What's happening in the world of FASE EdTech this month? We're starting by revisiting a tech tip that we got a bit wrong but that's ok because it ended up being a very helpful Faculty Question of the Week (see Tip 01). We find ourselves rushing right through the middle of term, which means it's the perfect time for mid-term feedback surveys! We have some tips for implementing a feedback mechanism in your course (see Tip 04).
If you've talked to anyone from the ETO in the past year (or longer), you've heard us talk about the Mining Industry Management Program (MIMP). No more talk! This month we're finally sharing a sample module from the new Mining online graduate course, Exploration, Studies, Resources & Reserves (ESRR) (see Tip 02). If embarking on a full online course is a bridge too far at the moment, check out a "lighter" digital learning experience project (read: video library) featuring Prof. Belinda Wang (see Tip 03). If ideas are sparking, we'd love to discuss - send an email to fase.edtech@utoronto.ca to get going.
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FORMATIVE FEEDBACK TIP
1. Follow up: Insert MS Forms into PowerPoint
 Last month, we shared what we thought was an easy-to-implement and effective tech tip on how to insert an MS Form into your PowerPoint presentations. Thanks to your follow-up inquiries (most popular newsletter item yet?), we realized that we left out some key information. This led to a new Faculty Question of the Week (and a technical guide, How can I add an MS Form as an add-in to PowerPoint?) focusing specifically on how to see this feature (you need to be logged into your O365 account) and what to do if you're using an Apple OS device.
This was a really good reminder for us that even though we try to cover broad circumstances that we miss stuff you need to know. If you are ever following our tips or recommendations, and run into a sticky situation, do reach out (fase.edtech@utoronto.ca). We'll either help directly or point you to the people who can (unfortunately, we can't do everything...yet...).
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MODULE TIP
2. Preview interactive Mining Module
 We're really pumped to be sharing Early Planning for Mine Waste Risks to Water Quality, the second module of the Exploration, Studies, Resources & Reserves (ESRR) online graduate course. A special thank you to Prof. Kamran Esmaeili for this share; while the module here is openly available, the full online course requires registration to view the rest of the course materials.
This digital learning experience aims to support learners as they learn about the basics of metal leaching and acid rock drainage and how to identify management strategies for mine waste risk in different stages of resource development. As a self-directed module, we tried to build in learner supports via descriptive instructions (e.g., a lessons on how to interact with this module, what to remember if you remember just one thing) and formative feedback through interactions (e.g., selectable graphic covering closure activities; scroll down).
Thank you for sharing, Instructor Chris Kennedy! You can learn more about Chris via the Meet the Instructor video. If you're interesting in being a learner in this course, check out the Mining Industry Management Program's (MIMP) website. |
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Curious about developing your own module?
We'd love to help! The ETO can support you through the preparation, design, and development phases of your project. We work with faculty and industry experts to create a custom experience that reflects your teaching goals and emphasizes your unique style and strategy. Want to film a tortoise? We're in. Want to record virtually with remote direction? We can do that. Have another idea to bring your content to (digital) life? Contact us ( fase.edtech@utoronto.ca) to get started!
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CONTENT CREATION TIP
3. Watch a sample video from the ECE110 Problem Solving Video Series (Prof. Belinda Wang)
Over the course of two months (off and on), and including some training on self-recording using a Wacom tablet, Prof. Wang produced 18 videos (with some support from the ETO for graphics and editing). The result is a re-usable video collection that can be expanded and iterated as needed. In the introduction video, Prof. Wang says, "I have prepared a series of problem-solving videos to help you gain the confidence and abilities to tackle the problems on your own." This type of project supplements other course activities (both in-person and online) and adds a mechanism for learners to self-study at their own pace, building confidence in the material. By hosting on YouTube, content playback is reliable, responsive to devices, and is auto-captioned.
We're sharing two example videos from the new series: an introduction video as well as a problem solving video.
ECE110 Problem Solving Video Series | Prof. Belinda Wang Introduction
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This an introduction video (1:07) for a problem solving video series for ECE110 (Electrical Fundamentals) students created by Prof. Belinda Wang and filmed and edited by the FASE ETO. The video was filmed in July 2023, with a Sony A7III and a 35mm lens in 4K with hybrid-log gamma. The footage then underwent audio processing, colour-correction and colour grading, and additional motion graphic elements were designed for enhancement. |
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ECE110 Problem Solving Video Series | Resistor Networks & Current Division
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This video is part of the ECE110 (Electrical Fundamentals) Problem Solving Video Series by Prof. Belinda Wang, where she explains how to solve a circuit problem. Prof. Wang captured her writing and drawing using Camtasia with a Wacom tablet. The screen recordings were then enhanced by ETO through editing, audio processing and motion graphics. |
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Want to watch more ETO videos? We created an ETO demonstration (demo) reel to host videos that are either open access or we have permission from the instructor/creator to share. |
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QUICK TECH TIP
Disable Excel's default tendency to turn everything into a date
 From How-to Geek: Microsoft Excel converting numbers into other formats has been a running joke for years (see meme to the left), especially with date conversions, Microsoft rolled out a new setting last year that turns off data conversions like scientific notation and removing leading zeroes, and now an additional setting to turn off date conversion has arrived. Also, the options are available on Excel for Mac for the first time.
Here's how to do it: The options are now located at File > Options > Data > Automatic Data Conversion, instead of hiding in the Advanced menu.
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FEEDBACK TIP
4. Implement an anonymous mid-term feedback survey
We were reminded by Breana Bayraktar, Tips for Teaching Professionals, that waiting until the end of the semester to solicit feedback is too late to implement changes in the current term. In her article, Strategies for mid-semester student feedback, she suggests some questions to ask students, depending on your what you're hoping to learn. These categories include better understanding your students (e.g., what technology issues or limitations are you facing?), gathering actionable feedback (e.g., would you prefer more individual or group work time in class?), and boosting confidence (e.g., do you believe you will be successful in this course?).
How to implement a mid-term survey (or other feedback mechanism) in your course
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Start with the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation's guide to gathering formative feedback with mid-course evaluations. It covers what to do, what not to do, and how to contextualize this evaluation (as compared to end-of-term evaluations) with your class. Particularly helpful is the Mid-Course Evaluations Goals worksheet.
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Consider an anonymous MS Forms survey. While Quercus does have a survey function, Quercus surveys can be de-anonymized by members of the teaching team after responses are collected. These instructions detail how to create a truly anonymous (but still authenticated, so discouraging misuse) form.
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LECTURE CAPTURE TIP
5. Select your Winter 2024 lecture capture method
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Are you interested in recording your teaching activity for the Winter 2024 term? We outline different methods for recording your class, including the FASE Lecture Capture Program. The lecture capture program is geared towards instructors who use non-digital teaching methods and/or are not teaching in an LSM classroom space. You can use the flow chart on the blog post to find out if your course is eligible for the program.
If you are interested in participating, the deadline to submit your form is Friday, December 01, 2023 at 5:00 PM EST.
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QUERCUS TIP
Faculty Questions of the Week
Each week we answer a real question that we've received about Quercus and other Academic Toolbox tools, keeping the questions timely and relevant to you. You can select on the question to read the full inquiry and response or see all previous faculty questions of the week.
Read the Faculty Questions of the Week
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Why can't I see the option to embed a Form in PowerPoint? (October 26, 2023) | I wanted to try the TechTip of embedding a form into PowerPoint that was in the October 2023 newsletter, but I don't see the option. |
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 How can I make the correct answers for a Quiz available to students? (October 12, 2023) | I want to give the students access to the quiz questions with correct answers. What do I need to do to give them access to the correct answers? |
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New (or updated) ETO Technical Guides
We usually update our technical guides as questions come in, changes are made to systems, or as we come up to certain dates in the academic calendar.
Here are the new guides published in October:
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How can I add an MS Form as an add-in to PowerPoint? Learn how to add an MS Form to your PowerPoint presentation on Windows OS and MacOS to elicit real-time feedback from students and encourage active participation.
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Comparing Hypothesis and Perusall. Review a comprehensive comparison table for the Hypothesis and Perusall collaborative annotation tools that will help you evaluate which tool is the most well-suited for your course.
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"JUST CLICK ME" TIPS
Worthwhile clicks from the Web
Looking for something to read/watch/listen to? Each month we round up things that we've interacted with that we think are worth sharing:
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Classroom walls are shifting (The Chronicle | Beth McMurtie) | Professors are open to online instruction, but what form is best?
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Enhancing Face-to-Face Education: Leveraging Learning Management Systems for Student Success (Faculty Focus | Angie Fedon, PhD) | Effective use of learning management systems is widely explored in terms of online and blended learning; however, there is minimal information regarding learning management systems and face-to-face courses, unless it’s about transitioning from in-person to emergency remote learning.
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Edu-Snippets: Examining three educational myths (The Science of Learning | Nidhi Sachdeva and Jim Hewitt) | In this issue, we examine three common educational myths: i) Teaching facts isn’t important; ii) People are either left-brained or right-brained; and iii) the multitasking myth.
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Curious about the photos in the banner?
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This month's banner images are a few photos taken by the ETO team during the past month:
Row 01: Left: Fall walk around campus (Anna Limanni)
Row 01: Right: McArthur's Mills Look out (Allison Van Beek)
Row 02: Left: Moody Sauble Beach (Marisa Curmi)
Row 02: Right: Blue skies in Muskoka (Irina Belaya)
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