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Teaching Transformation Academy

The Teaching Transformation Academy consists of a series of workshops designed to expose faculty to:

  • the latest in pedagogical strategies
  • sound instructional design processes
  • the effective use of technology in the teaching process

The TTA is a voluntary effort and approximately 40% of VU's faculty have attended.

See the list of TTA graduates by clicking here.

TTA Resources:

TTA Reading List - http://quality-instruction.blogspot.com/2007/06/reading-list.html

Session 01 – Transformation, Effective Teaching and Quality Instruction (PEDAGOGY)
The focus is developing a personal understanding of effective teaching. How does each individual faculty member define effective teaching and quality instruction? Reflecting on the aspects of learner-centered teaching, faculty members will engage in a discussion on their own teaching styles, learning styles and the impact on the teaching environment. This session will highlight best practices and implementing these practices into their unique classrooms, whether face-to-face, fully online, or a hybrid classroom.

Session 02 – Basics of Blackboard Course Management System (TECHNOLOGY)
Most courses will explore the use and integration of a course management system or learning management system. For many, this is a new experience, both as teacher and student. This session will provide an overview and practical hands-on application to explore and create some of the basic elements of an technologically supplemented or supported class. The focus will be introduction to the basic facets of Blackboard, and skill exploration.

Session 03 – Teaching and Learning Styles (PEDAGOGY)
Understanding the myriad of teaching and learning styles can be somewhat daunting for even the most seasoned faculty member. Much of the intuitive approaches to teaching have success. The focus of this session will include a reflective and interactive discussion on both teaching and learning styles. As part of understanding and determining the impact of teaching styles on learning and learning styles on teaching, faculty will be introduced to the role of technology in teaching and learning.

Session 04 – Course Development and Concept Mapping/Outlining (PEDAGOGY, COURSE DESIGN)
Realizing that while all courses may have similar elements, all courses differ from one another. Faculty will discuss and examine the course structure and lesson structure. Identifying curricular elements and their place in course and lesson structure, faculty will focus on the development of a course, or the modification of a course, for different delivery modalities (face-to-face, fully online, or hybrid). This session will focus on concept mapping or outlining as a strategy to enhance course or lesson design. Using web based applications or other technological applications, instructional units will be mapped or outlined and these outlines will be used to identify depth and breadth of coverage.

Session 05 – Active Learning and Course Materials (PEDAGOGY)
Developing a sense and understanding of active learning is important. Using this understanding to focus, direct and redirect teaching will create an environment where all students have the same potential to learn. Active learning is, and should, be a primary method for teaching AND learning. This session will focus on modeling active learning, and a variety of active learning techniques. Creating course materials that support and enhance active learning will be discussed and examined.

Session 06 – Digital Learning Assets and PowerPoint Presentation Software (TECHNOLOGY)
The assets available for learning are growing as fast as technological changes. To understand the differences in digital audio, digital video and digital file formats is important to begin integrating these assets into the classroom. Faculty will explore and be introduced to the digital assets available and instructional strategies to incorporate and integrate these assets into their classroom. The focus will include presentation software (currently Microsoft PowerPoint 2007) introduction and basic skill development.

Session 07 – Assessment Strategies and Techniques (PEDAGOGY, COURSE DESIGN)
Assessment and evaluation are integral elements in the classroom. Expanding the variety of assessment strategies provides faculty with different methods of determining or measuring the depth and breadth of student learning. This session will focus on reviewing a variety of assessment strategies. Faculty will participate in multiple assessments and reflect on each assessment. This session will seek to integrate assessment into the classroom and use assessment to determine both student performance and teaching effectiveness.

Session 08 – Advanced Blackboard Features (TECHNOLOGY)
This session will explore the advanced features of Blackboard. Providing hands-on experience, faculty will create and manipulate many of the advanced features not addressed in the previous Blackboard session. The focus of this session is on introduction to and exploration of Blackboard features and skill reinforcement and development.

Session 09 – Desktop Audio and Video (TECHNOLOGY)
The uses of audio and video will be the focus of this session. Using readily accessible desktop software or web based software, faculty will create audio files and video files to be used in their classroom. This session will include a discussion and examination of both audio and video files in teaching and learning. Faculty will be introduced to and develop skills necessary for creating, basic editing and distributing digital or desktop audio and video files.

Session 10 – Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication (TECHNOLOGY)
Current technological applications provide seemingly immediate, continuous and rich communication venues between teacher and student. Supplementing traditional email or discussion forums, new synchronous and asynchronous communication tools are providing access anywhere, anytime and anyplace. This session will focus on introducing and exploring the new emerging communication tools, and provide opportunities for discussion on the nature of contemporary communication in teaching and learning.

Session 11 – Classroom Management (COURSE DESIGN)
Contemporary classroom management strategies are changing with changes in classroom technology, refinement and identification of teaching and learning styles and curricular expectations. How the classroom is managed depends not only on the type of classroom (face-to-face, fully online, or hybrid), the type of technologies used, but also on the learning outcomes. This session will focus on a discussion of the dynamic classroom management strategies necessary for all types of classrooms.

Session 12 – Delivering Online Content (COURSE DESIGN)
Contemporary course content should be delivered using the variety of technological means available. No longer is curricular content only text and images. Digital content can be delivered to students and updated and dynamically changed. Content becomes more current than traditional means. This session will focus on determining the most appropriate method to deliver content, whether face-to-face, fully online or in a blended or hybrid environment. Faculty will explore and be introduced to several emerging technologies that may be used to deliver content.

Session 13 – Learning Environments and Spaces (PEDAGOGY)
In the contemporary focus on learning and teaching, the physical or traditional perceptions of the classroom shift. The dynamic model of learning can occur with no regard to place or time. Resources that once were available at a unique location are now available and accessible as digital resources. This session will focus on examining and reflecting on the changes and shifts for teaching in different environments or spaces.

Session 14 – Final Reflection (PEDAGOGY)
What has been transformed? How have the participants been transformed? What are their plans for implementation and integration of the academy into practice? This session will celebrate the accomplishments of the participants and challenge them to continue their transformation.

 

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VU enrollment continues to grow

VINCENNES, IND. – Vincennes University system-wide enrollment is up more than 500 students compared to last year on the same date, according to Kristi Deetz, senior director of External Relations.

Based on enrollment on Aug. 27, the end of the first week of classes, Deetz said that VU’s full-time-equivalency (FTE) enrollment is currently up 9.7 percent, and that enrollment is continuing.

The Vincennes Campus currently enrolls 5,952 students - up 3.8 percent - and due to a larger number of full-time students, FTE enrollment is up 4.5 percent.  This is the highest enrollment on the Vincennes campus since Fall 2002.  This total includes 2,131 students living in VU’s six residence halls which are at capacity.

The VU Jasper Campus FTE enrollment is up 2.1 percent, although the headcount enrollment of 918 is down 12 students.  The reason is that a higher proportion of VUJC students are enrolling full-time.  This is a record enrollment for VUJC.

VU enrollment is also up in Indianapolis:  42 percent at the Aviation Technology Center and 27.3 percent in the American Sign Language program.

Deetz said that while other VU programs are early in the enrollment process, there is growth there also.  For instance, Distance Education is up 12.7 percent in FTE enrollment.

“One of the issues we addressed back in 2004 was enrollment,” said VU President Dick Helton.  “There had been enrollment losses for several years so we focused on bringing students to not only Vincennes, but also the Jasper Campus, ATC, and University-wide.  We went at this with a dedicated effort and we had a lot of people involved in trying to turn this enrollment around.  We are very fortunate that has occurred.  We feel good where we are but, as I share with our Admissions counselors, we have to remain competitive, we have to remain committed to it, and we have to remain passionate about it - and I think we are doing that at this point.”

VINCENNES UNIVERSITY - Indiana’s First College

VU is state-supported with campuses in Vincennes and Jasper and additional sites such as the Indianapolis International Airport.  VU also offers instruction at military sites throughout the nation.

In addition to offering 200 associate degree and certificate programs, VU also offers bachelor’s degree programs in technology, homeland security, nursing, secondary education programs in mathematics and, science, and special education/elementary education.

VU enrolls students from throughout Indiana, 24 other states, and 26 countries.  Tuition and fees are the lowest among Indiana campuses with residence halls.  VU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Founded in 1801, VU is Indiana’s first college and is the only college in the nation founded by an individual who would later become President of the United States.  William Henry Harrison, the ninth U.S. President, founded VU while serving as governor of the Indiana Territory.  

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VU grateful for quick help from Dept. of Transportation

VINCENNES, IND. – Motorists going to Vincennes University’s new John Deere Ag/Diesel Building will proceed more safely, thanks to quick action by the Indiana Department of Transportation.

VU requested the Department’s help in preparation for the opening of the $2.5 million John Deere Ag/Diesel Building.  The facility was dedicated on Aug. 25 and six days later an 800-foot turning lane was completed.  The turning lane is designed to assist northbound traffic to safely proceed to the facility that is located at the Southwest Purdue Ag Center just north of Vincennes.  

“The safety of our students, faculty, and staff led us to request the construction of this turning lane,” said Phil Rath, vice president of Financial Services and Government Relations.  “We are delighted at the outstanding cooperation and prompt action of the Indiana Department of Transportation in completing this safety project.  VU is particularly grateful to Troy Woodruff and Dave Lane for their dedicated efforts to complete this project.”

VU paid for the design and engineering of the project and the turning lane was constructed by the Dept. of Transportation.  

“The Indiana Department of Transportation is always looking for partnerships and opportunities to make our roads better and safer,” said Troy Woodruff, INDOT Commissioner of Operations.  “Working with Vincennes University to combine resources was a classic win-win situation for both of us.  Together we created a safe turn lane for the students and traveling public, while also being good stewards of tax dollars.”

The 34,000 square-foot John Deere Ag/Diesel Building features two classrooms, a conference room, a John Deere Lab, a diesel technology lab, and related offices, including facilities for the Purdue Extension Office.

Speakers at the building’s dedication said they believe a growing number of students will be attracted to programs at the site.  “As future students tour campus and this facility, I believe they will be amazed.  Enrollment will go up, and they will become proud alumni of Vincennes University.  This building will be here for many years, will help educate many students, and will move Indiana agriculture forward,” said Don Villwock, president of the Indiana Farm Bureau.

VINCENNES UNIVERSITY - Indiana’s First College

VU is state-supported with campuses in Vincennes and Jasper and additional sites such as the Indianapolis International Airport.  VU also offers instruction at military sites throughout the nation.

In addition to offering 200 associate degree and certificate programs, VU also offers bachelor’s degree programs in technology, homeland security, nursing, secondary education programs in mathematics and, science, and special education/elementary education.

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New VU facility will meet growing need for skilled technicians

VINCENNES, IND. - Citing a growing need for skilled technicians, industrial and farm leaders saluted Vincennes University for opening its $2.5 million John Deere Ag/Diesel building on Aug. 25.

Located at the Southwest Purdue Ag Center just north of Vincennes, the facility was hailed for the partnerships that will lead to promising careers.

“I congratulate the visionary people with John Deere, the visionary people at Vincennes University and its Board of Trustees for approving this,” said Don Villwock, president of the Indiana Farm Bureau.  “In today’s high tech world in agriculture, we need the best and brightest students.”

Villwock said that farm machinery breakdowns can cost farmers $1,000 per hour.  “If it were not for this program, we could sit many, many hours waiting for someone to be there to help us,” Villwock said.

Craig Hansen, who represented the John Deere Corporation at the dedication, said that there is a great need for qualified technicians.  “[the need] is going to continue to grow in the future.  We have an aging technician population and we will need well-educated students to replace them,” Hansen said.

100825 Villwock-Hansen
                            From left to right: Craig Hanson and Don Villwock.

Because of the company’s commitment to provide a quality customer experience, Hansen said that it is important to hire well-trained technicians.  “The technician is our face to the customer,” Hansen said.

The 34,000 square-foot facility features two classrooms, a conference room, a John Deere Lab, a diesel technology lab, and related offices, including facilities for the Purdue Extension Office.

“We have an excellent facility that is well equipped thanks to our partners such as John Deere, and this will have long-term benefits for our students.  We have expectations that this program will grow from this day forward,” said VU President Dick Helton.

Villwock agreed that the facility should boost enrollment.  “As future students tour campus and this facility, I believe they will be amazed.  Enrollment will go up, and they will become proud alumni of Vincennes University.  This building will be here for many years, will help educate many students, and will move Indiana agriculture forward.”

Speaking about the diesel lab, Bud Myers, general manager of Indiana Truck Sales, Inc., said, “This is pure state of the art.  All I can say as I look around is ‘Wow!  What a job.’  It could not be better.”  Myers said that graduates will find excellent careers.  “There is a tremendous need for the talents you students can provide.”

Art Haase, dean of the VU Technology Division, thanked all of the partners who made the new building possible, saying, “This is all about teaching students the new technology.  From the faculty’s perspective, this is a dream come true.”

VINCENNES UNIVERSITY - Indiana’s First College

VU is state-supported with campuses in Vincennes and Jasper and additional sites such as the Indianapolis International Airport.  VU also offers instruction at military sites throughout the nation.

In addition to offering 200 associate degree and certificate programs, VU also offers bachelor’s degree programs in technology, homeland security, nursing, secondary education programs in mathematics and, science, and special education/elementary education.

VU enrolls students from throughout Indiana, 24 other states, and 26 countries.  Tuition and fees are the lowest among Indiana campuses with residence halls.  VU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Founded in 1801, VU is Indiana’s first college and is the only college in the nation founded by an individual who would later become President of the United States.  William Henry Harrison, the ninth U.S. President, founded VU while serving as governor of the Indiana Territory.  More information is available at www.vinu.edu. 

John Deere Ag Tech 2010-08(2)

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VUJC to offer dental assistant training

JASPER, IND. - Beginning with the Fall 2010 semester, the Vincennes University Jasper Campus will offer a non-credit Dental Assistant Training Program with Dental Radiographer Certification.  This course will prepare students for entry-level positions dental assisting, one of the fastest growing healthcare careers.

Fall semester classes begin Sept. 27 and will be held in Bedford on Mondays and Thursdays from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. local time.  The class will end on Feb. 10 and the course fee is $1,989, including textbooks.  Spring semester classes will be held in Jasper.

Course work will familiarize students with all areas of entry-level dental assisting and provide training in the professional skills required to function as an assistant in the dental practice.  This course also includes the new state-approved Limited Dental Radiographer program which offers students the opportunity to become licensed by the Indiana State Department of Health.

The course will include clinical and administrative training that provides an introduction to the dental office, legal aspects of dentistry and dental assisting, state dental practices policies and guidelines, introduction to oral anatomy, dental procedures, dental equipment, operation, and maintenance; tooth structure-primary and permanent teeth, oral cavity and related structures, proper patient positioning, dental handpieces, and dental burns, dental anesthesia, maintaining sterility and asepsis, and  observations in local dental offices.

Upon successful completion of the program, students will earn a non-credit Certificate of Completion and be eligible to sit for the national exam for limited dental radiology.

Interested students should attend an orientation meeting on Sept. 1, 6:00 p.m., at the Bedford Work One Office, 918 16th St.  More information is available by contacting Jim McFaul at the VU Jasper Campus, 812-481-5909 or jmcfaul@vinu.edu.

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Time to Register For Your Emergency-Text Alert Subscription

Beginning Wednesday, July 28, 2010, new subscriptions and renewals will be accepted for the Emergency-Text Alert System. There is no charge to subscribe to the service and subscriptions are good  for one academic year. (Texting fees may apply based on your carrier plan).  Subscriptions may be cancelled at anytime.

If you were previously enrolled in the E-Text Program, you will need to sign up again.

  • To enroll, visit your MyVU account and follow the E-Text enrollment instructions.  
  • Only one cell phone per account may be registered.


About E-Text
The VU Emergency-Text Alert System system is one part of a multifaceted communication plan to keep the VU community safe and informed in the event of an emergency. The E-Text alert system is available to students, employees, and members of the VU community who have a MyVU computer web account.  Text messages will include occasional test messages, emergency notifications including weather related information, and class cancellations or delays.

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