Drs. Blomeyer and Cavanaugh will summarize new research and policy analysis explaining how virtual learning can support instructional improvement and improved academic performance in America's public and charter schools. Drawing on their co-edited book entitled What Works In K-12 Online Learning (ISTE, 2007), Drs. Blomeyer and Cavanaugh will emphasize the crucial role of professional development for supporting effective uses of virtual learning environments to increase meaningful, discipline-based learning and improve students' academic performance.

Robert L. Blomeyer, Ph.D. is Business Manager and Chief Technology Officer; Online Teaching Associates, Ltd., and is an educational technology researcher, teacher educator and nationally recognized expert on K-20 online teaching and learning policy and practice. He is a co-author and contributor to many meta-analysis projects that examine the effects of K-12 online learning on student academic performance.

Cathy Cavanaugh, Ph.D. is associate professor in educational technology at the University of Florida. Her areas of expertise include design of online learning environments and virtual schools research. She has authored numerous papers, articles and chapters, and has edited books about K-12 online learning.

Presenter: Matt Wasowski, Wimba

As you probably know by now, Wimba released its Wimba Collaboration Suite 6.0 in mid-July.  Featuring new capabilities of Wimba Classroom™, Wimba Pronto™, and Wimba Voice™ - enhancements that defy the physical classroom and enrich the teaching and learning experience -  the Wimba Collaboration Suite 6.0 features advanced MP4, whiteboarding and assessment functionality that will enable the hundreds of higher education institutions and K-12 districts around the world to further enhance learning, improve outcomes and increase student retention. Wimba’s technology replicates and enriches the highly personal and dynamic elements of traditional classroom instruction in the online learning environment.

This demonstration will show off all the new ways of more effectively collaborating online to enrich your courses.

Students will learn techniques for analyzing and manipulating data in Excel 2007. Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Customize toolbars and create styles and templates.
• Create decision-making functions.
• Analyze worksheet data by creating pivot tables.
• Compare and contrast workbook files and file links.
• Outline and consolidate worksheets; analyze worksheet data by using the Scenario Manager.
• Display and protect worksheet data by locking cells.
• Record and modify macros by using the Visual Basic Editor.
• Create and work with interactive Web documents.

Prerequisites: Intermediate competency with the Excel tool (e.g., working with charts and chart sheets, sorting, filtering and querying data).

UMCP Faculty: $100.00
UMCP Staff: $100.00

To register, visit:  http://www.training.umd.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog.CourseDetail&CLASS_ID=151