Freebie Friday - Start Your Day with STARBUCKS and Gain an Opportunity for a Cool Evening!

Readers,

Are you addicted to Starbucks? Do you always start your mornings with a dark cup of joe? Well, if you purchase a cup in the morning and return in the afternoon (after 2 pm), you can receive a grande cold drink for $2! Amazing offer! 

Start the day with a jolt and end the day with a relaxing cool drink!

Sincerely,

J. Edwards

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

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

A Bookless Library on a College Campus?

Readers,

I thought this video about bookless libraries was very interesting given the fact that Borders Bookstore is closing its doors soon. Will all libraries adopt this approach in the future?

Bookless Library at Stanford University

Sincerely,

J. Edwards

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

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

Wandering Wednesday - "The Worst Professor Ever: Alternative Adult Education"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mazer73/ (Creative Commons)

Readers,

This week's "Wandering Wednesday" post is focused on the "Worst Professor Ever: Alternative Adult Education" blog. This is a neat blog by a female professor, Amanda Krauss who decided to leave the academy to "get a life in Austin". I think her blog is very interesting and I will definitely add her RSS feed to my Google Reader! :)

Check out her blog, "The Worst Professor Ever: Alternative Adult Education".

Sincerely,

J. Edwards

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

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

A WONDERFUL List of Teaching and Learning Journals and Conferences!

Readers,

Kennesaw State University's Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning recently published a comprehensive list of journals that focus on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.

These journals are divided into the following categories:

- General or Interdisciplinary Journals on Teaching

- Teaching with Technology Journals

- Discipline-Specific Journals on Teaching

- Journals Addressing General Issues in Higher Education

In addition to the journal list, Kennesaw State also published a 2011-2012 Calendar of Teaching Conferences!

These conferences are divided into the following categories:

- General and Interdisciplinary Conferences

- Discipline-Specific Conferences

Enjoy! 

Sincerely,

J. Edwards

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

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

How Do You Grade a Presentation Minus Content (Campus Technology)

Readers,

Here's a great post from the Campus Technology website titled, "How Do you Grade a Presentation Minus Content?" As a speech professor, I have my own rubrics, but this is a great start for many of you who require oral presentations in your classes! 

Here's the link - http://campustechnology.com/articles/2011/07/13/how-do-you-grade-a-presentation-minus-content.aspx

Enjoy!

J. Edwards

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

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

Freebie Friday! - The Container Store - Organized Teacher Discount Program

Readers,


How do you plan to organize your desk for the new school year? Have you cleaned your office for the new semester yet? That's my plan for the first week in August! 


If you live by a Container Store, you can take advantage of this wonderful program, "The Container Store Organized Teacher Discount Program". I will admit, 15% is a sizable discount for the Container Store! I plan to take my hubby (a high school science teacher) to the Container Store to decorate his new classroom this year! He loves organizational tools and ideas (with his wife's help of course). ;)


Take a look at this neat savings opportunity: http://www.containerstore.com/teachers/index.htm

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

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

Take a Virtual Vacation - My 5 Favorite iPad/iPod Games

Readers,

This summer has been filled with student interactions and organizing my home for the fall semester. Between those two very important (and time consuming) items, I have developed a virtual affair with my iPad games. I play 10 minutes of an iPad game when I need to refocus on an activity, when I am in the doctor's waiting room, or when I simply need to take a virtual mini vacation. Here are the games that I have been enjoying this summer!


1 - Scrabble HD



2 - Angry Birds - Rio





3 - Wedding Dash



4 - The Price is Right (My mom LOVES this one)



5 - Boggle



Wonderful iPad/iPod games! Do you have any games to contribute to the list? 


Sincerely,


J. Edwards

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

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

Wandering Wednesdays - "Academia and Fashion"

Readers,

I hope each of you are having a great week! I am excited about this wonderful find for "Wandering Wednesdays"! Apparently, there is a hidden world of women in academic who love fashion as much as I do!

By simply clicking the link above, you can gain access to a list of academic blogs focused on fashion and academia! Very neat! :)

Although I do not frequently blog about fashion (I have a shoe post about once every year), I LOVE fashion! Especially suits and SHOES! Here's a recent pair that I purchased from Nine West to begin the semester. Shoes make me smile. :)

Enjoy!

J. Edwards

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

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

Does Higher Education REALLY Need "Ready Made" Online Courses?

Readers,

Over the past few weeks, I have been reading a few articles on "boxed" or "ready made" online courses that professors have to import into blackboard or another learning management system (LMS) as their course for the semester. Of course the professor has to change the dates and make a few changes to the overall course, but they have a "ready made" course. 

Similar to the Easy Bake Oven of the 80s (yes, I am showing my age), these online courses just involve adding water (uploading the course to the LMS), mixing the ingredients (changing the dates and other small details), and baking for a few minutes under a hot bulb (adding students to the course).

I do not understand WHAT is so difficult about creating an online course via a course management system. I have created EACH of my courses from scratch and I have CHANGE the course every semester. I do not like enjoying the same cake every semester, because there are always new ingredients and recipes that emerge every semester. Plus, I look at my cake reviewers' comments (the students' evaluations) and I delete or add certain aspects of the online course.

This "ready made" course is so lucrative that some companies are requiring universities to charge students a special fee from their company (in addition to the distance learning fee). I believe in saving my students money and this is NOT helping the cause.

Sincerely,

J. Edwards

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

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

How to Use Google+ as Your New Social Network

Readers,

This summer, I began to use Google+ to communicate with some of my Facebook friends. One of my dear librarian friends added me on this new social networking website and it has been very interesting!

My favorite personal organization website, Lifehacker, posted an article titled, "How Do I Make the Most of Google+?" Here's the link to the article - http://lifehacker.com/5822167/how-do-i-make-the-most-of-google%252B.

 In the article, the author focused on several topics related to Google Plus:

- Tweak the Google+ Layout

- Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Get Around

- Update Google+ From Anywhere

- Update Facebook and Google+ at Once

- Share with Facebook and Twitter, Too

- Move Your Photos to Picasa

- Beef Up the Google Status Bar

- Give Your Google+ Profile Profile a Vanity Url (http://gplus.to/)

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

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

Freebie Friday - Kashi Cereal or Granola Bar Sample

Readers,

In the regular semesters, I have to remain prepared throughout the day by having a few snacks in my Vera Bradley bag. I never know when my department head will want to meet about a new idea or when a student needs some extra study time after class ends. 

As a result, I keep Kashi snacks on hand. Usually, I eat a Kashi granola bar on the way to work and also after teaching classes. Here's a great video about the Kashi company.

Request your free sample today! - http://www.kashi.com/kidfriendlyfoods

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

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

New Apps to Adopt for the Fall 2011 Semester - 8 Tech Tools for College Students (USA Today)

Readers,

I know that many of you are preparing for the fall semester and you are looking for some new productivity apps to add to your mobile device. 

Yesterday, USA Today published an article titled, "8 Tech Tools for College Students". These FREE tech tools are:


1 - Skype (Android, BlackBerry, iOS)



2 - Evernote Peek (Apple iPad)

3 - Grades 2 (iOS)



4 - Snoozerr Recordings (iOS)



5 - Wunderlist (Android and iOS)



6 - TED (iOS)



7 - Instagram (iOS)



8 - Aroundme (Android and iOS)

Enjoy!


J. Edwards

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

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

Wandering Wednesdays - "Digital Union Blog" from the Ohio State University's Office of the Chief Information Officer

Readers,

Every week, I enjoy reading the Digital Union Blog from the Ohio State University's Office of the Chief Information Officer. I love faculty training and technology and this blog merges both of my passions in one digital, easy to understand format. 

This blog features the following categories:

• Creativity
• Digital Media
• eLearning Event
• eLearning Pedagogy and Tools (i.e. - Conference, ePortfolio, Games for Learning, Learning Management Systems (LMS), Learning Spaces)
• Event
• System Management
• Technology (General) (i.e. - Mobile Devices and Apps, Social Networking and Apps)
• Uncategorized
• Workshops & Workshops Archive

The aforementioned categories combine to provide a comprehensive repository of resources for college faculty who are interested in improving their teaching skills and incorporating online technology in their face-to-face and online classrooms.

Wonderful website! Check it out!

Sincerely,

J. Edwards

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

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

Do You Recycle Your Syllabus Every Year? Think Outside of the Box!

Readers,

Sometimes, I have to remind myself, my students, and my coworkers to think "outside of the box". As academics, we can become accustomed to performing the same task the same way year, after year, after year... 

Think about your syllabus, do you just recycle the SAME syllabus EVERY SINGLE YEAR? Does your pre-fall or pre-spring process include changing the date and page numbers? Unfortunately, this process is true for many of my academic colleagues across the nation. 

Try something different this year, look at your evaluations and reflect on your personal experiences with the students in the courses. Take their suggestions into consideration. Talk to your colleagues at other institutions who are teaching similar classes and look at the blogs of professors who teach your courses at other higher education institutions.

My mantra for the fall semester is to "think outside of the box". What will YOU do differently?

Sincerely,

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

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

My 5 Favorite Educational iPad/iPod Apps

Readers,

As many of you know, I LOVE my iPad2! In this point, I will share my favorite professional (educational) iPad apps with you. In fact, if this post is successful as the last apps, I plan to post an App of the Week post and review. We shall see! :) Let me know if you like the educational and personal app suggestions!

1 - Adobe Connect (free - great for webinars on the go)



2 - Evernote (free)

 

3 - Ebscohost (free)



4 - Merriam Webster (free)



5 - Twitter (free)



Sincerely,


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

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

Freebie Friday! - FOUR Quiznos Coupons! :)

Readers,


Quiznos is celebrating it's 30th Anniversary Toasty Savings by releasing four printable coupons! 


I LOVE Quiznos and I will definitely use these coupons while grading midterm examinations! 


Enjoy! Thanks Totally Target!


Free chip or cookie AND regular fountain drink (wyb a regular or regular or large or larger sub)
Free sub (wyb a sub of equal or great value and a regular fountain drink)
2 meals for $9.99 (2 small subs, 2 chips or cookies, and two regular drinks)
$1 off regular sub or regular salad or $2 off a large sub


Sincerely,


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

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

My 5 Favorite Personal iPad/iPod Apps

Readers,


As many of you know, I LOVE my iPad2! In this point, I will share my favorite personal iPad apps with you. In fact, if this post is successful, I plan to post an App of the Week post and review. We shall see! :) Let me know if you like the post!


My Top Five Personal Apps
1 - Google Voice (I use this app to send text messages and listen to voice messages from family and my students).



2 - Jumbo Calculator (free)



3 - Overdrive (free download and use with your public library subscription)



4 - Groupon (free)



5 - PBS (free and features WONDERFUL full-length videos)



What is your favorite iPad/iPod app?


Sincerely,


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

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

Wandering Wednesdays - Educause's "7 Things You Should Know About" Series

http://www.flickr.com/photos/noranna/

Readers,

Today's Wandering Wednesday post is focused on my favorite resources on the Educause website, the "7 Things You Should Know About" series! Here are some recent (2011) articles from this series...


*Of course, you probably know which one is my favorite... the iPad one.. :)


7 Things You Should Know About Personalized Digital Magazines


7 Things You Should Know About Organizing Files in the Cloud


7 Things You Should Know About LMS Evaluation


7 Things You Should Know About Modern Learning Commons


7 Things You Should Know About Open Textbook Publishing


7 Things You Should Know About iPads Apps for Learning


7 Things You Should Know About Open-Ended Response Systems

Enjoy!

Sincerely,

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

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

A Great Opportunity! - Sign Up for the Next Generation Learning Challenges's Learning Summer Learning Webinar Series

Readers,


Here's a great online seminar opportunity for all of you! As part of Next Generation Learning Challenges's "Summer Learning Series", these webinars are focused on the amazing role that technology can have in the classroom environment. Each of the webinars will be held in the NGLC Adobe Connect webconferencing room.


Topic: Blended Learning at the University of Central Florida
Speaker: Thomas Cavanaugh, Assistant Vice President, Distributed Learning
Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

Topic: The Gamification of Education
Speakers: Steve Ritter, Carnegie Learning; Chris Sprague, OpenStudy; and David Gibson, SimSchool
Date: Thursday, July 28, 2011
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

Topic: The Open Learning Initiative
Speaker: Candace Thille, Director, Open Learning Initiative
Date: Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

Topic: Using Openness to Bridge to Success
Speaker: Patrick McAndrew, Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University
Date: Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET


Enjoy!


Sincerely,


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

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