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Virtual Reality and Google Expeditions

Highlighting Google Expeditions, HTC Vive, and others, come explore learning in 3D. By slipping on a VR headset, you can transport your students to the International Space Station, Sierra Leone, or inside the human body. Thousands of options and experiences are at your fingertips with countless free apps.

Students in ADS 201 get ready for a virtual tour of a plantation using Google Expeditions

Students look around the 3D virtual space

The instructor can track student engagement through Google Expeditions

360 Cameras

Using easily accessible 360 and 180 degree cameras, faculty can take their students into any location. Whether it is taking images when you are conducting field work or having students upload images from their study abroad programs, the UTLC:TIO can help you find the tool right for you.

Using Badges with Badgr

Interested in applying gaming techniques to your active learning environment? Try Badgr. Badgr is a badging and credentialing software approved by the University to integrate with Canvas. You can award student badges for completing modules or by collecting artifacts of student learning.

Throwable Microphones: CatchBox and QBall

In large classes, engagement can be difficult. With the collection of throwable microphones you can engage students in active dialogue while still hearing the whole room. Faculty are able to explore with the microphones, but UTLC Teaching Innovations Office can get you information on how your department can purchase one and how you can incorporate them in class.

Tech Tidbits with ITS Learning Technology

ITS Learning Technology is embedded with the UTLC Teaching Innovations Office at 1100 West Market, bringing Tech Tidbits alongside our Teaching Tips in our weekly newsletter.

Here are the latest Tech Tidbits on deploying technology in your classroom:

• ePortfolios
• Canvas MasteryPaths and Adaptive Learning
• Organize your digital life in Google Drive
• HyperDocs and digital lesson design

Contact Us!

We want to help you implement innovative technology, so use our consultations form to set up a demo of a technology that you are considering using in your classroom.

Adaptive Learning

Resources from Feb. 6th Adaptive Learning Event

Imagine giving our students immediate access to resources and assessments based on their specific needs. That is adaptive learning, adjusting the path of each student based on course performance. Each student can access what they need to learn based on strengths and weaknesses. Faculty members can quickly gain insight into how students are learning through various online tools.

Thanks to everyone who joined us on February 6th! Attendees learned about potential adaptive learning opportunities. The day was facilitated by Dr. Patti O’Sullivan, who manages the Personalized Learning and Adaptive Teaching Opportunities Program at the University of Mississippi. Dr. O’Sullivan also serves as faculty in Pharmacy Administration with a background in Ethics and Religious Studies.

If you missed any of the workshops, or if you want to review any of the material, check out the following links for more information:

Google Drive Folder with Adaptive Learning Resources

UNCG Libraries Libguide on Open Educational Resources

Teach’n Tips Podcast on Adaptive Learning

T’n T, the Teach’n Tips Podcast, returns with a conversation with Dr. Patti O’Sullivan following up on our Adaptive, Differentiated, and Personalized Learning Workshops event at the beginning of February. Join Ben, the teaching tips guy, as he talks with Patti about how adaptive courseware can help promote equity in the classroom and her advice for getting started based on her experiences at Ole Miss.

If you missed out on the workshops, or if your interest is piqued by this podcast episode, you can explore adaptive learning and open education resources on the UTLC website.

Differentiated Learning, including personalized and adaptive learning, are opportunities for you to individualize your instruction to meet students where they are in the learning process. Using digital software, you can develop learning pathways that allow students to engage material as often as need to demonstrate readiness to move forward. Here are a few ways that differentiated learning can foster inclusive teaching:

•        Focus on need. Differentiation is about providing different possibilities for learning at different levels of need in the learning environment. It is a challenge, as a single instructor, to be multiple things for multiple people, but strategies for differentiation, including adaptive learning software, can help the instructor focus on providing options that meet the learner at their level of need.
•        Focus on competency. By focusing on the end goal – the learning outcome – differentiation helps to keep the focus on attainment of skills and competency, rather than assessing based on getting it right the first time. Different learners will take to different topics and skills at different rates, so differentiation embraces this idea as it tries to move all learners towards competency.
•        Focus on a growth mindset. At the core of focusing on need and competency is the promotion of a growth mindset in learners. Not everyone starts out at the same place, and not everyone moves at the same rate, but everyone is capable of learning the material in our courses. Differentiation is about making that prospect less daunting for our students across different levels of preparation.

UTLC Teaching Innovations Office, ITS Learning Technology, and UNCG Online are conducting an Adaptive Learning Pilot sponsored by the Office of the Provost.  Check back for videos from our pilot participants.

UNCG currently has two adaptive learning software options: Canvas MasteryPaths and Smart Sparrow.

Contact Laura Pipe (lmpipe@uncg.edu) to discuss how to explore either for your classes.

Production Suite at 1100 W Market St

The Production Suite at 1100 West Market is a one-stop media and digital resource site for faculty and instructors. Do you have a video you need to make for a course? Do you need to record a lecture capture? We have you covered from start to finish. The Production Suite at 1100 West Market features a video recording space, an audio recording space, a post-production space, and the technical support of ITS and the UTLC.

Here are a few of the items available for your use:

• One-Button Recording Studio – just bring your USB Drive and hit record
• Lightboard Recording Studio – need to write on a dry erase board? Check out this clear recording board
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• Audio/Podcast Recording Studio – interview experts or mini-lectures

Read about the Production Suite here!

More On-Demand Teaching Resources for Technology-Enhanced Pegagogy