he State University of New York logo, which is the word SUNY inside a circle, followed at right by the words The State University of New York

SUNY Campuses Coming Together
on a Unified DLE.

Training

DLE Training Overview

Jamie Heron, SUNY Online Program Manager at the SUNY Center for Professional Development, will coordinate, along with a cadre of campus partner volunteers, a unified approach to training. Plans include options for both asynchronous and synchronous training modules and reference materials, developed at no charge to campuses, that each institution will be able to adapt as needed. Training will roll-out to System Administrators, Help Desk professionals, instructional designers, faculty, and students. Importantly, training will address the needs of faculty teaching in all delivery modes, including faculty who will use the LMS to teach online as well as faculty who utilize the LMS as a resource in their in-person classes and those who teach in hybrid and HyFlex instructional models.

The broader program will include guided online training, asynchronous modules with LMS expert check-ins and assistance, synchronous live training, and online self-paced training for students. The goal is that any campus-led training will be able to utilize already developed resources so that campus staff can focus on responding to individual faculty and student needs rather than building training materials.

SUNY Center for Professional Development Brightspace Fundamentals Certificate

The SUNY CPD will provide a Brightspace Fundamentals Badge and Certificate for SUNY Campus members who successfully complete the asynchronous assessments. For more information on enrollment in the asynchronous Brightspace Fundamentals modules, please see the Training options, Asynchronous Online section below. 

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Training Options

Asynchronous Online

Description: SUNY DLE’s Asynchronous Brightspace modules are a convenient way to progress through the Brightspace training at your own pace. Progress in the recommended order, or pick and choose which topic(s) are most relevant to your purposes.

Certificate: There are optional knowledge checks at the end of each topic sections. Participants who successfully complete all assessments will earn a Brightspace Fundamentals Certificate and Badge from the SUNY CPD. Over 1,300 SUNY Faculty have earned their certificates.

Time: First time Brightspace users: 6-10 hours to complete. Experienced online instructors and those who have used Brightspace before: 30-60 minutes

Access: Access to asynchronous modules will be staggered to accommodate the priority needs of Cohorts 1-3, as well as the availability of faculty accounts in the new Brightspace environment. When your campus Brightspace account has been created, your campus will provide your login instructions.

Scaled Webinars

Description: Targeted for larger audiences, these scaled Zoom webinars offer live demonstrations of the Brightspace learning environment and other training topics. There are opportunities to ask questions of Brightspace experts at each webinar.

Progress in the recommended order, or pick and choose which topic(s) are most relevant to your purposes. These webinars are open to all SUNY faculty and staff, regardless of cohort.

Certificate: Optional assessments are available in the Asynchronous Online Learning Modules.

Time: 90 minutes each:

· 60 minute webinars with 30 minutes for Q&A

· 8-10 webinars in the scaled webinar series

Recommended Order: The recommended order for the Scaled Webinars is as follows:

1. Accessibility & Online Pedagogy

2. Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

3. User Interface (UI)

4. Communication Tools

5. Authoring/Publishing Content

6. Gradebook

7. Gradable Activities

General Schedule: Scaled Webinars typically run every other Wednesday through Friday at the following times on a rotating topic basis. (For exact dates, please click the registration link.)

· Wednesdays

9:00-10:30 am

2:30-4:00 pm

· Thursdays

9:00-10:30 am

2:30-4:00 pm

· Fridays

9:00-10:30 am

12:00-1:30 pm

Recordings: To see video recordings of previous scaled webinar sessions, please click Recordings under the Training tab on this page. You need to log in to view these recordings. Use your SUNY Federated ID, otherwise known as your campus credentials, to log in. (This means you will enter your campus username and password.)

· When viewing these videos you can adjust the speed of delivery to assist you in your comprehension. When the video is in full screen mode, click on the Gear Cog/ Settings icon, select “Playback Speed”, and choose the playback speed that works best for you.

Remote Synchronous

Description: These live “point & click” workshops are offered via Zoom and will cover the Brightspace Fundamentals training materials. Select a training session based upon your preferred training pace (see Training Levels, below). Currently, Remote Synchronous Workshops are available to Cohorts 1-3.

These sessions are restricted to 10-15 participants per session.

Certificate: Optional assessments are available in the Asynchronous Online Learning Modules.

Time: 4 2-hour workshops over 4 days (8 hours, total)

General Schedule: Synchronous Remote sessions typically run twice a week, Monday through Thursday at the following times. (For exact dates, please click the registration link.)

· Monday-Thursday

11:00 am — 1:00 pm

2:00 – 4:00 pm

Recordings: To see video recordings of previous Fundamentals Remote Synchronous sessions, please click Recordings under the Training tab on this page. You need to log in to view these recordings. Use your SUNY Federated ID, otherwise known as your campus credentials, to log in. (This means you will enter your campus username and password.)

Brightspace Illuminations: Advanced Topics & Tools

Description: Brightspace Advanced workshops, Illuminations, are available for those who seek even more functionality and efficiency from the Brightspace learning management environment. These sessions offer in-depth looks at tools and options that are not covered in the Brightspace Fundamentals Workshops. Illuminations are offered, in general, every other week, Wednesday through Friday at the times listed below. Recordings are available on the SUNY DLE Website via the Recordings link on the Training Tab.

Time: 90 minutes each:

· 60 minute webinars with 30 minutes for Q&A

General Schedule: Illumination webinars typically run every other Wednesday through Friday at the following times on a rotating topic basis. (For exact dates, please click the registration link.)

· Wednesday

9:00-10:30 am

2:30-4:00 pm

· Thursday

9:00-10:30 am

11:30 am -1:00 pm

2:30-4:00 pm

· Friday

12:00-1:30 pm

Topics: For a complete list of the topics and workshop descriptions, please download this Illuminations Workshop Descriptions Document

Campus-Specific Workshops

Description: The DLE Training Team will work with your campus to arrange workshops/webinars that meet your specific needs.  For more details, please reach out to jamie.heron@suny.edu. 

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Training Levels

Options for instructional Brightspace use:

Spark

Description:  
Participants may:

  • be somewhat apprehensive of technology
  • frequently require extra time to acquire technology skills and comfort
  • have limited skills with an LMS
  • be uncomfortable with undefined jargon
  • rarely attempt new technology or actions independently

Recommended Path:

Synchronous Remote Workshops at the “Spark” pace, with supplemental Scaled Webinars and Asynchronous Modules, as desired.

*To earn a certificate, complete the assessments in the asynchronous training

Ignite

Description:
Participants may:

  • be neutral regarding new technology but occasionally need extra time to acquire technology skills and comfort
  • be competent with an LMS but often require repetition to grasp new skills
  • be hesitant to try new technology or actions independently

Recommended Path:

Synchronous Remote Workshops at the “Ignite” pace, with supplemental Scaled Webinars.

*To earn a certificate, complete the assessments in the asynchronous training modules after completing the Synchronous Remote workshop.

Blaze

Description:
Participants may:

  • be skilled in technology
  • utilize current LMS well
  • learn quickly, but at a regular pace

Recommended Path:

Scaled Webinars, supplemented with Asynchronous Modules, as desired.

*To earn a certificate, complete the assessments in the asynchronous training modules after completing the Synchronous Remote workshop.

Bonfire

Description:
Participants may:

  • be very skilled in technology
  • utilize current LMS intricately
  • be ready for specialized tools/options 
  • require little-to-no hands-on instruction or assistance

Recommended Path:

Asynchronous modules, supplemented with scaled webinars, as desired.

*To earn a certificate, complete the assessments in the asynchronous training modules after completing the Synchronous Remote workshop.

Options for non-instructional Brightspace use:

  • Scaled webinars and asynchronous modules
    • Pick and choose the relevant topics to assist you with your Brightspace use needs.

Schedule

Cohort 1

Synchronous Remote 

  • Cohort 1 Faculty Synchronous Remote training is ongoing (all Cohort 1 faculty) 
  • Please check the registration site for updates, new sessions are added regularly 
  • Recordings are available on this DLE website under the Training tab, click on Recordings 
  • You will need to log on using your campus credentials  

Scaled Webinars 

  • Scaled webinar registration is open to ALL campuses, regardless of cohort 
  • Please check the registration site for updates, new sessions are added regularly 
  • Recordings are available on this DLE website under the Training tab, click on Recordings 
  • You will need to log on using your campus credentials  

Asynchronous modules 

  • Access to asynchronous modules will be staggered to accommodate the priority needs of Cohort 1, as well as the availability of faculty accounts in the new Brightspace environment 
  • When your Brightspace account has been created, your campus will provide your login instructions 

Illuminations: Advanced Brightspace Webinars 

  • Illuminations webinar registration is open to ALL campuses, regardless of cohort 
  • It is recommended that attendees participate in the Fundamentals Scaled Webinars prior to these advanced Illuminations Webinars 
  • Recordings are available on this DLE website under the Training tab, click on Recordings 
    • You will need to log on using your campus credentials  
    Cohort 2

    Synchronous Remote 

    • Cohort 2 Faculty Synchronous Remote training is ongoing (all Cohort 2 faculty) 
    • Please check the registration site for updates, new sessions are added regularly 
    • Recordings are available on this DLE website under the Training tab, click on Recordings 
    • You will need to log on using your campus credentials  

      Scaled Webinars 

      • Scaled webinar registration is open to ALL campuses, regardless of cohort 
      • Please check the registration site for updates, new sessions are added regularly 
      • Recordings are available on this DLE website under the Training tab, click on Recordings 
      • You will need to log on using your campus credentials  

        Asynchronous modules 

        • Access to asynchronous modules will be staggered to accommodate the priority needs of Cohorts 1-3, as well as the availability of faculty accounts in the new Brightspace environment 
        • When your Brightspace account has been created, your campus will provide your login instructions 

        Illuminations: Advanced Brightspace Webinars 

        • Illuminations webinar registration is open to ALL campuses, regardless of cohort 
        • It is recommended that attendees participate in the Fundamentals Scaled Webinars prior to these advanced Illuminations Webinars 
        • Recordings are available on this DLE website under the Training tab, click on Recordings 
          • You will need to log on using your campus credentials  
          Cohort 3

          Synchronous Remote 

          • Cohort 3 Faculty Synchronous Remote training is ongoing (all Cohort 3 faculty) 
          • Please check the registration site for updates, new sessions are added regularly 
          • Recordings are available on this DLE website under the Training tab, click on Recordings 
          • You will need to log on using your campus credentials  

            Scaled Webinars 

            • Scaled webinar registration is open to ALL campuses, regardless of cohort 
            • Please check the registration site for updates, new sessions are added regularly 
            • Recordings are available on this DLE website under the Training tab, click on Recordings 
            • You will need to log on using your campus credentials  

              Asynchronous modules 

              • Access to asynchronous modules will be staggered to accommodate the priority needs of Cohorts 1-3, as well as the availability of faculty accounts in the new Brightspace environment 
              • When your Brightspace account has been created, your campus will provide your login instructions 

              Illuminations: Advanced Brightspace Webinars 

              • Illuminations webinar registration is open to ALL campuses, regardless of cohort 
              • It is recommended that attendees participate in the Fundamentals Scaled Webinars prior to these advanced Illuminations Webinars 
              • Recordings are available on this DLE website under the Training tab, click on Recordings 
                • You will need to log on using your campus credentials  
                  Cohort 4

                  Synchronous Remote 

                  • Cohort 4 Faculty Synchronous Remote training will be available to Cohort 4 Faculty following the Cohort 4 Kickoff 

                  Scaled Webinars 

                  • Scaled webinar registration is open to ALL campuses, regardless of cohort 
                  • Please check the registration site for updates, new sessions are added regularly 
                  • Recordings are available on this DLE website under the Training tab, click on Recordings 
                  • You will need to log on using your campus credentials  

                      Asynchronous modules 

                      • Access to asynchronous modules will be staggered to accommodate the priority needs of Cohorts 1-3, as well as the availability of faculty accounts in the new Brightspace environment 
                      • When your Brightspace account has been created, your campus will provide your login instructions 

                      Illuminations: Advanced Brightspace Webinars 

                      • Illuminations webinar registration is open to ALL campuses, regardless of cohort 
                      • It is recommended that attendees participate in the Fundamentals Scaled Webinars prior to these advanced Illuminations Webinars 
                      • Recordings are available on this DLE website under the Training tab, click on Recordings 
                        • You will need to log on using your campus credentials  
                        Instructional Designers

                        Synchronous Remote 

                        • Cohort 4 ID training will be announced following the Cohort 4 Kickoff  

                        Scaled Webinars 

                        • Scaled webinar registration is open to ALL campuses, regardless of cohort 
                        • Please check the registration site for updates, new sessions are added regularly 
                        • Recordings are available on this DLE website under the Training tab, click on Recordings 
                        • You will need to log on using your campus credentials  

                            Asynchronous modules 

                            • Access to asynchronous modules will be staggered to accommodate the priority needs of Cohorts 1-3, as well as the availability of faculty accounts in the new Brightspace environment 
                            • When your Brightspace account has been created, your campus will provide your login instructions 

                              Illuminations: Advanced Brightspace Webinars 

                              • Illuminations webinar registration is open to ALL campuses, regardless of cohort 
                              • It is recommended that attendees participate in the Fundamentals Scaled Webinars prior to these advanced Illuminations Webinars 
                              • Recordings are available on this DLE website under the Training tab, click on Recordings 
                                • You will need to log on using your campus credentials  
                                OTTER Institute 2023

                                Online Teaching: Technology & Educational Resources 
                                Coming March 2023

                                The SUNY Center for Professional Development (CPD) OTTER Institute is an opportunity for online practitioners to learn more about the innovations, trends, and challenges with online education. Programming focuses on the Brightspace Learning Environment.  See examples of best practices for course design and delivery within Brightspace. Learn about the tools and features within Brightspace that will help you create and deliver effective and engaging digital course content.  

                                OTTER 2022 covered the following topics:

                                • Design Considerations
                                • Brightspace Document Template 1
                                • Brightspace Document Template 2
                                • Getting Started Module
                                • FAQs & Glossary
                                • Rubrics
                                • Groups
                                • Discussions
                                • Assignments
                                • Quizzes
                                • Pulse App
                                • IM & Email
                                • Attendance & Checklists
                                • Awards/Certificates

                                The webinars from OTTER 2022 were recorded and are posted here: https://dle.suny.edu/recordings/

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                                Registration

                                We look forward to seeing our SUNY faculty and staff in our upcoming SUNY DLE Brightspace programming. For questions regarding programming, please reach out to Jamie Heron, SUNY Online Program Manager, SUNY CPD (jamie.heron@suny.edu).  For technical questions regarding the registration process, please reach out to Viktorya Mirzoyan, Program Coordinator, SUNY CPD (viktorya.mirzoyan@suny.edu).

                                Click here to register for Brightspace training.

                                Meet the Training Team

                                Jamie Heron, SUNY DLE Training Lead

                                SUNY Online Program Manager, SUNY Center for Professional Development

                                Jamie is an instructional designer with 20 years of online teaching experience, spanning 7 different learning management systems. She has conducted hundreds of workshops designed to assist faculty in acquiring the skills necessary to effectively use a new learning management system and to successfully migrate their materials (e.g., WebCT, ANGEL, Blackboard).  Jamie creates an engaging training experience, emphasizing the benefits and efficiencies of the Brightspace teaching environment, while maintaining a sensitivity to the individual needs and concerns of her workshop participants.

                                Robert Becker, SUNY Center for Professional Development

                                Robert is an instructional designer with over 35 years of teaching experience. Working for over a decade in digital learning environments, he has been at the forefront of distance learning in the humanities and fine arts.  Robert teaches in multiple modalities within the SUNY system, including face-to-face, fully online, and HyFlex courses.  In all of his teaching and training endeavors, Robert makes a point of seeking out innovations in educational best practices, technology, and content delivery strategies. 

                                Robert Piorkowski, SUNY Online 

                                Robert Piorkowski is the Assistant Director of Online Teaching for SUNY Online. He brings to the position a meaningful understanding of campus culture, online faculty development, instructional design, and online teaching. He is the principal designer of Open SUNY’s Instructional Designer Certificate Program adopted by OLC in 2016, for which he drew input from SUNY’s instructional designer community. Currently, he focuses on the implementation of  online teaching supports, services, and resources for remote and online faculty & campus IDs, and the continuous improvement in online course quality via OSCQR. Rob was an adjunct instructor for Cayuga Community College, where he taught French online for 14 years.

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