Academic Tech Tips

iTunes U is a section within the iTunes Music Store that allows users to upload educational audio and video files for others to download on their computers and mobile devices. This gives faculty the opportunity to create an asynchronous course for their students, allowing them to view the courses in their own time. You would be able to post any of your own videos or audio clips that you want to make publicly viewable to your students.

If you are interested developing an iTunes U course, please contact Corey James at cjames7@luc.edu.

For more information please visit http://www.apple.com/education/itunes-u/

PowToon is an easy to use resource that allows users to create animated videos and presentations. An instructor could use PowToon to enhance lectures or a student could use PowToon to create entertaining presentations. Creating a PowToon presentation allows the user to add visually appealing backgrounds and animations with audio and text that will keep viewers engaged.

There are several options in terms of creating an account with PowToon. Users even have the ability to create an account for free. On the other hand, users have the option to select a premium or educational account in order to access additional features. To try an educational account, please visit: http://www.powtoon.com/edu-home/. An educational account allows users to create a “classroom” through PowToon, add students to their class, and view student presentations. This is useful for instructors who wish to have easy access to student presentations. The PowToon blog (http://www.powtoon.com/blog/) includes several examples of PowToon presentations. For more information and resources on PowToon, please visit: http://luc.edu/itrs/teachingwithtechnology/powtoon/.

Top Hat is Loyola University Chicago’s new response system. This “bring your own device” web based platform takes classroom polling to a new level. Student engagement can be compiled through seven different questions types, including sorting and clicking on target, discussion boards, and even tournaments. Instructors have the ability to allow students to view old questions or turn questions into a review that students can use throughout the semester. Reports can be generated based on daily attendance, student participation, and student performance giving a clearer view of how a student is interacting in the course.

Top Hat is a hardware free system that allows students to use the devices they already own such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets. Instructors no longer have to worry about checking out equipment and carrying it to and from class, as all information is stored on the web and can be accessed on any web enabled device. There is an integration, so adding Top Hat to your Sakai course is easy.

Instructors then have the ability to continue the conversion outside of the classroom by use of the discussion board or assigning unanswered questions as homework. With the ability to ask questions before or after class, the understanding and knowledge of students can be tracked and used to help drive future sessions. Top Hat provides a whole new interactive platform.

For more information please visit the Top Hat page at luc.edu/tophat

VoiceThread is a collaborative online application that enables users to share a multimedia slideshow and make comments, as part of a group conversation. Once a thread is created, contributing users can comment using text, a webcam, a microphone or even by telephone. With VoiceThread, a group discussion can be securely captured and stored in one place. This tool could be used a part of a class or even just to share photographs with friends and family.

After registering with VoiceThread, as a free member, you are able to create up to three threads at a time. If you would like to be able to create additional threads or need more space, there are purchase options available on the site.

SlideShare is a free Web-based sharing program that allows users to find, create and share presentations online.  With SlideShare, anyone can upload slides to the Web from PowerPoint, OpenOffice, Keynote or a variety of other formats, including PDFs, videos and prerecorded webinars.  You can easily sync MP3 audio files with your slides to create a musical slideshow or narrated lecture. Presentations can be kept private or made public if you would like to share your work with a wide audience. Viewers have the option to download public presentations and reuse or remix the slides.  Another benefit of using SlideShare is that the presentation files can be viewed on smart devices without Flash and smart phones.

When it comes time to make a presentation, many people go straight to the commonly used PowerPoint. While PowerPoint is a reliable tool, you may want to try something new to engage your audience.   Prezi is a flash-based Web application that allows you to create non-linear presentations using text, images and embedded video. Prezi functions similarly to a whiteboard where you can zoom in to emphasize details and zoom out to show the big picture, instead of moving from slide to slide.

There are free public and pro upgraded licenses available; if you are a teacher or student, you can get one of the upgraded memberships for free.  Visit the Prezi website for more details.