A Sneak Peek at Sakai 23: New Features for Innovative Teaching and Learning

A Sneak Peek at Sakai 23: New Features for Innovative Teaching and Learning

Change is on the horizon for Loyolans’ Sakai experience. Read on for a preview of the new and improved features making their way to your web browser in December 2024.  Most notably, Sakai 23—the version Loyola will implement on December 19th, 2024—changes the way faculty, staff, and students will access their courses. “Pinned” and “recent” …

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Empowering learners to work in community: Designing for collaborative learning

Empowering learners to work in community: Designing for collaborative learning

Collaboration, teamwork, community: these terms are familiar across disciplines and industries, and often, they reflect organizational values and goals. Collaboration is supposed to be a worthwhile practice for the benefit of the stakeholders involved.   And yet, why do students dread group projects? As a lifelong student and instructor of adult learners, let’s together consider the …

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Introducing Learning Analytics at Loyola: The ‘How’ and ‘Why’ of Data-Informed Instruction

Introducing Learning Analytics at Loyola: The ‘How’ and ‘Why’ of Data-Informed Instruction

Data-driven decision-making is becoming increasingly important across many sectors, including education. As an instructor, you might have come across the term “learning analytics.” But what exactly does it entail, and how can it benefit faculty and students? Read on to gain a better understanding of what learning analytics encompasses and how it may boost your …

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The Transformative Power of Multimedia in Higher Education Online Course Design

The Transformative Power of Multimedia in Higher Education Online Course Design

In the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, online courses have become a cornerstone of learning, providing flexibility and accessibility to students worldwide. Amid this shift, the role of multimedia in online course design has emerged as a key factor in shaping engaging and effective learning experiences. Enhanced Engagement and Retention Multimedia elements, such as …

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Elevating Faculty Excellence: Credly Badging System and Professional Development Workshops at the Forefront

Elevating Faculty Excellence: Credly Badging System and Professional Development Workshops at the Forefront

In the dynamic landscape of higher education, staying abreast of evolving teaching methodologies and technological advancements is crucial for faculty members. Recognizing this imperative, Loyola is increasingly leveraging innovative approaches to enhance professional development opportunities for academic staff.   The ITRS Pathways professional development series encompasses a diverse range of topics, including Sakai assessment tools, …

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Statistically Significant: Loyola’s Academic Research Technology Updates

Statistically Significant: Loyola’s Academic Research Technology Updates

As we near the end of the calendar year, it’s an excellent time to review changes and updates to the statistical software offerings available through the university. Here are some critical updates to help you stay current as you look toward next semester! SPSS 29 Loyola currently supports SPSS 29. However, this version is incompatible …

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Striving and Thriving: The New and Improved VoiceThread

Striving and Thriving: The New and Improved VoiceThread

This blog entry is about VoiceThread – a collaborative multimedia slide tool that enables users to upload multimedia in slides where their peers can interact asynchronously – and it’s new and improved interface. The best tools for asynchronous learning are the ones that can most effectively facilitate learning outside of the course meeting times while …

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Keywords in higher ed: AI authoring tools

Keywords in higher ed: AI authoring tools

During my graduate degree coursework in composition and rhetoric, I came across a book titled Keywords in Writing Studies, edited by Paul Heiker and my professor himself, Peter Vandenberg. The book’s concept is given in its title: Keywords provides a fresh and concise array of essay entries, each packed with heavy research dedicated to unpacking …

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Get a head start on administering test taking with Respondus LockDown Browser

Get a head start on administering test taking with Respondus LockDown Browser

Respondus LockDown Browser is a locked web browser that integrates with the Sakai Tests & Quizzes tool. LockDown Browser prevents users from accessing other programs and websites for the duration of their Sakai assessment. Taking tests can be stressful, so adding the additional step of having to use a system you are not used to …

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