Ed Tech Blog
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The last time you visited your library, what were you there to do? It may have been to hear a professional development speaker, participate in a book club, bring your child to a “mommy/ daddy and me” group. I was recently reading an article focused on the evolving role of today’s libraries and started considering all the new library conformations I have seen touring campuses across the US for the past 18 months. The required book “warehousing” space (i.e. racks) for libraries has been reduced as a result of digital/ e-books (and e-lending) and the availability of resources on demand at home, school, Starbucks via the internet. Although I have seen many different definitions and uses for modern library spaces, I can summarize all of my experiences into one statement. Libraries are no longer for individualized quiet study, they are becoming community hubs. Nowhere do I see more evidence of this than in the rapid proliferation of makerspace areas.
Makerspaces are defined areas populated with technology, textiles, hand tools and resources to encourage hands on activities like designing, building, collaborating and communicating. Think of it as a hybrid tech lab and mechanic’s work bench. Very often, in addition to computers, new technology such as 3-D printers are being utilized in these expanded labs. They can also include audiovisual equipment, programming and control devices depending upon the proposed use, design and budget for the space (think scanners, Raspberry Pi, drones etc.) They can be designed specifically for subject matter like robotics, material engineering, prototyping or building or can be configured for more general purpose DIY “making” covering a variety of subjects and specialties. These labs are used to support increased comprehension and retention of theory through practical and real-life applications and community interaction. While makerspaces (also called hackerspaces or hackspaces) can...
Read more: Makerspace: A New Campus Community Hub of Innovation AV Should Be Prepared For
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It’s hard to find good help these days. Employees just aren’t loyal anymore. Why can’t they just do what I tell them to do. We often hear these complaints within our organizations. But this isn’t exclusive to corporate America. Educational facilities have the same employee challenges that other businesses experience. In fact, in our ed tech world, some of these challenges may run deeper because of the training necessary to get a staff member “schooled” as a technician, designer, or installer of equipment and projects for which there is little or no formal schooling.
How can you encourage employee engagement without compromising the rest of your team? How can you get more long-term productivity and loyalty out of your staff?
Discover what motivates (your) people: Discovery can be hard work and time consuming. But since your departmental productivity and project timeliness rely on your team, discovery is a worthwhile journey. Motivation isn’t always money. It could be growth potential, professional development opportunities, vacation time, a defined career path, recognition. Whatever “it” is, understand that it can be highly individualized. Don’t just observe your employees but ASK them what is important to them. Listen, outline, and then act on it. Motivating...
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This post was originally published on AV Technology and avnetwork.com here: http://www.avnetwork.com/news/0006/you-need-classroom-design-standards-&-it-may-just-result-in-a-raise/95459
1) Reduces training time necessary for faculty and staff: Consistency across classrooms offers you the ability to train end users on equipment that they will see in every...
Read more: You Need Classroom Design Standards & It May Just Result In a Raise
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As we gear up for one of the largest AV shows that any of us attend, I consider how many trade show, conference, and seminar opportunities we are bombarded with, yearly. Do you find it difficult to determine which are worth your time? From which will you take the most useful information? What type of event gives you the best return on your financial investment?
The answers to those questions can be as numerous as the shows themselves. But there are a few things to keep in mind when planning your time away from campus:
-- Do you hold an industry designation which requires you to stay current? Is there an opportunity to receive credits toward your certification or for professional development? Shows and conferences which offer renewal credits give you great bang for your buck. Not only are you able to learn about trends, products and project, you can also check those credits off your to do list! Two birds….
-- What are the attendee demographics? Are they mostly peers or are their responsibilities varied? I find that the most worthwhile shows are those during which I am surrounded by others who do what I do on a...
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Originally published in the Spring issue of SEEN (South East Education Network) Magazine: http://seenmagazine.us/articles/article-detail/articleid/4702/designing-modern-classrooms.aspx
(This is part one of a two-part series on designing the modern classroom.)Technology rich classrooms offer incredible benefits for both students and instructors. From fostering blended learning environments through collaboration, critical thinking and practical problem solving to flipped rooms centered on student engagement; the classroom that was focused on traditional teaching has evolved into active learning.
Often, when renovating existing or creating new classrooms, incorporating the technology into the room begins after the furniture placement and room configuration is set. Frequently this process creates an obstacle to the implementation of truly modern active learning classrooms that wasn’t considered or foreseeable when the room was originally laid out. Many schools have installed technology in just about every classroom as a result of grants they were awarded. Understand that these grants were issued following successful research indicating technology rich educational spaces increase assessment scores, collaboration and retention. Technology in the classroom is only as effective and useful as the environment allows it to be. Limiting the potential for interaction, engagement and collaboration will reduce or eliminate the advantage of having a technology rich classroom. The unfortunate feedback to...
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Lecture capture system implementation has been growing over the past decade in both Higher Ed and K-12. Designing the right system with the appropriate equipment can be daunting for IT and AV tech managers. Like most new projects, one must begin by meeting with the department faculty and administration to ascertain what will be the ultimate goal for the material.
There are a number of reasons schools utilize this type of technology (some offering new revenue streams). Lecture capture is ideal for live-streaming e-learning and online/ distance courses. It can also be archived for viewing for flipped and blended learning paradigms or for continuity of learning plans (i.e. snow days or extended sick leave). Either way, with lecture capture the traditional learning experience is altered and typically enhanced.
Lecture capture technology allows flexible access to instructor based learning resources. Many schools offer a number of different recording locations and options to accommodate different teacher preferences and school budgets. Depending on the magnitude of the customized solution, lecture capture can:
- record the instructor’s video and/or audio
- incorporate any visual aids
- integrate presentations
- embed movies and annotations
The technology necessary for lecture capture can range from simplistic to broad, again depending...