Edtech Together: Learning to use the tools at hand

Streamed Session

Brief Abstract

How can we engage faculty in upskilling? The Edtech Together series highlights digital tools that support online teaching and improve work productivity. Each semester, 4-5 topics are selected for workshop presentations that include hands-on time. The sessions focus on developing skills within technology platforms provided by the University.  

 

Presenters

Lead Presenter: Char Hopela, University of Hawaii West Oahu

Char Hopela is the instructional designer at the University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu, Office of Distance Learning. For the past 7 years, she has worked on UH campuses in educational technology training and media specialist roles. While completing her Master of Science degree in Technology Integration from St. Cloud State University, she was part of Apollo High School’s accessible educational materials (AEM) implementation team. The team of teachers and technologists helped special education students access learning materials on district-issued and personal devices.

Extended Abstract

In recent years faculty have been challenged to transform their teaching practices to deliver engaging learning content to remote students. This shift has included using familiar technologies to a higher degree and in new ways. For example, in previous practice the learning management system (LMS) may have been minimally utilized as a catch-all for resources and a click-through point for digital textbook sites. Since the pandemic, reliance on a variety of LMS tools has increased to replace elements of in-class communications, collaboration, and assessment.  

To support this transition, the University’s Office of Distance Learning (ODL) launched the Edtech Together series in Fall 2020. The Zoom sessions provide opportunities for faculty to improve their hands-on skills within a narrowly-defined set of educational technologies. Collegial online meetings replaced previous face-to-face PD offerings due to COVID-19 restrictions on campus gatherings. 

Edtech Together adopted the flipped classroom model to present five training topics per semester. In advance of each synchronous session, participants are emailed a link to a learning resource, oftentimes a video tutorial, to afford maximum time to hands-on learning. The sessions are infused with instructional design principles and provide pertinent use case examples for the selected tools. 

The University provides faculty and staff with a digital learning ecosystem that includes an LMS, Google Suite, Microsoft 365, and licensed Zoom accounts. Additionally, university-issued computers include TechSmith’s Camtasia for video recording and production, and SnagIt for simpler recordings and annotated screen captures. While faculty are free to make other technology choices, the ODL focuses our professional development efforts on these IT-supported digital tools. 

Plan for Session Interactivity

Attendees can engage with the presenter via chat and open mic during a question-and-answer session following the presentation. Participants are also invited to provide non-verbal feedback and reactions using the Zoom Reactions button at any time. 

Takeaways

  • Learn how this workshop series has evolved since its inception. 

  • Gain strategies to keep online events visible and viable as other programming returns to campus.

  • Find out how we adapted to faculty preferences and flip-flopped on the flipped classroom model.