Ramp up! On-line Class a Success

Are you ready to drive on the information super highway, as services and information are placed in "My BGSU" (the Blackboard portal)? Do you know how to drive along with our students as they merge into classes through "My BGSU?"

Since its first spin in the fall of 2002, the Office of Human Resources has been fortunate to have Bonnie Fink and Corri Edwards delivering this first, hybrid training course, specifically designed to increase staff members' comfort levels with the BGSU portal.

Ramp up! is a four-week course that uses a Blackboard course shell (just like students use for their classes). Since it is a hybrid training course, employees meet as a group with the instructors twice, beginning with an initial training session and ending with a wrap-up session. Employees complete most of the course on-line, as they interact with their instructors and each other. Here are some of the topics:

• Learn how to fully utilize your "My BGSU" account and get the low down on the Blackboard Portal
• Gain Internet savvy by understanding technical jargon, listservs, newsgroups, and blogs
• Assure that your document privacy is protected and avoid "netiquette" fopauxs
• Gain great tips for finding information on-line, like using and evaluating different search engines

Employees who successfully complete the course receive their Internet Drivers Licenses and then nominate other employees to attend the course.

Over 200 employees, ranging in position from Clerical Specialist to Account Clerk to Vice President, have already been nominated and completed their "test drive" of this online course. The Office of Human Resources makes this course available each semester. If you are interested in participating, please e-mail us at ohr@bgsu.edu.

Merge on to "My BGSU" and join the life long learning the BGSU portal has to offer!