Welcome to the EdTech Essentials blog, your weekly source for insights, trends, and practical applications of educational technology aimed at enhancing teaching, learning, and research in our academic community.
Note: Features may change with future updates.
EdTech Essentials: Wrapping Up This Semester
As we wrap up another productive semester, it’s time to reflect on the EdTech tools and strategies we’ve explored together. This semester’s posts highlighted everything from advanced survey design to creative video production workflows, all with the goal of enhancing your teaching, learning, and research experiences. Let’s take a look back at some of the key topics we’ve covered:
Survey Design: Qualtrics and ExpertReview
Survey design is made simpler with Qualtrics, a robust tool for creating surveys that yield meaningful insights. The post also explored ExpertReview, an AI-powered feature that provides real-time suggestions to optimize your survey design and make them more accessible.
Jamboard Alternatives
While Google Jamboard is a popular collaborative whiteboard tool, we shared several alternatives that offer expanded features. These tools are great for fostering engagement during hybrid and online sessions.
Panopto vs. Canva for Video Production
Whether you’re recording lectures or creating promotional content, choosing the right tool is essential. We compared Panopto’s robust lecture capture capabilities with Canva’s user-friendly video editing features to help you decide which tool fits your needs.
Screenshot and Screencasting Tools
This semester, we explored the best tools for recording and sharing screencasts. From Quicktime and Nimble to Clipchamp, we reviewed options for creating polished screencaptures to enhance your instructional materials.
Google Docs: Navigating the New Tabs
Google Docs introduced a new tabbed interface to organize your documents in addition to using headings. We shared tips for navigating these updates to keep your workflow efficient.
Qualtrics Deep Dive
We took a deep look into advanced Qualtrics features, such as logic branching and embedded data fields, empowering you to create dynamic surveys tailored to your specific needs.
Zoom Advanced Features
Zoom continues to evolve with advanced features to enhance online teaching. This semester’s post covered updates like the whiteboard and new layouts to make your virtual sessions more interactive and accessible.
Mathematica and MATLAB: Powerful Tools for Data Analysis and Visualization
For faculty engaged in research and teaching in fields like engineering, mathematics, and data science, Mathematica and MATLAB are indispensable tools for computation, modeling, and visualization. These platforms provide advanced functionality for solving complex problems and analyzing large data sets, empowering faculty and students alike to perform sophisticated computational tasks and research.
Data Retention and Management
Managing and securely storing educational data is a critical yet often overlooked task. This post provided best practices for managing and securely storing educational data, ensuring compliance with institutional and legal guidelines.
Looking Ahead
As we look forward to a new semester, we’re excited to continue exploring tools and strategies that make teaching and learning more effective and engaging. If there’s a topic you’d like us to dive into, reach out to us at EdTech@fordham.edu—your input helps shape this blog!
Thank you for joining us this semester on EdTech Essentials. Wishing you a restful break and a successful start to the next term!
Looking for assistance in integrating educational technology into your classroom? Visit the EdTech website for resources or reach out to our team!
EdTech Consultation Calendar | edtech@fordham.edu | www.fordham.edu/edtech