ET@MO Tips & Tricks Newsletter

MizzouET@MOArchives › August 2009  

Lecture Capture with Tegrity software now available

Tegrity is a web-based software that captures the screen and the instructor audio. Beginning this fall semester, MU instructors can access Tegrity and record lectures through their Blackboard course sites. Join ET@MO staff for an overview of how you might use Tegrity software to create course content on September 1 at 2:00, or September 14 at 1:00. Both sessions in S203 Memorial Union. No RSVP required.

Introducing new Blackboard Tools: Wikis and Blogs

This semester the campus is adding blog and wiki (editable/collaborative web pages) tools to Blackboard. These facilitate new possibilities for journaling and group work in the online component of your courses. Join ET@MO for an overview and explore possibilities for effectively using blogs and wikis in your course. The session is Wednesday, August 26 at 1:30 in S203 Memorial Union. No RSVP required.

Instructors meet teaching challenges with new tech fund

ET@MO’s Teaching with Technology Innovation Fund is designed to provide faculty with an opportunity to (1) receive hardware/software to assist in their teaching and (2) consult hands-on with ET@MO staff to design and develop effective technology artifacts to enhance teaching and learning. Each Teaching with Technology Innovation Award will be up to amount of no more than $500 and Awards will be distributed annually.

7 Things You Should Know About Data Visualization

Data visualization tools combine the principles of visualization with powerful applications and large data sets to create sophisticated images and animations. Representing large amounts of disparate information in a visual form often allows users to see patterns that would otherwise be buried in vast, unconnected data sets, often leading to new and important discoveries. Download the PDF of this full article. This information is provided by the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative's (ELI's) 7 Things You Should Know About… series which provides concise information on emerging learning technologies and related practices.

CAMPUS NEWS

MU Libraries switch from EBSCO to Gale databases
Instructors linking to the libraries' EBSCO online resources should revisit their references soon. The EBSCO online database has been replaced with the Gale resources subscribed to by MoreNet.

Exploring Teaching Tools Options; Electronic Reserves, Blackboard & Course Materials
Journals and supplemental readings are paramount to providing students with the opportunity to read up-to-date research and commentary. Come hear about your on-campus resources to utilize electronic reserves, Blackboard, and course packets to enhance the classroom experience at the Brown Bag Lunch Series sponsored by ET@MO, MU Libraries, Mizzou Media, and University Bookstore. Bring your lunch and learn how to expand your teaching tools! The session is September 22, 2009 from noon to 1:00 in 159 Ellis Library. No RSVP required.


EDUCATION NEWS

A Campus-Wide E-Textbook Initiative
In the summer of 2008 the president’s cabinet at Northwest Missouri State University was given a demonstration by President Dean Hubbard of Amazon’s Kindle wireless reading device and quickly agreed that Northwest’s textbook rental program for students needed review. The university thus undertook a pilot study to determine the feasibility of using e-textbooks.


TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Google Apps Gets Serious, Drops Beta Tag
Google took a step toward greater enterprise adoption of its hosted e-mail, document, and collaboration services this week by removing the "beta" tag from its Google Apps brand.

Nearest Tube's augmented reality on the iPhone 3GS
A London Underground station finder app called Nearest Tube is one of the first to use the iPhone 3G S for an augmented reality app.