Working to bring technology into the classroom often feels like a blessing and a headache. As a professor, I continually want to do better, and that includes utilizing technology to effectively further learning goals, outcomes, and classroom organization and management. The University of Portland considers “wanting to do better” a tenet of the reflective teacher […]
University of Portland Academic Technology Roundtable, Interim Report I Introduction In spring of 2011, each academic unit decided how to select faculty for the initial Academic Technology Roundtable (ATR). The Deans collaborated with Academic Technology Services to review more than 40 responses to the call for proposals. Ten projects, represented by thirteen faculty were selected […]
Kaltura at UP After a long and thoughtful process, Academic Technology Services has decided to add a great new tool to our tech arsenal. Kaltura is an open-source video management and publishing suite that will fill a much needed gap in our digital media offerings, allowing the University to provide faculty and students with their […]
All teachers, instructors, professors are talking about IT….that “it” being technology in the classroom; learning via social media; incorporating student-generated content into our syllabi; utilizing technology to further discussions into the online sphere; being technology literate and savvy and, of course, innovative. There are so many ways we feel pressure to teach to this new […]
There has been much talk recently about the new Google privacy policy. “Search data can reveal particularly sensitive information about you, including facts about your location, interests, age, sexual orientation, religion, health concerns, and more,” warns the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a non-profit organization based in San Francisco and an advocate for online privacy. One of the […]
I must say that the best part of my job as an Academic Technology Specialist is when faculty drop by with new ideas or new technologies they find useful. I had a conversation this past week with Dr. Eric Anctil who was excited to show me the “OnLive Desktop” app for the iPad. Dr. Anctil […]
There has been much talk about digital literacy and the importance of preparing students to be digital citizens. Jason Ohler talks about the DAOW of literacy. “Digital, Art, Oral and Written literacies- the DAOW of literacy – are crucial for personal, academic and workplace success in the Digital Age.” So what is that […]
There has been much interest of late around sustainable practice and reducing the amount of trees that are sacrificed in the name of teaching and learning at UP. I teach ED 414, Children’s Literature this semester, a course that I absolutely love to teach. As Director of Academic Technology, I also need to find ways […]
There is nothing better than curling up next to the fire on a cold rainy winter day in Portland, and reading a great novel. I’ve just finished Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. It’s a grand epic novel grappling with all of the essential issues for humankind. Although I like to read novels to escape […]
In November, ATS purchased and equipped a portable IPAD2 lab for classroom use. We’ve used the lab on a couple of occasions to demonstrate IPADs for faculty. On Wednesday afternoon this week, I used the lab with my ED 414 Children’s Literature class. They will be creating digital booktalks and digital stories later in the […]