The Guzman Monthly

May 2015 | Volume 2, Issue 5

Index

• Welcome

• About the author

• News (2 slides)

• Apps & Tools (2 slides)

• Online Learning (2 slides)

• MOOCs

• Administration Issues

• Faculty Development (2 slides)

• Student Learning (4 slides)

• New Ways of Learning (3 slides)

• Upcoming Movie & TV Trailers

Welcome to the next issue of “The Guzman Monthly”. In this publication I will collect and list some recent articles on higher education issues, online learning best practices, deliver some tools/app suggestions and links to interesting news/videos on the web published in the past month. Planned release schedule is between the last week of the past month and the first full week of the current month.

To view previous newsletters please visit my slideshare page: http://www.slideshare.net/TJtheTiger

My name is Tony Guzman and I serve as the Director of Online Programs at the University at Buffalo (UB) School of Social Work (SSW).

I also oversee the UB SSW Podcast series: inSocialWork®, and the Technology in Social Work Resource Center. Feel free to listen to some of our podcasts and review our resources.

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/tguzman/Scoop.it!: http://www.scoop.it/t/the-future-of-higher-education-by-tony-guzman-1Twitter: https://twitter.com/professor_tg

News

This article shares some of the best features in Microsoft’s next operating system, Windows 10.http://www.popsugar.com/tech/Windows-10-Features-35841091

This story seems like a tragic incident and while it is a small class, it is shocking to see an entire class leave a program because of the breakdown in the program and its running. Shameful.http://www.artandeducation.net/school_watch/entire-usc-mfa-1st-year-class-is-dropping-out/

Microsoft Office and Skype will be pre-installed on new Sony and LG Android tablets. Interesting development indeed.http://www.theverge.com/2015/5/26/8661983/microsoft-apps-preinstalled-sony-lg-tablets

News (cont.)

This article shares some incredible ideas on how the wiring in our computers could be replaced similarly to how network wiring was replaced to fiber optic cables, giving us a tremendous boost in power for our devices in the future. Wow!http://phys.org/news/2015-05-breakthrough-heralds-super-efficient-light-based.html

This article, and its accompanying data and research, shares some distressing information about “the short end of the stick” community colleges get in the US compared to 4-year institutions. Thoughts?http://www.tcf.org/blog/detail/how-higher-education-funding-shortchanges-community-colleges

Apps & Tools

This article shares 5 tools that can be used for anyone interested in doing content curation. How many of these were you aware of, and how many are you using?http://blog.talkwalker.com/en/5-best-tools-content-curation-experts-view/

This article and video share an excellent package available for free to teach basic computer science skills. This would be an excellent way to introduce anyone interested in programming so they can master the basics and then start to dive into specific programming languages.http://csunplugged.org/

New service from Amazon is provided for free to educators and students to prepare future IT staff to maintain and develop cloud services.http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/05/14/amazon-launches-free-aws-service-for-educators-and-students.aspx

Apps & Tools (cont.)

As Virtual Labs become more prevalent in higher education settings, this article provides four tips to keep in mind to help your rollout succeed!http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/05/13/tech-leaders-from-three-universities-share-their-experiences-with-virtual-application-management.aspx

This article shares some web tools you can use to create posters for your classrooms. I only had heard of a couple of them so some new tools to consider here.http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/02/the-best-10-tools-to-create-posters-for.html

Online Learning

This article shares 5 tools and 5 tips for instructors teaching in an online modality. How many of these do you use already?http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/the_startup_blog/2015/04/5_tools_and_tips_for_working_with_students_remotely.html

The Stanford president, John Hennessy, shared his views on online education and its future in higher education during a recent talk titled, “Technology in Teaching and Learning”.http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/05/04/stanford-prez-sees-distinct-role-for-online-ed-in-future.aspx

This article shares about open-book testing and how it can help deter cheating within online courses. Anyone using this technique?http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/educational-assessment/why-open-book-tests-deserve-a-place-in-your-courses/

Online Learning (cont.)

I will be very interested to see the results of this study on Florida Virtual Schools when it is available. Others?

http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/05/22/researchers-receive-grant-for-study-of-virtual-schools.aspx

MOOCs

edX partners with Qualcomm to enhance its mobile delivery.

http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/05/14/edx-taps-partner-to-build-out-mobile-learning-capacity.aspx

Administration Issues

A recent report for financial aid offices indicates that new compliance reporting and higher need requests are becoming a burden on them providing strong customer service.http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/04/23/financial-aid-offices-burdened-with-compliance-seek-federal-relief.aspx

This article shares some of the financial difficulties in public higher education systems today. What will public higher ed. look like in 10-15 years? I would suspect less locations and program options which is sad to think but the most likely outcome.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-brian-c-mitchell/public-higher-education-a_b_7203484.html

This article shares the view that blogging is becoming an important component of the learning process. Thoughts?http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/05/27/why-blogging-is-key-to-the-future-of-higher-ed.aspx

Faculty Development

This article shares a faculty’s experience in taking their first MOOC. They figured instead of dismissing these types of courses, might as well try one.http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-with-technology-articles/i-took-a-mooc-and-i-think-i-liked-it/

This article shares ways to help faculty discover their teaching persona. Thoughts?http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/developing-a-teaching-persona/

This article and infographic shares 10 evidenced-based research strategies to help teach your students. This is a really good resource for any faculty member to review and consider.http://www.evidencebasedteaching.org.au/evidence-based-teaching-strategies/

Faculty Development (cont.)

This article shares the importance of being somewhat of a risk taker as a faculty member. How many of you take measured risks in your teaching?

http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/faculty-development/taking-risks-in-your-teaching/

Student Learning

This article shares some research and tips on how to help your students truly pay attention in class.http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-teaching-strategies/why-cant-students-just-pay-attention/

This interactive web site shares the “elements of thinking”.http://www.criticalthinking.org/ctmodel/logic-model1.htm

Recent results from the College-Bound Market Update report show that incoming high school graduates prefer blended and online options to the traditional face-to-face classes.http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/04/30/college-bound-high-schoolers-finding-favor-with-online-options.aspx

Student Learning (cont.)

This article shares some results from a study on how to highlight texts more effectively. Any surprises?http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/lost-is-a-sea-of-yellow-teaching-students-a-better-way-to-highlight/

This article shares ideas on how to help relieve some of the anxiety students can feel about speaking in public. This specific examples can also help develop a sense of community among your students. Has anyone tried this yet?http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/an-exercise-to-reduce-public-speaking-anxiety-and-create-community-in-the-classroom/

This article shares some excellent tips on how to make guest speaker sessions in your classroom most effective to your students.http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/curriculum-development/getting-the-most-out-of-guest-experts-who-speak-to-your-class/

Student Learning (cont.)

I am not sure where I land on this yet. It was first a shock but I would like to know the students feedback and wonder if any of the improved feedback was due to having specific scripts and shorter video lengths more so than an actor instead of the faculty recording. What do others think?http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/05/13/when-actors-replace-instructors-as-on-camera-talent.aspx

The survey results here are not surprising to me, most students go to college to obtain a degree in a field of their interests and passion and want to have a successful career. The difficulty comes in striving to ensure that there are viable career choices for as many of your students as possible. That takes a wide strategic plan at the higher education institution to only offer programs that will have careers for their students and not offer “everything under the sun”.http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/05/07/global-survey-students-want-a-bigger-focus-on-career-outcomes.aspx

This infographic helps students see the value of innovation within their learning. Most of the ideas shared apply beyond the classroom as well.http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/11/29/27-ways-to-inspire-students-to-innovate/

Student Learning (cont.)

This article shares some excellent tips on how you can make your classrooms more student-learner focused.http://www.edutopia.org/article/new-teachers-designing-classroom-learning-environment-resources

This article shares the idea on how all learners are not the same, we need to strive to teach to all their styles as best possible.http://gettingsmart.com/2015/05/changing-the-mindset-of-education-every-learner-is-unique/

This article shares the value of debates in increasing our students learning in the classroom.http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/instructional-design/fostering-student-learning-through-the-use-of-debates/

New Ways of Learning

This infographic shares some statistics of how technology is used for learning by K-12 students and instructors, in and out of the classroom.http://elearninginfographics.com/technology-transforms-learning-teaching-infographic/

This article shares 4 models of blended learning. Have you used any of these? How was your experience?http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2014/04/the-four-important-models-of-blended.html

This article shares some testimonials regarding personal learning from faculty and students who participated in the model at their higher education institutions.http://www.impatientoptimists.org/Posts/2015/05/Students-and-Faculty-Talk-about-Personalized-Learning

New Ways of Learning (cont.)

This article shares some insights from a recent workshop on digital citizenship and how they can prepare to help their students become good digital citizens. Thoughts?https://whatedsaid.wordpress.com/2015/05/08/can-you-teach-digital-citizenship-if-you-are-not-an-active-digital-citizen-yourself/

This article shares some thoughts on how faculty should be prepared for higher number of digital natives being in their classrooms this coming semester and moving forward.http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/05/07/how-digital-natives-are-killing-sage-stage

An Old Dominion University senior created an app that helps students succeed in school. The app accomplishes this through a gamified format.http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/05/12/student-built-app-gamifies-learning-at-old-dominion-u.aspx

New Ways of Learning (cont.)

This article shares information and videos from Professor Philip LaRocco and how he “flipped” his course and the benefits to his students.http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-with-technology-articles/professor-and-students-share-reactions-to-the-flipped-classroom/

This article shares the value of having students summarize the previous class session as an assignment, helping them connect one class session to the next. Anyone using this in their classroom already? Thoughts?http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/let-students-summarize-the-previous-lesson/

This article shares some solid strategies and tools to help you reach today’s “texting” student. How many of these are you using already?http://www.emergingedtech.com/2015/05/strategies-tools-for-engaging-the-texting-generation/

Upcoming Movie & TV Trailers

Jurassic World Trailer, Release Date: 6/12/2015https://youtu.be/ZXiahojLbOw

Inside Out Trailer, Release Date: 6/19/2015https://youtu.be/seMwpP0yeu4

Terminator: Genisys Trailer, Release Date: 7/1/2015https://youtu.be/jNU_jrPxs-0

Full Favorite Trailer playlist on my YouTube channelhttp://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp4nJo9D2kEs3McWG18x5UmIcSsVhNjq0

Thanks for checking this monthly newsletter out and hope to see around again next time!