Educause: Blackboard versus Moodle

This presentation is from the current Educause conference taking place in Denver. To view the presentation, you have to download MS Silverlight, but it’s quick:

http://educause.mediasite.com/mediasite/SilverlightPlayer/Default.aspx?peid=3f76ff6fc7354dbdb81202bb6a00146c

 

What do YOU want to know about?

What new technology would you like to know about?? Come to T&L 2.0, ask your questions, and together we can explore!

On October 20, a small group experimented in the CTL with webcams and the use of google videochat and Skype. The purpose was to see what the steps are to using webcams and one of these services to invite virtual guest speakers into the Classroom. We found that the process was pretty easy once the software was set up (also pretty easy). This means that anywhere where there is Internet and a $30 webcam, a virtual guest speaker can appear live in the classroom. This opens up a range of possibilities that are exciting to contemplate! For more info, read this:

Skype

New Free Video/Lecture Resource

Looks like some great resources here from NPR and PBS, with a focus on social/political/historical/health themes:

http://forum-network.org/

Teaching and Learning 2.0

A small group of BCC faculty met today for the first session of this faculty learning group on teaching and new technologies. The discussion ranged through a number of topics, including

• Guest lecturers in class using webcams through the Internet
• Various types of flash drives and their usefulness
• Wikis as “project space” for students to work on group assignments (kudos to Lois C. for this)
• Use of blogs for journaling; impact of adding comments
• Twitter: how is it different from email and will it be around long?
• Email overload and its impacts: “ADD” culture

Next meeting, Oct 20, 1-2pm, will continue the exploration and have a brief demo if there is interest of the webcam setup. Comments welcome!!

The Argument for Kindles in Schools

The Argument for Kindles in Schools

“The Kindle’s proprietary document format means textbooks can’t be ported easily, and its browser is inadequate for anything but cursory use. And, as the Daily Princetonian reported yesterday, its note-taking tools aren’t exactly stellar. Another stumbling block: Colleges and universities make a decent profit from textbook sales, and might be loath to give up a cash cow for an e-book device that will likely yield a slimmer margin.”

Posted using ShareThis

BCC Faculty Survey – Prelim Results

Here are some preliminary results of the Fall 09 faculty survey, more details to come. Thanks to all who contributed!

Total respondents: 64 (Full time: 33; Part time: 31) = 33% sample

Length of service (Over 10 years: 35; 2-10 years: 21; under 2 years: 9)

• Over the past five years, what have you found to be the most effective TEACHING & LEARNING METHODS?

Top Three: Class discussion, Group work, Presentations/demos (lecture was #4)

• Over the past five years, what have you found to be the most effective ASSESSMENT METHODS?

Top Three: Essays, Exams, Research papers

• Over the past five years, which TECHNOLOGIES have you found to be the most effective?

Top Three: Powerpoint, Video/DVDs, Blackboard

Make It So?

Those who were fans of Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Captain Jean Luc Picard may remember that his crew would sometimes comment on his quaint habit of reading books.

Well, the 23rd century has obviously arrived sooner than we thought it would. According to the Boston Globe, Cushing Academy is replacing its library’s entire book collection with three flat panels, some Kindles, and a coffee bar. They believe that this move

Teaching & Learning 2.0 Starts Tuesday

Tuesday, September 22
Teaching & Learning 2.0 breakfast kickoff meeting, 8:00am – 9:00am, CTL
Join in for a series of breakfast meetings (Coffee and Carbs provided) in the CTL this Fall, to discuss the impact of new technologies on teaching & learning. All faculty are welcome and you do not have to be a computer whiz to join the conversation! Coordinated by Diane Eulian and Dori Digenti, these sessions will be conversation-based, but we will also go hands-on when needed. Conversation continues on 10/7, 10/20, 11/4, 11/19, 12/2.

Register for workshops online (some events have separate invitations/links): http://tinyurl.com/nhmegj
Register to receive schedule updates, resources, and CC news right in your Groupwise inbox: http://tinyurl.com/kqfqox

CTL Tip Sheets for DIY’ers

If you haven’t visited the CTL lately, peek in the door, turn left, and take advantage of the range of tip sheets there. The tips include:

• creating and marking up a pdf
• how to create a good powerpoint
• stress reduction for faculty
• backward design
• how to download the Smartboard software
• about blogs and wikis
• tips for student motivation

and many more. For those who like to sit down solo for a few minutes and work something out step by step – tip sheets are here! Recommendations for more tips invited!

Teaching & Learning 2.0