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Together We R.I.S.E. (Quality Enhancement Plan): Software Suggestions

Bethune Cookman University's QEP R.I.S.E. (Reimagining Innovations in Student Experiential Learning) will focus on Collaborative Experiential Learning. Its subtopic is Using Experiential Learning and 21st Century Skills with 3 isolated pairs of skills.

Introduction

This page contains a list of current apps and resources available to B-CU instructors.  A selected list of additional software, tools, and apps of interest is also provided that faculty can review for possible adoption. Many are Canvas compatible. (To find even more resources see  Lists of Software section in the third column.) CIT also needs to be involved since some apps would be to be vetted by CIT for security concerns before they can be installed.

RECOMMENDATION: The Committee should consider working with the BJ Moore Center's instructional designers to develop a list of both free and subscription software resources that the University should add.  There is an overwhelming list of tools that are available.

In addition, they could consider adding a detailed information web page on tools and resources already available, including any recommended free resources. An interesting model to use for such as page is Online Tools for Teaching & Learning by UMASS.

Recommended tools to focus on:

  •  Google and Office 365 tools - explore creative ways to use these existing tools , and how they can be used in Canvas. Also add external apps to extend the functionality of these products.

  • Suggested Software To Review from lists below:

    • Course Authoring Software that  is easy to use and integrates  with Canvas, such as SoftChalk.
    • Digital Whiteboard, Portfolio & Bulletin Board Software
    • Gamification Software
    • Graphic Design  and Slide Presentation Software

Compiled by Helen Morey 

Current Resources

Current Resources:

1. University-Provided Software and Digital  Resources. (Also includes links to sites that offer plug-ins, apps and other tools to extend functionality of the provided software.) (CIT may have disabled add-ons for some products for security reasons Hopefully something could be worked out to allow selective add-ons)

  • Adobe Creative Cloud  - software collection for graphic design, animation, photography, video editing, and web development. 
    • Adobe  Exchange- Creative Cloud- marketplace of extensions, plug-ins and more to extend functionality of Creative Cloud. Many are free or inexpensive.
  • Canvas at B-CU LMS
    • Canvas Commons - a learning object repository that enables educators to find, import, and share resources. Includes some resources developed or shared by B-CU faculty. The icon is on your Canvas global navigation bar.
    • Canvas List of higher education tools and apps -page from official website that provides hundreds of Canvas-compatible tools and apps. You can also access this list within Canvas by going to your Canvas course and selecting Settings. Then open APP tab at the top .
  • SPSS
  • Zoom -real-time web conferencing sessions
  • Turnitin
  • Scantron

 

2a. Apps on Canvas Course Menu Campus-wide subscription

2b Apps on Canvas Course Menu -

following are links to third-party apps that are the course menu.   (Free  individual accounts are usually available for these types of apps but they  may offer limited functionality. Many also offer subscription plans for individual teachers.).

  • Edpuzzle -create interactive video lessons and get data on who watched the video, how many questions they answered correctly and more.
  • Piazza - platform for instructors to manage class Q&A. Students can post questions and collaborate to edit responses to these questions. Instructors can also answer questions, endorse student answers, and edit or delete any posted content.

 

3. Carl S. Swisher Library 

  • Resources provided  the library, including  digital  information literacy modules, digital videos, research guides, ebooks can be embedded
  • Librarians can help you with finding OERs , as well teach classes
  • Libguides  WYSIWYG software -the Library's software license allows other users on campus to use this software to create research guides/LibGuides.

4. Student Success Resources

 

Digital Analytics

Tableau for Teaching

Tableau is a visual analytics platform transforming the way we use data to solve problems—empowering people and organizations to make the most of their data. 

https://www.tableau.com/academic/teaching

SAS Academic Hub

https://www.sas.com/en_us/learn/academic-programs/resources/free-sas-e-learning.html

IBM Skills Academy

http://www.ibm.com/services/weblectures/meap

https://academic.ibm.com/a2mt/email-auth

Suggested Software To Review I

 Products Offering Multiple Tool

  • Google Workspace for Education -These are. apps that B-CU does not currently have :
  •     H5P.org  software allows users to create rich interactive content. It integrates with Canvas LMS. The software itself is open access and free if installed on your own organizational server. However, the paid version offers many helpful templates for creating a wide variety of interactive materials. See lists of types of content types (using the paid version) for examples
  • Top Hat -suite of active learning tools for both online and in-person classes. Offers enhanced options for polling and quizzing, . Attendance , participation data and grades can be transferred to Canvas. Adopt and customize affordable, interactive textbooks.
  • Beagle Learning - an interactive learning web app that helps students engage, learn, and problem-solve in a community of inquiry

Animation Software

(B-CU users have access to Adobe Animate as part of Adobe Creative Cloud, but the following software may be easier for the occasional developer to use)

  • Akindi - Scantron alternative that is integrated directly into Canvas and allows instructors to print and scan multiple choice test sheets using any printer and scanner.
  • GoReact -video assessment software that helps learners demonstrate skills online. Create collaborative video assignments and give personalized  feedback

Audience response system

allows instructors to ask questions and gather student responses during a lecture. Typically students need to purchase a subscription (if using a computer or phone) or a physical clicker device if they don't have access to a phone or computer, such as in a physical class.

Suggested Software To Review 2

create interactive content, add it to  Canvas courses and record score results t in the Canvas grade book.. Can also use for gamification.
 
Alternatives to SoftChalk:

Digital Whiteboard, Portfolio & Bulletin Board Apps/Software

  • Digication ePortfolio tool for students to share their work online with their friends, teachers, and potential employers.
  • Doodly - whiteboard animation software
  • Educreations - Interactive whiteboard application that records voice and handwriting. Lessons can be shared online.
  • Explain Everything -online & mobile whiteboard app that allows users to teach, present, sketch notes, create videos & work together.
  • Padlet virtual bulletin board

Discussion and Engagement Forums

  • YellowDig -student discussion and engagement forum - (how does this compare to Piazza tool which is already added to B-CU Canvas menu?)
  • FlipGrid -free video discussion platform from Microsoft that helps educators see and hear from every student in class
  • Hypothesis  a free online tool designed to allow for collaborative annotation

A Streaming video subscription featuring a variety of subjects, movies and documentaries

Suggested Software To Review 3

Gamification Software

  • Genial.ly, offers both free and premium accounts for creating interactive tutorials, interactive diagrams/posters and virtual escape rooms  among other uses. Can create quizzes but results can't be imported into Canvas.
  • Kahoot!. - game-based learning platform
    • Offers traditional jigsaw puzzle. Free. Easy to create a custom puzzle.Can be embedded in a webpage.
    • The "mystery puzzle" option causes the puzzle's preview image to be disabled during puzzle.
    • Users can play individually or play as group of up to 20 people . Custom jigsaw puzzle links will not expire. Only the links used for multiplayer games have an expiration. Custom puzzles should continue to work for as long as the image URL provided when creating the puzzle remains valid.
  • Puzzel.org- create custom embeddable puzzles -15 different types. The free version may offer limited appeal due to low number of puzzles allow per account and low number of plays allowed per month. However upgraded individual teacher and site-wide accounts are modestly priced.
  • Wisc-Online, (provided by Wisconsin Technical College System). - free to use existing games and can also  create your own game on their Gamebuilder page using the provided templates . Games include Bingo,Jeopardy, Tic Tac-Toe, Flashcards, Matching, Crossword, Hangman and many others.) Displays ads.
  • Jeopardy-like games
    • Read suggestions posted by other educators
    • Templates available at JeopardyLabs.com ($20 for a "lifetime subscription) Canvas template at https://jeopardylabs.com/play/canvas-jeopardy
    • Kahoot!  (JeopardyLabs also has a Kahoot! template). "Kahoot! allows you to drop a pin in a group chat so you can all play over Zoom if someone shares their screen"
    • Wisc-Online Gamebuilder - Free- Jeopardy game can be built and played by two or three contestants. Each player has a buzz key to chime in and take control of the board. Five questions are required for each category, with a maximum of four categories. ( (provided by Wisconsin Technical College System.) Displays ads.
    • Factile --Create an online Jeopardy-style quiz game board in minutes (also can use as flashcards)

More Software lists

Graphic Design  and Slide Presentations- create infographics, videos, social media posts, business presentations and  more.

(B-CU users have access to Adobe Creative Cloud, which has apps for video, design, photography & the web, but the following software may be easier for the occasional developer to use)

Also B-CU users have access to Office 365 and Google Apps. Third party plug-ins can extend functionality.

Simulation Sotfware

Management Software for Personal Use

  •     H5P.org  software allows users to create rich interactive content. It integrates with Canvas LMS. The software itself is open access and free if installed on your own organizational server. However, the paid version offers many helpful templates for creating a wide variety of interactive materials. See lists of types of content types (using the paid version) for examples
  • Top Hat -suite of active learning tools for both online and in-person classes. Offers enhanced options for polling and quizzing, . Attendance , participation data and grades can be transferred to Canvas. Adopt and customize affordable, interactive textbooks.
  • Beagle Learning - an interactive learning web app that helps students engage, learn, and problem-solve in a community of inquiry

Lists and Articles on Software

This is a leading site for identifying and comparing software. There are many options to filter results. Each software product page contains information  on alternatives and provides a way to compares products, among many other features.

Categories of Interest include:

Categories of interest include:

Articles with Lists -a few more K-12, but they provide many creative ideas and suggestions:

Student success

 

Suggested Resources To Review:

  • Linkedin for Students -have university pay for student subscription?
  • Laptop or Chromebook for all students?
  • Follett Access - course materials for all students on day one

BJ Moore Center

 

  • Canvas, the university's learning management system (LMS)  offers many features, helpful in designing interactive courses. To see a complete list of features -see the Instructor's Guide. (For questions on Canvas features and related matters, please contact Ms. April Hudson at hudsona@cookman.edu)
  • BJ Moore Center for Faculty Innovation offers both  individual support as well as training classes.

 

Notes/Questions

  • Are hardware (and supplies needed) -such as 3D printers, Chromebooks, etc
  • For current resources- is current subscription plan working well or does university need to subscribe to a another plan?
  • Does the university need to provide more staff to help faculty in course development, including graphic design, such as for courseware involving  simulations and gamification activities?
  • Is more training needed to take advantage of existing subscription software tools?
  • (CIT may need to review software suggestions at some point for security and privacy concerns?)