Category Archives: Emerging Technology

Additional AI Learning Opportunities!

Posted on by

Artificial Intelligence tools continue to generate exciting — and nervous — discussion. Both the UW System and UWW are offering opportunities to explore and share experiences with AI.

Pexels Image by Hatice Baran

Incorporating AI Into Assessments – UWW Interactive Workshop
April 19th, 2023 – 3:30 to 4:30pm April 24th, 2024 – 3:30 to 4:30 pm – McGraw Hall 19A or Webex

Are you curious about how AI can save you time and improve your work?  The Learning Technology Center (LTC) is excited to host a workshop on how AI can revolutionize the work of designing assignments for instructors across all disciplines.

In this interactive workshop, LTC experts will:

  • Demonstrate specific use cases for using AI to generate ideas for assessments
  • Discuss strategies on how to implement these ideas directly into your assignments 
  • Provide hands-on exercises for participants to practice their new AI skills
  • Field live examples from participants to showcase the power of AI

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to expand your knowledge and gain valuable insights! Register now!

AI Panel Discussions – UW System Learning Technology Development Council (LTDC)
April 18th, 2023 – 10:15 to 11am and 11:15am to 12pm – Zoom

The public debut of AI spawned a lightning reaction across educational technology; some are integrating AI driven chatbots into multiple applications, while others focused on academic integrity are rushing to install detection services. Where does this leave students, instructors and administrators? Is AI an industry changing tool threatening to change higher education forever? Or simply “spicy auto-complete”?

To discuss these and other questions, the LTDC has put together two panels of experts from across the UW System. Tune into to one or both sessions via Zoom. To participate, you will need to self-register in the LTDC Canvas Course. The Zoom links to each meeting are available in the course.

10:15 to 11:00 am – Student Panel

Listen and interact with a panel of students to explore how they are already using AI! The discussion will delve into how students are applying AI to daily life, including the benefits and concerns they have regarding usage.

11:15 am to 12 pm – Instructor Panel

Consult with a panel of instructors to explore how they are already using AI and ChatGPT!  Ask questions related to their concerns, academic integrity, or changes to fundamental subjects. What does the future of digital literacy and artificial intelligence look like? What can we learn from those who have already recognized ways to save time and improve student outcomes? 

Winterim 2019 Poll Everywhere Workshop

Posted on by

Are you interested in using a new tool to facilitate student engagement in your Spring 2019 course? “Poll Everywhere” is a live polling tool that allows students to submit answers, in real-time,  to closed or open-ended prompts that instructors create. Students can respond using the Poll Everywhere website, the mobile app, or even through text messages. 

If you are interested in learning more about using Poll Everywhere in your course, consider registering for the Winterim 2019 Workshop at 12:00 pm on Tuesday January 8th.

If you have any questions about Poll Everywhere or any other learning technology, feel free to contact the UW-Whitewater Learning Technology Center.

TED Tips – Issue 24: Winter Break!

Posted on by

As the 2018 Fall Semester concludes, I want to reflect on the first six months of writing this blog. It has been a great honor to share discoveries, explore new ideas, and write about topics related to Technology, Education, and Design. I hope that these TED tips continue to inform and inspire as we celebrate teaching and learning at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater.

RELAX

Winter Break

Over the last six months, we have explored the difference is between a Learning Management System (LMS) and a Digital Learning Environment (DLE). This distinction is important as it helps to lay the foundation for some of the key decisions applicable to the migration from D2L to Canvas at Whitewater and throughout the UW System.

Canvas has been a source for several posts. The LTC Canvas peer mentors shared some of most important lessons learned while working with Canvas in the classroom. We looked at ways to support communications in Canvas and the importance of making a good first impressions. We explored grading and using Speed Grader in Canvas.

What are some different ways technology can be used in the classroom to support your teaching learning? Tools like Poll Everywhere can increase student engagement and interaction. “23 Things for Digital Knowledge” provided activities that can build student fluency in digital literacy.

TED Tips have explored the 2018 NMC Horizon Report and its view the trends, challenges, and developments in educational technology as it impacts higher education. Using the Horizon Report provides a lens to highlight pilots and innovative work taking place on campus like Adaptive Learning.

The blog will continue to promote workshops sponsored by the Learning Technology Center and its many partners and collaborators. For example, there is a series of upcoming Canvas workshops this winter: Canvas Open labs, hands on workshops for newcomers to Canvas, Construction Zones to help instructors move their courses from D2L to Canvas, and deep dives into single topics to help with your teaching. Grading in Canvas and building and using rubrics will be explored in early January. For a full list of times and locations of the upcoming winter Workshops visit the LTC. https://blogs.uww.edu/instructional/2018/12/12/canvas-workshops-winter-2019/

The next session in the 2018-19 UW-Whitewater LEARN Center/Learning Technology Center Workshop Series: “Back to Basics to Balance Workload” is Thursday, January 10th from 10:00am to 2:00pm in the University Center. This four hour workshop includes lunch and is designed as a hands-on activity to help prepare for your spring classes! Session Four: Setting the tone early saves time in the long run: Crafting your syllabus and engaging students before the first day of class and beyond.

During the morning session of the workshop, presenters will share evidence-based strategies for creating a more learner-centered syllabus and share tips for engaging students from the first day (and even before class begins!). After a lunch discussion, participants will learn more on how to better utilize Canvas in their courses in a way that clarifies organization and sets expectations in a more transparent manner. Participants will end the session with time to revise their syllabi, first day activities, and/or Canvas course pages and share their materials for small group feedback.

Participants will leave with:

  • An overview of best practices for syllabus development
  • Experience with a variety of first day activities that can increase student engagement and sense of community
  • Ideas to organize their Canvas course pages
  • Revised syllabi/activities to enhance student engagement

To register for this workshop: https://my.uww.edu/signup/Registration/Details/15867

Thank you for taking the time to read these posts! TED Tips will return in 2019. Topics next year will build on and support some of the upcoming workshops with TED Tips planned to explore several types of rubrics, building them in Canvas, design of a course homepage, navigation, analytics, and many others. I hope to experiment a bit more in format and content and hope to record the occasional complementary podcast! Until then, have a great holiday break, recharge, and relax! See you next year!

– Ted Witt
Teaching, Learning, and Technology Consultant

Resources

LTC Canvas Peer Mentors http://www.uww.edu/icit/ltc/canvas-portal/peer-mentors

Canvas Workshops Winter 2019
https://blogs.uww.edu/instructional/2018/12/12/canvas-workshops-winter-2019/

LEARN Center/Learning Technology Center Workshop Series:  “Back to Basics to Balance Workload.”  Session Four: Setting the tone early saves time in the long run: Crafting your syllabus and engaging students before the first day of class and beyond. https://my.uww.edu/signup/Registration/Details/15867

Register for the final “Poll Everywhere” workshop of the semester

Posted on by

There is still some time to learn how to use Poll Everywhere this semester!

Poll Everywhere allows students to submit answers on the Poll Everywhere website, the mobile app, or even through text messages to close or open-ended polls that you create. In the video below, Assistant Professor of Political Science Eric Loepp discusses how he used Poll Everywhere in his course.

If you are interested in learning more, register for the LTC’s workshop at noon on Thursday, Novermber 15th!

If you have any questions about Poll Everywhere or any other learning technology, feel free to contact the UW-Whitewater Learning Technology Center.

Fall 2018 “Teaching with Webex Teams Bootcamp” Begins Next Week!

Posted on by

The LTC’s Fall 2018 “Teaching with Webex Teams Bootcamp” begins next week in McGraw 19A. The three sessions take place on a series of Wednesday afternoons (10/10, 10/17, 10/24) from 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm. Any instructor interested in using Webex Teams is welcome; registrations are encouraged. You do not need to attend all sessions, but session two and session three build upon the knowledge of the first session.

Webex Teams

Wednesday, October 10, 2018: Why Should I Use Webex Teams?

This first session introduces participants to Cisco Webex Teams, and why instructors and students might benefit from incorporating it. Participants will be introduced to the concepts of “Teams” and “Spaces.” Facilitators will provide examples to help participants understand what Webex Teams is (and is not), how Webex Teams works, and the purpose in using Webex Teams.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018: How Do I Use Webex Teams?

This second session provides participants with a hands-on technical training with Cisco Webex Teams. Participants will practice creating “Teams” and “Spaces,” as well using Webex Teams to communicate and collaborate with others.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018: Now What Do I Do With Webex Teams?

This third, and final, session provides participants with a forum to discuss potential applications of Webex Teams in their teaching. Facilitators will provide participants with “best practices” for using Webex Teams based on recent pilots at UW-Whitewater.

Please note: There is no stipend associated with attending the “Teaching with Webex Teams Bootcamp.” However, if you complete all three sessions, you will receive a badge. The “Teaching with Webex Teams Bootcamp” is the same program as Spring 2018’s “Teaching with Spark Bootcamp.”

If you have any questions about the “Teaching with Webex Teams Bootcamp,” or any other LTC training or workshop, feel free to contact the UW-Whitewater Learning Technology Center.

Still Time to Apply for the LTC’s Spring 2019 Adaptive Learning Project!

Posted on by
Cerego Logo
Cerego
Adaptive Learning Platform

There is still time to apply for the LTC’s Spring 2019 Adaptive Learning Project using Cerego! 

Instructors participating in the adaptive learning project will receive a stipend to compensate the work they put into their course redesign. If all required components are completed, participating instructors can expect to receive a stipend of $1000.

Instructors have flexibility in determining the course in which to implement the adaptive learning platform. By taking part in the project, instructors agree to fully participate in, and complete, all project requirements. The following semester-by-semester breakdown conveys the expectations for participating instructors:

Cerego phone app
Cerego Phone App

Fall 2018

  • Attend faculty development sessions with LTC staff (dates TBD); and
  • Create, and present, a detailed plan for use that specifies how adaptive learning will be used in one Spring 2019 course.

Winterim 2018-2019

  • Revise detailed plan for use, and submit revised plan to LTC.

Spring 2019

  • Conduct at least one course using adaptive learning (as described in your plan for use); and
  • Complete early semester “check-in” form for LTC staff; and
  • Attend faculty development session focused on sharing experiences using adaptive learning (date TBD); and
  • Support the LTC in administering an end-of-semester (IRB approved) survey about the course to students.

Summer 2019

  • Complete video reflection on using adaptive learning in the course. This video reflection will be scheduled during late Spring semester or Summer 2019, at your convenience. The purpose of the video reflection is to share what was learned with other instructors who may be interested in using adaptive learning in the future.

Ready to get started? See the full call for participants, and apply here.

Need more information on the project? Attend an information session or contact the Learning Technology Center.

Need more information on Cerego and student learning? Read about how instructors at Western Idaho transformed their Microbiology course using Cerego.

Spring 2019 Adaptive Learning Project – Call for Participants

Posted on by

The UW-Whitewater Learning Technology Center (LTC) is currently looking for instructors to explore the use of adaptive learning during the Spring 2019 semester.

About Adaptive Learning

Adaptive learning platforms employ an online learning system personalized to each student. Content and/or assessments adapt based on student performance, providing feedback (including additional learning material) so students can better understand, and master, the course material.

Project Purpose

Participants in this project will utilize the adaptive learning platform Cerego, which is designed to comprise roughly between 7 and 10% of the learning activities/assessments in a course. The purpose of this project is to explore the impact of an adaptive learning platform on student success. Initial guiding questions for this exploration are:

  1. How does adaptive learning influence student learning?
  2. How does adaptive learning influence course attrition?
  3. How does adaptive learning influence student satisfaction?

Project Requirements

Instructors have flexibility in determining the course in which to implement the adaptive learning platform. By taking part in the project, instructors agree to fully participate in, and complete, all project requirements. These requirements include a series of scaffolded, interactive, face-to-face instructional development sessions. These sessions are designed to assist instructors in successfully implementing adaptive learning in one of their courses.

The following semester-by-semester breakdown conveys the expectations for participating instructors:

Fall 2018

  • Attend faculty development sessions with LTC staff (dates TBD); and
  • Create, and present, a detailed plan for use that specifies how adaptive learning will be used in one Spring 2018 course.

Winterim 2018-2019

  • Revise detailed plan for use, and submit revised plan to LTC.

Spring 2019

  • Conduct at least one course using adaptive learning (as described in your plan for use); and
  • Complete early semester “check-in” form for LTC staff; and
  • Attend faculty development session focused on sharing experiences using adaptive learning (date TBD); and
  • Support the LTC in administering an end-of-semester (IRB approved) survey about the course to students.

 Summer 2019

  • Complete video reflection on using adaptive learning in the course. This video reflection will be scheduled during late Spring semester or Summer 2019, at your convenience. The purpose of the video reflection is to share what was learned with other instructors who may be interested in using adaptive learning in the future.

Project Compensation

Instructors participating in the adaptive learning project will receive a stipend to compensate the work they put into their course redesign. If all required components are completed, participating instructors can expect to receive a stipend of $1000.

 Interested?

The Qualtrics application form is available here. After you submit an application, LTC staff will be in contact with you to discuss the next steps.

 Need Additional Information?

Consider attending one of the LTC’s adaptive learning information sessions.

If you have any additional questions about the adaptive learning project, feel free to contact the UW-W Learning Technology Center.

Fall 2018 Teaching with Webex Teams Bootcamp!

Posted on by

Are you looking for a tool to facilitate communication and collaboration between you and your students this semester? If so, you might be interested in learning how to use Cisco Webex Teams in your teaching at the Learning Technology Center’s (LTC) “Teaching with Webex Teams Bootcamp!”

This fall’s bootcamp will take place in McGraw 19A on a series of Wednesday afternoons this October (10/10, 10/17, 10/24) from 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm.

Please see the testimonial below from a UW-Whitewater faculty member who piloted Webex Teams last fall (when it was called “Cisco Spark”).

UW-Whitewater has a campus license for Webex Teams, so feel free to bring your computer or mobile device to the bootcamp sessions and log into Webex Teams. Be sure to bring your device if you attend the “hands-on” session on October 17th! You can install Webex Teams on a desktop device, or on a mobile device. All faculty and instructional staff are welcome to attend the “Teaching with Webex Teams Bootcamp.” Registration is recommended, but walk-ins are also welcome.

Bootcamp Summary:

Wednesday, October 10, 2018: Why Should I Use Webex Teams?

This first session introduces participants to Cisco Webex Teams, and why instructors and students might benefit from incorporating it. Participants will be introduced to the concepts of “Teams” and “Spaces.” Facilitators will provide examples to help participants understand what Webex Teams is (and is not), how Webex Teams works, and the purpose in using Webex Teams.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018: How Do I Use Webex Teams?

This second session provides participants with a hands-on technical training with Cisco Webex Teams. Participants will practice creating “Teams” and “Spaces,” as well using Webex Teams to communicate and collaborate with others.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018: Now What Do I Do With Webex Teams?

This third, and final, session provides participants with a forum to discuss potential applications of Webex Teams in their teaching. Facilitators will provide participants with “best practices” for using Webex Teams based on recent pilots at UW-Whitewater.

Please note: There is no stipend associated with attending the “Teaching with Webex Teams Bootcamp.” However, if you complete all three sessions, you will receive a badge. The “Teaching with Webex Teams Bootcamp” is the same program as Spring 2018’s “Teaching with Spark Bootcamp.”

If you have any questions about the “Teaching with Webex Teams Bootcamp,” or any other LTC training or workshop, feel free to contact the UW-Whitewater Learning Technology Center.

Poll Everywhere

Posted on by

Poll Everywhere is an interactive tool that is newly adopted on the UW-Whitewater campus this fall. It allows you to create poll questions and prompts, which students can respond to in “real-time” through mobile apps, text messages, or the Poll Everywhere website. You can then display the responses live to the class, and incorporate what you find out into class discussion, group activities, and more.

Poll Everywhere allows you many different options for poll questions, including word clouds. If you are unfamiliar with Poll Everywhere, you might find this introduction video helpful.

This fall the LTC will be offering a few information sessions which can help you get started with using Poll Everywhere. The sign-up links are below (please note you will need to log in with your UWW credentials to register):

Wednesday September 26th, 2018 at 3:00 PM in McGraw 19A

Friday October 5th, 2018 at 10:00 am in McGraw 19A

You do not have to wait until one of these sessions to get started! Feel free to try it out, and let the LTC know if you need any assistance! Poll Everywhere also provides a detailed online instructor guide and a student guide.

If you have questions regarding Poll Everywhere, please contact the UW-W Learning Technology Center.

Fall Adaptive Learning Information Sessions

Posted on by

The 2018 NMC Horizon Report lists “adaptive learning technologies” as one of the Important Developments in Technology for Higher Education. The report lists adaptive learning with a projected 2-3 year “time to adoption” (for more on the Horizon Report, see the last “TED Tips“). 

To keep on top of this development, the Learning Technology Center (LTC) is currently exploring adaptive learning technologies. If you are potentially interested in incorporating an adaptive learning element into your course but do not know where or how to get started (or even really understand what exactly adaptive learning is), consider attending one of the LTC’s adaptive learning information sessions this September.

In these information sessions, we will discuss the nature of adaptive learning as well as detail some current adaptive learning projects on campus. Even if you do not want to participate in one of these projects, please feel free to attend and learn more about the possibilities of adaptive learning.

Upcoming Session Dates and Times:

Monday, September 17th at 2:00 PM

Wednesday, September 19th at 1:00 PM

Friday, September 21st at 8:15 AM

Tuesday, September 25th at 11:00 AM

(Please note that you will need to log in with your UW-Whitewater credentials to register for these sessions)

If you are interested in adaptive learning, you can also attend the ICIT Tech Open House on Wednesday, August 29th from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM in UC275, and stop by the adaptive learning table!

If you have any questions about adaptive learning, please feel free to contact the UW-Whitewater Learning Technology Center.