Description

A virtual “hands-on” workshop series, exploring creative and alternative uses of technology for instruction. These sessions include a brief demonstration, a look at commonly encountered quirks and a small activity in which participants create something using the tool.

Whether you are a first-time user or a seasoned veteran of teaching with technology, these workshops are designed to be a space for faculty and staff to inquire, experiment and play with technology in ways that feel most comfortable. No previous experience required, and all curiosities welcomed.

This is a joint program between the VCU Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence and Innovative Media at VCU Libraries.

All sessions are led by Oscar Keyes, multimedia teaching and learning librarian in the Workshop.

Please register for sessions individually to receive a Zoom link.

For questions or accommodations, please contact the VCU Libraries Events Office at kimbrellgg@vcu.edu or (804) 393-2951.

Past Sessions

Feb. 9, 2021
TakeBreakMake Zoom!

Learn techniques for reshaping Zoom into a shared space in order to break down barriers between those infamous video rectangles.

This workshop is all about Zoom, the video conferencing software that has quickly become a part of our everyday lives during the pandemic. Rather than getting buried under technical jargon, the session is framed around how we can think of Zoom as a shared space and looking at how certain (often hidden) settings can facilitate connecting in the classroom. It also demystifies common Zoom mysteries and provides technical tips for navigating software that always seems to be updating. Come prepared for at least one goofy game involving those infamous video rectangles.

March 9, 2021
TakeBreakMake Google Suite!

Learn how creating weird things (together) in Google Docs, Slides and Jamboard can help create community in your classroom.

This workshop is centered around making weird things with Google Suite tools. In three interactive activities, the session looks at ways to meaningfully collaborate using Google Docs, Slides and Jamboard by making creative works together. We'll explore how these tools can be used not only for brainstorming/organizing projects but for building community in your classrooms (online or offline). You're encouraged to bring your favorite GIFs.

March 30, 2021
TakeBreakMake Canvas!

Learn how customizing your Canvas can better reflect personality as a teacher and help students connect with course content.

This workshop is organized around designing a custom frontpage in Canvas, (aka learning to make a MySpace splash page). The session covers free and accessible resources for creating buttons, embedding media and making your online classroom reflect you as a teacher as well as communicate the tone you would like to set for your course. This is not about becoming a design expert, but rather understanding how you can arrange your online space the same way you might think of your physical space.

April 13, 2021
TakeBreakMake VoiceThread!

Learn how to facilitate a collaborative presentation through an interactive lecture in VoiceThread.

This workshop is an interactive “lecture” about VoiceThread, where participants help build the content as the session progresses. The session covers all the basics functions while also looking at the difference between the student and instructor experiences and how to translate between the two. We'll also touch on strategies for orienting students to a new tool and the importance of testing technology for both mobile and desktop environments. The session ends with a collaborative presentation, the topic of which will be left up to you.

Image: Photo by Sebastian Herrmann on Unsplash