Information Literacy and Web 2.0 Tools for the Classroom

In December, the Center for Academic Technology, part of the Learning Resources Division, gave a presentation to the business school professors.  Here's a Prezi (non-linear Powerpoint) of the presentation.  I allow for zooming and panning on this version.  If you get confused, try this link.

Here's a copy of the tech handout:

Here's the Information Literacy handout:

Subscribing to the Center for Academic Technology Blog Using Outlook

This tutorial will show you how to subscribe to the Center for Academic Technology blog [cat-udc.blogspot.com] using Microsoft Outlook. We will employ a technology called RSS [Really Simple Syndication]. This will send new blog posts (usually 3 per week) to your inbox, just like email.
You can view a PDF version of this document here: http://scr.bi/cntPhg

Select the RSS Feeds option in Outlook

Select the option "RSS Feeds"

Option 1: Right Click on the RSS FEEDS option

A 'right-click' is when you click the 'other' mouse button, or the one on the 'right'. Then click on the option "Add a New RSS Feed..."

Option 2: Use the Menu Bar to Select the Option

Once you select RSS Feeds, go to the menu bar under FILE, select FOLDER, then "Add a New RSS Feed..."

Add the RSS Feed

Enter the following URL: http://cat-udc.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss. This points to the RSS feed for the blog.

The Perfunctory Warning Box

Click YES

Voilà! -- It's DONE

For more on RSS feeds and Microsoft Outlook, visit this link: http://bit.ly/ayms6d.
Once you access the blog, PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTS!

Flash Seminars -- A New Concept in Learning

In a recent post, we spoke of the great coverage the New York Times has done on education.  Not to be outdone, the Washington Post recently posted a story on a concept called "Flash Seminars."  No this isn't about computer programming, it's about using empty classrooms to have impromptu lectures.


Over the past few years, the idea of flash raves or mobs have become fairly popular.  Here, students choose a time and place and congregate.  Check out this one from UNC Chapel Hill.





Flash Seminars are a bit different.  The idea came from a student at the University of Virginia.  The article describes them in the following way:

Once or twice a week, students at the state's flagship public university collect in some idle classroom or lounge for a "flash seminar," an ad hoc performance of pedagogy.
The time and place, professor and students are always different. But the goal never varies: "to find learning outside the classroom," said Nelson, 22, a senior from Westwood, Mass., who is majoring in political and social thought. "To find other people who really value being a student."

There's a nice tech tie in if you switch from the idea of a face to face lecture and consider screencasts or 5 minute lectures (see the University of Wisconsin's 5 minute lecture site).  At UDC, we have Wimba and Echo 360 which integrate with Blackboard to allow professors to record lectures and deliver them to students. 


Here's a screencast that shows students how to upload an assignment.  Whether it be a lecture, demonstration or other visual experience, screencasts should be in every pedagogues technology toolkit (read about toolkit theory).



Please stop by the Center for Academic Technology to find out more about these tools.