Blind Students Demand Access to Online Course Materials - Technology - The Chronicle of Higher Education

Photographs by David Wallace for The Chronicle

Readers,

This semester has been a wonderful challenge because I have had to learn various modifications for several students with visual and hearing abilities. As a result, challenge enabled me to learn new teaching methods in my face-to-face class (which I am VERY happy about).

However, the online classroom presents college faculty with another challenge. I do not think that I am equipped or trained to teach visually-impaired students online. Moreover, I wonder how disability services offices will provide modifications for students with various levels of visual and hearing abilities.

Here's an article from the Chronicle of Higher Education (released last night) focused on blind students in the online higher education classroom - Blind Students Demand Access to Online Course Materials - Technology - The Chronicle of Higher Education

In addition to the article listed above, the Chronicle of Higher Education also published an article titled - The Best and Worst Web Sites for Blind Students.

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Are You a Professor-On-The-Go? Well, Google Voice is for You!

Readers,


I am one of those "very odd" people who does not like to give my personal cell phone number to my students. As a result, I started using Google Voice in June 2010. I created a Google Voice number (based in Waco) and I added the number to my syllabus and university voice mail.


Whenever a student calls the telephone number they also call my cell phone and office phone number (I can set the service to only ring during certain hours and/or on certain days - i.e. - not on weekends). When I do not have time to talk to them, I just send them a text message and the students usually appreciate this aspect of Google Voice.




In addition to the calling and text message feature, Google Voice also transcribes your voice messages to text AND saves the voice message in my e-mail. This is very helpful when you are attending a meeting and/or teaching class.


I use Google Talk to communicate with friends and colleagues via video chat (on Gmail) and I make free calls at work through the software (without even picking up the telephone)!


This is an essential resource for professors-on-the-go! I value this service and I hope that they continue to provide this FREE service for us!




If you would like some more TIPS for using Google Voice, read this great article from Life Hacker - http://lifehacker.com/5697196/the-most-helpful-ways-to-use-google-voice-that-youre-not-using?

Ask questions about this wonderful program for Friday's "Ask a Millennial Professor" post! 


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Google eBooks: A Potential Competitor for Kindle....

Readers,


Today, I finally installed the Google eBooks e-reader application. I am quite pleased with the amount of free books available through the software.


I hope that Google decides to include free textbooks through the software. I think it will be an incredible asset for school districts and universities.


What do you think?


J. Edwards

Readers
Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Our Annual "Communication Department" Christmas Party! - VERY Exciting!

Readers,

I absolutely LOVE our annual "Communication Department" Christmas party! I look forward to this celebration EVERY year! A dear colleague and I revived the Christmas party in 2009 and another colleague picked the planning process up this year. We always have the party in our meeting room during lunch time.

This year we had a traditional Texas BBQ (no brisket for me, just chicken) with beans, cornbread salad, Texas toast, jalapeños, and three types of dessert (including smores). Yum! 


After the delectable lunch, we had a wonderful white elephant gift exchange! Our limit was $25.00 from your house! This year, my gift was: Learn Italian software, Learn French software, a cookbook, Theraflu, and candy. I received FIVE recent award-winning DVDs! Yay!

A few weeks ago, I received this link via my RSS feed - Alternatives to the Holiday Office Party

I enjoy this celebration because this is the ONLY time that the entire department can get together during the year! 


If your office does not have an annual Christmas party, here's a great idea resource for you.

(  ) Schedule an Ugly Holiday Sweater Day

(X) Hold an In-House Catered Lunch with Employee Fun and Games

(  ) Participate in a Holiday Card Exchange

(  ) Make a Charitable Contribution in Lieu of an Office Party

(X) Schedule an Employee Potluck Lunch

(  ) Decorate Your Office, Cubicle, Work Area Contest

(  ) Pick a Secret Santa Pal

(  ) Plan an Office Party for a Different Season

(  ) Hold the Office Party - Put Keep It Low-Key and Casual

X = Our choice!

We had a great time! How was your holiday party?

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.