The Guzman Monthly

January 2015 | Volume 2, Issue 1

Index

• Welcome

• About the author

• News (2 slides)

• Apps & Tools (3 slides)

• Online Learning (2 slides)

• MOOCs

• Academic Leadership

• Faculty Development (3 slides)

• Student Learning

• New Ways of Learning (3 slides)

• Upcoming Movie & TV Trailers

Welcome to this first issue of the second volume of “The Guzman Monthly”. In this publication I will collect and list some recent articles on higher education issues, online learning best practices, deliver some tools/app suggestions* and links to interesting news/videos on the web published in the past month. Planned release schedule is between the last week of the past month and the first full week of the current month. Apologies for the delay in this first issue for 2015. To view previous newsletters please visit my slideshare page: http://www.slideshare.net/TJtheTiger

* Suggestions on apps will mainly be based on my exposure or research of said apps on iOS mobile devices. Feel free to suggest other apps for my review. My intention is to have the apps be similar in functionality each month.

My name is Tony Guzman and I serve as the Director of Online Programs at the University at Buffalo (UB) School of Social Work (SSW).

I also oversee the UB SSW Podcast series: inSocialWork®, and the Technology in Social Work Resource Center. Feel free to listen to some of our podcasts and review our resources.

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/tguzman/Scoop.it!: http://www.scoop.it/t/the-future-of-higher-education-by-tony-guzman-1Twitter: https://twitter.com/professor_tg

News

Some additional 2015 predictions for higher education, this time from Eduventues. Thoughts?http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/07/2015-predictions-competency-based-ed-to-grow-debt-could-topple-some-schools.aspx

President Obama is proposing a plan that would allow for some high school students to get their associates degree at community colleges for free. I’ll be interested in the full details on how this can get funded but I am hopeful for this to be approved.http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/college_bound/2015/01/president_obama_proposes_two_years_of_free_community_college_for_all.html

This article gives more detail on the community college initiative President Obama proposed last week while visiting in TN.http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/12/free-community-college-proposal-gets-thumbs-up-at-least-on-facebook.aspx

News (cont.)

This article list the Top 10 articles from Campus Technology last year. Many of these I had published on my social networks already but worth checking these out if you have not had the opportunity yet to do so.http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/13/top-10-most-read-campus-technology-articles-in-2014.aspx

Educause will have a new President and CEO come June 1 this year.http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/20/educause-names-new-president-and-ceo.aspx

As the Hispanic population continues to increase in the US, what does their population look like within higher education?http://www.edexcelencia.org/research/2015-factbook

Apps & Tools

This list of top picks provided by WIRED has something for everyone from this year’s CES show.http://www.wired.com/2015/01/best-of-ces-2015/

Six alternative social media tools faculty can consider using in their courses. My colleague, Alexandra M. Pickett is quoted for the first one.http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/07/6-alternative-social-media-tools-for-teaching-and-learning.aspx

In light of the release of the second Avengers trailer, this sounds like a personal J.A.R.V.I.S. app for students. Anyone seen students using this app already?http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/12/virtual-personal-assistant-app-helps-students-manage-college-life.aspx

Apps & Tools (cont.)

These survey results show that Facebook is still the “king of the hill” for social networks. Will any other tool dethrone them?http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/12/survey-facebook-still-most-popular-social-network-others-gaining.aspx

This is an interesting move by Moodle and wonder how the other LMS providers will react. Curious to see what will come in the next few months from this partnership.http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/20/microsoft-open-tech-integrates-office-365-with-moodle.aspx

Amazon launches a new tool to help instructors create their own textbooks. Anyone using this yet?http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/22/amazon-unveils-kindle-textbook-creator.aspx

Apps & Tools (cont.)

As email turns 44, this infographic shares some interesting trivia about email through the years.

http://www.digitalinformationworld.com/2015/01/the-history-of-email-infographic.html

Online Learning

This article shares some effective tips on improving online discussions. I have used the first one to some great benefit to the students and overall discussion; who else has used any of these before?http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/effective-ways-structure-discussion/

This article shares some great tips on how to best deal with a difficult student in your online course or over electronic communication. Same tips can be used in everyday settings.http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/five-tips-dealing-combative-students-online-environment/

This article gives some excellent tips on how to make sure your online course is ready for “primetime” once the semester starts. I have done well with the first five but have not done number six, new addition to my routine. What about others?http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/six-tips-preparing-online-course/

Online Learning (cont.)

This article shares four lessons learned in serving adult learners within online higher education.http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/28/4-lessons-for-serving-adult-learners-online.aspx

This article shares some great tips on how to best provide support to international students within your online courses.http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/supporting-international-students-online/

MOOCs

This MOOC platform has many IT certification courses freely available. Anyone interested in getting certified or re-certified in IT should highly consider checking this out.

http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/14/new-mooc-platform-provides-free-it-certification-courses.aspx

Academic Leadership

Recent report from Ithaka S+R indicates that public research universities could be doing more with technology to help their bottom line.http://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/12/15/challenged-public-research-universities-could-do-way-more-with-tech.aspx

A new “chief” role has been named: the Chief Digital Officer. Any higher education friends have this role in their institutions already?http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/08/higher-ed-meet-the-chief-digital-officer.aspx

A university commons area for the 21st century student. Interesting approach. Thoughts?http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/21/setting-the-stage-for-anytime-anywhere-learning.aspx

Faculty Development

The difficulty of striking a balance between praise and motivation. Any thoughts on these research findings?http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/educational-assessment/praise-undermining-student-motivation/

A Top 8 list of pedagogical journal articles from 2014. Has anyone already read some of these? Thoughts?http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/best-list-celebrates-scholarship-teaching-learning/

This article shares research results regarding students taking advantage of faculty office hours or not. Does anyone have great success in having students make use of office hours? I always encourage faculty to consider adding video tools to make it accessible without having to be there in person. Others?http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/students-dont-attend-office-hours/

Faculty Development (cont.)

This article shares some tips on how to best prepare your students when offering a cumulative final exam.http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/educational-assessment/preparing-students-for-cumulative-finals/

This article shares some strategies on how to avoid student resistance when attempting something new in the classroom.http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-classroom-management/strategies-preventing-student-resistance/

This article shares an idea on how to help your students improve their learning and study habits before the next assessment.http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/first-exam-semester-wake-call-students/

Faculty Development (cont.)

This article challenges instructors to have more creative assignments within their courses. Thoughts?http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/instructional-design/finding-place-creative-assignments-course/

This article gives some tips on how to help your students take better notes in class.http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/help-students-improve-note-taking-skills/

Student Learning

This article shares the value of storytelling in your classes. Anyone do this often in their classrooms?http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-teaching-strategies/power-storytelling-college-classroom/

This article addresses how you can help your students by defining fundamental concepts in their discipline and how these can help address essential questions for their discipline. Thoughts?http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/instructional-design/using-fundamental-concepts-essential-questions-promote-critical-thinking/

Do students have a major disconnect between what they think about plagiarism and being able to avoid it? If so, what can be done?http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/plagiarism-interesting-disconnect-students-thoughts-actions/

New Ways of Learning

Curation is something I have been slowly learning to do better and I really enjoyed the tips given in this infographic. Anyone using these tips already?http://www.curata.com/blog/content-curation-the-art-of-a-curated-post-infographic/

While some of the lessons learnt are basic project management best practices, I am very interested to see this pilot’s completion and overall results.http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/14/google-glass-pilot-lessons-learned-so-far.aspx

Will badging truly become the future in higher education professional development? I know some of you are using badges, comments?http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/14/badges-a-new-measure-of-professional-development.aspx

New Ways of Learning (cont.)

The value of concept maps in the classroom can be great but you should be sure to teach the “concept” properly. This article shares some excellent tips on how to teach students to use concept maps in their learning.http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/instructional-design/keeping-students-board-concept-maps/

Here is a list of 10 questions any instructor should ask themselves before diving into flipping their course. I also suggest connecting with your instructional designer (if you have one at your institution).http://edtechreview.in/trends-insights/insights/902-ten-questions-you-should-ask-before-you-flip-your-classroom

How is mobile moving digital growth forward? This infographic sheds some light on that question.http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/we-are-social-mobile-digital-growth-infographics

New Ways of Learning (cont.)

This infographic shares five trends in web design for this year.http://visual.ly/top-5-web-design-trends-2015

Iowa State researchers report that Facebook use adversely affects freshmen more than seniors in college. Thoughts?http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/22/report-facebook-use-affects-gpa-in-freshmen-not-seniors.aspx

Upcoming Movie & TV Trailers

Vikings Season 3 Comic-Con Trailer, Premiere Date: 2/19/2015http://youtu.be/PiqWLM3wyeY

Marvel’s Daredevil Trailer, Premiere Date: 4/10/2015http://youtu.be/XC7GPdBV9WQ

Orphan Black Season 3 Trailer, Premiere Date: 4/18/2015http://youtu.be/svztOA5BLQ8

Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron Trailer, Release Date: 5/1/2015http://youtu.be/MZoO8QVMxkk

Full Favorite Trailer playlist on my YouTube channelhttp://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp4nJo9D2kEs3McWG18x5UmIcSsVhNjq0

Thanks for checking this monthly newsletter out and hope to see around again next time!