31 Spooky Ways to Integrate Adobe Software in Higher Education (Post 19/31): Two Logos I Designed for My Department & Logo Contest Idea!

Readers,

I use InDesign for almost anything that involves creativity and a computer. This ranges from flyers and brochures to picture modification and logo creation. Speaking of logos, I spent a few hours this summer making the logo for the Texas Social Media Research Institute & the Social Media Conference.

These were fun to make and I hope to have an opportunity to become creative over the Christmas break as well (when I do not have to grade papers). :) 

Here's an idea for your classes: You could sponsor a logo contest for the students in your department. You might receive some logos and additional ideas that you did not anticipate receiving from your creative students! 

Sincerely,

J. Edwards

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

Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41

31 Spooky Ways to Integrate Adobe Software in Higher Education (Post 18/31): Spicing Up Your Syllabus Using Adobe Software (InDesign & Video Format)

Readers,

Sometimes, we recycle our syllabi from semester to semester. When I mention "recycle", I do not mean the physical act of placing the syllabus in the bin for the recycling process to begin, I mean actually reducing the number of brain cells used to create the syllabus and to reuse the same syllabus from last semester. 

Yes, its harsh, but I am being honest! Personally, I always add new items to my syllabus (a new link to a social media technology, a new reading, etc.) to prevent myself (and my students) from becoming stagnant (and to keep us on our toes)!


Here are two ways you can SPICE up your syllabus using Adobe Products:

Adobe InDesign and the Virtual Syllabus (Magazine Format)

To create my class syllabus and assignments, I plan to use InDesign (or Illustrator). Alternatively, I could create a "virtual/e-magazine" to disperse core course content instead of the standard syllabus. This way, the syllabus could take an organic (instead of a stagnant) approach and it could potentially be more engaging than the traditional PDF or Word format.

Adobe InDesign and the Virtual Syllabus (Video Format)

Alternatively, a professor could use Adobe Captivate to make a video of their syllabus and to feature frequent questions and answers from past semesters. This might be a great item to embed in an online course.

Sincerely,

J. Edwards 

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

Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41

31 Spooky Ways to Integrate Adobe Software in Higher Education (Post 17/31): iDevices (iPods, iPads, etc.) & Adobe Products

Readers,

Smart phones (and smart devices) are becoming popular among college students (and professors alike). I teach students attending a mid-sized institution in central Texas (a rural regional university). Here's the interesting part, only three of my 95 students actually have a iPad (or a similar device) and slightly over 60 percent of them have a smart phone. None of the students indicated that they have a Nook or a e-reader device.

iPods for All?

However, it would be interesting if individual departments (or a Junior/Senior Learning Community) would require to their students (and faculty) to purchase iPods (if they do not already have an iPhone) as part of the upper-level courses they complete. These students and faculty would integrate the iPod in their classes (i.e. - responding to in-class quizzes, listening to assigned podcasts, watching Youtube videos and responding to the video in class). This would alleviate the need for some classes to be held in computer labs.

The Social Media/Social Networking Course and iDevices

Interestingly enough, I am teaching a Social Media/Social Networking course in the spring. If most of the students have iDevices (or if I set this requirement before the class starts), I think that the class will take an interesting (and great) turn for the better. I am frantically searching for a computer lab around campus, but we have not had any luck finding one for my class time. 

Using Adobe Nav to Modify Photoshop Photos! (Great for journalism classes and classes that include photostory assignments (i.e. - service learning, etc.)!)

Sincerely,

J. Edwards

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

Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41

 

31 Spooky Ways to Integrate Adobe Software in Higher Education (Post 16/31): Free Faculty Training Workshops on Adobe Products (A Comprehensive List)

Readers,

Last Friday, the Center for Instructional Innovation at my university sponsored two amazing workshops by Dr. Dakin Burdick titled, "The Lively Discussion:  Getting Students to Talk and Learn." Friday was a LONG day (1 hour to commute to campus, 2 hours of teaching, 1 hour of working with students, 1 hour of helping my students present a workshop through our Texas Social Media Research Institute), but I wanted to take time to attend Dr. Burdick's workshop. I strongly believe in professional development AND I believe in the effective use of university professional development funds (WHY would people decide NOT to attend a "free" ON-CAMPUS workshop)!

This workshop helped me develop some new ideas for my online and face-to-face classes! I LOVE new ideas!

Speaking of free workshops, Adobe has a webpage on their website titled, "Adobe Higher Education Faculty Development Workshops: Workshops for Using Digital Communication Tools in Teaching and Learning". These workshops form a great resource for online and face-to-face faculty in the higher education environment. 

Each of the workshops listed below feature: a) a comprehensive workshop guide, b) PowerPoint Presentation, and c) assets.

- Web Graphics with Fireworks 8: Building Web Graphics

- Web Graphics with Dreamweaver: Building a Curriculum Vitae

- Multimedia with Flash 8: Building a Digital Narrative

- Website Consistency with Dreamweaver 8 and Fireworks 8: Building a Website Structure

- Web Communication with Contribute 3: Creating and Editing Web Pages

- Faculty and Student Communication with Adobe 8 Professional: Collaborating Through Interactive Documents

- Campus Communication with Acrobat 8 Professional: Enhancing Administrative Workflow

Question - For which workshop do you have the most interest?

Enjoy!

Sincerely,

J. Edwards

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

Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41