Month: March 2010

Looking over someone’s shoulder . . .

This blog has showcased a number of different technologies and tips, but you might wonder does anyone actually use them.  Read  how some of these technologies are being used

Clickers – Can be used for content or test review.  They are used when discussing sensitive topics to students opinions and input.  Team challenges are another way to test students knowledge and comprehension.

Centra – Your distance students feel unconnected or are confused, hold live meetings with Centra, with the use of webcams you can even see each other.  You can schedule weekly sessions with students who are out in the field doing internships or clerkships, or

Skype – Another alternative than using Centra for real time communication with students or colleagues, know someone out of the are with expertise on a subject Skype is one way to connect them to your class, or

Communicator – Again another tool for real time communication right on your desktop, not just an Instant Message Tool.

TeamView – Securely share desktop with student to conduct a review session.

Mediasite – Lectures recorded for various departments for their DE students. We now have two portable units which can be used in most of the classrooms in this building.  Studies have show that lecture capture content is a great tool in reinforcing study topics.

Camtasia/Captivate – Don’t want to use mediasite, try Camtasia to capture not only your PowerPoint lecture but step by step instructions in Excel, Access or any number of programs.

Blogging – Another way to connect with students outside of “Blackboard” it can be less formal and intimidating.

SharePoint – is a browser-based content management system that allows groups, such as a project team or class, to set up a centralized, password-protected Web space for document sharing, online meetings, event planning and more.  A great way to work with colleagues across campus.

PirateDrive – Many departments have a shared piratedrive to keep files that are to be accessed by both faculty and staff.  Easy to get to and always backed up!

Digital Rapids Recording – Recording software in various labs for demonstrations, skills building and other types of sessions.

Outlook Calendar – really does  help keep your work/life organized.  With many smart phones you can also sync your Outlook Calendar to your phone.  Not sure how to sync a phone there are great resources at ITCS’ Tech Tips.

WWW – Professional societies for your discipline as well as YouTube videos for just about everything.  Having trouble playing a video just click the Flash download to install and it will play, you may have to do this each session you want to play a video.”

SlideFinder  – a PowerPoint presentation search engine that can help you find new slides and inspiration.  Really neat tool try it!

Please share other best practices with your colleagues!

Are they really listening?

With clicker technology, we have Turning Point installed in all the classrooms, you can quickly poll your students on how well they are listening, their opinion on sensitive subjects or create teams to compete on current topics of study.  As we approach mid-term the clickers are a great way to bring something a bit different to your usual PowerPoint presentations.

To see how easily these devices are to use and how to create questions stop by our offices for a quick demo.  We now have three receivers and over 150 clickers so we can furnish a number of  classes at the same time!

Here are links to two articles using response system technology.

http://www.engaging-technologies.com/clicker-technology.html

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/cft/resources/teaching_resources/technology/crs.htm

New survey tool from ITCS

Check out the new survey tool provided by ITCS, Qualtrics.  Much more user friendly than Perseus and data collected is stored here at ECU rather than somewhere in cyberland when you use SurveyMonkey.

Qualtrics is a web based, research surveying software.  It is the replacement for our former survey software Perseus.  Qualtrics offers many advanced, but user-friendly features such as:

  • Easy survey design with question libraries, point-and-click editing, automatic choices, and question randomization.
  • Comprehensive list of question types including pick, group & rank, drill down, rank order, heat map and hot spots.
  • Collaboration
  • Polls
  • Distribution & Panel Management

Whose watching? Whose reading? When?

Mediasite Recordings – You have been making recordings of your lecture using Mediasite.  But are they watching, listening?  If they are how long?  Mediasite 5 now can generate reports which will generate that information and more.  Whether it be a specific presentation or a specific user we can quickly and easily compile a report for you with your specifications.

Blackboard content – When adding content to Blackboard click the tracking option prior to clicking OK to submit.  To view results on your tracking click Manage next to the time, select time frame and student(s), click submit.

To view a report please stop by the office of OET and we will be glad to show you what kind of information can be extracted.

Right Next Store . . .

Did you know that Laupus Library not only houses books but provides numerous other services through its Multimedia and Technology Department?  Some of these services include ECU-TV, here’s your chance to be a star; Multimedia Development, Poster Printing.  and other services.  Contact our office to assist in directing you to the right resource.