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Description:	Smaller institutions frequently have limited resources supporting their online learning initiatives. As a result, course development may rest primarily with faculty supported by staff shared across the university. Courses converted for online delivery can initially be very text-heavy. Digital photography is a simple, effective way for instructors to enhance online courses and address visual learning styles. This session showcases a three-part seminar series designed to help faculty improve their online courses with images.
Presentation Format:	Poster
Topic:	Empowering educators: Professional development models and methods
Target Audience:	Course Designers, Faculty and Other Instructors, E-learning Managers, K-12 Educational Staff
Appropriate Audience Level:	Beginning or new users of WebCT, Experienced WebCT users
WebCT Version:
Abstract Text:	Smaller institutions frequently have fewer resources supporting online learning initiatives. Course development often rests primarily with faculty supported by staff who are shared across the entire university. Classroom courses converted for online delivery can initially be very text-heavy and basically consist of digital text files uploaded to the course management system. Consequently a variety of learning styles are not addressed. We have increasingly become more dependent upon visuals in our world. The internet, phone, and television exemplify this phenomenon. Digital photography has become easier, quicker and cheaper to use. Including digital photographs to visually enhance an online course and address visual learning styles provides instructors a simple, efficient and effective option to quickly enhance online courses. A seminar series was developed to demonstrate strategies faculty could utilize to illustrate content with digital photographs, create and modify digital images, and provide a more inviting online experience while building a vibrant online learning community. This session will highlight the 3-part seminar series that included: 1) Roundtable discussion on visual literacy and visual enhancements used in the classroom 2) Technical Workshop focused on the use of PhotoShop Elements to prepare digital photographs for WebCT online courses 3) Individual and small group consults regarding methods/tools within WebCT for including digital photographs to visually enhance online courses. Completion of the series was followed by the opportunity for participants to take part in an ongoing online discussion in WebCT regarding the use of digital photography in their online and/or blended classes.