Upcoming Panopto 2020 Update

by | Dec 9, 2019 | Blog, Panopto

Behavior changes and new features

Settings updates

The following settings have changed in this release:

  • Enable Embed Options UI in Embedded Session Picker — This setting controls whether the Embed Options UI is shown in the embedded session chooser, which users see when embedding Panopto videos within LMS and CMS integrations. This feature is turned ON by default.

  • Recycle bin available to non-admin users — This setting controls whether the Recycle Bin is available to all creators in addition to administrators. This feature is turned ON by default.

  • Email video deleter on restore — Setting used to enable email notification to the user who deleted a video when it is restored from the recycle bin. The email will contain a link to the video and information on who restored the video. This feature is turned ON by default.

  • Enable video preview — This setting controls whether the “Preview Mode” button is shown to users. When a user switches to preview mode, they can choose to watch videos in-line, within the session list or to launch videos in a new tab. This feature is currently in beta and it is OFF by default.

  • Allow Powerpoint downloads and external links — Specifies whether Powerpoint and Keynote downloads or other external links can be shown in the viewer.  When enabled, content creators can choose to make their slides available for download. This feature is ON by default.

  • Sort “Shared With Me” page by “Shared date” — This setting changes the default sort order for the “Shared with Me” page to list videos by the date they were shared, with most recent shares first. This feature is currently in beta and is OFF by default.

Show “Go to Parent Folder” button in Embedded Session List page — This setting controls whether the “Go up to parent” button appears within the embedded session list page, allowing easier navigation into, and out of, subfolders.

Beta Features coming in 2020…

A few Beta features not yet ready for production are currently being tested on our staging server.

  • Panopto Web (BETA) — Users can record multi-stream videos from their browser without installing any plugins or client software. Recordings can capture multiple audio and video sources, as well as entire screens, specific apps, and Chrome tabs. While we continue to gather beta feedback, this feature will only be available to site administrators. Initially, it will be supported only in Chrome and Chromium-based browsers. This feature will be enabled for only admin users when in Beta but can be turned off from site-settings.

  • Video Preview (BETA) — Users will be able to preview videos when browsing and searching in Panopto’s list interfaces, so they can find critical information faster. The new preview mode allows users to watch their videos in-line wherever they are without having to go to a different tab. If they choose to, they can still open the video in a new tab or watch it as full-screen. If the preview mode is off, then the behavior for watching any videos is unchanged. The preview mode will allow users to more efficiently browse and search for videos, so they can access relevant information faster. This feature is an opt-out feature but the preview mode is off for each user till they decide to turn it ON for themselves. Admins can also choose to turn off the entire feature using a site-setting.

  • Slack Integration (BETA) — Users will be able to search for Panopto videos from directly within the Slack app and share them with channels and direct messages with just one click. If you would like to join the beta for this integration, please contact Panopto support.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Tyler Kinnear

by | Nov 20, 2019 | Blog

Dr. Tyler Kinnear

Instructor of Arts in the David Orr Belcher College of Fine and Performing Arts at Western Carolina University

This fall Western Carolina University pioneered a new P5 course designed as a large section lecture/experiential learning course that engages students in not only the fundamentals of the arts but actual art experiences. Over the course of the semester, students attend and participate in music, theater, and visual arts events across the college. Part of its learning focus is on self-awareness, specifically how an individual’s experiences intersect with the arts and how the arts help to inform those experiences. At the heart of this initiative is the work of Dr. Tyler Kinnear in his third year of teaching at WCU. 

Born and raised in Cullowhee, Kinnear has always been interested in music and art, but he became fascinated with soundscape when attending British Columbia University. Now that his journey of education has brought him back to his hometown, he has found the opportunity to take his passion outside of the classroom inviting the community to participate in exhibits, soundwalks, and more with the Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center. The resource that Kinnear is most excited about it is the outstanding campus. He is a true believer in applied learning and believes that you can find anything on campus to relate to, “We have this laboratory right on campus!” 

Kinnear’s goal for all his students is to grow, obtain self-awareness, and gain confidence. When asked what the most rewarding part in his teaching career has been, he replied when a smile on his face and said, “every day is a reward!” But more specifically, he finds himself most enjoying teaching students how to play gamelan, which is an Indonesian traditional instrument. In addition to helping his students think outside of their own culture, the most rewarding part this teaching is seeing the light come to the face of a student who has never touched an instrument before, when they suddenly realize, “I can do this!”  

Dr. Kinnear has discovered that his true passion is to encourage students to “wake up to their potential” and tap into their creative side.  “We all have it whether we recognize it or not,” he says. One of the ways students discover this is through engagement, not only with each other but with the things around them. After participating in a campus event, students will work together to create online video responses using a software called Panopto, which is one of many tools the Coulter Faculty Commons (CFC) offers the faculty at Western Carolina University. 

To help facilitate teaching and learning with such a large class, Kinnear depends on support from technology. He said he came to the CFC asking for help with a few technological challenges and left with not only clarity, but more amazing ideas: “JD Hawes at the CFC told me about Poll Everywhere“ and now it is used regularly to make the classroom more interactive. In addition to this, the Quick Course Diagnostic helped to show what aspects of the experimental classroom design were working and where students wanted to see improvement.  

Kinnear believes that the CFC is a very valuable resource that not only helps you with practical situations, such as but also helps you have a personal connection with others on campus by offering different workshops and guest speakers. The CFC is not only a problem-solving resource on campus, but it is a partnership for excellence in teaching and learning. And like all great teachers, Tyler Kinnear says, “we are always learning.” 

Ready to take group assignments to the next level?

by | Nov 20, 2019 | Active Learning, Activity, Blog, Classroom, Collaborative Learning, Cooperative Learning, Domains/disciplines, Educational Development, Pedagogy, Teaching and Learning

“Group work!” 

The mere phrase elicits dread in the heart of almost high performing college student and many time spells frustration for the faculty who know its potential benefits but wonder why it is so hard to get this important teaching tool to work right.

Dr. Maurice Phipps

Dr. Maurice Phipps

Professor Emeritus, Parks and Recreation Management

Dr. Maurice Phipps, faculty emeritus for Western Carolina University has developed a guidebook for teachers and students to rediscover the value and the joy of cooperative learning.

“Cooperative Learning is a highly effective method of instruction and students trained in effective group skills are valued in the workplace but groups can be dreaded without some assurance that group skills and group processing are properly taught and applied.” – Maurice Phipps

He has simplified the challenge of group work by using the five elements of Cooperative Learning, which he says must all be present in order for students to form a high performing cooperative learning community. He breaks down group work into concepts, skills and roles, and tactics and strategies.

What does cooperative learning look like?

  • Positive interdependence (ways to ensure students work together)
  • Individual accountability (making sure all students are learning)
  • Face-to-face interaction (many ways to interact)
  • Interpersonal and small-group skills (to enable effective group functioning)

The Group Book

Dr. Phipps cowrote and published The Group Book: Effective Skills for Cooperative Groups as a reference manual for teachers and students to use in bringing together the necessary pieces.

Faculty can use it as a workbook for students (e.g. study p.5-10 and come into class prepared to practice the skill).

Or they can review it themselves and deploy the strategies as needed.

Some teachers give it to students to help them take ownership of their group learning and solve the kinds of 21st century problems they will encounter throughout the rest of their life.

 

Why?

  • Faculty who want to use this, do it because they want their students to learn soft skills (that combine with technical skills) for student success.
  • Compared with other dynamic group learning methods (e.g. team-based learning), cooperative learning is flexible and adaptable to any learning environment.
  • The only way to enable high-functioning student groups in your classroom is to equip students with group processing and group skills while setting a context for them to succeed.

Want to learn more?

  • Read more about Cooperative Learning using the resources below.
  • Keep an eye out for upcoming events hosted by the CFC for Excellence in Teaching and Learning that may include a workshop hosted by Dr. Phipps on the art of facilitating group work.
  • Dr Phipps is also hosting a regular faculty discussion for WCU faculty on the benefits, challenges, and strategies of group work. Please send him a message for more details.
  • Schedule an appointment with one of our educational developers to see how you can implement this unique learning design.
  • Don’t forget to pick up a copy of “The Group Book: Effective Skills for Cooperative Groups” online or at the Coulter Faculty Commons for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

Resources

Digital Learning Webinar, October 25, 2019

Digital Learning Webinar, October 25, 2019

by | Oct 16, 2019 | Blog, Educational Technology

UNC System Digital Learning Webinar

October 25, 2019

(11:00 AM – 12:00 PM)

Click to Download and Add Webinar Series to Your Calendar

11:00 AM – 11:10 AM

Welcome

James Garner Ptaszynski, Ph.D., Vice President, Digital Learning, UNC System Office

Jim will provide recent Digital Learning Initiative (DLI) updates and an overview of today’s topics.

11:10 AM – 11:30 AM

Guest Speaker

Karen Vignare, Ph.D., M.B.A., Executive Director, Personalized Learning Consortium, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities

Personalizing Education in a Digital World

Session Summary

Adaptive learning technologies have the potential to transform the learning experiences of students. Increasing adoption of these technologies by faculty across the country have helped to enhance the collective understanding of how to support successful transformation through their effective implementation. Drawing from her experience with a network of institutions with expertise in implementing and supporting adaptive courseware for personalized learning, Karen will share what the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) has learned and how it might be applied at UNC institutions.

Karen’s Bio

Karen Vignare, Ph.D., M.B.A, is a strategic innovator leveraging emerging technologies to improve access, success and flexibility within higher education. As Executive Director for the Personalized Learning Consortium at the APLU, Karen manages a network of universities committed to student success through personalization. She also oversees several adaptive courseware grants providing leadership and support to multiple public four-year universities. She has been leading a scaling initiative with eight pioneering universities since 2016, many of which are seeing improved student success rates and higher retention.
Karen previously served as a Vice Provost, at University of Maryland University College, the largest online public open access institution where she led innovations in adaptive learning, student success and analytics. Previous to that work, she served as Director of Project Planning and Implementation for MSUGlobal at Michigan State University where she helped multiple units leverage emerging technologies in extension, non-credit programs, corporate settings, and research projects. She has published extensively on online learning, analytics, and open educational resources. She has a Ph.D. from Nova Southeastern University and an M.B.A from University of Rochester, William Simon Business School.

11:30 AM – 11:40 AM

Learning Technology
Partner SessionHolistic Course Design and Development

Maria Andersen, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Coursetune

Session Summary

Online course and curriculum design is a very complex process that requires the alignment of learning objectives at the institutional, academic program and course level while also addressing workforce needs. Maria’s presentation will demonstrate how Coursetune supports a holistic and team approach to quality instructional design through the use of learning blueprints and features such as curriculum visualization and mapping. She will also discuss how Coursetune can be used to facilitate continuous course and curriculum improvement leveraging built-in instructional design metrics and reports that enable curriculum analysis from the learner’s perspective.

Maria’s Bio

Maria Andersen, Ph.D., has been teaching mathematics and chemistry at the college level since 1998, as well as writing curriculum for mathematics, and developing digital products for learning. She built iPad games to teach algebra, launched the Canvas Network MOOC platform, and created adaptive learning platforms used by McGraw Hill. Maria also worked as the Director of Learning Design for Western Governors University. While a professor at Muskegon Community College (MCC), she directed the week-long MCC Math & Technology workshop for five years, helping faculty to prepare to teach online (or enhance their skills). Maria teaches at Westminster College, is an author, a speaker, a learning futurist, and the CEO of Coursetune. She holds degrees in Math, Chemistry, Biology, Business Administration, and Higher Education Leadership.

11:40 AM – 11:50 AM

DLI Initiatives Segment

Quality Matters Across the UNC System
John J. Falchi, M.S., Director of Special Projects, UNC System Office

Session Summary

Nearly 35% of UNC System undergraduate students completed online courses in Spring 2019. As the UNC System online presence continues to grow, along with student expectations for online education, how can UNC universities ensure the quality of online course design and implementation? One resource that is being utilized across the System is the Quality Matters (QM) program. This presentation will provide a basic understanding of QM, how it can be leveraged at your university and the value it brings to improving online learning across the System.

Join Webinar – HTTPS://MCNC.ZOOM.US/J/943706306

Phone: 646-558-8656; MEETING ID: 943 706 306

October 25, 2019 (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM)

Click to Download and Add Webinar Series to Your Calendar

Source: https://myapps.northcarolina.edu/digitallearning/webinar-series/

CFC Staff Presents at System Educational Technology Conference

by | Oct 7, 2019 | Blog, Educational Technology

The staff of the CFC had the largest number of sessions ever accepted for the annual UNCCAUSE conference. 

From October 1-3, the staff attended sessions, joined networking and special-interest groups, and presented at 5 sessions.

In order of delivery, the sessions were:

The CFC would be happy to do encore presentations as requested.