Welcome to the Fall 2024 edition of Technology Roundup! This feature is released every Fall and Spring Semester to keep our community of educators informed on the latest available instructional technologies that are supported by the university.
Table of Contents
- The Sunsetting of Flip and Jamboard
- Tech Tools for Active Learning
- Tech Tools for Immersive Learning
- Tech Tools for Creating and Working with Content
- Classroom Technology
The Sunsetting of Flip and Jamboard
Flip
Microsoft has announced that Flip is being discontinued and users have until September 30, 2024 to download any videos that they would like to save. Instructions on how to download Flip videos can be found at this link: Download your videos.
If you are looking for a replacement for Flip, we recommend one of the following solutions:
- Use the Discussion Board in D2L to create a topic in which you instruct students to reply with a video.
- Use Padlet.
- Use VoiceThread.
Jamboard
Google announced that Jamboard will shut down on December 31, 2024 and users have until that date to export any files they would like to keep. If you are looking for a replacement for Jamboard, we recommend using Padlet.
Tech Tools for Active Learning
Active learning is an educational approach that emphasizes student active engagement and participation in the learning process. This may involve activities such as group discussions, problem-solving exercises, hands-on activities, and case studies. Using the tools listed below, educators can design learning activities in which students can actively discover, process, and apply concepts they are learning. If you are interested in using any of the tools in this section, contact Jessica Drass at jdrass@wcupa.edu.
H5P
H5P is an online tool that allows users to build interactive learning activities which can be embedded into D2L Course Module Pages, or anywhere that supports HTML. H5P’s D2L integration allows faculty to connect H5P activities to the D2L Gradebook and generate completion reports. Check out some examples of what H5P can do: Sample H5P Activities Google Site
New Features
H5P has recently released two new features that are now included in our license:
- Open Education Resource (OER) Hub: Users can access and use H5P activities created by other authors around the world! Check out H5P’s website to learn more.
- Live Engagement Tools: With H5P’s Live Engagement Tools, users can run live polls and games. There are four types of Live Engagement Tools. Click on the corresponding link to learn about each type of Live Engagement Tool:
Padlet
Padlet is an online collaboration tool that allows users to create virtual boards where they can post and organize content, such as text, images, videos, and links. Padlet’s user-friendly interface and customizable templates make it a versatile tool for various activities, including group projects, discussions, and presentations. Padlet’s D2L Integration allows instructors to easily embed or link to content from their course, streamlining access for students. Check out the Padlet Page of the TLC’s website to learn more!
New Features
- Magic Padlet: Released in February 2024, this feature allows instructors to generate classroom content curated to their subject and specifications. Magic Padlet can generate lesson plans, historical maps, timelines, reading lists, activities, assessments, and more!
- Template Gallery: This feature, released in February 2024, allows users to search and filter over 250 Padlet templates by purpose and activity type.
- Accessibility Improvements: Padlet released some features to improve accessibility in May 2024, including focusable disabled buttons, alt text for images, optional keyboard shortcuts, and a “Skip to content” link. In June they added auto-captioning for videos as well!
- AI-Guided Discussion Boards: This feature, released in May 2024, allows users to co-create engaging discussion questions and prompts with the assistance of AI.
- Padlet Home: In June 2024, Padlet updated its user interface which they are referring to as Padlet Home.
- Flip Importer and Jamboard Importer: Due to the discontinuation of Flip and Jamboard, many users are making the switch to Padlet. Padlet has released a Flip Importer and Jamboard Importer to streamline this transition for users.
- Longer Video and Audio Uploads: Padlet has increased the limits for media uploads. Our Padlet license now supports the upload of media up to 30 minutes long.
- Padlet Sandbox: Padlet users now have the option to create Padlet Sandboxes. A sandbox is a collaborative digital canvas with tools for drawing, writing, and adding media.
Poll Everywhere
Poll Everywhere is an online audience response system that allows instructors to engage students through live polling, surveys, Q&As, quizzes, word clouds, and more! Poll Everywhere’s D2L Integration allows instructors to import Poll Everywhere Data to the D2L Gradebook.
Coming Soon: New Course Management Feature
Poll Everywhere announced that they will be releasing a new Course Management feature by the end of August 2024. This new feature allows instructors to assign Poll Everywhere Activities to specific courses and is supposed to streamline the process for importing data to D2L. To learn more about the new Course Management feature check out this support article: Getting Started with Course Management
VoiceThread
VoiceThread is an interactive multimedia platform that allows users to create and share collaborative presentations and discussions that may incorporate images, documents, videos, and audio commentary. VoiceThread’s D2L Integration allows instructors to add VoiceThread Assignments to the Content section of their D2L Course Site that link to the Gradebook. Check out this VoiceThread Overview Video for a brief demo of this tool.
New Features
VoiceThread released their updated user interface on June 30, 2024. Check out this article to learn more about the new look and features: The New VoiceThread
Tech Tools for Immersive Learning
Immersive learning is an educational approach that uses technology to create engaging, interactive environments that simulate real-world experiences. Leveraging tools like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and simulations allows students to actively participate in their learning process, providing them with hands-on experiences that enhance understanding and retention of complex concepts. Learn more about some tools available at WCU to support immersive learning below.
Meta Quest 2 VR Headsets
The Teaching & Learning Center has a class set of 20 Meta Quest 2 VR headsets available for loan. Faculty members who would like to facilitate in-class VR scenarios or activities may contact Jessica Drass at jdrass@wcupa.edu to make a reservation.
360 Camera
The Teaching & Learning Center also has a 360 camera that can be used to produce custom AR and VR learning experiences. If you are interested in exploring ways that AR and VR may be applied in your instruction, contact your assigned instructional designer, or email the TLC at tlc@wcupa.edu.
Tech Tools for Creating and Working with Content
Creating and working with content from a faculty perspective involves designing and delivering instructional materials that engage students and facilitate learning. This might include graphics that illustrate important processes or concepts for increased understanding, instructional videos, and other multimedia. The following tools are great choices for supporting creating and working with content in your courses.
Adobe Express
Adobe Express is a user-friendly graphic design tool that allows users to create a wide range of visual content, such as presentations, flyers, graphics, and videos. This tool enables both beginners and experienced designers to produce professional-quality designs quickly and easily. Adobe Express also offers collaboration features, making it ideal for educational and team projects where multiple users can contribute to and edit designs. All faculty and students may access Adobe Express using their WCU credentials. For support with this tool, contact the IS&T Help Desk.
Creator+
Creator+ is a new tool available in D2L that allows instructors to easily add dynamic content and interactive activities directly to their course module pages. With its easy-to-use tools and integration into existing workflows, creators can develop dynamic content and media that enhance learning comprehension and engagement for both instructors and learners.
Check out the D2L Course Design Resources Site for live samples and Creator+ resources!
Classroom Technology
Many classrooms across campus are equipped with projectors, screens, microphones, and cameras. We recommend finding the classroom(s) that you will be teaching in this semester before your first class to practice using the equipment. IS&T’s Multimedia Services offers one-on-one multimedia consultations for personalized training on classroom technology. If you are interested in booking a consultation, submit a One-on-One Multimedia Consultation Request in ServiceNow.
Additional Classroom Technology Resources
- Reference the Classroom Technology Directory to learn what technology is available in your classroom.
- Contact Registrar Space Management to request a room with specific technology.
- For tech support, call 610-436-3350 and select option 4 for a live multimedia technician, or submit a ticket in ServiceNow.
