Monthly Archives: March 2020

Coronavirus can become a topic of problem-based learning.

Tech Ed Content

This morning, I found an article, “How can we help one another during the Coronavirus outbreak?”. The author started with a question.

“In a time of anxiety and social distancing, what can we do to look out for one another?”

This question itself can be a good starting point of problem-based learning. I am teaching Transportation Systems class where we learn how transportation influences on our daily lives with its engineering principles. For my class, I will throw the similar question.

”In a time of anxiety and social distancing, what can transportation systems do to look out for one another?” “How we can improve or utilize transportation to help our community?”

Read the article

Related articles

Five way to help your community combats Coronavirus

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/18/learning/how-can-we-help-one-another-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak.html

Distance Learning Webinar

Educational Technology/Tools

My colleague, Damiano A Mastrandrea, shared this opportunity. If you are interested in Distance Learning strategies, this will be good opportunity to learn.

Thanks, Damiano!

Hello,
If you’re interested in a Remote Learning Webinar (including targets for CTE & TechEd teachers), please visit the following links at the given time (feel free to share):

Wednesday, March 18th, 2020 @ 12:30-1:30 –
https://stream.meet.google.com/…/0573e29b-62e6-4c3a-879e-8d…

Thursday, March 19th, 2020 @ 12:30-1:30 –
https://stream.meet.google.com/…/a0d8746e-d855-4fc5-b004-29…

Topics will include:

  1. Defining Remote Learning

  2. Planning Considerations

  3. Differentiating Synchronous & Asynchronous Learning

  4. Problems, Case Examples, and Alternatives for “Hands-On” Tasks

  5. 6 Methods for Remote Learning Activities

  6. Best Practice Pro Tips & Quality Guidelines

  7. Resources

A link will be available at the end of the slide deck and recording session.

How to Access Blackboard Collaborate Ultra

Educational Technology/Tools

Students taking EDU 3400 Transportation Systems and EDU 3410 Technology Education Foundation & Curriculum Development will need to access real-time online classes through Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. This article will explain how students access Blackboard Ultra (Collaborate Ultra).

  1. Preparations
    • Students will need to have
      1. Internet access using WiFi or mobile.
      2. Computer devices, one of followings
        1. Desktop computer
        2. Laptop (Preferred)
        3. Tablet
        4. Smart phone
    • If you plan to use desktop computer, you will need a microphone to interact with the instructor and class mates.
  2. Blackboard Ultra
    1. Login to Blackboard and find Blackboard Ultra via
    2. Click Virtual Classroom -> Select a session of the week.

4. Join the classroom by clicking Join Course Room.

join

In case, if you cannot join the classroom using your digital device, you can get into the classroom using mobile phone calling the dial number. e.g.) 571-392-7650 then enter pin number e.g.) 508 494 7062. You must check the pin number shown on your Ultra session.

How to Host Virtual Office Hours using Blackboard Ultra

Educational Technology/Tools

Blackboard is a great LMS (Learning Management System) tool, but many people don’t know its office hour feature. Instructors can easily set repeating virtual office hours for the distance learning circumstance.

1. Find Blackboard Collaborate Ultra

    • On the left menu, Go to Tools -> Blackboard Collaborate Ultra

Ultra menu

    • Tip: To increase the student accessibility, you can create a link on the left menu.

create menu

2. Create an office hour session

  • Go to Blackboard Collaborate Ultra page via Tools -> Blackboard Collaborate Ultra menu or your custom tool menu.
  • Click Create Session button

create session

3. Type Session name as Office Hours and set hours as your actual office hours. My office hours are Thursday 1-4 pm. So I set the event from 1 to 4 pm.

hour setting

4. [Important] Scroll down on the event details screen. Find the Repeat session item and check. You will need to define the repeat details. My office hours are on every Thursday. So I select Repeat Weekly, Every Week, and T (Thursday)repeat setting

5. Click Save and see the recurring virtual sessions for your office hours.

finished