Faculty Resources
Quick Links: Training | Equipment & Book Check Out | FAQs | Best Practices
There are many distance learning resources available for TAMIU faculty on campus. This page has a summary of some of those resources as well as some other helpful tidbits of information.
Training
We provide opportunities for faculty to learn how to use instructional technologies in their distance learning courses and in their research. Workshops may be found on our OIT Professional Development site. We offer a full range of support, maintenance, and training for both instructional services and course development, including:
- Workshops offered at no cost with hands-on training.
- Training and assistance at OIT, designated training rooms or instructor offices.
- Personal consultations in rooms with equipment for instructors to use.
- Technical support for LMS and other instructional software.
- Training for entire departments and LMS orientations for students.
- Informational handouts and other online resources, such as:
Our training topics emphasize instructional design and multimedia development that facilitate distance learning. Supported software and instructional devices include, but are not limited to:
- Learning Management System (LMS)
- LMS Overview
- LMS workshops include but are not limited to Navigation, Assessments, Rubrics and Gradebook.
- Blackboard Collaborate Ultra
- Camtasia & Snagit
- CourseArc
- CourseArc is a content authoring and management system that facilitates the collaborative creation of engaging and accessible online learning.
- Learn More>>
- Echo360
- Echo360 captures class lectures and converts them into podcasts, video, rich media and more for anytime, anywhere playback. If you would like your lecture captures transcribed, contact us at elearning@tamiu.edu for requesting transcriptions.
- Portfolio
- "Portfolios collect and organize pieces of work completed over time. They are compilations of work with a general purpose or goal to showcase progress and achievement." - Blackboard website
- Turnitin
- Turnitin is an easy-to-use Web-based application that can be used to help detect and prevent plagiarism. Best of all TurnItIn is integrated into the eLearning LMS.
- Learn More >>
- VoiceThread
- "VoiceThread bridges the gap between real-time discussions and standard video lectures or online presentations. This makes VoiceThread the platform for teaching, learning, training, and collaborating, on-demand." - VoiceThread website
- Learn More >>
Although walk-ins are welcome, instructors are encouraged to set up appointments to ensure that necessary resources, materials, and training staff are available for assistance. To request an appointment, email us at oitprofessionaldevelopment@tamiu.edu or contact us at 956.326.2792.
For a list of upcoming workshops, please visit: https://trainings.tamiu.edu.
Open Educational Resources
Courses:
- Coursera - free online courses
- Digital Library for Earth System Education
- Discovery Education - textbooks and resources
- edX - free online courses
- https://www.sciencecourseware.org/
- National Science Digital Library
- Open Learning Initiative
- SkillsCommons
- The Ultimate MOOC Handbook
- Udacity - free online courses
Policy
- U.S. OER Policy Overview
- Creative Commons OER Licensing Policies
- OER World Map
- Policy guidelines for the development and promotion of open access
- The Cape Town Open Education Declaration
OER Provider
Research
- 2013 Inside Higher Ed Survey of Faculty Attitudes on Technology
- Innovating Pedagogy
- Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and Personal Learning Environments (PLEs)
- MOOC Handbook
- MOOC Quality Project
- New Media Consortium (NMC) Horizon Report
- Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) Open Educational Resources (OER) Resource Library
- Society for Learning Analytics Research (SoLAR) Open Learning Analytics
- The Hewlett Foundation’s Education Program: Research on Open Educational Resources
Textbooks:
- Texas State Historical Association
- Openstax
- National Science Digital Library
- Discovery Education
- Open textbook Library
- SPARC (the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition)
- Siyavula
- Adobe Photoshop CS4: Advanced
- Adobe Photoshop CS4: Advanced
- ADOBE Photoshop CS4 - Student Manual
- Assessing the Online Learner: Resources and Strategies for Faculty
- Assistive Technology in the Classroom: Enhancing the School Experiences of student with Disabilities
- Classroom Assessment Techniques: A Handbook for College Teachers 2nd ed
- Conquering the Content: A Step-by-Step Guide to Online Course Design
- Cultivating Leadership in School:Connecting, People, Purpose, and Practice
- Doing Qualitative Research:Second Edition
- Engaging the Online Learner:Activities and Resources for Creative Instruction
- Image Management & Multimedia: Student Project Book Vol 1
- Image Management & Multimedia: Student Project Book Vol 2
- Image Management & Multimedia: Student Project Book Vol 3
- Learn Adobe Premiere Elements in 3 Days
- Learn Adobe Premiere Elements in 6 Days
- Lead Right:Every leader's Straight-Talk Guide to Job Success
- Simple SMART Skills for teacher productivity and student engagement
- Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Education 4th ed
- Teaching at its Best: A Research-Based Resource for College Instructors 3rd ed
- The New Meaning of Educational Change: Fourth Edition
- The Plagiarism Handbook: Strategies for Preventing, Detecting, and Dealing with Plagiarism
- Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works
- What the Best College Teachers Do
Blackboard (eLearning)
Blackboard Collaborate Ultra
CourseArc
- CourseArc Help - Knowledge Base - List of various questions on getting started.
- How do I get started in CourseArc?
Turnitin
- Creating a Turnitin Assignment (PDF) *NEW*
- Creating a PeerMark Assignment
- Complete Instructor Resources