Author: Carolyn Speer

Each month, the Office of Instructional Resources publishes a teaching-centered newsletter called Teaching Today. The October issue of Teaching Today addresses the important topic of digital transformation, and we are excited to share this conversation with our campus industry partners.

In this issue, we take on as many aspects of digital transformation as we can with topics such as high-performance computing, the influence of AI on teaching and learning, and practical applications of these technologies with approachable tools like ArcGIS and even some cool Microsoft 365 features. Along the way, we have lots of examples of how humans and AI can partner to create original creative work.

If you are interested in getting future issues of Teaching Today, please subscribe by emailing Wichita State’s Office of Instructional Resources at OIR@wichita.edu.

The October issue of Teaching Today addresses the very important topic of digital transformation. From what it is to where it’s going, we cover as many aspects of digital transformation as we could.

This month’s issue is huge! It also has many guests including Terrance Figy (high-performance computing), David Macdonald (music and artificial intelligence), Ethan Lindsay (Arc GIS), Ali Levine (Microsoft 365’s cool features), and Provost Shirley Lefever (digital transformation and education).

We hope you enjoy this issue, and as always, if you see something you like, please share it with a friend.

Anyone can subscribe to Teaching Today by simply emailing the Office of Instructional Resources at OIR@wichita.edu.

The September issue of Teaching Today is now available. The September 2022 issue has information about WSU’s Preventing Suicide training, the upcoming January Academic Resources Conference and information about the Course Messages feature in Blackboard.

The summer issue of Teaching Today is available and has everything you need to know about the upcoming Academic Resources Conference.

For example, did you know that all WSU staff and instructors are invited to the ARC? That’s right, the ARC has something for everyone. Learn more about upcoming sessions and read all about the newest changes to the Ultra Course Format grade book.

The Academic Resources Conference (ARC) provides training and discussion opportunities for all WSU staff and instructors, and as always we are free and online. It’s easy to attend, and here is what we have prepared for today, Wednesday, Aug. 17:

• 9-9:50 a.m.: No live session. We suggest you watch this recording instead: What Can LinkedIn Learning Do For My Classes?
• 10-10:50 a.m.: “Getting Started With Blackboard” presented by Mary Morriss.
• 11-11:50 a.m.: “Getting Started with Panopto” presented by Carolyn Speer.
• Noon-12:50 p.m.: Panel Hour! “When a Vendor Comes Calling: What to do when you want to acquire anything digital” presented by Brett Morrill and John Jones.
• 1-3 p.m.: Direct Zoom link to drop-in, online lab time with the Office of Instructional Resources. (NOTE: This link is to the Zoom session area, not to a calendar invitation.) Come to us for Blackboard, Panopto, and other technical help! We also help with accessibility. Personal help is available on a first-come, first-served basis on Zoom.
• 1-1:50 p.m.: “Mental Health for Instructors” presented by Chris Leonard.
• 2:00-3:50 p.m.:  No ARC. Please attend the faculty/staff address in Woolsey Hall.
• 4:-4:50 p.m.: “Tenure and Promotion Process at WSU,” presented by Gery Markova
• 6-6:50 p.m.: “Getting Started with Blackboard” presented by Mary Morriss.

The Academic Resources Conference (ARC) offers a week of training to WSU staff and faculty three times a year. All ARCs have technical training, opportunities for discussion and sharing, and personalized help. All sessions are free and do not require registration. Get the Outlook invites with Zoom links for all of today’s sessions here:

• 9-9:50 a.m.: “I Have a Problem. How Do I Troubleshoot it?” presented by Carolyn Speer.
• 10-10:50 a.m.: “Give Me Some Space!: Cloud Storage Options at WSU,” presented by Ali Levine.
• 11-11:50 a.m.: “Add Panopto Quizzes to Your Videos” presented by John Hammer.
• Noon-12:50 p.m.: Panel Hour! “Inclusive University” Moderator: Jody Fiorini. Panel: Edil Torrez Rivera, Aaron Austin, Valerie Thompson, and Jenny Pearson.
• 1-3 p.m.: Direct link to drop-in, online lab time with the Office of Instructional Resources. (NOTE: This link is to the Zoom session area, not to a calendar invitation.) Come to us for Blackboard, Panopto, and other technical help. We also help with accessibility. Personal help available on a first-come, first-served basis on Zoom.
• 1-2:30 p.m.: “Preparing Neurodivergent Students to Enter the Workplace” presented by Specialisterne.
• 3-3:50 p.m.:  “Introduction to OneDrive” presented by Ali Levine.
• 4-4:50 p.m.: “Making the Most of University Libraries” presented by Meghann Kuhlmann and Aaron Bowen
• 6-6:50 p.m.: “Getting Started with Panopto” presented by Carolyn Speer.

The Academic Resources Conference (ARC) is open to all staff and faculty; and as always, it’s free and online. Here is what we have scheduled for today, Aug. 16:

• 9-9:50 a.m.: “AY 2022/23 Required Accessibility Training for Faculty” presented by John Jones.
• 10-10:50 a.m.: “Full Instructor Town Hall” presented by Provost Shirley Lefever and guests.
• 11-11:50 a.m.: “Title IX Updates” presented by Lucretia Taylor.
• Noon-12:50: Panel Hour! “Adult Students at WSU: Who are they and what do they need?” Panel: Anna Porcaro, Amber Anderson, Pam O’Neal.
• 1-3 p.m.: Direct Zoom link to Drop-in, online lab time with the Office of Instructional Resources. (NOTE: This link is to the Zoom session area, not to a calendar invitation.) Come to us for Blackboard, Panopto, and other technical help. We also help with accessibility. Personal help is available on a first-come, first-served basis on Zoom.
• 1-1:50 p.m.: “Meet Your Design School’ presented by John Hammer.
• 2-2:50 p.m.: “So, You Want to Try an ePortfolio?” presented by Chelsea Redger-Marquardt
• 3-3:50 p.m.:  “Creating Fillable Forms with Jotform” presented by Heather Merchant.
• 4-4:50 p.m.: “Nontraditional Grading Methods” presented by John Hammond
• 6-6:50 p.m.: “Time Savers: Zoom to Panopto and Respondus Test Builder” presented by Carolyn Speer.

The very popular Panel Hour is back as part of the ARC this August, and we hope you plan to join us right from your desk. Each session runs 50 minutes and is online over the lunch hour. Everyone is invited. Here is what we have lined up for you:

• Noon on Monday, Aug. 15: “What Will the Future Look Like, and How Do We Prepare Students For It?” Moderator: Amy Ham; panelists: Ajita Rattani, Min Xiao, Jaehwan Byun, Mohommad Najjar, and Robin Henry.
• Noon on Tuesday, Aug. 16:  “Adult Students at WSU: Who are they and what do they need?” Panel: Anna Porcaro, Amber Anderson, Pam O’Neal.
• Noon on Wednesday, Aug. 17: “When a Vendor Comes Calling: What to do when you want to acquire anything digital” presented by Brett Morrill and John Jones.
• Noon on Thursday, Aug. 18: “Inclusive University” Moderator: Jody Fiorini. Panel: Edil Torrez Rivera, Aaron Austin, Valerie Thompson, and Jenny Pearson.
• 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 19: “An Instructor’s Guide to Student Affairs” presented by representatives from Student Affairs.

The Academic Resources Conference (ARC) is free and open to all WSU staff and instructors. Today is the last day, and we have a big block of lab time available to help people set up Blackboard courses and organizations. We also have a great panel for the lunchtime panel hour. You don’t want to miss out!

• 9 a.m.-Noon: Direct Zoom link to Drop-in, online lab time with the Office of Instructional Resources. (NOTE: This link is to the Zoom session area, not to a calendar invitation.) Come to us for Blackboard, Panopto, and other technical help. We also help with accessibility. Personal help is available on a first-come, first-served basis on Zoom.
• 11-11:50 a.m.: EARLY Panel Hour! “An Instructor’s Guide to Student Affairs,” Presented by representatives from Student Affairs.

Whether you are setting up a course or an organization in Blackboard, the Office of Online Resources is available to help you for several hours each day next week. All help is personalized, private if necessary, and offered online via Zoom. All instructors (including GTAs and adjunct instructors) and all staff are welcome.

• 1-3 p.m. Aug. 15-18: Drop-in, online lab time with the Office of Instructional Resources.
• 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 19: Direct Zoom link to Drop-in, online lab time with the Office of Instructional Resources.