Everyone's going mobile. Don't be left in the dust. Discover some of the latest "apps" for educators with Dr. Casey Finnerty from the Biology department and librarian Rachel Thomas while you chow down on chili in a bread bowl.
March 2--12:15 to 1:15
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Pasta & Power Point: Alternatives
February's well-attended session featured demonstrations of freeware alternatives to the ubiquitous PowerPoint slide.
Dr. Dave Jackson, from the education department, demonstrated Prezi
, software that allows one to move beyond the linear slide show to create dynamic presentations that foster open-ended discussions and the development of learning relationships and contexts. With Prezi, the presenter is not tied to sequence as is the case with PowerPoint; the presenter can move easily among the teaching concepts enabling open-ended discussions. Jackson also encourages his students to use Prezi to organize their thoughts around a topic or a chapter reading. It can be used collaboratively as well.
Joe Dulak, Chair of the Academic Skills Center, presented Keynote, Apple's answer to PowerPoint for Mac users (not freeware, but available at SMU) and CmapTools, a concept map builder that doubles as a presentation vehicle. The Cmap folks, Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, offer an in-depth discussion of the theory underlying concept maps for unbelievers. When the concept map becomes a presentation, again, as with Prezi, teachers have a rich and lively educational tool to work with.
SMU faculty and staff are encouraged to contact Jason Spartz, Director of Instructional Technology (jspartz@smumn.edu), for help getting started with any of these programs. Dave Jackson (djackson@smumn.edu) and Joe Dulak (jdulak@smumn.edu) will also be available for consultations.
If you missed this presentation you can view it on Tegrity here.
Dr. Dave Jackson, from the education department, demonstrated Prezi
, software that allows one to move beyond the linear slide show to create dynamic presentations that foster open-ended discussions and the development of learning relationships and contexts. With Prezi, the presenter is not tied to sequence as is the case with PowerPoint; the presenter can move easily among the teaching concepts enabling open-ended discussions. Jackson also encourages his students to use Prezi to organize their thoughts around a topic or a chapter reading. It can be used collaboratively as well.
Joe Dulak, Chair of the Academic Skills Center, presented Keynote, Apple's answer to PowerPoint for Mac users (not freeware, but available at SMU) and CmapTools, a concept map builder that doubles as a presentation vehicle. The Cmap folks, Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, offer an in-depth discussion of the theory underlying concept maps for unbelievers. When the concept map becomes a presentation, again, as with Prezi, teachers have a rich and lively educational tool to work with.
SMU faculty and staff are encouraged to contact Jason Spartz, Director of Instructional Technology (jspartz@smumn.edu), for help getting started with any of these programs. Dave Jackson (djackson@smumn.edu) and Joe Dulak (jdulak@smumn.edu) will also be available for consultations.
If you missed this presentation you can view it on Tegrity here.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Tech Toys
December's session was a "technology bazaar" featuring SMU community members and their favorite new tech toys. Folks brought in the Droid2 and the DroidX, iPads and Pods, Kindles, the Pulse Smartpen, and even the new XBox Kinect. Visitors had an opportunity to try things out while munching on Christmas goodies.
Here are some links to information about these toys:
Gifting of Kindle e-books
LCD vs e-ink
Projector-equipped Android
iPad Pilots in Higher Ed
iPhone4 and Mobile Video Conferencing
Livescribe Pulse Smartpen
Multi-tasking, Wireless Printing come to iPad
E-book study
Xbox trailer
Harmony Remote Site
Projector Reviews
Tegrity Session
The November session featured a dynamic panel of students and faculty who shared their experiences with Tegrity. Panel members were asked to respond to questions about how they learned to use Tegrity, what they were using it for now, and what benefits they experienced as a result of their use.
Faculty comments included:
". . . my evaluations have improved in those courses that I've used Tegrity in."
"I spend less time outside of class explaining things that I explained in class."
A student commented that he started using Tegrity because "I am not a note taker. I love being able to engage in class, ask questions all the time, and I am not the fastest writer."
Missed the session? Watch it here
Monday, December 6, 2010
Copyright Presentation
Nancy Simms, a lawyer/librarian from the University of Minnesota who specializes in copyright law, gave a lucid and relevant lecture on some of the copyright issues facing academics today.
Missed the program? View it in Tegrity
Friday, October 22, 2010
October's Program
Nosh with Nancy Sims this coming Wednesday the 27thof October. Nancy Sims is the Copyright Librarian at the University of Minnesota and will be filling us in on all the latest issues regarding copyright in the digital age. Stop in to listen and lunch. 12:00 noon in the McEnery Center.
In September's session Jason Spartz and Sarah Bearbower filled us in on all the latest SMU technology updates, and the new Library Director introduced herself with remarks concerning the library and its role in the 21st century in a liberal arts university.
See all the action from last month's session on Tegrity
In September's session Jason Spartz and Sarah Bearbower filled us in on all the latest SMU technology updates, and the new Library Director introduced herself with remarks concerning the library and its role in the 21st century in a liberal arts university.
See all the action from last month's session on Tegrity
Thursday, September 9, 2010
It's Back!
The Chat Chow conspirators have announced a new menu for Fall/Winter 2010 and are now extending a warm invitation to all faculty and staff to attend:
Lunch with Laura
Find out what's new this semester. Meet the new library director Laura Oanes, see the new library space, and hear all about the latest SMU technology updates.Wednesday | September 22 | Noon-1:00
Noshing with Nancy
Nancy Sims, Copyright Program Librarian at the U of M, will discuss copyright issues relevant to higher education, including using teaching materials in class and online.
Tortillas & Tegrity
Hear first hand how Tegrity recordings are influencing teaching and learning. A panel of students and faculty will share their experiences.
Check out the latest tech toys. Feeling comfortable with technology in your personal life is often the first step to incorporating it into your professional life--and there's plenty of time to add a toy or two to your Christmas list.
Nancy Sims, Copyright Program Librarian at the U of M, will discuss copyright issues relevant to higher education, including using teaching materials in class and online.
Wednesday | October 27 | Noon-1:00
Hear first hand how Tegrity recordings are influencing teaching and learning. A panel of students and faculty will share their experiences.
Wednesday | November 17 | Noon-1:00
Tech ToysCheck out the latest tech toys. Feeling comfortable with technology in your personal life is often the first step to incorporating it into your professional life--and there's plenty of time to add a toy or two to your Christmas list.
Wednesday | December 1 | Noon-1:00
Can't make a session? No problem--they will all be recorded in Tegrity.
Can't make a session? No problem--they will all be recorded in Tegrity.
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