College Students Hide Hunger, Homelessness : NPR

College Students Hide Hunger, Homelessness : NPR

After listening to the Educause presentation a few days ago, I discovered that many campuses have homeless students. I never knew about the true extent of this problem. Here's a report on the phenomenon:

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

21st-Century Campus Report: Campus 2.0

21st-Century Campus Report: Campus 2.0

CDW-G always publishes wonderful research on students and their perceptions/usage of educational technology. This report states that future college students' expectations EXCEED current students' expectations of campus educational technology usage.

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

Instructify - Blog Archive - Scribus is a free desktop publishing program similar to Adobe InDesign

Readers,


I use Abobe InDesign to design almost every brochure, newsletter, or advertisement that I make for our department conferences and my small business. However, there is a new options for designers, Scribus.

I have not had the chance to try to program yet, but I wanted to share the link with each of you!

Enjoy! - Instructify - Blog Archive - Scribus is a free desktop publishing program similar to Adobe InDesign

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

Tips for Letting Your Personality Shine When Teaching Online

If you are like me, I am a perfectionist who strives for great student evaluations of my online teaching. To accomplish this, I constantly read online teaching/distance learning literature to expand my knowledge of teaching in the online environment. 



In addition to my research, I collect data on online teaching and I use this data to conduct research on online teaching effectiveness. Here are Tips for Letting Your Personality Shine When Teaching Online!

Three of these Tips Are...

1. Create an Introductory Assignment

2. Online Discussions

3. Create a Blog Assignment

Enjoy!

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

FREEBIE FRIDAY! - Professors and Super Sticky Post-It Notes! - Organized Grading Made Easy! (Free Sample!)

Readers,

I know that I am a college professor, but I love to organize my "traveling classroom"! In my department, we teach in a building across campus from our departmental office building. As a result, I have to pack everything in a large bag or a rolling bin.

I am huge fan of Super Sticky Post-its because they help me organize my students' papers! I hate to drop a pile of papers on the sidewalk without knowing which papers belong to which class. So, Super Sticky Post-it notes help me tremendously!

Try them out! Here's a free sample - 
http://www3.3m.com/qfrm/ShowSurvey?surveyid=JOJNPRG4

Also, here are some coupons -

http://www.3m.com/us/office/postit/promos/201007_ss/supersticky_coupon.pdf

I hope this helps!

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

Jane's Pick of the Day: Limesurvey

Readers,

Are you looking for another online survey tool for research or informal/formal assessments?

Well, try Limesurvey! I am a Google Docs Survey (forms) fan, but I am more than willing to give this free, and open source tool a try!

Limesurvey - http://www.limesurvey.com/

Thanks "Jane's Pick of the Day"! - Jane's Pick of the Day: Limesurvey

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

Texas Students Could Be Required to Seek Off-Campus Learning Options - Wired Campus - The Chronicle of Higher Education

Readers,

What do you think? What impact might this have on higher education in Texas?

Texas Students Could Be Required to Seek Off-Campus Learning Options - Wired Campus - The Chronicle of Higher Education
Millennial Professor, Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Rent Textbooks, College Textbook Rentals | Rent-A-Text

I wish they had this textbook rental service when I was in college!

Are any of your students taking advantage of this?

Rent Textbooks, College Textbook Rentals | Rent-A-Text

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

Young couples having babies, not graduating college | USA TODAY College - A student focused web portal

Young couples having babies, not graduating college | USA TODAY College - A student focused web portal

At my current institution, some of the students do juggle work, home, husband/wife, and family. I applaud these students because it is hard for ME to juggle everything and I do not even have children yet!

As a millennial, I am focused on my family (husband, house, etc.) My family is my first priority in life. After family comes my dreams of tenure with require teaching, publications, presentations, and grading papers).

However, I could not imagine having children during college. These students are some of the most dedicated students I have ever seen! I aspire to be like some of them when I become a parent!

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

National Education Technology Plan 2010 | U.S. Department of Education

Readers,

This summer, I have been paying attention to my classes and I missed out on the public comment portion of the "National Education Technology Plan 2010". So, now we have a chance to actually read the report. Here's a video announcing the plan:

I think this is VERY important for ALL students from every educational level. In fact, I have developed a recent interest in students who are from low-socio economic status backgrounds. It is amazing, but this group encompasses students from every ethnic background and nationality!

My husband is teaching high school science courses at a local public school and he is  in an educational leadership doctoral program at my university. His current research is focused on how we can reach K-12 students from these groups. To expand his research, I think that I should focus on how higher education faculty and staff can reach these students and help them succeed. An increased level of access to technology and computer literacy training may provide all populations with information to help them become more successful.

National Education Technology Plan 2010 | U.S. Department of Education

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

Educause Seminar (Recorded) - "Overview of Next Gen Learning Challenges"

A few days ago, I attended a unique webinar titled, "Overview of Next Gen Learning Challenges". Here's the interesting aspect, I downloaded the Adobe Connect app and I experienced the same webinar on my iPad. It was great! I could hear everything and I saw all of the chats in real-time. 


I cannot wait to attend next year's EDUCAUSE conference and implement some of the ideas in my courses.


If you are interested in this EDUCAUSE presentation, please click the following link - https://admin.adobeconnect.com/_a729300474/p96644371/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal.

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

A Quick Traveling Guide for Millennial Professors! - Fly Smart - A Smart Way to Fly

I travel to at least four academic conferences per year (on a TIGHT) budget and I have to pack and fly smart! Hey, on the tenure track, you have to do what you have to do!

To avoid paying a lot of money for meals, I pack "smart snacks" (i.e. - tuna in a pouch, a bottle FOR water, crackers, wheat bread, diet bars, etc.). This is a great article about flying on a budget.

Fly Smart - A Smart Way to Fly.

What is your best tip from the list?

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

How to Cheat on Blackboard Phase II...

Sorry readers, I had to bring this back ONE MORE TIME! This is a post from Oct. 2008 (546 views from 7,497 visitors) and and it has been my second highest most read most ever!

This section is called, "How to Cheat on Blackboard", but it should be titled "How to Minimize Cheating on Blackboard".

This summer, I started giving face-to-face tests on Blackboard.com (our university's content management system) using the assessment tool. This new tool has proven itself to be very effective in my classroom. This is the first time that many of my students have taken a blackboard test in one of their classes.

1- Walk around the classroom while students are taking the test.

2 - Show the students' answers and the correct answers at the end of the test. This helps the students learn which test questions they answered correctly and which questions they answered incorrectly. My students enjoy this feature.

3 - Provide the students with a test time frame. This prevents the students from accessing the questions and answers later.

4 - Provide a test question database for each course test (i.e. - 50 questions). Then make blackboard randomly select questions (i.e. - 25 questions) from your test question database (i.e. - 50 questions). This feature serves as another anti-cheating mechanism.
I hope this helps!

-Millennial Professor

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

Wii for Fitness? - Measure a Millennial's Progress (Getting Fit for the Fall Semester)!

Today, starts the first day of my fitness journey. In October, I have my 10th year class reunion and I need to lose 5 to 10 pounds. Over the summer, I gained five pounds from sitting in front of the computer grading papers and drinking coffee. Now, I am starting my own personal boot camp. I am going to use the Wii as a training tool and the local YMCA for group fitness.


Wii Games:
Dance Dance Revolution III
Just Dance - Original Version
Just Dance - Broadway Version
Wii Fit Plus





If I am going to survive the fall semester, I will have to develop good fitness habits now! Keep me accountable.






So, I will post the type of fitness exercises and the amount of time that I spend on each activity on a Google Spreadsheet (in millennial fashion). As a millennial, I have been raised in front of the television, so I might as well experience some benefit from my television fetish!


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

Youtube Videos - Student Reflections from a Twitter Assignment

Readers,


As most of you know, I LOVE incorporating Twitter in my online and face-to-face courses. I embed the Twitter widget on my blackboard page to enable my students to see my grading updates, etc. and I interact with my students through the communication tool as well. So, it seems like the "Twitter in the Classroom" movement is catching on with other professors across the nation. 


This week, I was grading Youtube assignment submissions from students and I discovered these Twitter submissions from a fellow professor:





I love the students' comments and after watching the videos, I plan to incorporate filmed interviews in my fall courses. Youtube provides many opportunities for professors to spread ideas across the nation! We can improve our teaching practices by submitting one Youtube video, blog spot, or tweet as at a time! Contribute to your profession by sharing ideas!


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

College Students: Free Amazon Prime Subscription

Readers,

Please tell your college students about this incredible opportunity! A free subscription one-year to Amazon Prime (FREE TWO DAY SHIPPING)!

This is a wonderful savings opportunity for students who order textbooks after receiving their course syllabus on the first day of class.

College Students: Free Amazon Prime Subscription

Thanks Coupon Cravings!

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

YouTube Better at Funny Cat Videos Than Educational Content, Professors Say - Wired Campus - The Chronicle of Higher Education

YouTube Better at Funny Cat Videos Than Educational Content, Professors Say - Wired Campus - The Chronicle of Higher Education

What do you think about this one? Have you used any educational videos from Youtube?

I use sample speeches from other universities AND "how to" videos ALL of the time!

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

Building Higher Education Courses Through Outsourcing

Today, I discovered this article on colleges and universities who OUTSOURCE some of their online student services to Embanet (http://embanet.com/). Some colleges use Embanet to host courses, design courses, market their courses, and to provide student services. 


Here's the article - Outsourced Ed: Colleges Hire Companies to Build Their Online Courses

Millennial Professor
Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

iPads in the College Classroom - The iPad Pilot and Loaner Programs

This has been one of the most AMAZING summers (with the iPad). :) This wonderful piece of technology has enabled me to become a truly mobile professor. Now, I wish my students had access to this technology as well.



iPads in Scholarly Presentations - This summer, I delivered a poster presentation at the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) on Google Documents. It was a great experience and I bypassed the university network by using my AT&T 3G service <- which was VERY nice. Using the iPad, I demonstrated how to create a form on Google Docs and the faculty were in awe of Google's features! In addition, I demonstrated how my students wrote their research papers using the communication medium.





iPads in the Classroom (Faculty) - Faculty can use their iPad in their classrooms to make their lives easier. I plan to keep attendance on the iPad and demonstrate simple cloud computing concepts to small student groups during the fall semester. In addition to using the device to demonstrate simple concepts to small groups, when the computer system in the classroom is down, I plan to load my power points from Google Docs on the iPad and to display them via the document camera to deliver my lectures.



I still do not allow laptops in my classroom, but I would allow the iPad (generation one). This technology does not handle multitasking well. This is GREAT for classrooms! If the students are operating from an e-book, they cannot have their e-mail open at the same time. However, I have discovered that I can browse the internet or grade papers on blackboard AND receive messages from Yahoo Instant Messenger.

Today, I discovered an article on Wired focused on iPad pilot studies that will happen in the fall. I am VERY disappointed that our university was not selected. :( Here's the link, iPad Gets the University Treatment in the Fall. In addition to the universities selected for the pilot study, Texas A&M University is providing their faculty with an iPad loaner program for faculty to experience the iPad for one week: http://itsinfo.tamu.edu/news/iPad_Loaner_Program_Announced_for_Faculty.php.

The iPad is an incredible resource for the college classroom!

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

Vote for the AmeriCorps Video and Photo Contest!

Illustration by Jason Robinson - His art is amazing! :) - http://www.illustration-by-design.com/

Five Days Left to Vote in the AmeriCorps Video and Photo Contestwww.AmeriCorpsContest.org

Are you an Americorp alumni? I am a big fan of AmeriCorps (although I have never served with the organization). Many of my students are interested in serving with AmeriCorps and I would like to help them out by promoting their video and photo contest!

The judges have selected 5 video finalists and 10 photo finalist whose work depicts how AmeriCorps gets things done in communities. The general public will select the winners by voting for their favorite videos and photos. If you haven't already done so, check out the amazing videos and photos that highlight the great work that AmeriCorps members are doing in communities across our nation. Public voting will be open until midnight Eastern Time on July 30, 2010. 

Visit www.AmeriCorpsContest.org to vote! 

Millennial Professor 
Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Forming Teams and Breaking Ice: Ways to Increase Student Interaction and Engagement in the College Classroom

Faculty/Trainers,


Are you looking for some GREAT team building activities for the beginning of the semester? Try this link - http://adulted.about.com/od/icebreakers/tp/topten2009.htm.

This website features MANY activities and ideas including the following team builders:

1. Human Bingo (College students LOVE this one!)

2. Marooned (I've never tried this one.)

3. 2 Minute Mixer (i.e. - SPEED DATING in CLASS...)

4. The Power of Story

5. Table Topics (i.e. - Informative Speeches OR Conversation Starters)

6. Would You Rather...

7. If You Had a Magic Wand (I cannot WAIT to try this one!)

8. Where in the World?

9. Photo Scavenger Hunt

10. The Name Game

Let me know what you think? Please post some other great team builders by replying to this message. :)

Thanks!

Millennial Professor 


Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

I Admit It, I am a Binge Grader..

Millennial Professor Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Readers,

This summer, I am teaching the second half of my online course and I am a few days behind in grading. Okay, maybe I assigned a little too much in my online course, but I did not want to make this online course any less rigorous than my face-to-face course.

Binge Grading Explained
As a result, I have a lot of assignments to grade. Between the Google Doc assignments and the blackboard assignments, my days are consumed with grading. Not only do I grade one assignment, but I tend to grade SEVERAL assignments at one time (BINGE GRADING). I do not like grading assignments at office when the door is open. Here are my favorite spots for grading student assignments AND writing scholarly papers:

Five of My Favorite Binge Grading Spots!
1. Starbucks or Hastings
2. Riding in the Car
3. Marriott Hotels (free breakfast and free coffee/tea at anytime)
4. My Backyard
5. The Home Office I share with my husband.

My favorite time to grade papers is REALLY early in the morning (6 am to 9 am) at my desk in my home office or in a Marriott hotel room from 9 pm to 2 am.

Grading Papers with a SIZEABLE Amount of Feedback...
When I grade my students' assignments, I strive to give them a wealth of feedback.
If they spent time writing a paper, I am going to read the paper and contribute at least 20 to 30 comments per paper.

Ironically, yesterday I discovered an article titled "Students Mostly Satisfied, But Welcome Faculty Feedback on Papers". This article focuses on my undergraduate experiences, where I received letter or numerical grades on my paper but I did not know how I earned the grade. There were red marks on the front page, but I am not sure if the professor read past the first couple of pages. Not surprisingly, I am one of those people who strives to read EVERY SINGLE page that a student submits. This is a very time consuming task, but I really want to READ what the students write in their papers!

Google Documents Spoils Me...The Feedback Monster!
I adopt new technologies like Google Docs to provide instant feedback on their process (even before the paper is due). I configure the document to send me updates via e-mail whenever the document is modified. Several students contributed comments on an informal survey on Google Docs that I dispersed in the spring.

Are YOU a BINGE GRADER? If so, contribute your FAVORITE grading spots!

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards
Millennial Professor

Twitter in the Classroom - 200+ News Articles

One of my favorite resources for classroom technology ideas is the Centre for Learning And Performance Technologies

Recently, this organization released a list of 200 Twitter-related news articles. Great resource!

How to use Twitter for Social Learning
200+ articles and resources about Twitter for Learning
http://c4lpt.co.uk/socialmedia/twitterrl.html

Millennial Professor
Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

iPod Touch: Classroom Response System

Millennial Professor Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.


This YouTube video describes the process for creating an assessment on Google Docs and having students answer assessment questions on an iPod Touch. Student responses can be displayed using a projector or interactive whiteboard.

Textbook Companies and Information Disclosure - How IS the new edition of the book different?

This shall be VERY interesting! When I was a college student, I really appreciated USED books and professors who provided options for cheaper course materials and books. However, there were some professors who required students to purchase bundled packages. Some of which I still have in boxes at my parents' house (along with my course notebooks).

Students May See Some Gains Through New Textbook Rules
by Charles Dervarics , July 8, 2010


In 2010, it seems that textbook companies will be required to disclose the following pieces of information to students and faculty:

Part of the 2008 Higher Education Opportunity Act, the changes took effect July 1. “This change makes sure that all of the information is on the table,” said Nicole Allen, textbook advocate for The Student PIRGs, an organization affiliated with the consumer group U.S. PIRG.

Other changes in the rules would:

• Require publishers to provide bookstores with their wholesale prices.

• Require publishers to provide descriptions of changes made in a new addition compared to previous ones.

• Require publishers to offer textbooks and supplemental materials individually  rather than just in so-called “bundles” that may include books, CDs and DVDs. 



Millennial Professor Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

A Community Reading Program - Can We Apply These Ideas in Our Clasrooms?

This summer, I decided to do something fun (besides just teaching class) and I decided to join the local library book club. Everthing is online and the program functions like a scavenger hunt. Here are the tasks (Total - 300 pts.)

BARC Task List

10 points

1. Read a book with some form of number in the title. Numerals or spelled out numbers.

2. Read a book with an author that uses 3 or more names.

3. Read a book with an author that uses only initials for a first name.

4. Read a book that has a word in the title that is in a language other than English.

5. Read a book with a food in the title.

6. Read a book with a “beach” word in the title. Beach, sand, surf, tide, shell, sea, ocean.

7. Read a book set in the mountains or in a mountainous region or with the word mountain or the name of a mountain in the title.

8. Read a book set in a big city or with the word city or the name of a big city in the title. (We will define big as one million or more population.) New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Dallas, San Diego.

9. Read a book about something you consider to be a hobby or with a hobby in the title. Scrapbooking, reading, sewing, quilting, etc.

10. Read a book with the name of a character in the book in the title.

11. Read a book that has a setting on a continent other than North America.

12. Read a book that is set in a state other than Texas.

13. Read a book that has maps in it. Either within the actual story or illustrated on the inside cover.

14. Read a book that includes something other than printed words. Some kind of graphics. Illustrations, handwriting, pictures, etc. Maps do not count.

15. Read a book about a sport or game that is played outside or a book that has a sport or game that is played outside in the title. Soccer, baseball, Frisbee, football, golf, etc.

16. What should I read next? Ever wonder if there was another author you might like. Go to this website and enter a book that you have read and read one of the books that it recommends. www.whatshouldireadnext.com

17. Read the Book Club Selection for June~~How I Became a Famous Novelist by Steve Hely. (You may start reading this book before June 1st, but must finish it after June 1st to earn the points.)

18. Attend the Book Club Meeting on June 3 @ 6:30 p.m. in the Library Meeting Room.

19. Read the Book Club Selection for July~~Homer & Langley by E. L. Doctorow.

20. Attend the Book Club Meeting on July 1 @ 6:30 p.m. in the Library Meeting Room.

1. Trains, planes, automobiles~~Read two books with two different forms of transportation either in the title or with traveling in the storyline. Trains, automobiles, airplanes, walking, running, jogging, bicycles, motorcycles, trucks, hot-air balloons, etc.

2. Read a book by an author that has published only one book. Then read a book by an author that has published 10 or more books.

3. Read a book that is over 300 Pages.

4. In honor of Summer School~~Discover The Equation For Good Books-Pick 2 Of The Following...

• Addition - Add Up The Number Of Letters Found In Your First and Last Names Then Read A Book Written By An Author Whose Name Contains The Same Number Of Letters. Ex. For Me That Would Be 13 Letters So I Could Read A Book Written By Elizabeth Berg.

• Subtraction - Subtract The Number Of Letters Found In Your Whole Name (First, Middle, Last) From Your Age And Read A Book With That Many Letters Or Words In The Title. Ex. I'm 43 And My Name Has 17 Letters Which Would Mean I Could Read A Book With 26 Letters In The Title Such As The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

• Multiplication - Multiply Your Age By The Number Of Letters In Your Whole Name (First, Middle, Last) And Read A Book With Approximately That Number Of Pages (+/- 25 Pages). If Your Total Is Less Than 100 Pages You Would Need To Read A Book Between 100-125 Pages. Ex. 43*17 = 731 So I Would Need To Read A Book Between 706 And 756 Pages Such As Dragonfly in Amber.

• Division - Divide The Year You Were Born By Your Age (Round That Number To The Nearest Whole Number) And Then Read A Book That Is That Number In A Series. Ex. 1967/43 Is Equal To Approximately 46 Therefore I Would Need To Read A Book That Is The 4th Or 6th In A Series.

5. In honor of our co-operation with the Summer Reading Club~~Read 2 books that are considered Young Adult or Juvenile.

MY COMPLETED TASKS!

10.1 - 200 Vegetable Growing Basics by Richard Bird
10.2 - Teaching with the Tools Kids Really Use by Susan Brooks-Young
10.3 - How to Speak Your Spouse's Language
10.5 - Chicken Soup for the Soul: Recipes for Busy Moms
10.8 - Rework - by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hanson
10.9 - Ask: The 1000 Most Asked Questions about Gardening by Daphne Ledward
10.13 - Fodor's Boston 2010 by Fodor's
10.14 - Organizational Communication - Foundations, Challenges, and Misunderstandings by Daniel P. Modaff, Sue Dewine, & Jennifer Butler

20.3 - Real Communication: An Introduction by Dan O'Hair & Mary Wiemann
20.5 - Gallop!: A Scanimation Picture Book (Scanimation) & Cat by Matthew VanFleet and Brian Stanton

POINT TOTAL - 120 pts.
*If you have ANY ideas for books, please let me know! I plan to use some of the scavenger hunt ideas in a future course!

Millennial Professor
Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.