vaccination clinics as soon as we receive additional doses from the County Board of Health,” said Peggy Milligan, coordinator of the VU Student Health Center.

Recommended initial priority groups include:  pregnant women, household/caregivers of babies under 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons aged 6 months to 24 years, persons aged 25-64 who have high-risk medical conditions.

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VU Health Watch Wednesday Continues

 VU Health Watch Wednesday began with two e-text messages that provided H1N1 wellness tips and reminded subscribers to visit the VU Health Office web page. 

Updates will be posted each Wednesday (or sooner if the situation warrants).  The webpage includes links to the Center for Disease Control flu pages, preventative tips, and campus information. 

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