OTC hosts innovative teaching conference

Distance learning means just that — learning at a distance.

So, this year’s celebration of National Distance Learning Week from Nov. 10-14 will be offered with a twist. The entire showcase will be available online for the first time for anyone to see anywhere in the world.

Ozarks Technical Community College will host the 2014 Innovation Showcase in collaboration with Missouri Distance Learning Association, Springfield Public Schools, Evangel University, Missouri State University and Drury University.

“Because Innovation Showcase celebrates National Distance Learning Week, it was important to make the showcase accessible to everyone no matter where they are,” said Phillip Arnold, director of eLearning Systems at OTC.

“This year’s Innovation Showcase will allow remote faculty and students to participate in this event virtually from wherever they may have Internet access.”

The purpose of this weeklong event is to recognize innovative teaching and learning practices and bring awareness to the many different modes through which students now learn: online, face-to-face and in a hybrid setting that is a combination of online and seated class.

“We have enjoyed partnering with area institutions to create this year’s Innovation Showcase,” said Matt Harris, college director of OTC Online.

“The program emphasizes effective instructional practices and technologies specific to distance education but can be applied to any learning environment.”

Jeff Borden, director of Pearson’s Center for eLearning, will provide the showcase’s keynote address on Thursday from 1-3 p.m. in Lincoln Hall on the OTC Springfield campus.

Borden, a consultant, speaker, professor, comedian and trainer, has presented internationally about teaching practices driven by creativity and technology.

There are plenty of sessions being offered for faculty and students interested in classroom innovation and techniques including:

• Social Media in Online Course: This session will cover how social media can be used as an alternative to discussions boards, as a way to enhance student interaction and as a tool for instructor-student interaction. Pros and cons will be covered, along with strategies to integrate social media into online courses.

• Time Management Strategies to Improve Teaching: Many instructors struggle with time management when teaching online, especially individuals new to online teaching. This session would focus on time management strategies, allowing individuals to become more present in each course. By using certain features of Blackboard and learning ways of doing more in the same amount of time, instructors are able to focus on each component, becoming more present in discussion, announcements and feedback.

• Using Video and Pictures to Give Your Online Course a Visual Pop: This session will explore Blackboard and other tools to help create visually engaging online course content.

For more information about Innovation Showcase, visit sites.google.com/site/nationaldistancelearningweek.

Story by Steve Koehler, OTC’s coordinator of media relations