eLearning In-the-News
This page highlights a variety of noteworthy accomplishments, presentations, and highlights in eLearning at GVSU.
Highlights
- 2020 - Vince. St. Germain presented at the miBUG (Michigan Blackboard Users Group) Spring Conference on the topic: "Using Blackboard's Goal Tool".
- 2020 - eLearning team highlighted in an article in GVNext at GVSU: "Two teams part of large infrastructure to support faculty during remote learning"
- 2019 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director of eLearning and Emerging Technologies, presented at the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference with John Scott, Product Manager, Blackboard along with the University of Kentucky and College of Southern Nevada, in a session entitled: "Leveraging Data-Driven Decision-Making to Drive Student Success, Retention, and Accessibility Initiatives". Eric and John presented on the topic: “A Data-Informed Approach to Inclusive Learning: Scaling Accessibility” which focused on data-driven decisions guiding work in the areas of inclusive education, accessibility, and universal design for learning (UDL).
- 2019 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, was interviewed for an EdTech Magazine article entitled: "How Videoconferencing Platforms Help Connect Campus Communities", published on October 9, 2019.
- 2019 - Sherry Barricklow, eLearning and Instructional Technology Specialist, and Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, were interviewed for a Grand Valley Lanthorn article entitled: "Blackboard Ally scholarship aims to increase course accessibility"
- 2019 - Glenna Decker, Instructional Designer, presented at the "Lifelong Learning on Tap" series on the topic of "Impostership, Authenticity and Belonging" for the Center for Adult and Continuing Studies.
- 2019 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, authored an article in Education Technology Insights entitled: "Technology as a Catalyst in Shaping the Educational Experience".
- 2019 - An interview of Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, featured an article in EdTech Magazine "Active-Learning Buildings Showcase New Teaching Philosophies". The article highlights the importance of active learning spaces on campuses that: encourage collaboration and exploration by design; infuse technology deliberately; and ultimately facilitate student success.
- 2019 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, was elected as president of the Educational Technology Organization of Michigan executive board.
- 2019 - Vince St. Germain, eLearning and Instructional Technology Specialist, supported a virtual sustainability conference with Blackboard Collaborate. The event was held in collaboration with the Community Sustainability Partnership and the City of Grand Rapids which is a United Nations Regional Center of Expertise (RCE). The event theme was: “A Regional Perspective on Climate and Sustainability” and GRPS students connected virtually with other students around the world, including Portland, Oregon, Costa Rica and Nigeria.
- 2019 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director of eLearning and Emerging Technologies, presented at the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative Annual Conference with Heidi Pettyjohn, Executive Director for Accessibility, of the University of Cincinnati. The poster session was entitled: “Strategies to Establish Pathways for Inclusive Education” and focused on the topics of inclusive education, accessibility, and universal design for learning (UDL).
- 2018 - On December 13, Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, authored a case study "Data-driven Strategies for Inclusive Learning" around the adoption and use of Blackboard Ally at GVSU.
- 2018 - On November 15, Matt Roberts, Instructional Designer, and Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, will be facilitating an Educational Technology Organization of Michigan meet up on the topic of "Badges and Gamification".
- 2018 - On November 14, Sherry Barricklow, eLearning and Instructional Technology Specialist, and Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, will be delivering a Michigan Blackboard Users Group Webinar entitled: "November Meet-up: Bb Ally at GVSU".
- 2018 - On November 2, Justin Melick, Digital Media Developer, will be delivering a session at the Fall Conference for the Educational Technology Organization of Michigan. His session topic: "Promoting the creation of efficient and effective Instructional Media."
- 2018 - On November 2, Matt Roberts, Instructional Designer, and Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, will be delivering a session at the Fall Conference for the Educational Technology Organization of Michigan. Their session topic: "Digital Badges for Faculty: A Primer". Promoting the creation of efficient and effective instructional media
- 2018 - The eLearning and Emerging Technologies team's work to implement Blackboard Ally was recognized in a press release: "Blackboard's Accessibility Solution Continues Strong Momentum, Impacting 3 Million Learners Worldwide".
- 2018 - On October 31, Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, will be participating on a panel for the Blackboard Ally Forum Series entitled: "Roundtable of the Heroic-Ally Minded".
- 2018 - The GV Lanthorn featured an article entitled "Blackboard Ally provides resources to improve accessibility" with commentary by Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, Sherry Barricklow, eLearning and Instructional Technology Specialist, and Hunter Bridwell, Digital Media Developer.
- 2018 - Matt Roberts, Instructional Designer, will be presenting at the Lilly Conference (Advancing Teaching and Learning) on October 18 in a session entitled: "Alone at the Table Together: Hospitality, Community, and Online Education".
- 2018 - Glenna Decker, Instructional Designer, and Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, delivered a Blackboard Innovative Teaching Series [BITS] "Improving Student Engagement and Retention Through the Community of Inquiry" session on October 10, 2018.
- 2018 - Sherry Barricklow, eLearning and Instructional Technology Specialist, presented for the Texas Blackboard Users Group on the topic: "Using Blackboard to Support and Review Faculty Promotions".
- 2018 - Hunter Bridwell, Digital Media Developer, presented at the Michigan OER Summit, on September 21 in Port Huron with faculty from the Nursing department at GVSU.
- 2018 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director of eLearning and Emerging Technologies, contributed to an article posted on September 17, 2018, entitled: "Mary Idema Pew Library celebrates five years of innovative education" for the Grand Valley Lanthorn at Grand Valley State University.
- 2018 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director of eLearning and Emerging Technologies, contributed to an article posted on September 12, 2018, entitled: "Technology Showcase to celebrate five-year anniversary" for GVNOW at Grand Valley State University.
- 2018 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director eLearning and Emerging Technologies, authored an article in E-Learn Magazine entitled: "Keeping Students Engaged: the Role of Faculty in Student Retention".
- 2018 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director eLearning and Emerging Technologies, published a conference proceeding paper “Supporting University Instructors Through Governance & Peer Evaluation” with GVSU professors Amy Schelling and Erica Hamilton for the 2018 Distance Teaching and Learning Conference.
- 2018 - Justin Melick, Digital Media Developer in eLearning, published a paper with Kristen Vu and Julia VanderMolen entitled: "Use of Lightboard Video Technology to Address Medical Dosimetry Concepts: Field Notes" from the Current Issues in Emerging eLearning (CIEE) Journal of the Center for Innovation and Excellence in eLearning at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
- 2018 - The eLearning and Emerging Technologies (eLearning) team is honored to receive the 2018 Blackboard Catalyst Award for Professional Development.
- 2018 - Matt Roberts, Eric Kunnen, and Szymon Machajewski (Affiliate Professor) co-organized the first ever 'hackathon' hackGVSU event at GVSU.
- 2018 - Katie Clark, Systems Analyst, presented on REST APIs and Blackboard for the Michigan Blackboard Users Group Monthly Webinar Series.
- 2017 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director of eLearning and Emerging Technologies, contributed to a featured article entitled: "How to Teach a Student-centered Class" for E-Learn Magazine.
- 2017 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, and Kim Kenward, Instructional Designer, presented at the Online Learning Consortium 2017 Accelerate Conference in a session entitled: "Faculty Learning Communities: A Interdisciplinary Approach to Improve Online Teaching"
- 2017 - Matt Roberts, Instructional Designer, was an invited speaker at the 2017 Annual Conference of the Michigan Health Association of Training. His presentation was titled "Glue and a Half: Strategies for Making Things Stick."
- 2017 - Matt Roberts, Instructional Designer, presented at the Lilly Conference on College and University Teaching and Learning held in Traverse City, Michigan in a session entitled: "Expertise as Teaching Presence: Online Tools for Interactive Learning Experiences".
- 2017 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, was honored to have the opportunity to accept a Blackboard Exemplary Course Award on behalf of Affiliate Instructor, Cheryl Kautz, at BbWorld'17.
- 2017 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, presented at the BbWorld'17 conference in a session entitled: "DevCon: Managed Hosting, Does it work? Will I get access to my data?" with Affiliate Instructor, Szymon Machajewski.
- 2017 - Kim Kenward, Instructional Designer, coauthored a chapter in a book entitled "Creative Instructional Design: Practical Applications for Librarians", edited by Brandon West, Kimberly D. Hoffman, and Michelle Costello, and published by the Association of College and Research Libraries, an imprint of the American Library Association.
- 2017 - The Technology Showcase was highlighted on the Ultimaker Libraries blog in a post entitled: "Atomic Object Technology Showcase - A spotlight for 3D printing and emerging technologies"
- 2017 - The Technology Showcase was featured in a Blackboard Blog post about the custom Amazon Alexa skill that was created by GVSU Professor, Szymon Machajewski.
- 2017 - Article in Rapid Growth features eLearning Team and Showcase "From Virtual Reality to Online Libraries, How Technology is Revolutionizing Education in GR".
- 2017 - Blackboard Blog Post Highlights "Delivering Great Online Courses via Effective Teaching Strategies".
- 2017 - The Technology Showcase was highlighted in a press release entitled: "Modular, dynamic lighting system lends an artistic quality to GVSU's Technology Center".
- 2016 - Matt Roberts, Instructional Designer, IDeL, presented at the Lilly Conference in Traverse City, Michigan on October 20-22, 2016 on the topics: "Ghosts of the Digital Native: Considerations Ethical, Practical, and Instructional"
- 2016 - Justin Melick, Digital Media Developer, presented at the Lilly Conference in Traverse City, Michigan on October 20-22, 2016 with Julia VanderMolen on the use of lightboards in media terminology classes.
- 2016 - Justin Melick, Digital Media Developer, was published in a library journal: Williams, B., Kohrman, R., Melick, J., Beech, V., & Kowalik, E. (In press). One tutorial, two universities: How technology can be adapted to meet the needs of multiple libraries. In Sietz, B. (ed.), Learning from the Past, Building for the Future: Proceedings of the Forty-Fourth Annual LOEX Library Instruction Conference. Ypsilanti: LOEX Press.
- 2016 - The GVSU eLearning team visited the Digital Media Commons at the University of Michigan.
- 2016 - The Atomic Object Technology Showcase participated in the Grand Rapids Mini Maker Faire.
- 2016 - The Atomic Object Technology Showcase was highlighted on the My College Planning Team Blog.
- 2016 - The Atomic Object Technology Showcase participated in "Making as Learning: A Three Day Workshop" that was sponsored by the University of Michigan.
- 2016 - GVSU faculty members (Cheryl Kautz and Szymon Machajewski) received award for the "Most Inclusive Classrooms in the United States" at the national Blackboard (BbWorld) Conference in Las Vegas, NV. In addition, Cheryl Kautz received a Blackboard Exemplary Course Award for her Internet Media and Programming course.
- 2016 - The GVSU eLearning team was featured in an article entitled: "Ensemble Video’s Dropbox and Blackboard Integration Enhances Online Education at Grand Valley State University"
- 2016 - Justin Melick, Digital Media Developer, participated in a documenting an experience for Padnos College of Engineering and Computing student who designed, built, and delivered solar powered medical devices to Malawi, Africa.
- 2016 - Kim Kenward, Instructional Designer, IDeL, and Justin Melick, Digital Media Developer presented on "Online Student Presentations" for a Penn State Conference.
- 2016 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, presented "Serendipitous Learning Potential through Intentionally Designed Learning Spaces" for the Michigan State University Hub for Innovation, Learning, and Technology.
- 2016 - The Atomic Object Technology Showcase participated in the New Media Consortium Horizon Report Video Competition.
- 2016 - GVSU was ranked 6th in the nation for PBS LearningMedia Use.
- 2016 - eLearning resources were highlighted in a Grand Valley Lanthorn article on "Open Education Resources provide Cheaper Textbook Alternative".
- 2016 - Katie Clark, Systems Analyst, presented on at the Blackboard World Developer Conference 2016 – ‘Making it Simple: Automate Blackboard Administration Using SIS Integration".
- 2016 - Katie Clark, Systems Analyst, presented at the April Wester New York Blackboard User Group on "Institutional Hierarchy".
- 2016 - Katie Clark, Systems Analyst, presented on "Institutional Hierarchy and SIS Integration" for the Michigan Blackboard Users Group (MiBUG) webinar series.
- 2015 - GVSU participated in the Education Center for Analysis and Research Study on faculty and student use of technology.
- 2015 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director of eLearning and Emerging Technologies, was cited in a conference proceedings book regarding the GVSU Atomic Object Technology Showcase. The proceedings book was entitled: "Where Do We Go from Here?: Charleston Conference Proceedings 2015 - Google Books"
- 2015 - Campus Technology Magazine highlighted the Atomic Object Technology Showcase in an article: "Technology Showcase Explores 'Serendipitous Learning Opportunities"
- 2015 - "Emerging Technologies to Enhance Teaching and Enable Active Learning" article in EDUCAUSE Review featured the Technology Showcase.
- 2015 - GVSU hosted the statewide ETOM Fall Conference on online/hybrid teaching and learning. Glenna Decker, Instructional Designer, IDeL, presented on "Applying Principles of Andragogy in Online Teaching".
- 2015 - The Atomic Object Technology Showcase was highlighted in an EDUCAUSE session entitled: "Working with Emerging Technologies to Promote Engaging Learning".
- 2015 - The Atomic Object Technology Showcase went on the road to Indy for the Crowe Horwath Learning Matters Now Conference.
- 2015 - Article Featured in GVNext "Lightboard one of many innovations available to faculty".
- 2015 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, presented on a panel entitled: "Enhancing the Strategic Importance of Online Learning" with Navneet Johal from Ovum, Andy Mitkos from Lincoln Land CC, Doug Cohen from SUNY and Stephanie Richter from NIU at BbWorld 2015 in Washington, DC.
- 2015 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, presented a session entitled: "Leveraging Emerging Technologies to Enhance Teaching and to Enable Active Learning", Michigan Library Association Applied Technology and Trends Workshop in Allendale, MI.
- 2014 - GVSU professors Julia VanderMolen and Szymon Machajewski were awarded with Blackboard Exemplary Courses at the national Blackboard (BbWorld) conference in Las Vegas, NV.
- 2014 - An interview of Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, featured an article in EdTech Magazine "Colleges Offer Hands-On Tech Engagement" about the Technology Showcase.
- 2014 - An article featured in University Business Magazine "5 ways to work video into the learning system" about the value of video in Blackboard.
- 2014 - "Radically Student-Center Design and the New Learning Commons". Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, facilitated an online webinar through the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative with Dean Lee Van Orsdel, Grand Valley State University, ELI 2014 Online Fall Focus Session: Re-Imaging Learning Spaces: Design, Technology, and Assessment, Online.
- 2014 - Michigan Radio Highlight featured Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, and the Technology Showcase in a segment entitled: "GVSU tries to bring new technologies into the classroom"
- 2014 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, wrote an article that was featured on the Blackboard Blog: "The Power of Video - Part II"
- 2014 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, wrote an article that was featured on the Blackboard Blog: "The Power of Video - Part I"
- 2014 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, presented in a session entitled: "Wireless Presentation Systems: Ad hoc and Enterprise Solutions for the Interactive Classroom". in a preconference seminar with Kevin Reeve, Utah State University, EDUCAUSE Conference in Orlando, FL.
- 2014 - Case Study Featured on Swivl.com about how GVSU is leveraging Swivl in education: "How Grand Valley State University made online teacher training a possibility with Swivl"
- 2013 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, presented in a session entitled: "Getting Your Faculty to Adopt Learning Management Technology: Lessons from the Front Lines" at EDUCAUSE 2013 in Anaheim, CA.
- 2013 - Eric Kunnen, Associate Director, presented in a session entitled: "Learning Analytics: A Journey to Implementation" at BbWorld 2013 in Las Vegas, NV.
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