Link to An Academic Technologist’s Toolbox
How Social Networking Gave Classical Music a Kickstart
Here’s an interesting story from the intersection of social networking, a non-profit cultural heritage project, and fundraising. The project originated with a non-profit charitable organization called Musopen! It’s founder, Aaron Dunn, had a crazy notion: to raise enough money to commission a professional symphony orchestra to record performances of major works of classical music. And then give them away to the world, for free, forever. Dunn requested bids from a number of orchestras, and compiled the costs of hiring studio engineers and venues. And then he asked for money. He posted a proposal on a social networking site called Kickstarter, … Continue reading How Social Networking Gave Classical Music a Kickstart
Moodle Tab Added to Campus Dash
ITS has just added a Moodle tab to the Dash. Because Moodle uses your network username and password, logging in to the Dash will automatically log you in to Moodle without having to retype your password. Soon additional services such as SwatFiles and SwatMail will be added to the tabs, allowing easy access to frequently used web sites without typing the same credentials over and over. Moodle is our new learning management system that will replace Blackboard over the course of the next two years. For Fall 2010, we have 15 courses hosted in Moodle with about 100 users logging … Continue reading Moodle Tab Added to Campus Dash
New Equipment in Media Services Lets You Bring the Studio Anywhere
Easily transportable audio recording devices have been a staple of Media Services equipment rentals for years. Now , with the addition of some new accessories, Swarthmore College community members can take the studio environment on location as well. Our new modular sound booth from Auralex is lightweight, and can be easily constructed in almost any space. This sound booth is ideal for recording voice-overs, but could easily be used for recording instrumentation as well. Meanwhile, our new industry-standard microphone from Electro Voice will capture the now isolated track with clarity and precision. If you have questions or would like to … Continue reading New Equipment in Media Services Lets You Bring the Studio Anywhere
WRC Provides an Inspiring Example of What Google Forms Can Do
Using Google Apps for Swarthmore, The Women’s Resource Center has created a beautiful example of a customized Google Form with their new House-sitter Application . This layout was achieved by choosing from 95 pre-loaded Google Form themes. That’s it. Absolutely no coding or design work required. Swarthmore Community members can use Google Forms to gather information that can be and shared amongst departments and colleagues via Google Docs Spreadsheets. Curious about Google Apps for Swarthmore? Visit the https://apps.swarthmore.edu to get started. Continue reading WRC Provides an Inspiring Example of What Google Forms Can Do
Trotter 201 Transformed into a Hybrid Learning Environment
Over the summer, ITS set out to extend the functionality of the learning space in Trotter 201. Based upon feedback from faculty and staff members, new furniture has been installed that can quickly transform the space from a computer classroom to a traditional discussion environment in moments. The monitors in each workstation are attached to articulating arms that easily glide below the desk surface, removing the monitor as a distraction during more discussion based portions of a class. When it’s time to return to the computer, students can simply bring the monitors back above the desk and resume working where … Continue reading Trotter 201 Transformed into a Hybrid Learning Environment
Dr. Ruben Puentedura’s talks on academic technology
Over two days in July, Dr. Ruben Puentedura, a noted consultant and speaker on educational technology, gave four presentations at a summer mini-conference sponsored by ITS. The topics of the sessions covered areas in which Puentedura sees untapped transformative educational potential: mobile computing, data visualization, gaming, and use of web 2.0 tools in support of communities of practice. Continue reading Dr. Ruben Puentedura’s talks on academic technology