2018 Honored Instructors
In September 2018, Dean Diana Wu and Assistant Dean Ramu Nagappan honored and celebrated the achievements of our 2018 Honored Instructors. A few students also shared their remarkable learning experiences under the careful instruction and guidance of these inspiring mentors. Pictured from left: Aubrey Uresti, Marianna Lenoci, Andrea DuBrow, Diana Wu (Dean), Ramu Nagappan (Assistant Dean) and Helena Weiss-Duman.
New Instructor Blog
Do you see an article in this newsletter that you want to read later? Rather than searching your email inbox, you can now bookmark the Instructor Blog and access it anytime that’s convenient for you.
Extension Instructor Survey
A special thank you to those 256 instructors who responded to our Extension Instructor Survey back in September 2018. Here is a high-level summary report.
We heard you and appreciate your constructive feedback. We’re working diligently to improve our instructor engagement and professional development activities. You suggested workshops that cover topics such as teaching international students, online teaching and classroom strategies. We’ll announce our first event soon.
We’re also working to improve communication about policies, trainings, resources and more. Stay tuned!
Course Evaluation Updates
In Spring 2016, we launched our online student course evaluation system (Blue eXplorance), and students began completing their evaluations by email. In Fall 2018, we implemented an enhancement to the system.
In addition to students being able to complete their course evaluations by email, students can now complete them through the Canvas Learning Management System at onlinelearning.berkeley.edu. Read our Evaluation FAQs to learn more about online student course evaluations, including tips on how you can increase student response rates.
Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) for Classroom Instructors
We have an ambitious goal for Fall 2019, and we need your help!
For every instructor who teaches a credit classroom course, we are requesting that you set up and publish a course shell in the Canvas Learning Management System at onlinelearning.berkeley.edu. This online space will not be a substitute for instructional time. Instead, it will allow you to enhance and supplement the classroom experience. At a minimum, you will post your course syllabus.
However, there are many more benefits to using Canvas for classroom courses:
- Reduce photocopying by uploading files, including your course syllabus and other course materials such as presentation slides, handouts, etc.
- Securely direct all student communication to one place.
- Post course announcements.
- Facilitate discussions outside of class.
- Additional means to securely administer student course evaluations.
We are in the process of developing new Canvas training materials and will begin offering live webinars in May and again before the fall term. For details and to register, see “Canvas Webinar for Classroom Instructors” in the section below.
Professional Development
Webinars on How to Use the Canvas Learning Management System
Canvas Webinar for Online Instructors
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Time: 9-10 am (Pacific Time)
This Canvas webinar is for instructors who teach fully online courses, including those who teach in fixed date and in continuous enrollment formats. Learn how to log in and set up your Canvas account, review and prepare for your course, and use Canvas to interact with and grade your students. Register for this webinar.
Canvas Webinar for Classroom Instructors
Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Time: 12-1 pm (Pacific Time)
This Canvas webinar is for instructors who teach only in classroom-based courses. Learn how to log in and set up your Canvas account, upload and link to files (including your syllabus, presentation slides and other course materials), choose a course home page and use Canvas to interact with your students. Register for this webinar.
Upcoming Academic Innovation Studio Events
Digital Learning Platforms for Data Science Education
Date: March 7, 2019
Time: 12-1:30 pm (Pacific Time)
Learn more.
2019 Teaching and Research Resource Fair
Date: April 18, 2019
Time: 11 am-1 pm (Pacific Time)
Learn more.