NDSU Distance and Continuing Education has planned several seminars designed for instructors to learn about technologies and tools that enhance distance and continuing education courses. The courses include:

• Say it Quick with Pronto
Pronto is the instant-messaging tool from Wimba.com that integrates directly into your Blackboard course shell. With Pronto, the instructor and students are never further than a mouse-click away. Use Pronto to host impromptu office hours, connect with colleagues and send out quick announcements easily. Students can also use Pronto for group work and "beyond-the-walls" learning. This seminar is conducted in a fully equipped computer lab so participants will get a chance to experience Pronto.

This course is planned for Tuesday, June 30, and Monday, July 27. Both sessions are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in FLC 320. The course is geared toward beginners and lasts 30 minutes.

• Be There with Wimba - Introduction
Use Wimba to bring the human touch into your distance education courses easily and powerfully. This seminar will provide an introduction to the features of Wimba Classroom and related Wimba technologies. Wimba brings video, voice and application sharing into teaching experiences. This seminar is conducted in a fully equipped computer lab so participants will get a chance to experience the features of Wimba.

This course is planned for Tuesday, June 30, and Monday, July 27. Both sessions are scheduled for 2:15 p.m. in FLC 320. The course is geared toward beginners and lasts 60 minutes.

• Measuring the Learning with Blackboard – Newly Updated for Blackboard 8
Blackboard offers many ways to incorporate both assessment and evaluation activities into courses. Learn how to use the assignment feature, discussion board, test manager and other features to give assignments, exams and other assessment and evaluation activities. The seminar is conducted in a fully equipped computer lab so participants will get a chance to experience these Blackboard features.

This course is planned for Wednesday, July 8, at 9:30 a.m. in FLC 320 and on Wednesday, Aug. 12. It is geared toward beginners and lasts 90 minutes.

• Be There with Wimba – Advanced
This is a Wimba session designed for instructors who already attended the "Be There with Wimba" training or have some experience using Wimba. This seminar will be conducted from the comfort of your office or home, via Wimba. Participants will experience application sharing, breakout rooms, on-the-fly quizzing and polling and helpful tips.

This course is planned for Wednesday, July 15, at 2 p.m. It is geared toward the intermediate and advanced levels and lasts 60 minutes.

There is no cost, but pre-registration is required. To register, or for more information, contact Lyn DeLorme, Distance and Continuing Education instructional designer, at 1-6371 or at lyn.delorme@ndsu.edu.