Sep 14, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
September 14, 2016
It was just another day in Anatomy and Physiology class, until instructor Nick Roster told students working in groups that the first group to finish a task would win five points.
The effect was immediate and obvious. Students leaned in across the lab tables, their body language showing focus, intensity and concentration as they worked together. By making the task into a race — a basic gamification concept — Roster simultaneously challenged and motivated students, fostered collaboration and self-directed learning.
It’s those kind of results which led the science instructor to completely rebuild his A & P course on gamification principles. He received an NMC Foundation grant to pilot the idea in 2015, and in spring 2016 moved completely to a gamification structure.
“I’m using some of the game elements and an (online) platform to run the whole class,” said Roster.
While the structure is a natural fit for students who grew up trying to get to the next level on PlayStation or Xbox, Roster said such gamification concepts as leveling up are ideal for learning.
“What this allows for is mastery learning. There’s no 70 percent,” he said. “Student performance is better because they have to get it right.”
They have to get it right — eventually. The level-based structure of his class allows students to practice until they gain the knowledge or skills necessary to advance. Failure is not the disaster that it would be on a midterm or final exam.
“This allows students the opportunity to fail, or get it wrong, or misread the question, and still be successful,” said Roster, whose e-mail signature includes a quote from Einstein: “I never teach my students, I only give them the opportunity to learn.”
Anatomy and Physiology still includes a traditional hands-on lab, though much of what was the lecture format of the class can now be conducted online. That allows students to progress at their own pace, and frees up class time for questions and discussion.
Roster has discussed the potential to apply gamification concepts with colleagues in NMC’s Business, Aviation, Computer Information Technology and other science disciplines. He says he knows one group that hopes the idea spreads: Students.
“My student reviews have never been better,” he said. “They’re hoping or wishing other classes were structured this way.”
Sep 13, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
Tuesdays at Noon Health & Science 101
A 10 minute mindfulness practice can help:
- Improve focus and awareness
- Reduce anxiety, depression and stress
- Promote emotional balance
- Cultivate compassion
- Promote academic performance
- Prevent burnout
- Increase creativity
Come unplug for 20 minutes with NMC’s new mindfulness learning community. Students, faculty, staff and the public are welcome!
For more information or a private mindfulness session, contact Kristy McDonald at 995-1059 or kmcdonald@nmc.edu
Sep 13, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
The League of Women Voters (LWV) is hosting a forum for NMC Board of Trustees candidates that will be moderated by Mary Grover from the LWV. The forum will be Tuesday, October 18, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Milliken Auditorium.
UpNorth Media Center will cover the event and record it for future viewing.
Six candidates are running for two positions on the NMC Board of Trustees. The following will be on the November election ballot for Grand Traverse County:
- Chris M. Bott
- Carolyn Collins
- Christopher Dailey
- Michael Estes
- Michael B. Haynes
- Rachel Johnson
Sep 13, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
WNMC, the community public radio service of NMC, is looking for some new volunteers. Thousands of people in the Grand Traverse region listen every week, hundreds are listening at any given time. WNMC plays music heard nowhere else on the dial — jazz, blues, alternative rock, indie, Michigan music, and music from around the world. Most of that music is brand new. You don’t have to know a lot, but you do have to be willing to be a musical explorer and tour guide. All you need is a sense of sonic adventure and a bit of time. Four training sessions are provided, and you can apply online.
Sep 12, 2016 | Intercom
It’s hard to believe we’re almost one quarter of the way through FY’17. It seems as though it just started! A quarterly check of your department’s operational plan A3 is recommended as a way to ensure that you’re on track with goals for the year and to foster open communication when things are not going as planned.
Here’s a suggested structure for your check meeting:
- What is the target?
- What is the current state – where are we now?
- What obstacles are preventing us from reaching the target? Which ones are being addressed now?
- What’s the next step?
- By when – when can we meet to check again on progress?
The key is to remember that problems are golden – they represent an opportunity to learn. Therefore problems should be brought to the surface rather than buried. Also, remember this is a check-in not a problem solving brainstorm. Stay focused, and determine the one next best step and check again after that next step is completed.
Additional check guidelines are available on the Planning employee site located here: employees.nmc.edu/depts/orpe/planning/support-toolbox/tools.html
Questions about the planning process can be directed to Karen Ruedinger at 5-1032.
Sep 8, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
There will be a few temporary growing pains while we build our new student housing and expand the Dennos Museum Center. Sections of the Aspen and Elm parking lots will be used for construction crews and their equipment during the projects. You may want to plan a little extra time if you usually park in these lots. You can also check out alternatives with this parking lot map. Sorry for any inconvenience and thanks for understanding.
Sep 8, 2016 | Intercom
Save The Date
Open Enrollment Meetings for the 2017 benefit year will be held on Monday, November 14 at the Oleson Center. Specific details for the day will be coming shortly.
Sep 8, 2016 | Intercom
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
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Name
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Title
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|
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Kari Kahler
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Associate Dean of Learning Services
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35 years
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Holly Gorton
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Executive Assistant to the President and Board of Trustees
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22 years
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Dot Witt
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Technician-Publications/Event Scheduling
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17 years
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Marilyn Tilley
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Adjunct Music/Fine Arts
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15 years
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Jane Zlojutro
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Business Instructor
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15 years
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Mindy Morton
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Adjunct History
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14 years
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Dianne Owens
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Adjunct English/Communication
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14 years
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Kristen Salathiel
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Communications Instructor
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14 years
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Beth Weston
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Adjunct Music/Fine Arts
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14 years
|
|
Leanne Baumeler
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Disability Support Services Specialist
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8 years
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Heather Fraizer
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Training Specialist
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8 years
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Karen Gleason
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Adjunct Allied Health
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8 years
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Taylor Nash
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Advisor Academic/Career
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6 years
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Marcus Bennett
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Director of Residence Life/Judicial Affairs
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5 years
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Renee Cunningham
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Program Coordinator/Primary Instructor
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5 years
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Cortnie Thompson
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Associate Supervisor Residence Life
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3 years
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Sep 8, 2016 | Intercom
Stay healthy this fall with a noon workout or after work fitness class. NMC Extended Education brings good health to you at nmc.edu/fitness. Try Meditation, HIIT, Core & More, Noon Toner, a Fitness Center Membership and more! NMC employee waivers apply. Call 995-1700 to register.
Sep 8, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
The Traverse City Parking Patrol will begin enforcing parking at NMC on Monday, Sept. 19. All faculty, staff and students must have their new 2016-2017 permits displayed by that date.
The Traverse City Police Department has provided the following information on how to avoid parking tickets on campus by properly displaying your parking permit:
- Place your permit in the bottom left hand corner of your windshield.
- Place your permit right side up. An upside-down permit will be considered invalid.
- Be sure that the expiration date on your permit can be seen from the outside of your vehicle. (Some vehicles have a tint on the edges of their windshield, so be sure your permit is not behind a tint, as it will make it difficult to see from the outside.) When it doubt, get out of your vehicle and be sure you can see the entire permit from the outside.
If you do get a ticket, payment can be made at the red dropoff payment box at the east end of the Cedar lot in front of the Health & Science building. You can also mail the fine in to the city, or pay at the parking services office in the public parking garage at 303 E. State St. Payment information is also on each ticket.
If you have any questions about parking enforcement on campus, please call (231) 995-1111.
Sep 7, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — A public memorial service celebrating the life of Sonja Olshove, a beloved social sciences instructor at Northwestern Michigan College, will be held Sunday, Sept. 11 at the Hagerty Center on NMC’s Great Lakes Campus. Visitation will be from 1–3 p.m. with funeral services beginning at 3 p.m.
NMC will provide a shuttle service, by Blue Lakes by the Bay, from the main campus Cedar parking lot to the Hagerty Center on a continual basis from 1–5 p.m. Service attendees are encouraged to take advantage of the shuttle to maximize the limited parking space at the Hagerty Center.
Olshove, 49, passed away unexpectedly at her Traverse City home on Sept. 4. The week before she had begun her twenty-sixth year teaching at the college. Her deep connection to Northwestern Michigan College began as a girl when she heard classroom stories from her father, longtime NMC instructor Roy Terdal. She then continued that passion for learning as an honors student at NMC, graduating in 1987. In 1991 she chose to pass along that gift to others by becoming a member of the faculty.
Her unique ability to spark inquisitiveness in her learners along with her genuine compassion for their well-being earned her the Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award in 2001 and 2013. She was only one of three instructors to be honored with that award twice.
Condolences and memories may be shared with family by posting on Olshove’s obituary page. Her family has requested that in lieu of flowers or other gifts, please donate, as she did, to the NMC Foundation’s Scholarship Fund (nmc.edu/sonja). It was her gift of choice because that fund goes directly to students.
Release date: September 7, 2016
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing & Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
Sep 6, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
Dear NMC community:
It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you long time instructor and NMC alumna Sonja Olshove passed away unexpectedly Sunday.
(more…)
Sep 2, 2016 | Intercom
NMC Extended Education has some great professional development classes. Here is a sampling:
- Intro to Excel – Sept. 13-27 (also offered Nov. 3-17)
- Understanding Your Team: Personality Profiles – Sept. 20
- Building Great Corporate Culture – Oct. 5
- Excel Advanced Formatting for Large Worksheets – Oct. 6
- Merging Excel into Word docs – Oct. 11
Register now – call EES at 995-1700 – employee tuition waivers apply. See all the offerings at nmc.edu/ees.
Sep 2, 2016 | Intercom
Are you looking for career opportunities? Find it here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:
- Hagerty Center – Server, Bartender, Cook and Dishwasher
- Adjunct Faculty – Surgical Technology
- Supplemental – Enrollment Services Assistant
Sep 2, 2016 | Intercom
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them! (more…)
Sep 1, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
No appointment necessary
Student Health Services LB 106
- Wednesday, Sept.: 7 9–11 a.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 14: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 21: Noon–2 p.m.
University Center
- Wednesday, Sept. 28: 9–10 a.m.
Cost: Students $15 Faculty/Staff $20 Free if covered by NMC Insurance ((Staff covered by NMC Priority Health should bring their insurance cards))
Call 995-1255 with questions.
NOTE! All flu clinics subject to change per current CDC and/or GT Co. Health Dept. recommendations and vaccine availability.
Sep 1, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
On Saturday, September 17, photojournalist Paola Gianturco will share her experiences and tell the stories of activist grandmothers around the world whose tales inspire and demonstrate the power of grandmothers worldwide.
The National Writers Series event, sponsored in partnership with the Dennos Museum Center, takes place at 7 p.m. the Milliken Auditorium. Included in the evening is a photo exhibit of Gianturco’s work and a 6 p.m. reception with complimentary wine, beverages and appetizers for all ticket holders and Museum Members.
Guest host Tony Demin is a professional photographer. A graduate of the Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, Demin has shot internationally for national magazines, ad campaigns, and catalogs. He most enjoys taking photographic adventures with his family.
For tickets, call (231) 995-1573 or go to MyNorthtickets.com. National Writers Series Friends and Dennos Museum members get $5 off!
Student tickets are available for $5 over the phone at (231) 995-1753, or in person at the Dennos Museum Center only.
Sep 1, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
The U.S. Constitution influences our lives more than two hundred years after it was ratified. Yet many Americans don’t know much about it. That is why Congress established Constitution Day — a time to teach future generations about the foundation of our democracy.
Join us Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016 at noon in Osterlin Room 205* for a for a presentation and discussion with recent Pepperdine political science graduate and NMC alumna Rachel Gordon on “Dead or Alive” Just what sort of document is the U.S. Constitution?
All are welcome free of charge: students, staff, faculty and the public. Refreshments will be served!
* NOTE: The building and room number have changed since the original announcement.
