Technology Demonstrators

We wish you a Merry Xmas, we wish you a Merry Xmas, we wish you a Merry Xmas ....and an educational technology enhanced Happy New Year!

Our last newsletter for 2022 shares resources from the CoP meeting, other updates, and a sneak preview of 2023.

It's time also to say thank you to everyone for your support, participation and enthusiasm this year. In collaboration with the TechDems team - Katrina Cutcliffe, Vanessa Crouch and Lisa Jacka - together we have made a significant impact on improving virtual and online learning and teaching environments at UniSQ - and yet there is so much more to be done.

The puppy pic here is my 14-week Sheepadoodle called Blossom - is there anything cuter than a puppy at Xmas time? (thanks for the indulgence, Julie)

Our final TechDem CoP for 2022 was held on Tuesday November 22 in Engageli, a virtual learning environment we will continue to pilot in 2023 (see image below).

Here are the resources to download, explore, read and watch on holidays....and more!

• Engageli Playback room - Use this link to enter the room in Playback mode, watch the recording, take notes, interact with the polls, invite others to join you
• MP4 recording (full session)
• SLIDES with hyperlinks - or download the PDF of the slides below.

The video below includes some of the ThinkPiece creators from this year reflecting on their experience and topic. This was the first time this initiative was offered at UniSQ - and we plan for it to become an annual opportunity.

READ MORE about ThinkPieces and consider how you can contribute next year.

How would you answer this questions? The CoP participants did a good job - see image below of some responses.

It's not too late to respond - we invite you to share your thoughts via Mentimeter using this LINK. Or open the link using the QR code.

Check out all responses HERE.

This video (about 10 min long) is a must-watch review of the use of MS Teams with postgrad students and the favourable feedback shared.

Thanks to KC Chan and to the support provided by TD LTQP Katrina Cutcliffe.

We are now inviting constructive feedback on our EdTech and LearningTech websites. These are actually separate WordPress sites but linked together via menu options.

• EdTech website
• LearningTech website

This feedback will help us build a stronger and more informative resource.

Please add your feedback to this GOOGLE DOC.

Many of us enjoyed a fast-paced hour with Voicethread training guru, George Haines, recently.

Here is the RECORDING (in Voicethread).

REGISTER for upcoming Workshops or view the archives.

READ the Voicethread blog.

WATCH the latest video tutorials

Our new podcast - 'Balancing the Shift' is getting international recognition!

Latest episodes:

• Episode 3: First Nations pedagogy and digital technology
• Guests First Nations educators Cally Jetta and Sue Tuitupou
• Episode 4: Innovation and Higher Education
• Guests Professor Linda Galligan and Professor Jo-Anne Gerreira

2023 is going to be filled with even more opportunities for learning about educational technologies, associated pedagogies, evaluation and research-informed L&T. Here is a sneak preview of TWO new Special Interest Groups (SIGs). Each of these will provide additional opportunity for support, exploration, conversations and innovation using digital technologies for learning and teaching across disciplines.

The Virtual Immersive Environments SIG will be engaging members to think differently about learning environments through a systematic approach to the best practice use of virtual immersive environments.

READ MORE and fill in an EOI to join/find out more.

Pathways to Innovation SIG - chaired by Katrina Cutcliffe

This SIG is for those who are keen to master the basics and then push the boundaries. We have two overlapping focuses.

Pathways: We focus on implementing the fundamentals by exploring tools, pedagogies, and strategies that you can take away and easily replicate.

Innovation: We think creatively and strategically about how each of these tools, pedagogies, or strategies can be adapted or combined, with their affordances plumbed for opportunity.

READ MORE and fill in an EOI to join/find out more.

In 2023 we are planning the following....

• ENGAGELI PILOT January-June (extended from the successful 2022 pilot to include more disciplines). Complete this EOI for 2023 now.
  
• FEEDBACK FRUITS PILOT July-December (and participation encouraged in early 2023 also)

• FeedbackFruits LMS-integrated tool suite is an all-in-one solution to boost student engagement and collaboration in any course setting.

• READ more about the all-in-one tool suite for active learning design.

• WATCH the video (embedded below) of the recent workshop to learn why you could be using this tool to support student engagement, peer review, group work, and more.

• STUDENT WORDPRESS PORTFOLIOS - This project is business as usual in 2023.
  
• READ the 5-step TEACHER GUIDE and join your course to this initiative now
  
• Further alignment with the EDUCATION PLAN 2022-2025 where we will:

• Establish a robust virtual learning environment and adopt relevant pedagogies to provide choice, accessibility and learning opportunities for all learners

• Develop creative teaching practices through embedding existing and emerging technologies while providing opportunities for exploration and experimentation

WATCH this space!

The TechDem News Padlet is also embedded on the home page of our edtech website. It's a quick reference for what is happening in all areas of TechDems.

How digitally competent are you?

Interact with The European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators to find out!

This tool aims to allow you to reflect on your strengths and weaknesses in using digital technologies in education. We invite you to self-assess yourself against 22 items that are representative for the 22 competences in DigCompEdu.

October 2022 - More ThinkPieces, our new Podcast, L&T Showcase

September 2022 - Focus on SIGs and best practice

August 2022 - Best conversations, Benefits of video-based learning

July 2022 - Engageli, SIG News, Creating a virtual campus

June 2022 - Learning and Teaching Initiatives Sem 2

May 2022 - Engage with Engageli - Meet the Champions

April 2022 - Connectivism and TechDem Champions

March 2022 - Creating a HyFlex classroom

February 2022 - Updates and resources

Farewell to Vanessa Crouch and good luck as you take on a FT school position including Assistant Principal. Your work with TechDems, especially in the School of Nursing, has been much appreciated. We will miss you!

Senior Education Technology Advisor

Email: julie.lindsay@usq.edu.au
Phone: +61 7 46312890