Employee Education | Barton Community College

Welcome to the Employee Education page! In the following sections, you will find links to a variety of resources that supports staff and faculty in the pursuit of professional development. Explore below to find the right resource for you. Should you be interested in a specific topic but don't see any offering, please reach out to us. Centerstaff@bartonccc.edu.

January

Cougar TALEs

Recording - Francis Financial
Have you checked in on your financial health recently? Are you saving enough for retirement? Join Leslie Francis Klug as she talks about retirement readiness, investing education, and the BCC 403(b) Retirement Plan.

LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor: Protect the Integrity of Online Tests FREE - Multiple Dates Available
This session is perfect for instructors who are new to LockDown Browser and/or Respondus Monitor, or those who want a refresher on how to use these applications to ensure academic integrity during online exams. We'll also be demonstrating the latest features and enhancements.

Manage Disruptive Behavior in the Classroom $ - Wednesday, January 22
will hear from our expert ADA specialist who will share techniques for handling disruptive behavior concerns for any student, making appropriate referrals, navigating conversations about conduct with students with a variety of needs, and collaborative solutions that are best for all students, including those with disabilities.

Communities of Practice: Creating Community and Shared Learning to Support Student Success FREE - Thursday, January 23rd
Discover how communities of practice (CoPs) empower faculty, staff, and administrators to drive meaningful improvements in student success. This webinar explores how CoPs foster collaboration, encourage innovative teaching practices, and provide essential support networks. By connecting professionals across disciplines, CoPs enable the sharing of strategies that boost engagement, retention, and learning outcomes. Join us to learn how implementing CoPs can create a transformative impact on your students’ success, and be the first to hear NISOD’s exciting announcement about a new program offering coming in 2025.

Respondus 4 and the Test Bank Network: Quickly Create Online Exams FREE - Multiple Dates Available
Learn how Respondus 4 allows you to create or convert exams that can be published directly to your learning management system, and how the Respondus Test Bank Network can be used to generate online tests from official publisher test banks.

Placement into Developmental Education Is an Equity Issue:
Eliminate English and Reading Dev Ed and Maintain or Improve Success Rates for All Students FREE - Thursday, January 30th | 1:00-02:00pm CST
Placement metrics that divert some students into non-credit English/writing and reading courses assert an over-sized impact on underrepresented, minority (URM) students. Learn how Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, NY eliminated all developmental education placements in English and reading while maintaining or improving success rates for all students, including those students who are considered most at risk. Learn about assessment practices focused on equity, strategies for simplifying intake processes, how to create campus-wide buy-in, ways to change course-level structures and systems, and professional development systems to impact individual pedagogical approaches/classroom tools for making it all work.

Navigating Academic Integrity in the Age of Breakthrough Technologies FREE - On Demand
This webinar will feature experts from the higher education and technology sectors to discuss strategies for striking a balance between harnessing the potential of AI and preserving academic standards. The webinar will explore how we can collectively address the dynamic changes in higher education to promote academic integrity and overall learning outcomes.

Navigating AI in Academia: Elevate Excellence and Safeguard Integrity FREE - On Demand
The widespread use of AI writing tools has disrupted traditional university assessment models across the Asia-Pacific region. When applied effectively, AI can be a valuable tool in modernising assessment methods. However, finding a balance between deterring AI-based academic misconduct and leveraging AI to streamline academic processes can be a challenge for universities. It is essential to develop institution-wide policies and frameworks for AI integration to maintain academic integrity and enhance the quality of teaching and learning. Explore strategies for effective assessment redesign, the challenges and ethical considerations surrounding AI use and the role of AI detection tools in maintaining academic integrity.

Preserving Team Integrity FREE - On Demand
All teams undergo staffing changes repeatedly in their work. Effective teams are able to handle change by having a working knowledge of each person's capabilities, leveraging skills and knowledge in the right place, and providing support where needed. Join this session to learn about ways to prepare teams to work through challenges and opportunities intentionally together.

Solution-Focused Problem Solving FREE - On Demand
Are you tired of getting stuck in the same old problems without finding effective solutions? This session discusses the problem with problems and offers a different approach to making progress and enhancing teams and organizations.

Adding AI to Your Daily Toolbox FREE - On Demand
Participants will embark on a journey to understand and integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their daily practice. This session focuses on what's happening within Kansas and nationally, showcasing current efforts and what AI can mean for the current workforce. The session will provide practical insights and overviews of AI tools, aimed at enhancing efficiency and decision-making in everyday tasks. This will also cover ethical considerations for using AI systems like ChatGPT, CoPilot, and others while adhering to ethical standards. By the end of this session, practitioners will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to leverage AI in their daily work, transforming challenges into opportunities for innovation.

Empowering Students to Disrupt Plagiarism FREE - On Demand
Join Turnitin as we showcase our ‘Disrupting Plagiarism: Building a culture of academic honesty’ instructional resource pack, a range of practical materials to provide teachers and students with a formative approach to maintaining academic integrity whilst addressing plagiarism meaningfully when it occurs. New resources focus on implementing and maintaining honor codes, including classroom activities designed to empower students to be active participants in the establishment of a thriving culture of academic integrity.

Securing the Integrity & Delivery of Remote & Authentic Assessments FREE - On Demand
No assessment is immune to cheating, and recent large-scale survey research suggests that exams are the site of increased cheating - and more undetected cheating - than take-home written tasks (Harper, Bretag, & Rundle, 2020). Assessment security in remote settings has proved a contentious matter since the onset of the pandemic, forcing educators to evaluate measures such as exam invigilation and issues such as student privacy. This discussion unpacks the future of online assessment delivery. Speakers will share insights across their specialisations of online teaching, learning design and assessment security and integrity, to strengthen our understanding and execution of remote and authentic assessment.

Valor: Navigating the AI Frontier in the Community College Education FREE - On Demand
Handout - This webinar delves into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in community college education by introducing the concept of an "AI sandwich"—combining human input, AI-generated output, and subsequent human editing to integrate AI tools effectively. A comprehensive method named "Value Assessment and Learning for Optimized AI Resources" (VALOR) can guide community colleges through strategic goal alignment, stakeholder engagement, ideation, experimentation, and iterative improvement. With insights into emerging AI technologies like Chat GPT4, the presentation encourages community colleges to embrace VALOR as a guiding principle for exploration, unlocking the untapped potential of AI, and achieving transformative success in education.

What AI Mean for Teaching FREE - On Demand
Join us for this free webinar about the risks and benefits of AI and some recommendations for navigating AI in the college classroom.

Resources for Teaching with AI FREE - On Demand
This list collects resources shared during the MLA professional development webinar Teaching with AI.

NISOD's Fall Virtual Conference recordings are now available!! If you registered for the live conference, you can access each recording from the Virtual Conference page. For those who did not register in advance, you may access the recordings after sign up on the Registration page. Please let me know if you have any issues. Recordings of the conference will allow you to hear three keynote sessions and 50+ live sessions

February

You Can’t Outsource Sense-Making: High Impact Approaches to College Reading FREE - Thursday, February 6th
This webinar shares insights from Breakthroughs in College Reading: The Promises and Tensions of Disciplinary Reading Apprenticeships, highlighting the transformative impact of a long-term, cross-disciplinary community of practice that enhances both educator and student learning through a focus on disciplinary literacy. Whether you teach in the humanities, social sciences, or STEM, this webinar offers practical tools and innovative approaches to help students become independent, critical readers who confidently navigate complex information. Faculty leave with actionable strategies to foster deeper learning and greater student agency in their classrooms.

In Sync With Asynchronous Embedded Support: Strategies for Implementing Embedded Tutoring in Asynchronous Online Courses FREE - Monday, February 24th
Embedded tutoring is a rapidly growing academic support program most often implemented in face-to-face courses with an active learning classroom environment. Some institutions are experimenting with ways to incorporate this type of support in asynchronous online courses. Learn from a team of embedded tutors and faculty as they share the criteria they developed for selecting asynchronous courses for embedding tutors as well as some implementation strategies.

Email Writing for the Workplace $ - Multiple Dates
What are the best practices in email writing? Do you know what to do if your email ends up in the wrong hands? Is email always the best form of communication? What are the risks and blunders that could potentially call into question the competency and credibility of you and your organization? Attend this information packed seminar to get the answers to these questions, as well as any of your own.

The Power of Silence FREE - On Demand
Being the strong silent type in today’s world that demands involved, transparent, and effective communication is challenging. In this session we will discuss silence’s functions in our interactions, how it can be managed, and how silence can be used strategically to support better communication.

Time Management for the Overwhelmed $ - Multiple Dates
You'll get more done and be more valuable within your organization. You'll feel less stressed and frazzled. And, best of all, you'll be able to get to the high-priority projects you never seem to have time for. It's no secret that successful people are those who have learned to control their days — instead of letting interruptions, paper chases, and the phone control them.

Self-Care FREE - On Demand
Navigating work and life stressors can feel overwhelming. Taking care of ourselves is key to maintaining our health and wellbeing so that we are better equipped to manage stress and feel our best. This training will provide information to help you be more intentional about self-care.

Dealing with Difficult People $ - Multiple Dates
Never again fall victim to those who love to make life miserable for the rest of us. This training gives you concrete techniques for dealing with difficult people in the workplace and at home. It provides specific strategies for getting adversaries to cooperate … bullies to back off … wallflowers to open up … chronic complainers to quiet down. Knowing how to deal with difficult people at work will allow you to approach your job with more enjoyment and your coworkers with greater confidence. Cooperation, collaboration and compromise will improve — and that makes for a more productive and efficient workplace for everyone.

Healthy Boundaries FREE - On Demand
Whether you are feeling overwhelmed at work or frustrated with a family member, setting a boundary can help. Boundaries are necessary for all healthy relationships to thrive. Watch this workshop to learn about boundaries, their importance, and strategies for setting and maintaining boundaries.

Conscious Communication Culture FREE - On Demand
The way communication happens in most organizations is treated as just that—the way that it happens. Communication is more effective and equitable when you consciously shape the communication culture. This session offers clues to help you decode your current communication culture, guidance so you and your teammates can decide what you want it to be, and ideas about how to get there.

How to Supervise People $ - Multiple Dates
As a supervisor, you're the one in charge, but you know all too well that your job description doesn't even begin to cover the many roles you actually fill. In today's world, supervisors and their teams have more complex relationships than ever before. A supervisor must be a friend, coach, boss and mediator.

Supporting Families, Empowering Students: Digital Solutions For Pre-College Programs FREE - On Demand
TRIO programs like GEAR UP, Talent Search, and Upward Bound face a common challenge: keeping families and students consistently engaged throughout the pre-college journey. Institutions often need help reaching parents, providing the necessary tools, and building ongoing support systems that ensure student success.

March

The Power of Communication Connection FREE - Thursday, March 6, 2025
In today’s higher educational environment, communication is a crucial skill that supports success in any position. The personalities, experiences, and perspectives create the need for individualized approaches to communication. Through activities meant to bring standard habits to the forefront and realize their impact on daily communication, this program highlights differences and insights to understanding yourself and those around you for effective communication. Just LEAD: Listen, Encourage, Ask Questions, and Deliver.

Supporting Community College Faculty: A Comprehensive Approach to Adopting Generative AI FREE - Monday, March 24, 2025
Generative AI, with its potential to personalize learning and create engaging experiences, offers exciting opportunities for community college faculty to meet the diverse and varying needs of their students. This webinar showcases a comprehensive approach through several initiatives to introduce AI to faculty. First, through workshops and individual consulting, faculty learn the fundamentals and applications of generative AI, tailored to their courses. Second, a faculty learning community was established to foster peer-to-peer learning, allowing experimentation and troubleshooting together. Third, a subcommittee of faculty helped craft advocacy for syllabi language and policy development for responsible AI use in individual courses. Finally, the creation of a faculty fellow position in AI that supports faculty research and scholarship in AI-assisted assessment and pedagogical practices. Learn more about this comprehensive framework and discover how institutions can empower faculty to leverage the potential of generative AI while ensuring responsible and effective integration into the community college learning environment.

Artificial Intelligence through a Sociological Lens FREE - Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Join respected author and Professor, John Macionis, where he discusses the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence and suggests some of the likely outcomes of it, and offers an early assessment of the benefits and dangers of this new technology within a sociological lens.

Using Maps to Teach Sociology FREE - Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Learn how sociological maps can enhance sociology education by revealing geographic patterns in race, class, gender, and politics from John Macionis, celebrated author and professor.

How to Supervise Bad Attitudes and Negative Behavior $ - Multiple Dates Available
This dynamic seminar gives you answers to your toughest questions, quickly and clearly. You'll learn the smart methods to help you get control over the problem people who plague your workplace … without the resentment and anger some outdated approaches can generate. Best of all, you'll discover how to tailor an individual approach for each employee's unique situation — a custom strategy that greatly increases your chances of success.

Managing Emotions Under Pressure $ - Multiple Dates
Gain the ability to control how emotions manifest instead of allowing the emotions to take center stage and dictate behavior. Proven techniques promise to increase self-awareness and provide tools to handle emotions positively. Broken into three sections, this seminar will focus on understanding emotions, dealing with strong emotions and how to communicate through emotions. The stress-management system taught in this seminar is simple — and proven. Let it help you live a happier, more productive and less stressful personal and professional life.

How to Become a Great Communicator $ - Multiple Dates
Communication skills are crucial for career success. It's not always technical expertise, superior knowledge, or even heightened intelligence that makes people effective in their roles. It's often their exceptional skill in handling difficult people and charged situations. Master the communication skills necessary to propel your career, boost your productivity and ensure quality job satisfaction.

April

The Power of Esports: Building an Esports Program at Your College FREE - Monday April 7
Identify the basic elements of the esports industry, including the esports ecosystem, popular esports titles, and the growing interest among students. Evaluate ways to build an academic program connected to esports. Identify opportunities for collaboration with other institutions, esports organizations, and industry leaders.

SUPPORTING Minds, SUPPORTING Learners: Addressing Student Mental Health to Advance Academic Success FREE - Thursday, April 24
Mental health symptoms among college students have been rising dramatically for the past decade. These symptoms cause distress in all aspects of students’ lives and impact their ability to focus on academic work, increasing the likelihood of negative outcomes and withdrawing from school. In this session, participants gain insight about students’ experiences with mental health in college, reflect on the extent to which institutions are positioned to respond to students’ mental health needs, and identify strategies to improve student support.

May

Executive Dysfunction in Higher Education: How to Help Neurospicy Students in College FREE - Thursday, May 8
Lately, executive function skills feel like they are in short supply in the students we serve. This webinar focuses on providing faculty and staff with tips and strategies that support students with executive dysfunction concerns, especially those who are neurodiverse (i.e., neurospicy). Learn concepts that not only benefit students, but also help educators feel more in control of their own executive functioning in the classroom and beyond.

Cougar TALEs - Past Sessions

Fall 2024
Recording - Handout 1 - Handout 2 | Artificial Intelligence - Integrity Council Sub-Team
Recording | Let's Talk YuJu - Diana Hernandez, YuJu Representative
Recording | College Updates
Recording - Handout | Generations in the Workplace - Dr. Rachel Dolecheck, DBA
Recording - Handout | TALEs from the Data Side: How to Make Course Assessment Data Work for You - Kurt Konda
Recording | OER Sharing a New Perspective - Lee Miller
Recording | All Faculty Meeting
Recording | H5P Smart Import
Recording | Have you met... Linn Hogg - VIA & RSVP Director, Ray Kruse – Project Director of EOC, Melissa Feist – Coordinator of Adult Education

January 2024
Student Authenticity: Best Practices– Claudia Mather and Curtis Rose
Essential Skills: The Why, What and Where – Janet Balk, Deanna Heier, Nolan Esfeld

August 2023
Long Live CATS | Handout – Kurt Konda
Managing Stress and Burnout | Handout – Dr. Rose Helens-Hart
First Impressions Matter | Handout – Dr. Stacey Smith
College Updates
Balancing Work and Life – Lindsey Bogner, Elaine Simmons
Artificial Intelligence – Academic Integrity Council
Francis Financial Services – Leslie Francis Klug, John Francis
All Faculty Meeting
Have you met... – Terri Mebane, Erika Jenkins-Moss, Janet Balk, Abby Kujath, Megan Chambers, Kurt Teal

January 2023
What even IS a Foundation and what can you do with it? – Lindsey Bogner
Cyber Hygiene – Jose Palacios
Practical Strategies for Course Building – Blair Stamper
Visit the Library – Darren Ivey
Power BI and Data – Jose Palacios
Concourse with Lab | Power Point | PP as PDF – Brian Howe and Ange Davied
Have you met…
Baudilio Hernandez - Hispanic Engagement & Recruitment Office Director
Rita Thurber - Student Support Services Project Director
Jacquelyn Maser - Counselor
Nolan Esfeld - Director of Student Academic Development
Patrick Busch - CKUB Project Director
Eric Smith - CKUB Academic Coordinator
Kelsey Hall - BCUB Project Director
Rebecca Kratzer - BCUB Academic Coordinator

August 2022
College Updates
All Faculty Meeting (Entire Group)
Student Success Alliance - Stephanie Joiner and the Student Success Alliance
So You're Coming to the Curriculum Committee...– Brian Howe
Meet the Coaches – Trevor Rolfs and Staff
Workplace Collaboration and Relationships

August 2021
Essential Skills with Deanna Heier, Lindsay Holmes, Stephanie Joiner - Recording
Conducting and Documenting Course Assessment with Kurt Konda Recording
Brandin’ with Brandon with Brandon Steinert - Recording
Cougar Recruiting 101 with Maggie Harris - Recording
Course Binder Project with Jo Harrington - Recording
Canvas Tutorial-Course Outcomes with Jo Harrington - Recording
Academic Integrity Panel with Janet Balk, Karly Little, Kathy Boeger, Deanna Heier Recording

2020
Write so Students Understand You with Karly Little - Recording | Presentation
Get (the right) Stuff Done! with Brandon Steinert - Recording
Self-Awareness and Empathy on Campus with Christian Dashiell | Recording
Communication is Key with Dani Kultgen - Recording
Open Pedagogy with Lee Miller - Recording
Leading Barton through a Crisis with Claudia Mather - Recording
The Golden Rule - Recording
Team Building through Communication with Claudia Mather - Recording
Psychological First Aid: Recovering From Crisis with Jakki Maser - Recording | Handout | Handout
Course Level Assessment with Kurt Konda - Recording | Handout
OER: Low Cost or No Cost with Lee Miller - Recording | Handout | Handout | Handout | Handout
Academic Integrity with Stephanie Joiner - Recording | Handout | Handout
Reflective Leadership with Claudia Mather - Recording | Handout
Concourse with Ange Davied - Recording
LICC Submission Process with Brian Howe - Recording