Atomic Learning
The University has recently purchased a subscription to Atomic Learning (following our lead, of course), and you can now log in with your eId and password. From now on simply go to go.vcu.edu/atomiclearning and log in. From there you will be directed to atomic learning. The benefits of this new process are 1. SOE doesn’t have to pay for it anymore, and 2. I think it provides us with better tracking of people using it, and maybe improved features for everyone since you will all now have unique IDs in atomic learning (i need to check into this). There are also upcoming trainings planned with the folks from Atomic Learning here on campus for students and faculty on April 3rd. I will provide more details about these as they become available. We also have the opportunity to have the reps in here for specialized training. This might be cool, and if anyone is interested just let me know and we can discuss it. If you remember, I first discussed atomic learning in one of my first newsletters. You can review there to find out more about the product
Using PowerPoint presentations not all that effective (shocker)
It’s interesting really. We have almost an entire industry built around using technology to improve education, but honestly, there is not a ton of well executed research to prove this. However, this report, which says technology does help students is interesting. It is a big 40 year retrospective/lit review. It suggests that using PowerPoints to display the same data that you could write on a chalkboard is not that effective. It discusses how using technology to actively engage students and communicate provides more benefits than simply providing content. Its a lot of stuff we already have hypothesized, and it points to newer technologies having a greater impact. You can also read the study in its entirety here.
Georgia senate passes virtual learning mandate
So last week I told you guys about the conversation that was happening on my blog around online learning. It was really incredible in that not only were SOE faculty chiming in to the discussion, but other folks around the Univeristy, and others, not even affiliated with us. Well, in my response to Dr. Mulloy I wrote that it is my hope that virtual learning is used to fill existing gaps, to provide instruction to those who cannot receive it due to temporal and geographic hurdles, and to improve learning through unique affordances. Well, this article discusses a new mandate in Georgia, requiring students to take an online class as a requirement for graduation. I am not sure how I feel about this, and would love to hear everyone’s opinion.
Quick TV Story of the Week
Google is getting into the TV / cable business. Lots of buzz this week about Google testing out a Google TV service in Kansas City
Quick Peer Review Story of the Week
I have told you guys about Mendeley before, well turns out a company is using a Mendeley API to create a peer review service.
Quick Music Story of the Week
Want to see what new music is making waves. Check out this infographic about south by southwest bands. Big Data, meet, hipster indie rock
Quick VCU Basketball Story of the Week
As tournament season quickly approaches, Rams get a write-up in the NY Times!
Quick Pic of the Week
As well, i don’t think any of us will soon forget the last “March Madness”, especially the bust of *Poe in the UVA library
*at least i think thats Poe
One nice thing about Atomic Learning is that there are dozens of quick tutorials on the new version of Blackboard 9.1 that we will be upgrading to in May.