The Guzman Monthly

October 2014 | Volume 1, Issue 10

Index

• Welcome

• About the author

• News

• Apps & Tools (2 slides)

• Online Learning

• MOOCs

• Faculty Development (2 slides)

• Student Learning

• New Ways of Learning (3 slides)

• Entertainment News

• Upcoming Movie & TV Trailers

Welcome to this 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.

* Suggestions on apps will mainly be based on my exposure or research of said apps on iOS mobile devices. Feel free to suggest other apps for my review. My intention is to have the apps be similar in functionality each month.

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®. Feel free to listen to some of our podcasts.

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

New and innovative partnership for an online masters offered through USC.

http://www.educationdive.com/news/usc-partners-with-wired-others-on-online-masters-degree/316107/

WiFi for Buffalo State student residence halls is being outsourced to bring higher speeds and options to their students.

http://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/10/08/buffalo-state-outsources-resnet.aspx

With the larger number of mobile devices in coming years, will the battery and charger technologies keep up or hinder that growth?

http://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/10/09/8-billion-mobile-devices-by-2019-but-can-batteries-and-chargers-keep-pace.aspx

This is an interesting read. In today's society we want to ensure the college we go to is worth it.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/10/14/356062823/identifying-the-worst-colleges-in-america

Apps & Tools

Interesting data that helps you understand best times to post to your social networks.

http://www.fastcompany.com/3036184/how-to-be-a-success-at-everything/the-best-and-worst-times-to-post-on-social-media-infograph

This infographic describes what responsive website design is and how to best accomplish it.

http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/responsive-web-design

Here are steps on how to link audio recordings to QR codes. Could this help students “read” their course announcements, by listening to them instead?

http://classtechtips.com/2014/05/26/how-to-link-audio-recordings-to-qr-codes/

Apps & Tools (cont.)

This infographic shares the world based as if we were 100 people. Interesting to see the breakdown across all these categories. Any surprises?

http://visual.ly/world-100-people

The potential fallacy of tools that help detect plagiarism. These tools should be used for learning more than “catching cheaters”, and this article addresses the importance of looking at the type of content being assessed by the tool. Who is using these tools, and if so, how are you using them?

http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/academic-integrity-defining-originality-across-campus/

For those looking for free web conference tools, look no further.

http://www.smashingapps.com/2014/10/20/9-free-web-conferencing-tools.html

Online Learning

The OLC (formerly Sloan) has updated their Quality Scorecard.

http://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/09/24/new-scorecard-evaluates-online-programs-in-75-areas.aspx

Authentic, learner-centered, collaborative assessment alternatives to tests and quizzes for online courses. Has anyone used these alternatives? How did it go for the students and you?

http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/educational-assessment/alternative-assessment-methods-online-classroom/

Some excellent netiquette guidelines you can share with your students for online course environments. These should certainly be followed by professionals as well.

http://www.brilliant-insane.com/2014/10/15-netiquette-rules-students-infographic.html

Some excellent ideas on how to enhance your online courses with active learning activities. Has anyone tried these already? I do the open-ended discussion questions and scaffolding already. Others?

http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/incorporating-active-learning-online-classroom/

MOOCs

edX has launched their Professional Education courses.https://www.edx.org/blog/edx-now-offers-professional-education-0

edX launches its first Spanish MOOC.https://www.edx.org/blog/first-spanish-language-course-nuestro

The disruptive innovation of MOOCs is being rethought of within state university systems. Anyone using MOOCs already? If so, how are you using them within your institutions?http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/17/us/universities-rethinking-their-use-of-massive-online-courses.html

Another avenue edX is venturing into: AP Placement courses. Anyone interested in having their high school student take these MOOC courses to help off-set costs on some college courses?http://www.iflscience.com/technology/edx-offer-free-advanced-placement-courses-high-schoolers

Faculty Development

Great launching point for a discussion on the best times to lecture in the classroom versus other methods of student learning.http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/when-should-we-lecture/

A different way to “grade” participation. This ticket idea seems interesting. Anyone ever try this?http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/time-rethink-grade-participation/

This chart provides solid ideas on what tools can be used to accomplish different teaching and learning tasks. Is anyone using some of these?http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2014/09/a-wonderful-chart-of-educational-web.html

Faculty Development (cont.)

This blog post is a call to create an open repository of creative assignments that have proven to be successful in teaching course concepts so that other faculty can consider them in their own courses.http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/better-assignments/

The fine-line relationship between participation and discussion. I would say, preparation is tied to participation. If you are not prepared, your will not participate and most likely not learn much during the discussion. Thoughts?http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/relationship-participation-discussion/

An updated list of technology integration options. Using any of these?http://www.zdnet.com/the-teachers-guide-50-resources-for-using-tech-in-the-modern-classroom-7000034697/

Student Learning

Some very good pointers for faculty who are developing multiple choice tests.

http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/educational-assessment/seven-mistakes-avoid-writing-multiple-choice-questions/

This short video presentation challenges educators with the question: What is 21st century education?

http://youtu.be/PAhU-lIpjSM

Some interesting research on student assessments. Many have started to wonder on the value of standardized testing and this report tackles that issue. Thoughts?

http://studentsatthecenter.org/topics/new-era-ed-assessment

Interesting research findings on texting use within classes. This reminds me of the concerns first arisen from having Internet access in classrooms. I think as faculty we need to embrace the technology by leveraging in within our courses. Do these findings surprise anyone? Do you have your students text within your course, for the course?http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/texting-class-extent-attitudes-interesting-information/

New Ways of Learning

A good article discussing competency-based education. Anyone seeing this at their institutions already?

http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/10/07/353930358/competency-based-education-no-more-semesters

Is Oculus Rift one of the next technology disruptions for higher education?

http://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/10/09/could-the-oculus-rift-redeem-virtual-reality-in-higher-ed.aspx

This blog article shares some great insights into how to best train our youth (and adults) about proper online content use and downloading.

https://www.fosi.org/good-digital-parenting/teaching-respect-other-peoples-content-internet/

New Ways of Learning (cont.)

This article shares some valuable faculty insights into the value of gamification and inserting game elements into courses. Has anyone tried this in their courses?http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/instructional-design/play-learn-finding-sweet-spot-games-learning/

This article tackles the elements and principles of design and helps bring the visual to the forefront.http://theasideblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/seeing-is-believing-visual-vs-linear.html

This article shares about Cognitive Theory based instructional design. Anyone using this theory in your course designs already? How has it gone for you?http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/instructional-design/instructional-design-based-cognitive-theory/

New Ways of Learning (cont.)

I am a firm believer of lifelong learning and this article lists some great ideas to foster this type of learning. Has anyone used some of these already?http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/lifelong-learning/

Some creative ideas on how to leverage social media for academic purposes. Does anyone use social media in the classroom? How do these ideas seem to you?http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-with-technology-articles/using-social-media-classroom/

The difference between using technology and integrating it deeply into the learning experiences of students.http://www.teachthought.com/technology/difference-technology-use-technology-integration/

Entertainment News

Interesting that HBO launched cable a few decades ago and this might “kill it”.http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2014/10/15/356388248/hbo-without-cable-coming-in-2015

And here is the second announcement of a network starting to stream outside of cable and current streaming services. Can cable’s days be numbered?http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/10/16/cbs-launching-streaming-service/

Surprised that WB/DC beat Marvel to the punch with this announcement. Certainly time will tell if they stick to this schedule or not.http://insidemovies.ew.com/2014/10/15/justice-league-green-lantern-wonder-woman-flash-movies/

Special announcements made today from Marvel share the Phase 3 plans.http://insidemovies.ew.com/2014/10/28/marvel-studios-reveal/

Upcoming Movie & TV Trailers

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Trailer – “The MockingjayLives”, Release Date: 11/21/2014http://youtu.be/C_Tsj_wTJkQ

The Imitation Game Official Trailer #1, Release Date: 11/21/2014http://youtu.be/nuPZUUED5uk

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!