An Online Professional Development Program for Community and Technical College Faculty
The rationale behind the NC-NET Academy courses is that educational ideas cannot simply be presented; they need to be thought about, talked over, and experienced. These six-week 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. The courses provide an opportunity for faculty throughout the system to network and learn from each other.
August 10 – September 24, 2012:
From Good Teaching to Student Learning(Designed for new and adjunct faculty)
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.
Registration for this course is now closed.
October 5 – November 19, 2012:
Incorporating Active Learning Strategies in the College Classroom
Come explore ways to increase student engagement and participation in your courses. We’ll begin by examining best
practices and models of active learning, including case studies, problem-based learning, and collaborative group
learning. Along the way, we’ll self-assess the degree to which our current teaching strategies promote active
learning. Finally, we’ll stretch beyond our comfort zones and redesign a lesson that is usually taught in a more
passive manner.
Registration for this course is now closed.
October 19 – December 3, 2012:
Recruitment and Retention in Technical Programs
A range of strategies for both recruitment and retention will be explored. These include both
long-term strategies such as dual enrollment, informal learning experiences, learning communities,
service learning and mentoring and short-term, instructional "quick fixes." Model programs with an
emphasis on science and technology will be featured.
Registration for this course is now closed.
January 11 – February 25, 2013:
Technology Bootcamp I: Incorporating the Latest Tools for Effective Instruction
Feeling overwhelmed by all of the new technology tools available for classroom use? Wondering if any of them can
really enhance student achievement? Need some guidance on where to start but are too embarrassed to ask? This
course is for you! Join us in a user-friendly environment in which we'll start at the beginning and explain
the latest technology applications and how to incorporate them easily and effectively into both your online
and face-to-face courses. Applications to be covered include blogging, social networking, podcasting, and
more! This course is designed for IT novices. It is a required
prerequisite for Technology Bootcamp II.
Registration for this course is now closed.
March 8 – April 22, 2013:
Technology Bootcamp II: More Tools for Reaching Students
Don’t abandon those blogs yet! Now that you’ve gotten your feet wet in Technology Bootcamp I,
you’re ready for the accelerated pace of this course. You'll learn the basics of two
new technology tools each week. Get ready to explore Google Earth, lecture capture and distribution
technologies, collaboration tools (wikis, Skype, Google docs, etc.), copyrights, and more!
Note: This course is for faculty who have completed Technology Bootcamp I.
A software and equipment list will be posted prior to the course registration.
June 7 – July 22, 2013:
Technology Bootcamp I: Incorporating the Latest Tools for Effective Instruction
Feeling overwhelmed by all of the new technology tools available for classroom use? Wondering if any of them can really
enhance student achievement? Need some guidance on where to start but are too embarrassed to ask? This course is for you!
Join us in a user-friendly environment in which we'll start at the beginning and explain the latest technology applications
and how to incorporate them easily and effectively into both your online and face-to-face courses. Applications to be
covered include blogging, social networking, podcasting, and more! This course is designed for IT novices. It is a
required prerequisite for Technology Bootcamp II.
Registration for this course is now closed.
Online enrollment for all courses will be available from this web page.
NC-NET Campus Liaisons will be notified of enrollment periods for each course.
The NC-NET Academy courses are six-week, facilitator-led online courses that use Blackboard as the course platform. Enrollment is open to part-time or full-time community college faculty members in North Carolina on a first come, first served basis. (Up to six instructors from one college may register; additional faculty from the same college will be placed on the waiting list and admitted as space allows.)
Tuition: Funding from the North Carolina Community College System to the NC-NET project (using Carl D. Perkins funds) will enable participating faculty members to receive scholarships covering all course tuition in addition to $100 stipends for course completion.
Registration: All course registration will be done online through the NC-NET website. When the enrollment period for a course is open, you will find a link to the online registration form below the course description. Participants will be enrolled until each course reaches a maximum of 30 participants. A waiting list will also be maintained.
Participant Requirements: Full-time and part-time faculty from any community or technical college in North Carolina may apply. Participants should plan to spend 5-7 hours per week on course assignments.
Technology Requirements:
Additional Technology Bootcamp Requirements:
Questions? Please email academy@nc-net.info for additional information.