We all have questions about copyright, what is fair use and what may be in the public domain. Students may be on heightened alert about copyright when preparing presentations and final papers. However, copyright considerations are equally as critical when putting together promotional materials for club events or updating a social media site. Consider including…
Category: Teaching & Learning
Re-framing Meetings
Have you ever been disappointed with your colleagues (or yourself) for frequently checking a phone, laptop, or tablet during meetings? Do you often leave a department or committee meeting with the feeling that the time of all the participants could have been better spent? If so, we recommend reading this article from the April 21,…
Active Learning Tools Supported at UMass Amherst
The Center for Teaching and Faculty Development (CTFD) is hosting an Active Learning Institute on May 19th and 20th, 2014. While registration is now closed, you can contact the CTFD at ctfd@acad.umass.edu if you are interested in incorporating more active learning techniques into your pedagogy. UMass Amherst IT currently supports a number of technological tools…
In The News…..
“Taking Notes by Hand Benefits Recall, Researchers Find” by Dana Perez-Hernandez, Wired Campus Why this matters: Laptops can be a distraction in the classroom, but some students insist on the devices for note taking. While tech can facilitate speedy lecture transcription for fast typists, a pencil and paper may actually provide stronger learning outcomes according…
Today’s Topic: Robots & Drones
50 years ago, Isaac Asimov predicted that “Robots will neither be common nor very good in 2014, but they will be in existence.” Well, robots are acting as housekeepers (think of the Jetson’s housekeeper, Rosie,) but they are capable of performing tasks and even communicating with humans and one another. Take a look at…
Let Students “Drive” in the Classroom
Suzanne Surina Baur, a Technology Resource Teacher from Southeastern Cooperative Educational Program in Norfolk, Virginia, suggests ways to have students drive their learning in class. She notes that being lectured to or talked at makes it hard for students to be engage with the material and take ownership of their learning. Read her suggestions at…
Using Social Media to Engage Students and Foster Learning
Can Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram and the likes support learning? They most certainly can. Social media engages students with you, their classmates, current affairs and online resources. Below are a few links to resources with suggestions for using social media in any classroom setting. Guide to Social Media in the Classroom http://www.edutopia.org/blog/guidebook-social-media-in-classroom-vicki-davis That’s Pinteresting! How educators…
Going Digital Can Enhance Learning
Have you considered going all digital to support learning in and outside the classroom? Does the idea go counter to your pedagogical practices or seem daunting? Dr. Lynda Haas of the University of California offers her reasons for going completely digital in her writing classes in a recent Faculty Focus article. Some of her approaches…
New Media Consortium Report > 2014 Higher Education Edition
The Horizon Report The 2014 Report identifies emerging technologies that will influence teaching and learning over the next 1-to-5 years. Among the key trends encouraging an immediate adoption of technology are the Pervasive use of social media Increased offering of fully online, hybrid and collaborative learning models Acceptance of data-driven learning and assessment Emphasis on…
Engaging with Storyboards
Integrating storyboards into a course or as part of a multimedia assignment makes a course more interesting and will engage students. Storyboards can also be assigned to students as a tool for presenting a project. Free storyboard templates and trail versions of storyboard creators are available to get you and your students started with this…
What were undergraduates thinking about technology in 2013?
The Educause Center for Analysis and Research (ECAR) has released the latest version of its annual report, ECAR Study of Undergraduate Students and Information Technology, 2013. Key findings included: Students recognize the value of technology but still need guidance when it comes to better using it for academics. Students prefer blended learning environments while beginning…
Can You Give Up Your Mobile Device for a Weekend?
Would you like to ditch your mobile device this holiday weekend? Do you think you could do it? Read what happened when one person tried. My weekend Without the iPad Image: Creative Commons.