Blackboard Learn: Essentials
Instructor: Edward Everett
Date: 8/16/2018
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
Location: Scott Memorial Library, Room 307
(Register for this workshop)

Essentials focuses on the basic features of Blackboard giving faculty the tools to build a course in Blackboard Learn. This session is recommended for all faculty and organizational leaders new to Blackboard.

After completing the session, participants will be able to:

• Describe the function, purpose and access rights to the Content Collection (file management system)
• Identify steps to create and deploy Exams & Surveys in Blackboard
• Create and maintain a record of assessments in Grade Center
• Use Blackboard’s Communication Tools

Communicate Like a Pro--Think Like a Journalist: Simplify Your Message
Instructor: Julie Phillips, PhD
Date: 8/23/2018
Time: 9:00am – 10:00am
Location: Scott Memorial Library, Room 200A, Center City Campus
(Register for this workshop)

Created as a series, but designed as discrete workshops, this series focuses on improving communication and presentation skills. Each workshop will focus on a finite skill required for effective communication. Each workshop begins with a mini-lecture on a specific communication or public speaking skill and then guides participants through a series of activities designed to highlight the skill while also providing strategies for later use.

These sessions are interactive and experiential. The only way to confront the fear of public speaking or to improve communication skills is to practice. These workshops provide opportunities for practice and attempt to alleviate anxiety around public speaking through the process of desensitization and laughter.

Participants are invited to attend all of the sessions or select the workshop(s) of most interest in need.

Communicate Like a Pro--Think Like a Journalist: Simplify Your Message

The “nut graf” rules in journalism. Referring to the phrase “in a nutshell,” the nut graf is a stylistic convention in journalistic writing. Journalists often provide the who, what, when, where, why and how in a few simple lines. The skill of writing clearly and concisely applies to public speaking. In order to be effective, the speaker must have a defined message for her/his audience. This workshop focuses on defining the central message and provides three practice strategies for clarifying and simplifying the message.

Upon completion of this workshop, participants should be able to:

• Describe three elements of a well-defined message
• Apply one of several strategies to generate a clear and concise message

This workshop is also available online on the date of the session--click here to enter the virtual classroom.