NC-NET Academy

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 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.

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2008-09 Course Offerings

September 26-November 7, 2008:
Technology Bootcamp: 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!
Registration for this course has closed.

October 10-November 21, 2008:
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.
Click here to go to the enrollment form.

Spring 2009:

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.

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.

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.

NC-NET Academy Details

The NC-NET Academy courses are six-week, facilitator-led online courses that use Blackboard as the course platform. Enrollment is open to any part-time or full-time community college faculty member in North Carolina.

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. 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. 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.