Educational Technology Expo

The Educational Technology Expo will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside of the Main Library. Presentations and demos will take place in the library and the lecture center.

ALBANY, N.Y. (August 8, 2018) -- From classroom technology support to virtual reference services, UAlbany's Information Technology Services (ITS) and the University Libraries work to provide assistance to faculty and staff and enhance the student learning experience.

On Wednesday, Aug. 22, ITS and the Libraries are teaming up to present the Educational Technology Expo, providing the perfect opportunity for anyone to learn more about an array of support services available.

The event, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside the Main Library on the uptown campus, will include resource tables, workshops and demonstrations on numerous topics. Each session will last about 30 minutes.

The event is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the Educational Technology Center, UAlbany's Help Desk system, as well as the substantial Library Databases available to the University Community.

The presentations include:

• Policy Map across the Disciplines (9 a.m., LI B15): Learn how to use PolicyMap, a fully web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) that allows users to create easy-to-use online mapping with data on demographics, real estate, health, jobs and more in communities across the US. It's fast, efficient and captures data in visually powerful ways through custom demographic maps, tables, and reports.
• Blackboard Essentials (9 a.m., LC-SB 30A): This session will provide an overview of the basic capabilities of using Blackboard. Participants will learn how to add and manage content, gain familiarity with the Course Menu and Control Panel, and gain exposure to the key features for content, interaction, and assessment.
• Operating Your Smart Classroom (9:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., LC 12): ITS will offer a guided tour and demonstration of how easy it is to incorporate smart technology into your learning lessons at UAlbany.
• VoiceThread (9:45 a.m., LC-SB 30A): In this session participants will develop an understanding of VoiceThread and its integration with Blackboard. Learn how to utilize VoiceThread features in your online/blended courses to increase student engagement allowing for richer interactions for both you and your students based on your course goals/objectives.
• Audio and Video Support for Research, Conferencing and Student Projects (10:30 a.m., LI B41, IMC): Come learn about the Innovate Make Create Center. The IMC offers individual and group instruction, consultation, equipment loans and project support. Explore ideas with the IMC staff and hear about our successes and services.
• Blackboard’s Ally – Accessibility Checker (10:30 a.m., LC-SB 30A): In this session, we will explore Ally, Blackboard’s new content accessibility tool. You will learn firsthand how Ally scores course content for accessibility within a course, how it automatically provides alternative accessible formats for students, and how it helps instructors make course content more universally accessible to students.
• Metaliteracy Badges at the University Libraries (10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., LI B48): Interested in supporting your students' research and critical thinking competencies? Curious about digital badges? Stop by to learn about the Metaliteracy Badging System, a suite of online instructional activities being offered through the Libraries that can be incorporated into your syllabus. This resource provides students with the opportunity to earn a digital credential as a Master Evaluator, Digital Citizen, Producer & Collaborator, or Empowered Learner.
• Manage Your Grades in Blackboard (11:15 a.m., LC-SB 30A): The Grade Center in Blackboard is more than just a way to record student grades. Come learn how this dynamic and interactive tool allows you to collect student submissions, record data, calculate grades automatically, and monitor student progress.
• Guided IT Smart Classroom Tour (HU-39/41, 11:15 a.m.): UAlbany's smart classrooms provide audio visual tools to improve the teaching and learning experience. ITS will provide a guided tour of spaces in the Humanities building, including an advance look at the video production studio in HU-40.
• Podcast for Free with Help the Whole Way! (Noon, LI B16): The Innovate Make Create staff will provide an overview of how to create a podcast. With our support, you can borrow recording equipment, use open source audio editing software, and copyright free sound bites. Learn how to freely publish and share audio recordings.
• PowerPoint Basics (12:45 p.m., LC-SB 30A): Participants will learn how to create a basic slideshow including how to insert text/images, audio/video, change slide layout, add transitions, and animations.
• PowerPoint Game Templates and Free Collaborative Tools (1:30 p.m., LC-SB 30A): This session will highlight several free customizable PowerPoint Game templates and collaborative tools instructors can use to engage students.
• Open Educational Resources (2:15 p.m., LC-SB 30A): Have you heard the acronym OER but don’t quite know what it means? Come learn what OER means and how they can be used to support teaching and learning. This will be an open workshop session to encourage participants to engage in conversations about OER.

In addition, University staff will be on hand to provide tours of the video room located in the Educational Technology Center, as well as test scanning services provided by ETC. These presentations will be held throughout the course of the Expo.

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