As we begin the winter term, ITS is proud to share some of the top technologies that support instruction and an inclusive learning environment.
1. Use NameCoach to support an inclusive classroom experience
NameCoach is an optional, web-based tool within officially provisioned Canvas courses that allows you to record your name and to listen to others’ recordings. It fosters inclusivity by helping instructors and students learn how to phonetically pronounce the names of the people in their classes. A NameCoach pronunciation can also be added to your email signature. The NameCoach at U-M webpage has additional information.
2. Get support using web-based tools for teaching
If you need help getting started or just want a refresh, ITS has a number of training workshops and videos to help you use online teaching tools, including Canvas, Zoom, and other recording techniques taking place now through January 13 (recordings will be available afterwards). Sign up for upcoming workshops on Adobe Creative Cloud, Canvas, Gradebook, New Quizzes, Applied Learning Analytics, and more. Further down the page there is a recorded workshop that shows you how to integrate LinkedIn Learning into your course.
3. Find and use no-cost software
ITS offers a central library of software titles and packages that are available to faculty, staff, and students across all three campuses and Michigan Medicine. There are many software titles available to you at no additional cost, including Adobe Creative Cloud and MATLAB, a popular mathematical computing, simulation, and analysis platform that is available to the entire U-M community.
4. Try Annoto, a video annotation tool
Through the winter term, faculty have no-cost access to Annoto, a video annotation tool that works with MiVideo/Kaltura content in Canvas. Annoto enables your course participants to add time-based annotations as an overlay to any video content, turning passive video watching into an active and collaborative learning experience. Learn more about Annoto, including how it can be used for student assignments, skills development, collaborative learning, guided watching, peer review, and more.
5. Use Great Lakes HPC cluster for coursework
Instructors can take advantage of the Great Lakes high-performance computing cluster, including $60 credit per student per course per semester to provide students with real-world experiences. Idle capacity is available to undergraduate student teams upon approval. Email [email protected] to get started.
“I know the continuing pandemic poses many challenges, and I am grateful for the work faculty and graduate students are doing to teach and mentor our incredible students while creating an inclusive learning environment,” Ravi Pendse, PhD, vice president for information technology and chief information officer, and professor of engineering practice in electrical engineering and computer science, College of Engineering.
ITS is here to support instructors through the effective use of technology tools for teaching.