Tech4Teach Fair
T4Ttalks
T4Ttalks are 5-10 minute talks using images & animation to take the audience on a journey of possibilities for utilizing & integrating technology into student learning experiences. Please attend & enjoy these presentations.
HOW DATA IS TRANSFORMING THE LEARNING ECOSYSTEM - Michael Windelspecht
Room - Beacon Heights 2:30-2:40 (Facilitator: Mike Madritch, Biology)
Michael is the CEO/CLO at Ricochet Creative Productions LLC & Learning Interactives, as well as a former biology professor at Appalachian State University.
T4Ttalk Overview:
Students don’t know what they don’t know. This fact applies to learners in any environment. This means that educators and developers are constantly developing resources that focus on what they anticipate the learner needs. However, advances in learning technologies are now providing the data that allows educators to understand specific knowledge deficiencies. This data is fundamentally changing the entire learning ecosystem.
Attendees at this session will will experience how data from a single learning experience may be utilized across the entire learning environment - from the individual, to the structure of a classroom, to authoring of content. Not only will attendees be able to see how data benefits the personalization of the remediation process, but how it can also assist in the design and revision of content and the development of specific microlearning resources
LET US TURN THE WHOLE COUNTRY INTO A SOCIALIST FAIRYLAND: Open access, the imminent socialist utopia, and YOU! - Paul Orkiszewski
Room - Linn Cove 2:30-2:40 (Facilitator: Laura Mallard, Geology)
Paul is the Lead Librarian for Scholarly Communication & Intellectual Property at Appalachian State University.
T4Ttalk Overview:
Your participation in Open Access scholarship and publication is the one sure and shining path to the democratization and universal distribution of knowledge and wisdom that will fundamentally alter the cultural calculus of our times and allow for the unprecedented and scarcely imaginable efflorescence of human potential. Or not. But maybe.
ENHANCING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT BY IMAGING THE NIGHT SKY! - David Sitar
Room - Beacon Heights 2:45-2:55 (Facilitator: Mike Madritch, Biology)
David is the Astronomy Facility Director, Astronomy Laboratory Instructor & Astronomy Outreach Coordinator at Appalachian State University.
T4Ttalk Overview:
A positive introductory astronomy lab experience is essential for drawing in new prospective majors and promoting an open attitude towards science for general education students. In order to provide students with a more engaging learning experience, we are in the process of upgrading the Rankin GoTo Laboratory with new camera technologies. With these new cameras, the
images taken are in full color, providing students more of that “WOW” factor during outdoor lab activities. In the past, students were only able to obtain low-resolution black-and-white images unless they took multiple images through different filters and used software to stack those data.
Science educators are always trying to find clever ways to engage students and use their involvement in their labs and classroom, and we believe this camera technology upgrade will show students that science is truly fun. In conclusion, we hope that both our majors and general education students will leave our introductory astronomy labs with a hunger for learning more about our natural world.
CAN TEACHING WITH VIDEO TECHNOLOGIES INCREASE PEER INTERACTIONS? - Tom Hansell
Room - Linn Cove 2:45-2:55 (Facilitator: Laura Mallard, Geology)
Tom is the Co-Director of Documentary Film Services & Assistant Professor in the Center for Appalachian Studies at Appalachian State University
T4Ttalk Overview:
Many educators express concern that technology decreases face-to-face interaction and student engagement. While some evidence support this view, faculty at Appalachian have strategically designed assignments that combine video technology with documentary research methods and increase peer interactions.
Student documentary productions require teamwork, compromise, and leadership. Students are required to perform in a variety of roles, which capitalize on their individual skills and interests. Documentary projects often involve partnerships off campus, which strengthen connections between students and members of the local community. Hansell’s talk will include short clips from student productions here at ASU and resources for further learning.
Speaker Biographies:
Michael Windelspecht:
Michael is a science educator, author and instructional designer who research interests are in the analysis of data from digital learning platforms for the development of personalized microlearning assets and next generation publication platforms. As an educator hehas taught introductory biology, genetics, and human genetics in the online, traditional, and hybrid environments at community colleges, comprehensive universities, and military institutions. He serves as the CEO/CLO of several companies, in including Ricochet Creative Productions, which actively develops and assesses new technologies for the elearning ecosystem. Learn more about Dr. Windelspecht.
Paul Orkiszewski:
Paul joined the ASU library faculty in 2002 and has served in a variety of roles involving acquisitions, cataloging, collections, and technology. He is currently the Lead Librarian for Scholarly Communication and Intellectual Property on the library's recently formed Digital Scholarship and Initiatives team. In addition to his library science master's, Paul holds degrees in music theory and previously worked as a music librarian at Westminster Choir College, Louisiana State University, and Rice University. Paul's biography bears an uncanny resemblance to the late Steve Job's: not so much the brilliant thinking, visionary leadership, and relentless pursuit of perfection thing as the mock turtlenecks. Definitely the mock turtlenecks.
David Sitar:
David is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Appalachian State University (ASU). He came to ASU in 2011 and currently serves as the Director of the Rankin GoTo Lab Facilities and Outreach Coordinator. He also serves as the Physics Secondary Education Advisor. Mr. Sitar teaches and manages the Astronomy I and II lab courses. In addition, he teaches the Physics Practicum course for students in the Physics Secondary Education concentration. He mentors students outside of the classroom through his role as lab manager and outreach coordinator. Mr. Sitar’s research involves astronomical instrumentation, astronomy and physics education, along with the importance of STEM outreach within the community. He serves on the curriculum and assessment committees in his home department, is Vice President of the North Carolina Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers (NCS-AAPT), and is an active member of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). He has given a number of talks for both of these organizations. In December, 2015, Mr. Sitar and a student published a paper in The Physics Teacher, “An Experience with Astronomy Lab Development and Improving Laboratory Pedagogy.” He and a group of students recently submitted another paper for review to be published in early spring; “Introductory Laboratory Visual Back and Camera Upgrade: Design and Implementation for the Rankin GoTo Astronomy Facility.” Appalachian State University recognized him as “Most Helpful Faculty” in 2013 and 2014. David received his B.S. in General Science (2007), math and science teaching certificate (2009), and M.S. in General Science Education (2011) from Eastern Michigan University.
Tom Hansell:
Tom is an Assistant Professor of Appalachian Studies and Co-Director of University Documentary Film Services at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. He is a documentary filmmaker and installation artist who has worked on creative placemaking projects in Appalachia for more than 20 years. His documentary work has been broadcast nationally on public television and has screened at international film festivals. His documentary, The Electricity Fairy, screened at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 2010 and was selected by the Southern Arts Association for the Southern Circuit tour of independent filmmakers.