BGSU has unveiled a new service for Faculty, Staff, and Students…
MyFiles is a network-based, file storage system. It can be accessed at MyFiles.BGSU.edu, simply login using your BGNet Username and password. MyFiles provides 1 Gigabyte of disk space per person and allows an individual to store copies of important documents such as homework, notes, papers, and graphics on a system that is accessible from anywhere on the Internet.
What is MyFiles?
Files stored on MyFiles can be accessed from any computer connected to the Internet through a web browser such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox or Safari.
Files stored on MyFiles can be shared with friends, colleagues, collaborators, project team members, and others, both on and off campus. File owners are able to provide access that can be read-only or read-write, allowing for controlled access and collaborative editing.
Files stored on MyFiles can be tracked to see who has read the file and who has made changes to the file. MyFiles can even store multiple versions of a file to keep a history of revisions.
Files stored on MyFiles are secured by BGSU authentication username and password, and can be accessed by others only if the account owner gives permission. Access can be assigned based on BGSU usernames and passwords, or by electronic ticket that allows individuals not associated with BGSU to gain read-only or read-write access.
Files stored on MyFiles can be accessed by clicking on a designated web URL. Each file has a specific web URL that can be sent to others through email instead of sending entire files as attachments.
What MyFiles is NOT:
Not a place for instructors to store class notes, Blackboard should be used for this.
Not a place to share the latest ripped version of your favorite CD. Please remember that all use of BGSU’s network and systems must comply with all BGSU network usage policies and all copyright laws. Violations may result in your MyFiles privileges being suspended, and you may be referred to appropriate authorities.
How could you as a faculty member utilize MyFiles? How could your students use the service? Click on the COMMENTS link below to get started!
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: Uncategorized May 8, 2007
The Chronicle article “What Web 2.0 Can Teach Us About Learning” is an interesting article looking at the use of course management systems and Web 2.0 tools in the classroom. Edward Maloney explains that most course management systems (BlackBoard and WebCT) have been utilized as a means to disperse media and not as an interactive teaching tool. The article provides some insights into the future uses of Web 2.0 in the classroom.
• How have you used Web 2.0 Tools to teach online or in a face to face (F2F) classroom?
• What are some limitations of course-management software (BlackBoard)?
• What works well for your students? What have they said?
• Click on the COMMENTS link below to get started!
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: Teaching Tips, Tech Tips, Web 2.0 Tools April 18, 2007
Copyright, author’s rights, and licensing of personal works continue to enter into discussions at all levels of university work. From faculty authorship to students’ creative works available on the Internet, each individual can now specify the conditions for the distribution and use of their works using the Creative Commons.
[From the Creative Commons website:]
What You Can Do Here
Creative Commons helps you publish your work online while letting others know exactly what they can and can’t do with your work. When you choose a license, we provide you with tools and tutorials that let you add license information to your own site, or to one of several free hosting services that have incorporated Creative Commons.
With a Creative Commons license, you keep your copyright but allow people to copy and distribute your work provided they give you credit — and only on the conditions you specify here. For those new to Creative Commons licensing, we’ve prepared a list of things to think about. If you want to offer your work with no conditions, choose the public domain.
For more information:
• Here’s an example of a Limited Use License icon that can be placed on your webpage or within the digital work itself:
— This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 License.
• Generate a Creative Commons License
• Choosing a License
• Types of Creative Commons’ Licenses
• How could the Creative Commons be used in your work?
• Why might students want to be aware of this resource? Click on the COMMENTS link below to get started!
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: Copyright/Creative Commons, Scholarly Communication, Teaching Tips, Tech Tips, Writing April 16, 2007
On March 15th, the Center and the University Libraries collaborated to offer part two of the Information Transformation Discussion Series, New Models of Publishing.
Here are some of the discussion items from this session:
We get tenure based on what we disseminate as a scholar – the number of times your work has been cited is a critical measure; should reviewers of tenure include how often a website is cited? A blog? Since there is no standard format for online writing/publishing (APA, etc.), does that make it less accurate or important?
In some ways, scholars are terrified about what they put on the web or to open access.
This is a whole new way to look at or reconceptualize how we are considered as academics in the field.
We teach graduate students about APA during their first course/class, but don’t mention anything about online publishing options.
“Digital Scholarship” – moves beyond PDF files to also include multimedia such as audio, video, and flash animations (using Adobe Acrobat Professional).
What about peer-reviewed podcasts & YouTube video submissions – still need text; need to train peer reviewers as well.
We’re still in the habit of teaching writing in schools, but not multimedia skills to represent concepts and knowledge – why not? Oral histories or ethnographies are a great example of reasons to use mulitmedia – capture with video/audio: singing, dancing, emotion, intonation, etc.
Is there something wrong with scholarly activities and creations being fun? (video, audio, multimedia, etc.)
This emphasizes the importance of media/information/digital literacy for students (and faculty) – who will teach this?
Web Resources:
Brief Overview of Open Access
Detailed Overview of Open Access
SPARC – Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition
For more information on:
• Author Rights; including the Author’s Addendum to submit with your publication agreements
• Journal Pricing
• Open Access
• Open Data
• Public Access to Research
• Repositories
Create Change.org who asks, “Shouldn’t the way we share research be as advanced as the Internet?”
• This website will help you understand the changing landscape and how it affects you and your research. It also offers practical ways to look out for your own interests as a researcher.
• A scholarly revolution is underway. It enables you to get a greater return from your research. All you have to do is share it.
DOAJ – Directory of Open Access Journals
The third and final discussion, New Models of Owning Ideas will be held on Tuesday, April 17th from 12-1:15 in the Pallister Room at Jerome Library. Here is the description:
New models of publishing provide choices for authors. What are the advantages and disadvantages of new models of owning ideas? Does the author keep the copyright, retain some rights through Creative Commons, give the copyright to the publisher? Join this discussion to learn about these options and think about what is the best choice for you.
To register, contact the Center at 372-6898, ctlt@bgsu.edu, or use the online form.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: On Campus Learning Events, Scholarly Communication, Workshop Extension April 5, 2007
The 12 CTLT learning communities are winding down the academic year with their last meetings and events. This year, over 170 BGSU faculty (from Main & Firelands campuses), graduate students, and staff participated in a variety of professional development activities. Their accomplishments and successes will be highlighted at the Learning Community Celebration Dinner held May 3 in BTSU.
For more information about the current learning communities offered through the Center, visit our Learning Community webpage or contact the Center for more information (2-6898 or ctlt@bgsu.edu).
Applications for next academic year’s learning communities will be available in June. Watch this site or the CTLT website for more information.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: Learning Communities April 5, 2007
Dr. L. Dee Fink presented the keynote address, “The Joy and Responsibility of Teaching Well” to faculty, staff, students, and Regional Center Learning Community guests last Friday in Olscamp Hall. His visit was part of both the First Annual Teaching and Learning Fair and the Student Achievement Assessment Committee (SAAC) Awards, held the night before.
[NOTE: If you were unable to attend, WBGU taped the presentation and it can be viewed via the DVSS. After authentication with BGSU login, search for “The Joy and Responsibility of Teaching Well.”]
Here are some brief highlights from Dr. Fink’s keynote:
- The iceberg metaphor for teaching: Above the surface – what and how we teach; Below (hidden) – how we gear up and who we are as professionals
- Focus not on “just teaching,” but on “teaching well”
- If we want to experience the deep joy and fulfill the responsibility to students and society at large, we are going to have to rethink what we do and how we are doing it
- Group tests on “readiness assurance” — after an introductory reading; used for feedback; small grade received by all; learning from each other in preparation for next phase(s) of learning (part of his “Creating Significant Learning Experiences” book)
- Jet Blue’s reservation specialists (many whom are housewives working from home) get 4 hours of professional development each month… “isn’t college teaching at least as important as airline reservations?”
- It’s an exciting, challenging journey, with lots of bumps, but it’s well worth it!
Look for our upcoming Communicating for Learners newsletter with more on Dr. Fink’s keynote.
For more information on Dr. Fink and his work:
What about your highlights from the keynote or your own thoughts/experiences on the “joy and responsibility of teaching well?” Click on the COMMENTS link below to get started!
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: On Campus Learning Events, Student Success, Teaching Tips March 23, 2007
A wonderful online resource for categorized, research-based teaching tips can be found at the U. Hawaii at Honolulu’s Teaching Tips Website.
Make this site a weekly or monthly appointment for your professional development!
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: Teaching Tips March 23, 2007
I saw an interesting Web page, but it was in a foreign language. Is there a way to translate the Web page using Google?
AL’s answer
http://www.atomiclearning.com/almovie?key=20066
Why would translating a webpage be useful? Have you used this feature before? If so, for what? Click on the COMMENTS link below to get started!
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: Ask AL, Tech Tips March 23, 2007
Classes should be designed so it is impossible for the students to take a passive role in the course. This Chinese Proverb is a good reminder: “Tell me, and I forget. Show me, and I remember. Involve me, and I understand.” Unfortunately, it is often difficult to gain the involvement of students in large lectures. In an ideal world, students would ask questions when needed, however, most students are apprehensive to speak up in large lectures.
Below are some tips to keep students actively engaged in large lectures:
1) Use a deck of index cards of student names to randomly call on students to share in their own words their understanding of key concepts of the reading and/or lecture. This strategy will keep students actively listening in lecture since all students have the possibility of being selected to participate.
2) Develop a routine time, either before or after lecture, for students to drop off written questions they have about the material/concepts discussed.
3) Give students the option to turn in a piece of paper with their name and the discussion topic they shared in class for participation points. This can also help you with learning your students’ names.
4) Invite the class to bring in materials, such as current news articles, which are pertinent to the class topic.
Read More Ideas:
• The Chronicle’s Big, But Not Bad article with additional resources at the end, such as tips and books
• Survival Handbook for Teaching Large Classes (from UNC Charlotte)
• Interactive Lectures: Summaries of 36 Formats
• Engaging a Large Lecture Course
What works for you? Please comment with additional ideas you use to encourage student engagement in large lectures. Click on the COMMENTS link below to get started!
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: Active Learning, Discussion-Join In, Large Lecture, Teaching Tips March 21, 2007
As the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” If that’s true, then there are many words to be found at Everystockphoto.com Here you can find royalty free stock photos for use in any type of digital or print media that you may use in your work as an educator, researcher, or learner.
Everystockphoto is a search engine that indexes numerous photo sites and has over 1 million free images. Each image has its own ownership license, so when using images from the site be sure to check the license to understand how you can legally use the image in your own work.
Images and photos can be used for numerous projects in an academic setting — they can enhance websites, PowerPoint presentations, blogs, video clips, movies, and any other digital or even print media. The addition of images can help to better explain or demonstrate theory and processes in a classroom setting.
Share your opinion and experiences by leaving a comment below:
• How have you used stock photos in your teaching?
• What other types of projects could utilize the “power of images”?
• Share your experiences and tips on using everystockphoto.com
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: PowerPoint, Tech Tips, Visual Learning March 20, 2007
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