Welcome Brain Development Participants!
On June 1, 2016, we will begin to explore the question: “Brain Development – What’s Going on in
There That You Might Not Know?” The answers to this question not only lie in the examination brain
development, but how it is impacted by attachment. I wanted to give you a quick introduction, give you
your first assignment and make sure that you know how to get to the blackboard course so we are all ready
to go!
My name is Kathy Kashner and I am a STARS Technical Assistant Consultant for the Northeast Key
along with being a Professional Development Instructor for Community Education at Northampton
Community College. During the past 20 years, I have worn many “hats” in the early care and education field
including; classroom teacher, center director, trainer, and mentor. I am a wife of 14 years and a mother to
three beautiful children (nine year old twins-boy/girl, and a four year old boy). We also have an adorable
geriatric beagle (she is a rescue and we are unsure of her age, we think somewhere around 12 years old). I
enjoy Philly sports, but only because my husband was born and raised in the Philadelphia suburbs. I enjoy
gardening and taking walks with my family.
A first assignment for you is to go login to your blackboard account and click “Brain Development –
What’s Going on in There That You Might Not Know” link. Hopefully, you're in! You can begin to explore the
buttons on the left-hand side of the page, including the “course home” button, which lists any new
announcements and places to go if you need help. Now go to the "start here" button and explore the
documents that explain the Blackboard system, technical requirements, student responsibilities and
assessment criteria (please remember that this is not a graded course, but your participation is required to
obtain and earn your professional development certificate at the end of the course.
When you are ready, you can begin to navigate the “discussions” button, where you will be sharing
ideas and exploring questions. Please also click on the “Learning Content” button to view the content of the
session and the “Brain Development Resources” button to view additional articles and research to support
your learning.
The idea behind this 24/7 professional development session is to be able to access it at your
convenience. Please do, however, check back often on discussion boards so you have an opportunity to see,
respond to and interact with other’s responses. Ideally, you can have a conversation with other participants
through the discussion board. P.S. Don’t wait until the end of the session schedule. Think of how difficult it
might be to join a face to face conversation just as everyone is about to wrap up and leave.
Your participation will be recorded in the PA Registry after the course ends on June 15, 2016. In the
world of online learning, that translates into participation in discussion boards and assignments. I can also
monitor the things that you click on within the session. Please do more than just click on buttons…have fun!
You will not have access to Blackboard or your course until the session begins on Wed., June 1st.
When you have access to your course site in Blackboard, the objectives and other information will be
available to you through Blackboard.
Your course uses Blackboard for your course site. You may access Blackboard from the NCC home
page at http://www.northampton.edu by clicking the ‘logins’ area and then choosing ‘Blackboard/Online
Learning’ or you can go directly to http://northampton.blackboard.com.
Blackboard Login Procedure:
Your Blackboard logon is your Lifelearn student ID#. That ID# begins with ll (two lower case Ls) and
then usually 4 or 5 digits. Your initial Blackboard password is your Lifelearn ID #. If you previously used
Blackboard and changed your password, use your current password instead.
When you logon to Blackboard, you may change your password if you desire. Also, please
verify/change your e-mail address. Instructions on how to do this are in the Blackboard Manual accessed
from the NCC Online Learning website. You can access and print a manual by going to the NCC Online
Learning website at http://northampton.edu/admissions/online-classes/online-studentresources/blackboard-student-information.htm.
You can email requests for technical assistance to helpdesk@northampton.edu.
Here are some tips for success in an on-line class:
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Time matters. Set up a schedule for reviewing class assignments, including time for reading,
researching, writing and participation in discussion forums.
Feedback systems. You will get feedback directly through discussion forums. If you feel you need
additional feedback, please email or call me.
Networking. Sharing knowledge with each other is a valuable experience and an opportunity for
even more meaningful and enhanced learning.
Savor the differences. This online training will have value-added features that you would not
experience in a traditional face to face workshop, such as access to the internet, the use of
technology and practice in communication skills when you’re working in groups from a distance.
A certificate of participation for 3 hours will be provided in the PA Registry System under My Learning
Path – My Transcript once the sessions is completed and closed; which typically will happen within the week
after the workshop completes on February 16, 2016. Please reply to this email so that we are sure that
email communication systems are working.
I look forward to working with all of you in our journey of exploring building a brain. Thank you and
have an outstanding rest of your day!
Kathy Kashner,
Lead Consultant
Northampton Community College