Last week we shared the results from the remote student technology survey that was conducted by ETS. This week, ETS has several tips to help improve student experiences. Check out this playlist “EdTech Tips to Improve the Remote Student Experience,” which has videos to address each of the main findings from the survey. Take a look at this post with resources and video references corresponding to the survey findings.
Tech Tip – TTT
A quick technology tip to help you engage your students whether in the classroom or remotely.
Tech – Get the latest Zoom updates
Have you checked out some of the latest updates in Zoom?
- Custom gallery organization – move student screens around
- Multi-spotlighting – pin up to nine different participants
- Selecting breakout rooms – give students some choice, allow them to select the breakout room to join
Read this post by Denison’s ETS team for more information on Zoom’s updates.
Tech – students presentations in a remote setting
Are you planning to have student presentations this semester? ETS created a post, “Approaching Student Presentations in a Hybrid Environment,” with recommendations on how you can approach these assignments with your students in the virtual setting. There is also this EdTech Tip video that demos how students can record videos and how faculty members can collect and present those recordings to the class.
Tech – how to assess students online
There are no two ways about it. A traditional written test does not transfer well to the remote setting. Here are seven tips from the Chronicle on how to assess students online while lessening concerns about running afoul of academic integrity.
Tech – Make your voice heard
Having trouble projecting your voice with a mask? Remote students having trouble hearing students in a large classroom? With help from ETS, Eleni Papaleonardo found a solution in a personal voice amplifier and a carefully placed snowball mic! Now all students can hear her clearly as she moves around, and remote students can hear their classmates sitting in the back of the room.
Tech – Denison’s virtual whiteboard
A number of us have found the effectiveness of using a Google Doc to organize our Zoom Breakout Rooms sessions for students (Dr. Hoda Yousef’s tip). But what if you want students to write or draw by hand? The screen shot above was created by my students using the Google Jamboard App from our Denison Google Suite.
Tech – Zoomapalooza – useful Zoom tips
1) Keyboard short cut keys – stop wandering around menus looking for start record. Here is a cheat sheet for Mac or PC.
2) Got an extra monitor? Keep an eye on your students in gallery mode while presenting that Power Point slide. How-to-video or post from Zoom.
3) Got an iPad or other tablet?
Tech – improving those breakout sessions
Now that you getting the hang of those breakout rooms in Zoom, consider this article from Faculty Focus to improve your breakout game.
Tech – how to use the Google calendar appointment feature by ETS
Holding remote office hours this semester? Use the Appointment feature in Google Calendar to create sign-up times for students. This is an efficient way to schedule your office hour meetings. Here is an ETS how-to video as well as detailed instructions.
Tech – Creating a “talking head” video (screencast)
How do I create a “talking head” video for my class? This short video will show you how to create your own screencast using the free platform Loom. To see an example Loom cast AND learn how to make a course overview video for your students, watch this how-to video from ETS. This is a great way to introduce your students to the course and lessen unforeseen disruptions.