HETS

Hispanic Educational Technology Services

Webinars in English

HETS will continue during this semester with the initiative discussed with the HETS Distance Learning Task Force to recognize Distance Learning professionals at HETS Member Institutions of developing targeted webinars to provide tools for their roles. To watch the recordings of previous webinars, scroll down to the Previous Webinars section of this page and click on the link beside the correspondent title.

Instructions to request a certificate of participation:

  • To obtain a certificate of participation (free of charge): it must be requested by email to info@hets.org, within a period of seven days after the event. Please include on your petition email your full name, the date, and the title of the webinar. Certificates will only be sent to those who meet these requirements.

Instructions to request a continuing education certificate:

  • To obtain a continuing education certificate ($5.00 fee paid using PayPal): use this link: HETS Webinars Continuing Ed certificate form to request your certificate. Once payment has been received, you will receive the confirmation and certificate in the email you indicated on the form. For more details and instructions access: PayPal instructions guide for HETS Continuing Ed certificates. For more details, please send an email to:malvarador@inter.edu or call 787-766-1912 ext. 2397.

HETS Webinars:

To be announced 

Previous Webinars:

Special event: Higher Education Change in Teaching and Learning and the Role of Digital Communities of Inquiry (Download the presentation here) (Watch the recording here)

  • Presenter: Dr. Martha Cleveland-Innes, Professor of Open, Digital, and Distance Education, Athabasca University
  • Brief description of the topic: Computers and the digital opportunities available through them have changed, according to UNESCO, “the ways in which knowledge is created, accessed, disseminated, validated, and used. Much of this is making information more accessible and opening new and promising avenues for education.” The development of the world information society and increasing use of ICTs gave rise to digital networking competences that are reshaping the nature and substance of employment, education, training, self-development, and participation in society. Post-Covid-19, greater awareness of the opportunities and challenges of online education opened the door to digitalized, networked and knowledge-based communities as a way of getting things done. Education must support the need for these new skills and change itself to become the education system that represents and supports this new digital, networked world. The Community of Inquiry theoretical framework offers new ways to address teaching and learning and bring about solutions to the problems of access and inclusivity previously considered difficult or impossible to implement. 

Webinar: Using Technology to Break Down Student Barriers to Success. (Download the presentation here) (Watch the recording here)

  • The presenter: Timothy Marshall, Chief Innovation Officer, Indian  River State College, and Moderated by Dr. Carlos Morales, HETS Chair & President, TCC Connect Campus of Tarrant County College
  • Brief description of the topic: The presentation will focus on how a college or university can use current and evolving technologies to address the barriers many students experience during their post-secondary education journey.  The use of quantitative and qualitative surveys results analysis and knowledge of the lifestyles of students will be related, and how to use those results to craft college services, and more importantly, how to engage external resources to accomplish uplifting the community through the services offered to students.  These activities require innovative uses of internal and external technology resources and can yield immediate and sustainable results in the areas of student access, retention, and guidance towards education and career goals.- Thursday, April 29, 2021 
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Webinar: Live and online: finding what works for synchronous class meetings. (Download the presentation here) (Watch the recording here) 

  • The presenter: Dr. Stella Porto, Learning Specialist at the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB), and Moderated by Dr. Carlos Morales, HETS Chair & President, TCC Connect Campus of Tarrant County College.
  • Brief description of the topic: In this presentation, we will discuss the role of synchronous class interactions in online learning considering results from the literature as well as lessons learned during 2020 from the influx of a new audience for online courses. We will identify when and how to plan for synchronous interaction as part of the course design and list strategies that help balance engagement in synchronous and asynchronous interactions- Thursday, April 15, 2021 

Webinar: Digital Transformation Evolution: A Path Forward for Higher Ed in a Post-COVID World. (Watch the recording here)

  • The presenter: Raechelle T. Clemmons, Vice President, Industry Relations & Corporate Strategy, The Tambellini Group, and Moderated by Dr. Carlos Morales, HETS Chair & President, TCC Connect Campus of Tarrant County College-  Thursday, March 25, 2021
    • Brief description of the topic: The term “digital transformation” is overused, overinflated, and, quite frankly, is not the right construct for thinking about digital in much of higher education. Being a modern, digital college or university will come to mean different things for different institutions. For some, it will mean an emphasis on technology-enabled modes of delivery; for others, a seamless and modern on-campus student experience. Institutions must move away from binary thinking—tech-enabled or not—and focus on creating an environment in which digital technologies, capabilities, and experiences are seamlessly woven into the organization and eventually become imbued in its DNA, just as any living organism evolves. In this webinar, industry analyst and former higher ed CIO, Raechelle Clemmons will talk about the path to becoming a digital campus, the growing importance of student and employee experience (Cx) in a post-COVID world, and the implications of technology use that institutions and individual faculty, staff, and students will need to grapple with higher education digitally evolves.

Webinar: Demystifying Copyrights in Academia. (Watch the recording here)

    • Brief description of the topic: In this webinar, we will clarify some common misconceptions about copyrights in educational settings. The TEACH Act sets clear guidelines and distinguishes between in-person and distance education, as well as its different modalities. We will also discuss how the fair use defense, as claimed by academic institutions, has been interpreted by the courts. By clarifying these misconceptions, educational institutions and educators will have a better understanding of what the law allows, and have actionable steps to move forward responsibly.

Webinar titled: Nursing Education: Challenges and Strategies for On-Line Teaching and Learning. (Download the presentation here) (Watch the recording here) 

  • The presenter: Dr. Linda K. Heitman, Ph. D., RN, ACNS-BC, Professor, Department of Nursing, Southeast Missouri State University- November 13, 2020
    • Brief description of the topic: This presentation will address experiences and successful strategies used to teach nursing education online and through interactive television (ITV).  The discussion will include the construction of a course web page on a learning management system. The challenge of teaching lecture and clinical courses online will be compared and illustrated. The potential to share courses in multiple sites will be outlined. Specific consideration will be given to the unique challenges for teaching nursing content online within the current COVID restrictions.

Webinar titled: Redesigning the Ultimate Student On-Boarding Experience. (Download the presentation here) (Watch the recording here)

  • The presenter: Indra Paola Peláez, Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management and Success, Houston Community College- November 6, 2020
    • Brief description of the topic: The purpose of the registration redesign task force was to identify challenges in the current admissions and registration process and provide recommendations for eliminating the challenges and/or implementing enhancements.  As a result, in April of 2019, a new and improved admissions application was launched.  Since April 2019, we have received 14,316 applications attempts for various career types (Semester Credit, F-1 International, Adult Education, and Continuing Education).  A total of 10,794 applications were completed.  That is a 75% prospect to applicant completion rate.  Prior to the implementation of the online application, Continuing Education students, Adult Education, and International students were required to submit a paper application. Most recently, this October 2019, HCC launched the fluid student homepage where students can view and update personal information, view and enroll by an academic planner, search for classes, customize class schedules, review financial aid, and other account information, and track academic progress with user-friendly tiles.

Webinar titled: Opening up the Laboratory.

  • This webinar had a $25.00 registration fee which included a continuing education certificate. (Recording and materials will be available only for the registered participants).

  • The presenter: Dr. Dietmar Kennepohl FCIC, Professor of Chemistry, Athabasca University; and Moderated by Dr. Carlos Morales, HETS Chair & President, TCC Connect Campus of Tarrant County College- October 30, 2020, at 3:00- 5:00 pm East (EST / PR Time)
    • Brief description of the topic: There are special challenges associated with the teaching of science disciplines, the biggest one being how to handle the practical or laboratory components. This is even more so when that laboratory component needs to support a course that is online or at a distance. This has become even more crucial in recent months as science educators are dealing with alternative delivery options during the COVID-19 pandemic. Athabasca University (AU) – Canada’s Open University has the mission to reduce barriers to university-level education and offers its curriculum entirely online and at a distance. This presentation not only reflects current literature but over twenty-five years of experience as a chemistry professor and senior administrator at an open and online university and highlights a few of the alternative approaches in providing a high-quality learning environment in the laboratory. The presentation will try to align and balance the academic role of the laboratory with underlying key educational concepts (e.g. active engagement, learner centeredness, cognitive overload, personalization, flexibility), while also addressing very real logistical and administrative issues. A brief survey and some analysis of several modes to the delivery of our laboratory components (i.e. face-to-face, home-study kits, virtual, fieldwork/clinic, remote) across various science disciplines is provided in the session. Research demonstrates that no one approach is correct, and combinations of modes are often employed. Future laboratory design will not only rely on the continued blending of modes to get the right mix, it will be influenced by trends such as new technologies, access to ubiquitous information, and a move to open learning and open science. This will mean integrating into future teaching laboratories elements like appropriate new technologies, OERs, learning analytics, citizen science, and connection to knowledge networks outside the university.
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Webinar titled: Enhancing student success in online gateway courses through embedded tutoring. (Download the presentation here) (Watch the recording here)

  • The presenter: Dr. Erasmus Addae, Associate Vice President of Distance and Alternative Education, Austin Community College and Moderated by: Dr. Carlos Morales, HETS Chair & President, TCC Connect Campus of Tarrant County College- October 22, 2020
    • Brief description of the topic: Extant research suggests that embedded tutoring programs facilitate learning and success in all disciplines. Although the practice of embedded tutoring may differ from one institution to another; it is a form of supplemental instruction in which a tutor participates in all or some of the class sessions in addition to serving as a tutor in an individual or group environment. This presentation will discuss and share some best practices for embedded tutoring in online gateway courses.

Webinar titled: Regular and Substantive Interaction: we know what it isn’t; do we know what it is?
(Download the presentation here) (Watch the recording here) 

  • The presenter: Dr. Martin A. Hoffman, Sr., Dean of Learning Resources and a Senior Adjunct faculty member for Rowan College at Burlington County in New Jersey, and Moderated by: Dr. Carlos Morales, HETS Chair & President, TCC Connect Campus of Tarrant County College- October 8, 2020
    • Brief description of the topic: Since at least 2008 the US Department of Education has characterized Distance Education as being Different from Correspondence Education in that it features regular and substantive interaction between instructors and students.  For most of the past 12 years, it was simply assumed that institutions and accreditors would “know it when they see it” but there have been notable cases where that did not happen, in some instances costing institutions considerable time, effort and possibly the loss of federal funding.  Recently the Department of Education has provided additional guidance and clarification.  This webinar will present both a historical and current perspective on regular and substantive interaction, as well as offering some practical tips to be certain your courses are in compliance.

Webinar titled: Quality Online: Developing capacity to deliver a quality student learning experience at the course, program, and institution level (watch recording here)

  • The presenters: Deborah Adair, Ph.D., Executive Director and CEO, Quality Matters; Yaping Gao, Ed.D., Senior Academic Director, Member Services & Partnerships, Quality Matters; and Fernando Senior, Ph.D., QM International Representative for Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC) Moderated by: Dr. Carlos Morales, HETS Chair & President, TCC Connect Campus of Tarrant County College.- September 10, 2020
    • Brief description of the topic: This session will engage participants in exploring guidelines and standards, as well as turnkey processes and proven practices to ensure quality online education and digital learning at institutional, program and course levels. Participants will come away with ideas on what quality assurance processes and toolsets their institutions can adopt and implement to increase capacity in supporting faculty with much-needed professional development, ensuring well-designed and engaging curriculum, and providing student-centered learning experiences to help students succeed regardless of the learning modality. Faculty and staff will take away some useful tools to support their efforts to provide quality online learning for their students.

Webinar titled: What’s new? After July 1, 2020 USDE regulations? (Download presentation here) (Watch webinar recording here) 

  •  The presenter: Dr. Hilda Colon Plumey, former Vice president, Middle States Commission of Higher Education, and Moderated by: Dr. Carlos Morales, HETS Chair & President, TCC Connect Campus of Tarrant County College.- August 21, 2020
  • Brief description of the topic: July 1, 2020 was the date in which significant changes came in effect in terms of accreditation. These changes were mandated by the US Department of Education after a negotiated rule making process. There are important changes to policies that Institutions should be aware of and tin this opportunity we are discussing those that affect Substantive Change.

Webinar titled: From Many to One: Aligning Online Course review tools and standards. (Watch Webinar recording here).

  • The presenters: Austin Haynes, Elearning Graphic Designer; and David Denny, Instructional Designer from TCC Connect Campus, Tarrant County College- April 21, 2020
    • Brief description of the topic: This presentation will focus on the emerging need to align institutional standards in course design to national, state and institutional rubrics. Tarrant County College (TCC) currently utilizes the Quality Matters (QM) rubric to review online course content. The QM has established standards to certify the quality of online and blended courses. Additionally, institutions must consider the standards set forth by national and state accrediting organizations such as Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). Finding the similarities in these standards and aligning these tools allows more time for instructional design staff to work collaboratively with faculty to build course content and pedagogical strategies.

Webinar titled: Improving Student Success in Accelerated Course Offerings. (Watch the webinar recording here)

  • The presenter: Dr. David Pearse, from the Division of Accelerated Programs at TCC Connect Campus, Tarrant County College- March 20, 2020
    • Brief description of the topic: Accelerated courses can be defined as traditional three-credit hour courses delivered in less than a full 16 week semester. Many colleges and universities have experienced varied success with the delivery of accelerated classes. Offering the accelerated course online can also provide extra challenges to student success. This presentation will discuss some best practices for student success in accelerated online classes.

Webinar titled: The Hybrid Academy – A Professional Development for faculty teaching Hybrid Courses. (Watch webinar recording here)

  • The presenters: Jessica Handley and Roberto Rivera Instructional Designers from University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.- February 27, 2020
    • Brief description of the topic: It is evident that the demand for online and hybrid courses continues to grow. According to the National Student Clearinghouse, more than 6 million higher education students were enrolled in some type of distance education courses in the year 2017. As the demand for hybrid courses increases, senior leaders are focusing on the quality of hybrid delivery.  The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, as Hispanic Serving Institution, has developed and implemented Professional Development called Hybrid Academy that provides faculty with the knowledge, skills, and exposure to resources necessary to design, develop, and facilitate hybrid instruction. The professional development goes over national standardized best practices, current research, and instructional design principles. The Hybrid Academy Professional Development was created completely in UTRGV official learning management system, Blackboard. It consists of 7 Modules that are all required components of the Hybrid Academy.  Each module contains lessons and assessments created in SoftChalk Lesson Builder, Faculty Videos for Micro-Lectures, Discussion Forums and Reflective online Blogs. Also, weekly live sessions are conducted using Blackboard Collaborate and Zoom web conferencing.

Webinar titled: UTRGV Blueprinting Process: Our quality assurance process for Online Programs. (Watch webinar recording here)

  • The presenters: Josie Stoleson and Toni Saldivar Instructional Designers from University of Texas Rio Grande Valley-February 18, 2020
    • Brief description of the topic: To ensure consistency and quality in online programs, UTRGV faculty must participate in our blueprinting process. During the process, faculty go over our 6 module-13-week course in which they learn the concepts of designing a quality online course and learn strategies and best practices in online teaching. Upon completing of the session, participants will be able to learn the concepts of quality in the design of online programs, review Quality Matters Rubric, and review the components of the UTRGV Blueprinting Process.