Technology at Morris

Teaching & Learning

Teaching with technology can deepen student learning by supporting instructional objectives. However, it can be challenging to select the “best” tech tools while not loosing sight of your goals for student learning. Once identified, integrating those tools can be a challenge. Technology for Teaching and Learning is here to help you (novice, expert, and everyone in between) find creative and constructive ways to integrate technology into your class. If you are looking to flip your class, make use of Moodle, or simply want to experiment with some new instructional technologies, we can help.

What do we mean by “technology”?

The term “technology” refers to advancements in the methods and tools we use to solve problems or achieve a goal. In the classroom, technology can encompass all kinds of tools from low-tech pencil, paper, and chalkboard, to the use of presentation software, or high-tech tablets, online collaboration and conferencing tools, and more. The newest technologies allow us to do things in physical and virtual classrooms that were not possible before. What you use depends fundamentally on what you are trying to accomplish.

Service Offerings

Camtasia Studio Room

Canvas

Canvas allow instructors to organize all the resources students need for a class (e.g. syllabi, assignments, readings, online quizzes), provide valuable grading tools, and create spaces for discussion, document sharing, and video and audio commentary.

Document Collaboration

The University provides students, staff and faculty with services that enable secure creation, storage and sharing of files using Google Drive. Google Drive enables you to create and share word processing documents, spreadsheets and presentations online, and collaborate with others on group projects.

Google

Through a partnership with Google, U of M students, faculty, and staff can access a suite of Google-powered tools designed to enhance our ability to work together.

Hasselmo Language Teaching Center

24 Windows computers

Information Literacy

Information literacy instruction introducing students to basic concepts of research and library resources are often integrated into Writing for the Liberal Arts (ENGL 1601) as well as Intellectual Community (IC) first-year courses.

Library orientation for incoming and international students
In-depth library research sessions tailored to individual discipline classes
Personalized instruction in research with extensive practice on computers
Workshops and research consultations tailored to the demands of course instructors and specific student populations
Campus-wide workshops on new information technologies, such as EndNote and Qualtrics, for faculty and interested individuals
The opportunity for an embedded librarian in your classroom
Librarian involvement in your Moodle course, including creating of online, Web-based tools targeted to your particular course or assignment
Faculty-librarian collaboration to design effective research assignments and incorporate information literacy concepts into your course

Lecture Capture

Lecture-capture tools, such as ScreenPal, allow instructors to record lectures directly from their computer, without elaborate or additional classroom equipment. Consider recording your lectures as you give them, and then uploading them for students to re-watch. Studies show that posting recorded lectures does not diminish attendance and students appreciate the opportunity to review lectures at their own pace and their learning increases.

Presentation Software

Presentation software (such as PowerPoint and Google Slides) enable instructors to embed high-resolution photographs, diagrams, videos, and sound files to augment text and verbal lecture content.

Research Guides

Tailored to individual disciplines, Library Research Guides provide a wealth of books, databases and websites to make the research process easier. Upon request, research guides can also be created for specific classes.