EdTech Showcase Goes Virtual

Faculty log on to Zoom to learn the latest tools and tricks.

By Douglas Bonilla, Communication Specialist

Each fall, the team from Educational Technology Services (ETS) teams up with the Teaching + Learning Commons (The Commons) to host the EdTech showcase. The event familiarizes faculty with support offered by ETS and The Commons, describes available tools and services, and how to use them and how to get help. 

The 2020 version, as you might guess, was a virtual affair, with a focus on the unique challenges of the COVID-19 era. “This year, we really put an emphasis on the needs of instructors, particularly as we knew that the majority of them would be teaching remotely in fall,” said Katherine Collins, Ed Tech Support Manager. 

For example, the “Tips for Creating Great Course Videos at Home” session featured the Multimedia Services team as it discussed best practices for setting up a recording space and using technology tools instructors might already have at home. The team also provided guidance on video production workflow. 

In the “Effective Course Delivery in a Remote Environment” session, faculty were encouraged to assess situational factors for their remote courses, including an overview of asynchronous and synchronous teaching and how each could be elevated through blended learning. 

“We surveyed our participants, and found that those who had previously attended the in-person EdTech Showcase either preferred the virtual version, or had no preference,” said Katherine. “They also noted the virtual format was easier to fit into the schedule, and the format allowed them to revisit the recorded event for a refresher.” Normally, the EdTech Showcase is a daylong event. For the virtual version, however, the sessions were spread out over the course of a week, with one workshop in the morning and one in the afternoon. 

Added Dan Suchy, Director of Educational Technology, “The entire event was fantastic and well-received. The EdTech Showcase is our premier annual event, and really shows how well we work across ETS teams and with our campus partners."