2015 Teaching and Learning with Technology Symposium

I appreciate the opportunity I had to attend this one day conference. The fact that is free, is icing on the cake.  I wanted to share some of the highlights and takeaways from the sessions that I attended.

Just-In-Time Teaching A Strategy For Success

Opening Panel: Arlene Sgoutas, MSU Denver: Jeff Loats, MSU Denver; Courtney Rocheleau, MSU Denver; Randi Smith, MSU Denver 

Highlights 

• Helps ensure students prepare for class. 
• Increases Engagement 
• 70% of students admitted that sometimes they don't purchase the textbook in one study
• Pre-Class assignments are called Warm-Ups.
• Instructor has to read through responses prior to class and taylor the class to the responses. 

Takeaways: I think we all have heard a lot on this, and I think it is something that does make a positive difference in student learning. This was a pretty basic presentation but still good. It requires extra effort on the part of the faculty for this to be successful.     

Enhancing Student's Achievement by Interactive Virtual Learning Environment

Presenter: Mohammed Khojah, University of Colorado

Highlights 

• Research in progress, no results yet. Online Education, and Interactive Learning, Computer related courses. 
• A VLE  allows interaction and knowledge sharing while expanding boundaries.
• Skills Assessment Manager (SAM) is a software to help with student learning, engagement, perceived learning, academic achievement.

Takeaways: Presentation was given very much from the standpoint of a researcher. A little disjointed. Slides were so small they were hard to read, and very text intensive. I think the results of the research will be very valuable.  

Zap! (tion) Making Video Valuable

Presenter: Cory Pavicich, University of Colorado (Learning Experience Designer)

Highlights 

• There are one button studios, and everyone is using videos, but we don't know what we can do with video.  
• Zaption allows you to make all videos interactive by adding text, quizzes, comments/discussions. You can draw on the video. It integrates with an LMS, with Canvas grades can be pushed straight to the gradebook, this doesn't work so well in D2L. Integrates with Kaltura.  

Takeaways: I find his job title interesting. Best presentation so far. I think this might be something worth researching to see if we think the cost is worth the value add. There is a free version.  https://www.zaption.com/

Toolbox Tips for Innovative Online Engagement: The Online Instructor as Social Director 

Presenter: Jequita McDaniel, Naropa University, DeVry University

Highlights

•  Group Brainstormed:
• Challenges - technology issues, getting to know the students, creating community, retention
• Successes - learn technology, focus on outcomes, hear from all students, equity in the classroom.
• Model - Community of Inquiry is worth looking at. 
• Social Director - getting students engaged. She addresses good nutrition, have a stress ball, door hanger to say do not disturb, spend an allotted amount of time, paddle ball to unfocus on computer screen. 

Takeaways: I think it is more than being a social director. I think that is important, but also need to be actively involved in the learning aspect and should be a value add on the content.