Tech Matters

Date: Friday, March 1, 2024

Locations: Alexander AND Carr Hall

We're upgrading our print server (Papercut) to a new system for improved efficiency. Plan on there being no printing for most/all of the day. We will keep you update and let you know as soon as we're back online!

Have your sights set on leveling up? Great news - you're still in the game! EdTech Explorer points continue to accumulate all the way until the end of the school year.

Thinking about joining the Explorer program? It's NEVER too late to start growing your EdTech knowledge! Today is a great day to jump in and start earning points toward fun rewards and more importantly professional growth!

Let's make the most of Spring 2024! Your next level - and next prize - are waiting for you!

It's been a little while since we've had a tech showcase, but there have been so many amazing uses of tech going on in our college, I just had to share!

ECE Takes the Lead With FigJam

ECE has been leading the charge for integrating FigJam into their courses! Their innovation is setting a fantastic example for all of us!

• Dr. Chhanda Islam's Innovations: Dr. Islam recently shared about how she used FigJam with her students in the Midweek Round Up! I love getting to see pictures of how COEHS students are using tech!
• Community Building with Dr. Chanel Schwenk: I had the privilege of partnering with Dr. Schwenk to use FigJam to build community on her first day of in-person classes this semester. Students used the Polaroid widget to take a picture of themselves in class, then added additional facts and images. Not only was this a great way for Dr. Schwenk to get to know her students on a more personal level, but because everyone was collaborating in the same file, students were able to learn about their classmates as well.
• Math Collaboration with Dr. Andrea Willson: I also had a great conversation with Dr. Willson today about how she is using FigJam to promote collaboration in her math class. She said that her students asked if they could do all of their lessons in FigJam! What is amazing is that all of her students were engaged, and she could easily see everyone's thinking instead of only having 1-2 students share outloud. Check out her students' work here!

Embracing Google with Dr. Katy Hancock

This semester, Dr. Hancock revolutionized her research methods class in a way that truly leverages the power of technology.

• Collaboration via Google Drive: Students worked in pairs, with each group's project materials organized in dedicated Google Drive folders
• Collaborative Writing In Google Docs: Students used Google Docs to write, allowing partners to simultaneously work in the same Google Docs, while on their own laptop
• Hybrid Classroom Approach: This course is a hybrid model, with lectures and quizzes taking place online, while in-person sessions are focused on their projects, allowing time for more feedback

Dr. Hancock also has been using Google Docs and Sheets to make her syllabus and schedule. She places them on Canvas with viewer permissions, which allows her to make instant updates to office hours and class schedules without the hassle of re-uploading the documents!

I am ALWAYS on the lookout for more stories about tech integration within our college. If you've been using FigJam, Google, or any other technology in your teaching/position, please share your experiences with me! Let's continue to inspire and learn from each other!

Whether you are new to digital collaboration tools or looking for a replacement for Jamboard, learning how to use FigJam is worth you time!!

Course Highlights:

• Account Set-Up: Learn how to set up a FREE educator account
• Navigation & Tool Guide: Comprehensive guide to FigJam's feature, including navigation, using the available tools, and sharing your FigJam
• Advanced Skills: Learn tips and tricks to become a power user
• Classroom Management: Discover ideas for digital classroom management

Flexible Learning

🚫 No Deadlines - Register and complete as you have time! The only deadline for COEHS would be if you want points! 🙂

⏰ Time Commitment: 2 - 3 Hours

🏆 Points: 150 Points + Badge

The EdTech Explorer Program was designed with flexibility in mind. Each month, we will spotlight a handful of opportunities to earn points. These are just a few of the ways you can personalize your exploration. Check out the points menu on the Explorer Site for a full list.

We understand that you have many demands on your time, so each spotlight includes a rough estimate of the time commitment involved. Even if you only manage to squeeze in just 10 minutes per month, by the end of the semester, you will have clocked almost an hour of growth! We hope this program will encourage and motivate you on your learning journey. We can't wait to grow with you!

⏰ Time Commitment: 10 minutes

🏆 Points: 20 points if completed by the end of February

Learn how to add Google Drive to your File Explorer. Trust me, you want to learn how to do this!

While you're at it, try out our previous Try-A-Bytes!

Byte 1: Rocketbook Beacons

Byte 2: Doc History

Byte 3: Appointment Schedules

⏰ Time Commitment: 1 Hour

🏆 Points: 75 points

❗️Click HERE to Register ❗️

Forms is amazing, but what if it could be EVEN better! Learn about 8 AMAZING add-ons for Google Forms and Sheets! From creating personalized automated emails to writing math equations, these add-ons are game changers!

Learn about add-ons like FormMule and Autocrat that are being used by SEVERAL faculty and staff in our building to be more efficient and productive!

⏰ Time Commitment: 1 Hour

🏆 Points: 75 points

❗️Click HERE to Register ❗️

Learn about how Explore Boards can be used to spark student engagement and curiosity in the classroom. This session covers everything from discovering what an Explore Board is and the pedagogy that supports this approach to learning, to practical tips on designing your own board. As an added bonus, learn how you can use Generative AI (ChatGPT) to assist with the creation process! Perfect for any educator looking to enrich their teaching with student-centered learning and EdTech!

⏰ Time Commitment: 5 minutes

🏆 Points: 25 points

Email Rebecca about something you found interesting or useful in the newsletter! What did you like? What did you try? Sharing with one another is how we learn best!

Click on the image below to explore what's new with Google Workspace for the month of February!