The Higher EdTech Podcast

Today we're looking at how to prepare when the inevitable happens: Your Tech Dies! Whether it's a full blackout, a blown fuse, glitchy software, unreliable internet, or anything else, you're going to run into a time when your tech dies on you. In today's episode, we're looking at ways you can prepare for the inevitable to lower your stress and keep your class running (relatively) smoothly. Shownot...

Tim & Brent look into some ways that you can use tech to save you time, reestablish your priorities, and possibly use... less tech? Listen in to hear some thoughts on how!

Brent & Tim look at the benefits and drawbacks of different document types, and consider some ways you might think about implementing them in your work life and in your classroom. Believe it or not, there are times when Word is better than Google Docs and vice versa. Listen in if you've had a history of sending out a jpg that should have been a pdf, or tried using a PDF that should have been a Goo...

What does it take to build a training center for faculty and staff? Do you need a multi-million dollar budget, or can you swing it with spare furniture and computers that have been tucked away? At IVC, Tim built a zero-cost center with some help from colleagues around campus. Listen in to hear why you might want a training center, considerations in planning it, and how to make it happen.

After a summer away, Tim & Brent return to discuss summer work and to take a look at some of the changes or new tools we're starting to implement.

We say goodbye to the 2021-2022 school year with a brief overview of season 3. We encourage you to listen in to see if there's anything you might have missed that you can catch up on over the summer. We're taking the summer off, and we hope you can, too! We'll be back in August - see you then!

Many of us hear talk about changing our exams from the traditional, proctored setups, but how do we do it? There are options out there for all of us, and this episode we dig into some of the viable alternatives.

Tim & Brent look at some new tips for ending out your semester and prepping for fall early, as well as an overview of some useful outlook features you may not be aware of.

Tim & Brent take a look at some hardware that might help you in your classroom, whether that's on campus, or online.

Tim & Brent look at whiteboards whether they be digital, real-life, or blended together. Join in for a discussion on what digital whiteboards can do, how you might implement them, and some innovative uses for physical whiteboards, too!

Many of us are transitioning back into the physical classroom, but that doesn't mean we can't bring the best of what worked online with us. Listen in as Tim & Brent share some thoughts on how to effectively implement some of your best online practices into the in-person classroom.

Tim & Brent dive into some upcoming conferences with a variety of formats: In Person, Online, and Hybrid. They discuss pros and cons of each, and how to make the most of whichever you are attending as we continue adjusting to life with COVID protocols.

Brent & Tim look at creative ways to use Padlet across a wide variety of class types, from language, to writing, to science, to math, and beyond. If you've been thinking about trying out Padlet in your classroom, listen in for some ideas that can spark your next great idea!

Brent & Tim look at broader trends for 2022 and beyond, exploring personalized learning & teaching, closing the tech gap, the teacher-student relationship, the future of blended & hybrid learning, gamification, accessibility, and more.

To kick off the new semester, Tim & Brent sat down with Irvine Valley College's Vice President of Instruction, Dr. McDonald. He shared insights into the executive level decision making around issues like COVID, switching to online, supporting students and staff, and more.  This episode gives incredible insight into the responsibilities, choices, and thoughts at the Vice President level.

Tech has made a lot of ways of protecting student privacy easier, and at the same time a lot of new, never before considered issues have sprouted up. Brent & Tim are joined by Ruben Guzman, Irvine Valley College's Registrar, to talk about FERPA - the dos, the don'ts and the grey zones. While FERPA adherence may seem like a dry topic, Ruben makes it interesting and accessible. Listen in for insight...

As we approach the end of the semester, teachers and students are struggling with overwhelm and unease. Brent & Tim discuss some of the problems we're all facing, but we might not all talk about. Then, a brief revisit to best practices in wrapping up your semester.

There's a lot of digital debris out there, and we're looking at some ways to help you tidy up. In this episode, Brent & Tim explore cleaning up your desktop, your email, and your canvas in order to pursue a more zen - or at least a less chaotic - digital lifestyle.

Brent & Tim take a look at what Zoom Apps are and discuss a few of the choices available to upgrade your Zoom classes. Then, a discussion on prepping your Canvas for the spring semester: the dos, the don'ts, and the think-about-its.

As more college professors are returning to campus we're looking at what a proper Lecture Capture room can do for you, and the considerations you should make before stepping into one. Also, a review of the top 40 EdTech tools accessed by students and educators across the US.

Tim & Brent look at tools to help you build straightforward tutorials for your students, and why you might want these instead of repurposing a screen recorder. Then, a reflection on the pros and cons of synchronous teaching, and a consideration of whether this will continue to be the way forward.

We're shifting gears and looking at practical applications of Microsoft products in the classroom. Today we're focusing on OneNote, a popular way for students and teachers to organize their ideas, and Teams, Microsoft's communication platform. Listen in as we discuss practical applications in the classroom and on campus!

We're back with Nick Wilkening, Director of Technology Services at Irvine Valley College. Nick shares what's been going on behind the scenes with IT at IVC and how other tech leaders can make changes on campus with programs like Laptop Loans, OS updates, Print Machine refreshes, Closed Captioning, and more.

As we step into the first classes of the semester, Brent & Tim discuss all the updates that have happened over the summer on the most used platforms. We're talking Google, Microsoft, Canvas, Zoom, and more! Get caught up with the changes you'll see when you warm up your computers for fall.

We sit down with IVC president Dr. John Hernandez to talk campus life, culture, tech, and the future of education. Listen in to hear his thoughts on connecting with faculty, staff, and students, and hear how he wears his heart on his sleeve on matters that are personal to him.