Have you ever wondered why some of your colleagues seem to be obsessed with Google Drive when you just cannot get it to work how you want? In this ETS blog post, Kelli Van Wasshenova lists the top 5 reasons she is a fan of Google Drive, and explains why you might want to try using a “hidden gem” called Google Drive for desktop (formerly File Stream), which allows you to access Google Drive files right on your computer.
Tech Tip – TTT
A quick technology tip to help you engage your students whether in the classroom or remotely.
Tech – Webcam not working? Microphone Suddenly Disappear from the Computer? Try “reseating” Your Device.
To “reseat” means to unplug and then plug in a peripheral device when it is not working on the computer. Basically, if you are in the classroom and the camera cuts out, or even the mouse stops working, the first thing to do is to check the USB connection and reseat the device. Read more about reseating devices in this ETS blog post.
Tech – What We’ve Learned with Dr. Sarah Wolff
How do we know students are understanding the basics of our course before it’s too late? Dr. Sarah Wolff has found a way to use Notebowl to provide formative feedback to her students. She uses a cobination of short videos and discussion boards to make sure her students keep on top of their learning.
Interested in trying Sarah’s approach to formative feeding using Notebowl discussion boards?
Tech – Keeping Organized Leads to a More Equitable Classroom
Like many of us during the fall, Dr. Chris Weingart – Biology, had a lot on her plate. To help manage everything she knew she had to keep her classes organized. In this video interview, Chris shares how she used a simple Google doc to organize her classes. This led to a more equitable experience for her students as everyone had the same access to resources, materials, and schedule no matter if they were in-person, remote, or happened to miss a class.
Tech – Why you should update Zoom
Most of us have been using Zoom for about a year now, but some of the terms around the different ways to access Zoom can be confusing. The Zoom “client” is the application that is installed on your computer. The Zoom “web portal” is the website denison.zoom.us where, among other things, you can access and schedule your meetings, view your recordings saved to the Zoom cloud, setup polling, and import breakout rooms.
Tech – Four Causes for ‘Zoom Fatigue’ and Their Simple Fixes
In this recent Tomorrow’s Professor post, Stanford researchers have identified four key causes for zoom fatigue:
- Excessive amounts of close-up eye contact is highly intense.
- Seeing yourself during video chats constantly in real-time is fatiguing.
- Video chats dramatically reduce our usual mobility.
- The cognitive load is much higher in video chats.
And provide some simple fixes.
Tech – Using Two Computers Simultaneously to Teach in Zoom
This semester ETS has been helping several faculty members get setup to use Zoom on multiple devices during their hybrid classes. This approach allows you to have one device/camera set to show you, the professor, while the other device/camera can show the classroom or the whiteboard. It does not need to be a complicated setup with multiple headsets, iPads, and phones.
Tech – Google 2.0
Many of us have really leveraged tools offered by Google to help organize our classes, communicate with students, and conduct small groups. This article from Faculty Focus covers some other applications of Google Docs and Slides for things such as collaborative note-taking or the jigsaw teaching strategy that some of us use with in-person classes. The article also introduces Google Drawings, similar to Jamboards, but with a much larger range of drawing and graphical abilities.
Tech – What we’ve learned-Studio Arts
This semester, the Center will explore new ideas and approaches to teaching that Denison faculty have learned over the last year. This week, Professor Sheilah Restack shares how the Studio Arts used Zoom to create a thriving visiting artist program.
Tech – Pump up the Jamboard
Have you seen videos or heard from other Denison faculty members about Jamboard, but are still unsure if it’s for you? ETS has this new blog post that explores why and how to use Jamboard with your classes. It also includes a video series titled “Easy, sticky, engaging learning with Google Jamboard” by Matt Miller from Ditch that Textbook that is worth watching.