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The rationale behind the AT&T
Academy courses is that educational ideas cannot simply be presented;
they need to be thought about, talked over, and experienced. These facilitator-led
online courses weave together readings, activities, and discussions
for participants to construct new understandings in the context of their
own situations. Each week, threaded discussions play an essential role
in encouraging participants to reflect on the readings, share stories
from their lives (and their classrooms), pose questions to the group,
and express their reactions.
View comments
from past participants.
2005-06 Course Offerings
September 9-October
21, 2005:
Building Learning Communities: A User’s Guide
Imagine a restructuring of the way students interact with
the curriculum; imagine a curriculum that integrates several disciplines
and conveys a “big picture;” imagine small groups of students
cooperating to build meaning—imagine learning communities! Participants
in this course will explore various models of learning communities and
the rationale for establishing them. This is an active learning experience—participants
will practice interdisciplinary collaboration around a group-derived theme
and will develop a blueprint for implementing this teaching strategy at
their institutions.
[Course complete.]
October 21-December 2, 2005:
Embracing Diversity in the Classroom
Community colleges enroll a true cross section of an America
that is diverse in race, ethnicity, language, age, special needs, sexual
orientation, religion, socioeconomic status and geography. Participants
in this course will learn ways to cultivate a climate of respect and creativity
within a diverse student population. We will reflect on our own experiences,
examine research on inequality in the classroom, explore ADA issues and
discuss handling "hot button" issues.
[Course complete.]
January 20-March 3, 2006:
From Good Teaching to Student Learning
Adjunct and new instructors are encouraged to enroll in
this course that challenges participants to investigate complex issues:
How well does your teaching style mesh with your college’s mission?
What’s different about adult learners? How do we reach them—and
how do we know that we did? Designed for participants with minimal background
in education theory and application, this course will enhance new and
adjunct instructors’ understanding of community college students
and the factors critical to their academic success.
[Course complete.]
March 20-April 28, 2006:
Helping Students Succeed: Broad Strategies in
Student Retention
Community college enrollments are growing at a prodigious rate. At the
same time, however, we’re losing students who have so much potential
to learn and grow. Drawing on the work of theorists Tinto, Astin, Rendon,
Cross and others, this course examines why students leave—academic,
personal, economic, and cultural factors—and provides an overview
of strategies instructors can implement that lead to improved student
retention.
[Course complete.]
AT&T ACADEMY COURSE
DETAILS
Tuition: Funding from the AT&T
Foundation enables participating faculty members to receive scholarships
covering all course tuition in addition to $100 stipends for course completion.
Registration: All course registration is done online
through the Texas Collaborative website. Please click on the link above
for the course you have selected. Participants will be enrolled on a first-come,
first-served basis until each course reaches a maximum of 30
participants.
Participant Requirements: Full-time and part-time faculty
from any community or technical college in Texas may apply. Participants
should plan to spend 5-7 hours per week on course assignments.
Technology Requirements:
- Reliable Internet access
- Netscape 4.0 or higher, Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher with Java
enabled, or Mozilla Firefox
- Adobe Acrobat 4.0 or higher (can be downloaded from the web)
- MSWord, optional (for use if you are attaching a document from your
computer to the website, otherwise you can enter comments directly in
the discussion section without worrying about the software program)
Course Platform: All AT&T Academy
courses will be taught using the Blackboard course platform. Previous
experience with Blackboard is not required. Course participants will be
provided an overview of Blackboard features before courses begin.
Questions? Please email [email protected]
for additional information.
All courses will be offered through the Texas
Collaborative for Teaching Excellence and taught by experts in adult learning
and college teaching.
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