The Teaching and Learning Distance Education (TLDE) department at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) is dedicated to supporting faculty in leveraging instructional technology and enhancing course design, particularly within the Grcc Blackboard Learn environment. Whether you’re new to Blackboard or seeking to optimize your online, hybrid, or face-to-face courses, TLDE offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to your needs.
Expert Blackboard & Instructional Technology Support
Navigating the GRCC Blackboard Learn system and integrating technology into your teaching can be streamlined with TLDE’s expert assistance. Our staff provides walk-in support and scheduled appointments to address your questions about various educational technologies, with a strong focus on tools within Blackboard. We offer support via multiple modalities, including video conferencing and phone consultations, ensuring accessibility for all faculty.
Elevating Course Design and Quality
TLDE’s instructional design services are invaluable for faculty developing or revising courses across all modalities. Our instructional designers act as creative partners, assisting with everything from individual lesson enhancements to complete course overhauls. We can guide you in:
- Integrating innovative instructional technologies and pedagogical techniques within Blackboard Learn.
- Adapting existing materials for online or hybrid formats within the GRCC Blackboard system.
- Designing engaging and interactive learning activities in Blackboard.
- Improving the accessibility of your digital content in Blackboard to meet diverse learner needs.
- Creating inclusive and equitable learning environments within your GRCC Blackboard courses.
TLDE utilizes the Quality Matters (QM) framework, a nationally recognized standard for online and hybrid course design, aligning with GRCC’s distance education standards. We leverage these standards to ensure the quality and effectiveness of all online and hybrid courses offered at the college, providing faculty with the tools and knowledge to excel in the GRCC Blackboard Learn environment.
Open Educational Resources (OER) and Open Pedagogy
GRCC is a national leader in Open Educational Resources (OER), and TLDE is at the forefront of this initiative. Our OER Faculty Liaison and Instructional Designers can assist you in exploring and implementing OER within your courses to reduce student costs and enhance access. We provide support in:
- Evaluating and adopting OER materials suitable for integration with GRCC Blackboard Learn.
- Understanding copyright and permissions related to OER and other instructional resources.
- Providing personalized coaching in OER utilization and open pedagogy practices through GRCC’s dedicated OER Coordinator.
By embracing OER and open pedagogy, you not only contribute to affordability but also enhance student access and foster a greater sense of belonging within the GRCC community, all while effectively utilizing GRCC Blackboard Learn.
Connect with TLDE
For immediate support or to schedule an appointment, please visit us at 373 Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall (RJF) during our office hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Walk-in hours are available Monday & Thursday, 9-11 a.m. & 2-5 p.m. Reach out to us via phone at (616) 234-3205 or email TLDE@grcc.edu. For faculty professional development support, connect with Faculty Liaison Rachel Lutwick-Deaner on Wednesdays from noon-4 p.m. TLDE is your dedicated partner in maximizing your teaching potential with GRCC Blackboard Learn and beyond.
