The Digital Spark
Issue 6: November 27, 2107
OLC Recap and Thoughts
The first thing I learned was the importance of engaging and networking with the community. I'll be the first to admit, I'm a bit of an introvert, but in Orlando, I pushed the edges of my comfort zone and had some really great conversations with leaders of the online community.
Several of the sessions I attended, instead of talking about tools for learning, highlighted different frameworks for learning.
It's important to ground our instruction in some of these innovative frameworks.
Other sessions reaffirmed that the whole process of learning should be holistic. We need to take care of faculty, learners, and their interactions. We should be finding ways to support students and faculty. A couple of the sessions I went to talked about faculty development as well as ways to orient students to online learning. Look forward to new endeavors to provide such support!
Otherwise, there was nothing that really knocked my socks off. There were no earth-shattering sessions on online labs. That, my friends, will be for us to pioneer!
I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving...let's rock this December!
Augmented Reality
We are looking to do a demonstration and have a conversation around possible uses at our December Digital Innovation Group meeting. If you'd like to explore some possibilities, let us know. Enjoy Mike's update on Augmented Reality below. I have to say, it's pretty darn cool.
Building and Using Rubrics in Canvas
The fourth session in the Canvas Brown Bag series. The session will be held via Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, November 30.
This demonstration and discussion-oriented workshop will focus on creating and using rubrics in Canvas. Participants will learn how to:
- Create and customize rubrics in Canvas
- Attach a rubric to an assignment, quiz, or discussion
- Grade and provide feedback to students using a rubric
To register, visit http://tinyurl.com/CanvasBrownBag1130.
Active Learning Classrooms
This past summer, our office set up a tour of many of these classrooms. We are always willing to do this again. Just let us know.
Download a list of all the current active classrooms at University Park.
December 3: International Day of Disabled Persons
Read his blog, "H5P Improves Accessibility."
Tool Tip: Twitter
Why Twitter?
"Much has been written about the benefits of active learning strategies—using tools and techniques that engage students in ways other than simply listening to an instructor and taking notes. In the same way that clickers facilitate active learning, Twitter, too, could be used in an academic setting to foster interaction about a given topic. Metacognition—the practice of thinking about and reflecting on your learning—has been shown to benefit comprehension and retention. As a tool for students or professional colleagues to compare thoughts about a topic, Twitter can be a viable platform for metacognition, forcing users to be brief and to the point—an important skill in thinking clearly and communicating effectively. " (Educause Learning Initiative, "7 Things You Should Know About ... Twitter") In addition, it allows for users (students and teachers) to jump in to conversations that can be shared across the world.
Best Practices
- When using the tool in class, make sure you introduce the tool to students and provide instructions on its use.
- Make sure you provide the pedagogical rationale for using the tool to students.
- If you decide to use it, go all in and don't make it optional.
- Participate as the instructor.
- Create a course hashtag and use it in all course tweets.
- Highlight tweets during class and/or in online communications. Make sure students know that it's an important part of the course.
Are you on Twitter? Do you have any examples you want to share? If you just want to get your feet wet with Twitter, feel free to follow and stalk us: @Eberly_ODL
Events and Opportunities
Canvas WinterFest 2017 Training Sessions Announced
Winterfest courses will run January 3–5, 2018, and will be available via Zoom, which makes access easy across the entire University.
Visit any of the below links to learn more about the classes and register. Spots can fill up quickly, so make sure to register today if you want to get the most out of Winterfest 2018. If you have any questions, please contact itld@psu.edu.
- Canvas: An Introduction (via Zoom) - Wednesday, January 3, from 9:45 to 11:00 a.m. via web
- Canvas: Creating and Delivering Effective Content (via Zoom) - Thursday, January 4, from 8:45 to 11:30 a.m. via web
- Canvas: Creating Assignments and Quizzes (via Zoom) - Thursday, January 4, from 12:45 to 3:30 p.m. via web
- Canvas: Using the Gradebook (via Zoom) - Friday, January 5, from 8:45 to 11:30 a.m. via web
- Canvas: An Introduction (via Zoom) - Friday, January 5, from 1:45 to 3:00 p.m. via web
Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT) Symposium
The Penn State Symposium for Teaching and Learning with Technology is an annual one-day event to showcase ways that technology can be used to enhance teaching, learning, and research. Our intent is to give faculty and staff the opportunity to share how they are using technology in unique ways, network with other colleagues, and generate new project ideas.
The symposium is a free event that welcomes all Penn State faculty, staff, and students.
Saturday, Mar 17, 2018, 07:30 AM
The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, Innovation Boulevard, State College, PA, United States
The Office of Digital Learning
The Office of Digital Learning (ODL) helps faculty and students make the most of digital learning technology. We collaboratively design and build tools for any pedagogy.
Dream it and we can help bring it to life.
Email: odl@science.psu.edu
Website: odl.science.psu.edu
Phone: (814) 867-1391
Twitter: @eberly_odl