In this publication I will collect and list some recent articles on higher education issues, online learning best practices, deliver some tools/app suggestions and links to interesting news/videos on the web published in the past month. Planned release schedule is between the last week of the past month and the first full week of the current month.

1. The Guzman Monthly
September 2015 | Volume 2, Issue 9

2. Index
• Welcome
• About the author
• News (5 slides)
• Apps & Tools (5 slides)
• Online Learning (2 slides)
• MOOCs (2 slides)
• Administration Issues (4 slides)
• Faculty Development (4 slides)
• Student Learning (2 slides)
• New Ways of Learning (5 slides)
• Upcoming Movie & TV Trailers

3. Welcome to the next issue of “The Guzman Monthly”.
In this publication I will collect and list some recent
articles on higher education issues, online learning best
practices, deliver some tools/app suggestions and links to
interesting news/videos on the web published in the past
month. Planned release schedule is between the last
week of the past month and the first full week of the
current month.
To view previous newsletters please visit my slideshare
page: http://www.slideshare.net/TJtheTiger

4. My name is Tony Guzman and I serve as the Director of Online
Programs at the University at Buffalo (UB) School of Social
Work (SSW).
I also oversee the UB SSW Podcast series: inSocialWork®, and
the Technology in Social Work Resource Center. Feel free to
listen to some of our podcasts and review our resources.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/tguzman/
Scoop.it!: http://www.scoop.it/t/the-future-of-higher-
education-by-tony-guzman-1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/professor_tg

5. News
This NY Times article shares some surprising data indicating that more student loan
defaults occur from those who took out smallest loan amounts.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/01/upshot/why-students-with-smallest-debts-
need-the-greatest-help.html
While my sample size is small (n=1) this certainly just was proven true as my oldest
started college this week and is being traditional textbooks versus getting them eBook.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/01/survey-most-students-prefer-
traditional-texts-over-ebooks.aspx
This article shares from the 2013-14 enrollment data and which were the Top 10
institutions to lose enrollment that academic year. Personally I think that population
demographics (college age potential students, geographic location, etc.) are large
factors in this but one could also suppose that more online degree offerings could be
as well. Thoughts?
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-02/the-10-u-s-colleges-with-the-
biggest-application-drops

6. News (cont.)
When I first heard of the grading system being proposed I suspected
that it would ultimately be modified or shutdown before long. This
article shares what has changed.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/14/white-house-
gives-up-on-grading-colleges-and-universities.aspx
This NY Times article is a follow-up to the Scorecard changes described
in my previous post from the Washington Post.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/14/upshot/gaps-in-alumni-
earnings-stand-out-in-release-of-college-data.html
This report shares that we are now spending more time on mobile
apps than watching TV. Does this surprise you?
http://mashable.com/2015/09/12/time-on-mobile-apps

7. News (cont.)
This is a good move to help provide some solid free resources for course
materials in all grades.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/21/department-of-ed-
names-first-oer-advisor.aspx
This recent acquisition by Cengage will be interesting to follow in the coming
months.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/22/learning-objects-
acquired-by-cengage.aspx
CGEST (Center for Gender Equity in Science and Technology) will be launching
a new initiative to increase the number of girls and women of color into STEM
disciplines. While I would prefer a broader look at disciplines (STEAM, adding
Art), this is great to see initiatives like this get launched!
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/23/collaborative-to-plot-
pathways-for-women-of-color-in-stem.aspx

8. News (cont.)
This is a shocking move and concerning for future actions by other
institutions. Curious to see this play out over the coming years.
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/09/24/state-college-florida-
eliminates-continuous-contracts-puts-all-faculty-members-one
Personally I find this to be the wrong move on Japan’s part. General Education
always needs to be part of the overall learning experience. I hope this
idea/move does not spill into other countries.
http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-
network/2015/sep/25/japans-humanities-chop-sends-shivers-down-
academic-spines
This article shares results from a recent Moody’s report predicting many
changes to higher education institutions in the next couple of years.
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/09/28/moodys-predicts-
college-closures-triple-2017

9. News (cont.)
This article shares about an interesting development
regarding cloaking technology.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/news/a1
7386/invisibility-cloak-xingjie-ni-pennsylvania-state-
university
This article shares on a grant from Steelcase helping U. of
Arizona to test on different ways to configure classrooms
for more of an active learning led class.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/28/u-of-
arizona-experiments-with-multiple-classroom-
configurations.aspx

10. Apps & Tools
While this free tool is only in beta, I wonder how well this will do. This
certainly can help educational institutions that cannot afford more expensive
“label” LMS platforms.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/08/27/free-learning-content-
platform-runs-knewton-adaptive-engine.aspx
A former colleague from DeVry Long Beach has developed a tool to help you
find the right Open Educational Resources (OER) to use in your classes.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/02/a-better-way-to-find-the-
right-oer.aspx
This video shares how to leave voice comments in a Google Doc, suing Google
Chrome and the Read&Write extension.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC_1zV7K0Lc

11. Apps & Tools (cont.)
This article shares some tips to ensure your PDF file is more accessible
and gets read.
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/make-pdf-files-accessible-reader-
friendly-tips/
This article shares some of the new features Google has added to their
free LMS: Classroom.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/03/google-unveils-
collaboration-features-for-classroom-and-docs.aspx
This article lists 10 sites to review when considering to add Open
Educational Resources (OERs) to your classroom.
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2015/09/07/10-sources-of-free-
interactive-content-for-your-class/

12. Apps & Tools (cont.)
This interview article shares about a product called OneCampus that takes
your campus portal onto mobile devices for your students.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/15/a-new-architecture-to-
access-campus-info.aspx
U. Michigan is one of the latest universities that has partnered with a
streaming service provider to enhance their video library services at their
respective institutions.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/14/u-michigan-library-adds-
video-streaming-service.aspx
This article shares how NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering is changes how
students register for courses by adding gamification elements.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/16/a-gamified-self-service-
approach-to-course-registration.aspx

13. Apps & Tools (cont.)
This list provides 25 apps compiled by teachers for teachers to use in
their classrooms. How many of these have you used?
http://blog.ed.ted.com/2015/09/19/25-awesome-apps-for-teachers-
recommended-by-teachers/
This article lists many of the optimizations of iOS 9. Who has made the
“jump” already?
http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/features/15-ios-9-features-that-
make-your-iphone-and-ipad-better-than-ever-740701
This article shares the different resources available for students from
Google. How many use Google Drive exclusive in their courses?
http://www.cultofpedagogy.com/google-drive-for-students/

14. Apps & Tools (cont.)
This blog entry shares about the benefits of
podcasts for instructors. I would also suggest
Stitcher as a good podcast app for your mobile
devices. If your interested in social work issues,
then subscribe to the UB School of Social Work
podcast, inSocialWork® (www.inSocialWork.org).
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2015/09/28/learn
-on-the-go-the-essential-educators-guide-to-
podcasts/

15. Online Learning
This is an interesting tool and method to help students figure out if they want
to pursue their college degree at their institution but the personalized
learning analytics seem amazing. Curious to see how this plays out long term.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/08/13/asu-taps-personalized-
learning-tech-for-global-freshman-academy-courses.aspx
While the title of this article refers to training, this certainly is applicable to
online learning as well.
https://www.td.org/Publications/Newsletters/Links/2015/08/Myths-and-
Realities-of-Online-Training
This article shares how a faculty member allowed for choice between
interacting on Facebook or Blackboard for her courses. Can this be applied in
every course or just certain types of courses?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/meet-students-
where-they-are/

16. Online Learning (cont.)
This article shares some great ways to deploy scenario-
based learning within your online courses.
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-
education/scenario-based-learning-in-the-online-
classroom/
This article provides some tips on how online instructors
can improve on their feedback to students.
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-
education/how-to-give-your-students-better-feedback-in-
less-time/

17. MOOCs
The latest edX partner: McGill U. Curious to see how their GROOC (MOOC having
group collaborations) will turn out.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/08/31/mcgill-u-edx-partner-on-mooc-
for-groups.aspx
This opinion piece shares on what these faculty members take is on the MOOC
disruption of the past three years. While I agree with some of their opinions there are
certainly changes that have come about because of MOOCs and they can serve as
courses, based on how they are taught.
https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2015/09/22/moocs-are-no-panacea-they-
can-help-improve-learning-essay
As a companion to the recent post from the Inside Higher Ed opinion article on
MOOCs, this article shares how making your MOOC more interactive is ideal for the
student and I think this truly shares how it can be a strong course. Thoughts?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/16/research-learning-is-no-spectator-
sport.aspx

18. MOOCs (cont.)
This Chronicle article shares results from a
survey of Coursera students.
http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/what-
the-results-of-a-survey-of-coursera-students-
mean-for-online-learning/57401

19. Administration Issues
While I personally prefer teaching smaller class sized courses I have been a student in
ones that were very large. This article is a thought provoking one as it tackles 4 key
questions about large classes. Thoughts?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/four-key-questions-
about-large-classes/
It sad to think we have come to a day and age when we have this need even within
higher education institutions. How many of them already have a chief information
security officer? What is your institution waiting for?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/10/why-higher-ed-needs-to-step-up-
its-it-security-game.aspx
This article shares results from a study looking at the impact of early start times for
school. I wonder what the overall society impact would be if we shifting start times to
a little bit later. Thoughts?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/09/early-class-start-times-conflict-
with-student-biology.aspx

20. Administration Issues (cont.)
Next month many college leaders will be meeting to share how they are
preparing to launch competency-based education options within their
institutions.
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/09/10/amid-competency-
based-education-boom-meeting-help-colleges-do-it-right
This article shares some tips on how to best handle student complaints.
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/academic-leadership/managing-
student-complaints/
This article addresses some of the issues around what many believe may
happen thanks to the College Board, a national curriculum. Thoughts?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-next-great-education-
debate/2015/09/11/f726ceca-5881-11e5-b8c9-944725fcd3b9_story.html

21. Administration Issues (cont.)
This article shares some of the implications of recent rulings in CA can have for
institutions and how the treat, and pay, their part-time faculty.
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/09/higher-education-college-
adjunct-professor-salary/404461/
This article shares how U. Central Florida has partnered with Greenwood Hall to help
them still provide solid student services during their peak times in the year.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/15/u-central-florida-signs-with-
greenwood-hall-for-help-in-peaks.aspx
This article shares some excellent tips on how to best use student evaluation data
when assessing your faculty. I can tell from experience that it is a difficult challenge
when you need to evaluate your faculty and your main data is coming from student
evaluation answers.
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/student-ratings-
reminders-and-suggestions/

22. Administration Issues (cont.)
This blog entry list the authors top 10 issues confronting educators
today. Do you agree with their list?
http://etale.org/main/2015/09/17/what-are-the-10-most-critical-
issues-in-education-today/
This article shares 3 ideas based on things shared during the recent
Schools for Tomorrow conference.
http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2015/09/24/442559474/how-higher-
ed-can-up-its-game-3-big-ideas
This article shares results from a survey of college graduates and their
perspective of the return on their investment. Any surprises?
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/09/29/half-college-
graduates-say-college-worth-cost-survey-finds

23. Faculty Development
This blog entry shares how relationship building and being alright with making
mistakes are key parts of teaching.
http://www.gatesnotes.com/Education/Teaching-Is-About-Relationships
This article shares how a Student Success Plan can help your students
succeed in college. How many are doing this, or something like this already?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/setting-
students-up-for-success/
This blog entry discusses ideas you might consider when learning how to
manage a digital classroom (A classroom where digital devices are present).
http://nikpeachey.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/managing-digital-classroom-
getting.html

24. Faculty Development (cont.)
This article shares about Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and how this can help
you develop your courses for higher effectiveness among your students.
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/instructional-design/udl-a-systematic-approach-
to-supporting-diverse-learners/
Many a faculty member has shared their frustration on how unprepared students are
but this article shares how this frustration is met with the same level of faith in our
students being able to improve and learn in our courses. Where do you land on this
debate?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/philosophy-of-teaching/from-a-discourse-of-
deficiency-to-a-discourse-of-faith/
This article addresses some of the names we have given instructional strategies and
how they reality of them being deployed may not be the same. It made me think of
the Shakespeare line: “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet”.
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/instructional-design/the-names-we-give-to-our-
instructional-strategies/

25. Faculty Development (cont.)
Piggybacking on my recent post on instructional strategy names not meaning
the same to all instructors, this article shares that same issue when
considering group work. The article lists a number of types of group work you
can assemble your students to do. How many use these already?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-teaching-strategies/choosing-
the-best-approach-for-small-group-work/
This article shares pros and cons to various types of question to be used in
assessments. What are your favorites?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/educational-assessment/advantages-
and-disadvantages-of-different-types-of-test-questions/
This article shares some thoughts on the effectiveness of PowerPoint for your
presentations. Worthwhile read for any instructor.
https://theconversation.com/learning-from-powerpoint-is-it-time-for-
teachers-to-move-on-45146

26. Faculty Development (cont.)
This article shares some good tips on how to
improve discussion time in your classrooms.
How many of these have you already been
doing?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-
professor-blog/nine-ways-to-improve-class-
discussions/

27. Student Learning
This article and video share from a TED talk on why it is valuable to make
mistakes.
http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/09/02/making-mistakes-is-what-
makes-us-human/
This article shares on the advantages of using a grading rubric in your courses.
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/exploring-the-
advantages-of-rubrics/
This is a very ingenious way to help students get their course materials for a
lower price point. Anyone doing this, or something like it, already?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/16/universities-move-to-flat-
rate-textbooks.aspx

28. Student Learning (cont.)
This article shares a tool to help survey your students on their expectations
from the course. I would like to do this at the start of my next class. Others?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/expectations-
underestimations-and-realities/
This article shares 3 ways, based on significant research, on how to help your
students take ownership of their reading assignments in your courses. Have
you tried any of these already? If so, how did it go?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-teaching-strategies/three-
ways-to-promote-student-ownership-of-reading-assignments/
This article shares some ideas on how faculty can help students learn from
the policies in your courses/institution.
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-classroom-management/why-
policies-fail-to-promote-better-learning-decisions/

29. New Ways of Learning
This article is a sort of follow-up to a previous post I shared of Ball State and
their gamification efforts. Who has been adding gamification elements to
their courses? How has it been going?
http://sr.ithaka.org/blog-individual/assessing-potential-gamification-higher-
education
This looks to be a solid approach to help keep STEM degree seeking students
in the STEM disciplines.
http://epicenter.stanford.edu/page/press-release-20-schools-take-part-in-
national-student-orientation-initiative-uifresh
This article shares some excellent tips on helping your students become
digital storytellers.
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2015-08-26-a-guide-to-producing-student-
digital-storytellers

30. New Ways of Learning (cont.)
Can your class be taught around mobile technology? While I have to admit to
struggling a bit with this concept it is good to be challenged and consider
ideas outside your comfort zone. Thoughts?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/08/why-we-should-build-
classes-around-mobile-tech.aspx
This article shares an interesting approach to mixing online and in-person
student participation in a classroom setting. Anyone looking forward to trying
this?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/01/robotics-enter-hybrid-
instruction.aspx
This article and slideshow share some insights on how mobile devices have
been positive disruptors in the classroom.
http://www.cioinsight.com/it-strategy/mobile-wireless/slideshows/10-ways-
mobile-devices-have-changed-education.html

31. New Ways of Learning (cont.)
For those interested in gamification and adding simulations into education
this is a great article to see how it is being done at Excelsior College.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/09/excelsior-college-to-
integrate-game-based-learning-in-5-courses.aspx
This infographic shares the differences in flipped classrooms between K-12
and higher education settings.
http://emantras.us/how-flipped-classrooms-change-from-schools-to-
colleges-infographic/
This article shares about the psychology behind what motivates us to learn,
and what makes us retain that crucial knowledge via gamification.
http://elearningindustry.com/psychology-gamification-in-education-rewards-
matter-learner-engagement

32. New Ways of Learning (cont.)
This article and video share some thoughts on how technology is changing
how we educate students. Thoughts?
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2015/09/is-technology-
revolutionizing-education.html
This article shares quite a bit of research on the effectiveness of leveraging
Twitter within higher education to help teach your students.
http://er.educause.edu/articles/2015/9/tweeting-in-higher-education-best-
practices
This article shares how University of Kansas has flipped their engineering
programs by rolling out new active learning style classrooms.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/01/kansas-u-flips-
engineering-learning-in-new-active-classrooms.aspx

33. New Ways of Learning (cont.)
This article shares some surprising results from recent student surveys
conducted by Pearson. My oldest who just started college agrees with
this first result of tablet vs. laptop. Thoughts?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/23/poll-most-college-
students-prefer-laptops-over-tablets-for-school.aspx
This blog entry shares some excellent tips for anyone considering, or
just brand new to, blogging.
http://www.shakeuplearning.com/blog/5-tips-for-new-bloggers
This article shares some excellent tips on how infographics can be used
to help your students learn in today’s digitally enhanced classroom.
http://www.teachthought.com/learning/how-to-use-infographics-as-
multimodal-learning-tools/

34. Upcoming Movie & TV Trailers
Bridge of Spies Trailer, Release Date: 10/16/2015
https://youtu.be/e32LJoMebwo
The Walking Dead Trailer, Premiere Date: 10/11/2015
https://youtu.be/2o-QvZ_nTbI
Full Favorite Movie Trailers playlist on my YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp4nJo9D2kEs3McWG18x5U
mIcSsVhNjq0
Full Favorite TV Trailers playlist on my YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp4nJo9D2kEtMvp3l9Jx5Hem
MXMxIocwR

35. Thanks for checking this monthly newsletter out
and hope to see around again next time!