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Issues and Articles Archive

Active learning everywhere

Published 2024 Spring

Considering the two Es, experience and environment

By Sarah Engel

The evolution of IU's Mosaic Active Learning Initiative and its Faculty Fellows program

Featured Story

A young woman among others reaching up towards a wall of post-it notes

A letter from the editor about this issue

By Sarah Engel

How to pursue active learning everywhere, from faculty insights to on-demand training

Taking Note

Students working at outside tables on the IU Indianapolis campus

From Speed Dating to Teach, Play, Learn

By Sarah Engel

Upcoming events offer new (and often fun!) possibilities for teaching and learning

Happenings

Graphic rendering of groups of students in an active classroom setting

Anatomy of an effective active learning exercise

By Zach Carnagey

Seven key features, plus sample activities that work in multiple learning environments

Featured Story

An empty classroom with colorful chairs and a transparent collage of frames and infographics in the space above the desks

Rethinking how we assign classrooms

By Samuel Evola

A pilot program with the Registrar and Mosaic Faculty Fellows at IU Indianapolis

Food for Thought

three students sitting on the floor and working on laptops

Active learning resource roundup

By Sarah Engel

Where to find insights, advice, and examples from around IU: Six go-to sources

How to Tech

graphic rendering of a variety of university students in green setting with Greek columns and modern buildings in the background

Create meaningful engagement

By Sarah Engel

On-demand training on simple and high-impact active learning strategies

Teaching for Student Success

A man wearing a backpack and holding tickets in his hand is on a train platform running after a moving train

ICYMI: In Case You Missed It

By Sarah Engel

Recent IU news and events about teaching and learning with technology.

Catching Up

Considering Generative AI and Virtual Reality for teaching and learning

Published 2023 Year End

Conversations with The Connected Professor

By Sarah Engel

Join a faculty panel on ChatGPT a year later. Their take: A lot of hype, some definite potential

Featured Story

a 3D anatomy model and a student wearing a VR headset

Using XR to engage students

By Randy Newbrough

Randy Newbrough reflects on XR technologies in higher education.

Taking Note

snow-covered red clock on the IU Bloomington campus

Looking forward to early 2024

By Sarah Engel

Save the dates for online and in person events coming up this spring.

Happenings

young man wearing a VR headset in a library

Taking the fear out of public speaking

By Sarah Engel

Step into the Virtual Reality Speech Lab, and practice until you're ready to present in real life.

Featured Story

Two students at an information table for Microsoft Training

What are we doing to reach students, and help them succeed?

By Sarah Engel

An overview of our current efforts to enhance student learning with a technology focus.

Food for Thought

A young woman with earbuds in and emojis floating in the air around her device

Taking a fresh look at InScribe

By Sarah Engel

Promote peer learning, provide help, and build community. InScribe 2.0 adds even more.

How to Tech

Microsoft in Minutes

By Tom Mason

An ongoing series to help you get the most out of Microsoft 365 apps.

On the Lighter Side

In case you missed it

By Sarah Engel

Recent IU news about teaching and learning with technology.

Catching Up

What's next in IU tech tools?

Published Fall 2023

woman in scrubs looking out at a cityscape at night

What's next in IU tech tools?

By Sarah Engel

Three Next.IU fellows now have projects underway, with very different goals but a collective focus on student success.

Featured Story

Jay Gladden in front of a wooded Bloomington campus background

Realizing the IU 2030 goals

By Jay Gladden

Jay Gladden shares how we're broadening our partnership with faculty to support the use of technology in teaching.

Taking Note

an image produced by generative ai of a turtle wearing glasses

Fall 2023 events

By Sarah Engel

From generative AI speed rounds to faculty-focused Delphinium sessions, fall events offer opportunities to explore.

Happenings

Hands holding clapper board against a graphic background

One of the best-kept secrets at IU

By Sarah Engel

A conversation with producer Don Lorentz and professor Jim Davis about Academic Media Production Spaces.

Featured Story

a wide bookshelf filled with books and a plant on top

Pressbooks: Easy online publishing

By Jeani Young

Ever been frustrated with your textbook or lab manual options and thought “I could do better than this!”?

Food for Thought

a woman walking down a spiral staircase and looking at her mobile phone

Take Microsoft Teams on the go

By Sarah Engel

Sometimes competing priorities mean you end up relying on your cell phone to keep things moving at work.

How to Tech

Delphinium for Canvas

By Sarah Engel

Add the right motivation to make your students want to learn.

Emerging Tech

In case you missed it

By Sarah Engel

Recent IU news about teaching and learning with technology.

Catching Up

Rethinking the way we do things

Published Spring 2023

More active, more digital, more impactful

By Sarah Engel

Reinventing first-year writing courses: A conversation with Miranda Rodak and Justin Hodgson

Featured Story

Michael Mace with a background of a classroom with two green-eyed robots

The upsides of generative AI

By Michael Mace

ATAC Manager Michael Mace shares how tools like ChatGPT can be allies to people with disabilities

Taking Note

People sitting at two tables with coffees and a computer

Upcoming online and in person events

By Sarah Engel

Catch up on what's happening in teaching and learning with technology this summer and in early fall

Happenings

It's easier than ever to be an Ally

By Destin Hubble

Now available in Canvas, Ally takes the sting out of accommodation requests

Featured Story

close-up of colorful, filled file folders

Clear the clutter

By Sarah Engel

A four-week plan to make it easier to find what you're looking for

Food for Thought

A wizard hat with a glowing magical light and curling smoke on a computer laptop on a desk

Ready to set up your Canvas course?

By Sarah Engel

The Canvas Course Setup Wizard can help with some of the common processes

How to Tech

The latest in AI art generators

By Sarah Engel

Adobe Firefly is now available in Photoshop (beta) as part of IU's Adobe contract

Emerging Tech

In case you missed it

By Sarah Engel

Recent IU news about teaching and learning with technology

Catching Up

Staying a Step Ahead

Published Winter 2023

Students sitting in a sandbox classroom facing the main screen and smiling

Sandbox classrooms

By Amanda Chambliss

Unearthing and testing new technologies for the classroom

Featured Story

James McGookey sitting on the edge of a desk, looking at the camera, wearing a suit. There is a red room divider in the background.

Managing (and leading) transitions

By James McGookey

Director of Learning Spaces James McGookey shares how IU's classrooms are evolving

Taking Note

Winter and spring events across IU

By Michele Kelmer

See what's happening in teaching and learning with technology

Happenings

Screenshot of an online meeting with many people smiling. Some are waving.

Pitching in

By Amanda Chambliss

Cross-campus, multimodal class pilot reveals benefits for both instructors and students

Featured Story

View from above of a person working on a laptop; to the left are symbols and the letters AI in white

Generative AI in EDU

By Adam Maksl

How tools like ChatGPT are affecting teaching and learning

Emerging Tech

Finding your files in M365 storage

By Tom Mason

Explore multiple ways to find your files in Microsoft storage at IU.

How to Tech

A group of people collaborating on a project and multiple types of technology devices on the table.

Food for Thought

By Daniel Janicki

Explore useful tools like Microsoft Whiteboard, Sway, and OneNote

Food for Thought

Catching up

By Sarah Engel

Recent IU news about teaching and learning with technology.

Catching Up

Improving the learning experience

Published Fall 2022

Table top from above with people working on different devices; overlayed on top are 4 gauges: Needs help, A little better, Almost there, and Very good

Improving the learning experience for all students

By Sarah Herpst

Gradual course improvements that make a sizeable difference

Featured Story

College woman reading a book at the base of a tree

Taking note

By Jay Gladden

Spreading the word about Learning.IU, a new resource for students.

Taking Note

View of the IUPUI Campus with the sun shining through the branches of a tree turned red by fall

What's happening in fall 2022

By Sarah Engel

What's happening in fall 2022

Happenings

Woman on a ladder writing on a chalkboard filled with graphs and diagrams

What the eLearning Lab can teach us

By Josh Quick

What the eLearning Lab can teach us

Featured Story

Faculty sitting together at classroom tables and chatting

Fellowships and opportunities

By Sarah Engel

Opportunities to learn and shine in teaching and learning with technology

Food for Thought

Several people working with sticky notes at a white table

How to tech

By Karri Ann Hamlett-Bedan

Virtual whiteboards

How to Tech

Catch the latest Digital Gardener Initiative podcast

By Sarah Engel

A conversation with Dr. Kevin Jones about keeping students productively engaged in learning with digital media

On the Lighter Side

man with backpack running on a train platform after a moving train

In case you missed it

By Sarah Engel

Recent IU news about teaching and learning with technology.

Catching Up

Adding more feedback and interactivity

Published Spring 2022

Dachshund close-up with one ear up and a straight-on gaze

From passive viewing to active learning

By Sarah Engel

Faculty success stories about ensuring students get more out of videos.

Featured Story

PlayPosit Tech Recipe

By Matt Barton

How to create video interactions with PlayPosit

Featured Story

Focusing on student and faculty success

By Michele Kelmer

Learning Technologies' newest director, Michele Kelmer, wants to hear about your experiences.

Taking Note

Spring and summer events across IU

By Sarah Engel

From the Teaching Foundations webinar series to the Teach, Play, Learn conference.

Happenings

Five students are gathered around and listening to a sixth student in a classroom setting.

New paths to Teaching for Student Success

By Michael Morrone

One dedicated to Active Learning and the other to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice-informed teaching and campus culture.

Featured Story

Explore the future of IU classrooms

By Kelly Scholl

And help shape which features and tech they offer.

Food for Thought

Sequence of 3 photos of a playful dachshund against a white background

A PlayPosit primer

By Matt Barton

CITL's Matt Barton will help you get started with interactive video.

How to Tech

graphic of a circular garden, with the text Digital Gardener Initiative in the middle

Meet the Digital Gardener Faculty Fellows

By Sarah Engel

Thirty-five faculty across IU working in digital literacy and creativity.

On the Lighter Side

In case you missed it

By Sarah Engel

Recent IU news about teaching and learning with technology.

Catching Up

Forward-looking teaching and learning

Published Fall 2021

Walking the talk

By Kathy Johnson

How and why Kathy Johnson switched to IU eTexts

Featured Story

Taking note

By Jay Gladden

A letter to faculty from Jay Gladden, AVP for Learning Technologies at IU

Taking Note

Horizon at twilight with tulips and a tree silhouetted against the sky

Fall 2021 upcoming events

By Sarah Engel

Reflecting on what we've learned and continue to learn during the pandemic.

Happenings

Professor Racek and a student wearing a virtual reality headset

Beyond gaming and trinkets

By Jeannette Lehr

Students gain access to VR and 3D printing for future-forward and socially impactful careers.

Featured Story

An open book and an open laptop back-to-back on a table in front of a chalkboard

Food for thought: OER

By Sarah Hare

IU Scholarly Communication Librarian Sarah Hare's go-to sources.

Food for Thought

Inclusion written in multiple colors on a chalkboard

Choosing accessible textbooks

By Brian Richwine

Five tips for selecting inclusive, barrier-free eTexts and course materials.

How to Tech

On the lighter side

By Randy Newbrough and Jeannette Lehr

A new initiative for exploring current and future immersive tech.

On the Lighter Side

In case you missed it

By Various sources

Recent IU news about teaching and learning with technology.

Featured Story

Preparing for the return to campus

Published Summer 2021

Four individuals shown from chest down, sitting on a stone wall, holding various books, notebooks, and computers

Faculty success stories

By Sarah Engel

More things we'll keep from 2020: InScribe, VoiceThread, and more

Featured Story

Greg Siering and Randy Newbrough, both in red shirts, standing at Indiana University's Sample Gates

New technology resources for faculty

By Sarah Engel

How the teaching centers are helping faculty transition back to in-person teaching and learning

Taking Note

Aerial view of Indiana University's Showalter Fountain during a First Thursdays event.

Summer 2021 events

By Sarah Engel

Get help with preparing for the start of the semester, and for the return to face-to-face teaching

Happenings

a detailed close-up of a 17-year cicada against black background

Fact or Fiction: Sex-crazed cicadas on psychedelics

By Jeannette Lehr

Supporting information literacy, so students can decipher fact from fiction in a range of content

Featured Story

Two middle-aged women looking at a computer screen; one woman is pointing and explaining something.

Creating more accessible courses

By Sarah Engel

Four examples of how ATAC has helped faculty create more accessible courses for all students

Food for Thought

View over the shoulder of a woman, pencil in her left hand, typing with her right hand, and a calendar on the computer screen

Manage meetings more efficiently

By Adam Maksl

Easier meeting scheduling through Microsoft Bookings and FindTime, from a professor's perspective

How to Tech

Sample of student-designed flyer using Adobe Stock

And the winner is...

By Sarah Engel

Students compete for an Adobe Stock campaign to showcase their work at IU

On the Lighter Side

In Case You Missed It

By Sarah Engel

Recent news about teaching and learning with tech, plus a new accessibility tool

Catching Up

Online teaching blossoms

Published Spring 2021

Faculty success stories

By Sarah Engel

Things we'll keep from 2020: Top Hat, OneNote, Virtual Reality, Teams

Featured Story

Justin Zemlyak, Director of Teaching and Learning Technologies

Removing barriers to student success

By Justin Zemlyak

Teaching and engaging students through multiple means

Taking Note

A woman dressed in blouse and jacket for work, but pajama pants on her legs is smiling and looking at the laptop on her lap. Her feet are propped up on the table.

Spring 2021 online events

By Sarah Engel

Chances to exchange ideas and explore tech (including one for your students)

Happenings

A woman is lecturing to a class next to a high-resolution image on a large format, ultra-high resolution, tiled video display system

Using digital tools and visual imagery for teaching biology

By Sean Winningham

How your creativity can encourage students to be more creative as well, and keep them engaged and interested

Featured Story

A line of cutout paper dolls, each a different color of the rainbow

7 core practices that benefit all students

By Sarah Engel

Follow seven simple steps to create more inclusive course content

Food for Thought

A panda lies on its belly on a large tree branch, arms and legs hanging down on either side.

Get and keep their attention with Adobe Stock

By Sarah Engel

No-cost access to 200 million photos, graphics, and illustrations

How to Tech

a group of otters, one standing on the back of another looking at the camera

Train your otter via Zoom

By Beth Nolen

Turn on live transcripts in Zoom to make your classes and meetings more inclusive

On the Lighter Side

In case you missed it

By various sources

Recent news about teaching and learning with technology

Catching Up

Building and extending community even when socially distanced

Published Year-end 2020

Black Lives Matter street mural on north side of IUPUI campus. Photo by Indiana University photographer Liz Kaye.

If not now, then when?

By Sarah Engel

Developing a first year seminar with lasting lessons about race, diversity, and community

Featured Story

Supporting Pervasive Teaching Excellence

By Michael Morrone

Sharing best practices in teaching and learning

Taking Note

Happenings Winter 2020

By Sarah Engel

Join us for year-end and early 2021 events

Happenings

Instructor wearing a VR headset and a screen of what she's seeing; students watch from semicircular seating.

Teaching with and in virtual reality

By Jeannette Lehr

Real-life advantages that go well beyond the wow factor

Featured Story

Road overpass on the IUPUI campus painted with the words, Discrimination has no place here.

Increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in your courses

By Jessica Alexander, Instructional Design Consultant, Center for Teaching and Learning at IUPUI

Self-paced online resources focused on teaching and learning

Food for Thought

Extreme close-up for a mobile phone being used to photograph a document

Share handwritten content in Zoom

By The Collaboration Technologies team

Create your own DIY document camera using technology you have at hand

How to Tech

Two smiling women, one of whom is writing on a lightboard

Build your own lightboard for more engaging online classes

By Steve Egyhazi

Create a lightboard in less than 30 minutes for under $150 to personalize your videos

On the Lighter Side

ICYMI

By various sources

Stay in the know about tech news and online teaching resources from around IU.

Catching Up

Back to school

Published Summer 2020

A male student and a female student walking on campus wearing masks

Survey says: Four recommendations

By Sarah Engel

Strategies, resources, and support for teaching and learning in the midst of uncertainty

Featured Story

Photo of Learning Spaces team experiencing a virtual reality roller coaster

The COVID-19 rollercoaster

By Julie Johnston

Behind the scenes with Director Julie Johnston and the Learning Spaces team as they prepare for the fall 2020 semester.

Taking Note

Photo of man drinking coffee during a Zoom meeting

Happenings

By Sarah Engel

Stay in the know about teaching and learning events at IU.

Happenings

Photo of an instructor at the teaching computer with students participating via Zoom behind her

How to use the classroom technology

By Sarah Engel

Tips and tricks for teaching both in-class and remote students simultaneously.

How to Tech

Photo of maw looking at his laptop in kitchen

Teaching in the pandemic classroom

By Tracey Birdwell

Redesigning your face-to-face class to work within social distancing and other pandemic guidelines.

Featured Story

Squirrel at IU's Sample Gates with a bright red KAPOW in a yellow flash

Canvas kapow!

By Zach Carnagey

One quick tip a day, working toward a more engaging Canvas course site.

On the Lighter Side

Photo of woman checking her cell phone in her home office

ICYMI

By various sources

Stay in the know about tech news and online teaching resources from around IU.

Catching Up

Stay Connected

Published Spring 2020

Gina Londino-Smolar inside the CIB. She's in the foreground, the background is out of focus, but it appears to be a wall of glass looking outside.

CSI: Online

By Sarah Engel

Gina Londino really wanted to do an online version of her forensic science lab course. She ultimately found ways to deliver the same experiments and learning outcomes as the face-to-face course.

Featured Story

Brian Richwine on stage at the Accessible by Design conference in 2018.

Three accessibility tips for all learners

By Brian Richwine

Simple ways you can increase engagement and satisfaction for all students through accessible course materials.

Taking Note

Noma Maier's chickens, shown here, frequently feature in DEPI team meetings.

Spring 2020 events

By Sarah Engel

Finding ways to stay connected online.

Happenings

Jessica Calarco sitting in a home office. There's a brick wall, houseplant, window, and a chair in the background.

Bridging the digital divide

By Emily Oakes

Teaching with empathy and equity in the wake of COVID-19.

Featured Story

Photo of dog on a person's lap, looking at laptop displaying the Keep Teaching website.

Keep Teaching at IU

By Michele Kelmer

DEPI's Michele Kelmer shares some updates to IU's go-to site for moving classes online.

Food for Thought

Chris Foley sitting at a desk while grading student work using an Apple Pencil and an iPad.

Traditional grading with a tech twist

By Yvonne Wittmann

Learn how a pen-on-paper grading experience is possible with a tablet and stylus.

How to Tech

A student interviewing another student using Zoom.

From a student's perspective

By Jeannette Lehr

Students share their remote learning lives.

On the Lighter Side

A man holding transparent materials for a 3D printed mask.

In Case You Missed It

By Sarah Engel

Tech news highlights from around IU.

Catching Up

New Year's Resolutions

Published Winter 2020

Make time for professional development

By Sarah Engel

Turning a long-term commitment to student success into evidence-based standards for excellence in teaching.

Featured Story

Resolutions you can actually keep

By John Gosney

John Gosney, director of faculty engagement and outreach, lays out some attainable opportunities for 2020.

Taking Note

Get out more

By Sarah Engel

In-person and online events for exploring learning technologies.

Happenings

Advance student learning

By Sarah Engel

Developing tools that help motivate and sustain students' engagement in learning activities.

Featured Story

Design for everyone

By Madeline Grdina

UXO's Madeline Grdina shares her go-to sources on Universal Design for Learning.

Food for Thought

Keep teaching

By Yvonne Wittmann

Bad weather? Flu outbreak? Power outage? Any of these things might keep you from teaching a face-to-face class. What can you do about it?

How to Tech

Cartoon image of a wolf in sheep's clothing in front of a laptop.

Think before you click

By Jessica Samuel

Phishers mimic trusted senders to trick you into acting quickly. Three videos play on what can happen!

On the Lighter Side

In case you missed it

By Sarah Engel

Recent news about teaching and learning with technology

Catching Up

Active Learning

Published Fall 2019

Gina Sánchez Gibau standing on the IUPUI campus.

Learning in motion

By Sarah Engel

Taking the focus away from the front of class to soften boundaries and increase engagement

Featured Story

Stacy Morrone presenting at the Mosaic Institute.

Leadership perspectives

By Stacy Morrone

Stacy Morrone, associate vice president for Learning Technologies, reflects on the inaugural issue of The Connected Professor

Taking Note

Andy Buchenot teaching in the Idea Garden.

From transmitting knowledge to engaging it

By Sarah Engel

Using active learning to embrace teaching and learning as social processes

Featured Story

Mosaic fellows at the Mosaic Institute working at a group work station in a classroom.

Stay in the know

By Sarah Engel

Mosaic's Tracey Birdwell shares her go-to active learning sources

Food for Thought

A coffee cup with several variations of Jeremy crossed out with the name Jeremy circled at the bottom.

Simplify introductions

By Sarah Engel

How many ways can you mispronounce "Bob"?

On the Lighter Side

Students leaning on a concrete wall looking at their phones as if they are hunting for something.

Active learning scavenger hunt

By Sarah Engel

Low-key and expanded versions for exploring course concepts while getting used to Solstice wireless sharing

How to Tech

A full Mosaic classroom for the Speed Dating with Learning Technologies event on the IU Bloomington campus.

Spring 2020 events

By Sarah Engel

In-person and online events for exploring learning technologies

Happenings

One of the bridges over the Jordan River on the Indiana University Bloomington campus.

ICYMI

By Sarah Engel

More news you can use

Catching Up