Tag: recommendations

Tech Tip of the Week: Online Learning Resources from CITL

With most classes being entirely online, the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) is an extremely valuable resource. Below, we are going to highlight some of the most prevalent resources and information CITL offers for this unique academic year.

Student Resources

Student resources

Instructor Resources

Instructor Resources for transitioning to online Instruction

To help you develop an online class, CITL offers ‘Online Course in a Box’

CITL also has information for instructors specifically about using Zoom, including potential uses and best practices

While not created by CITL, they do recommend this article on the basics of online teaching

CITL also recommends the Tukam if you are interested in hand-writing notes during lectures, as opposed to using slides. You can learn more about Tukam here.

Tech Tip of the Week: Loanable Technology from the Library

Did you know that you can borrow equipment from the University Library as well as books?

Both the Grainger IDEA Lab and the Media Commons have loanable technologies, including game consoles and virtual reality headsets.

You can find the list of loanable technologies here.

Tech Tip of The Week: Stretches for your Hands!

Sitting at a computer all day typing can really take a toll on your hands. This week’s Tech Tip offers some stretches you can try throughout the day to keep your hands happy.

This article from Harvard instructs on how to perform wrist stretches that will help lengthen the muscles and tendons that can be shortened by daily tasks like typing.

If videos are more your thing, this video was made by a doctor who specializes in treating professional gamers and demonstrates stretches for your entire hand.

And don’t forget to give your hands a well-earned break every now and then!

Tech Tip of The Week: Campus Wellness Resources

The University of Illinois’ Human Resources department offers Campus Wellbeing Services at this link. These services include wellness programs, an online hub and events calendar, online resources, and referrals to services on campus and in the community.

To address our current situation, they have also created a Coping with Covid-19 Toolkit at this link.

Tech Tip of The Week: Spotlight Search

Mac uses can do a spotlight search by pressing Command + the Spacebar, this will open a search bar that can be used to search your computer for software or files as well as search for definitions, weather, and news.
You can choose what appears in your Spotlight Searches in your System Preferences, click here for a guide on how to change your Spotlight settings.

Windows users can use a similar search by pressing the Windows Key.

This week’s tip might be short, but knowing how to use spotlight search can make the overall experience of using your computer easier!

Tech Tip of The Week: Zoom Game Zone

With the end of classes and the start of summer you might find yourself a little bored and missing your iSchool friends, so this week’s Tech Tip Tuesday is all about how to play games with your friends by using various features in Zoom.

  • The Whiteboard
  • Video Chat
    • By enabling your computer or phone cameras in a Zoom meeting you and your friends can play charades!
  • Share Screen
    • If you’re down for a more mellow hangout, someone could share their screen to show a crossword puzzle for you all to work on together.
    • You can also play trivia with this random trivia generator!
    • Have your friends print out some Bingo cards and play together using this Bingo Caller!

We hope these ideas can help you connect with your friends or inspire you to create your own sort of virtual game night!

Tech Tip of the Week: Digital Storytelling Resources

Gathering Materials
The following sites offer open source and/or public domain materials. In most cases, the materials are free to download.

Images:

Sound Effects and Audio Samples:

Video Clips (for background):

Creation and Editing

Audio editing:

Audio/Video editing:

Hosting Content Online

Tech Tip of the Week: Citation Management Software

Keeping track of sources and producing proper citations can be the most challenging part of writing a paper. Luckily there are a few free options of software and websites that will help you manage your bibliographies.

The UIUC Library has a LibGuide that recommends:

Tech Tip of the Week: Kaltura and Illinois Media Space

Kaltura is a platform that allows faculty, staff, and students to store and share multimedia files. The features of Kaltura also include cataloging, lecture recording tools, playlist generator, live stream hosting, caption searching, along with webcam and desktop recording tools.

Illinois Media Space is a campus media sharing platform that is powered by Kaltura. From there you can find multimedia files that have been shared with the public or with you or upload files of your own.

Tech Tip of the Week: Zoom for Meetings

Most classes will be switching to using a new video conferencing and collaboration services called Zoom next semester.
But students, staff, and faculty can also use Zoom for meetings or group work as well!

If you go to illinois.zoom.us you have the option to host a meeting, which will allow you to invite others by sharing the Meeting ID, sending an email invite, or calling the person you wish to add to the meeting. Also at illinois.zoom.us, you have the option to join a meeting if you have been given a Meeting ID.

You can learn more about Zoom here.