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
January 2015 | Volume 2, Issue 1

2. Index
• Welcome
• About the author
• News (2 slides)
• Apps & Tools (3 slides)
• Online Learning (2 slides)
• MOOCs
• Academic Leadership
• Faculty Development (3 slides)
• Student Learning
• New Ways of Learning (3 slides)
• Upcoming Movie & TV Trailers

3. Welcome to this first issue of the second volume 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. Apologies for the
delay in this first issue for 2015. To view previous
newsletters please visit my slideshare page:
http://www.slideshare.net/TJtheTiger
* Suggestions on apps will mainly be based on my exposure or research of said apps on iOS mobile devices. Feel free to suggest
other apps for my review. My intention is to have the apps be similar in functionality each month.

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
Some additional 2015 predictions for higher education, this time from
Eduventues. Thoughts?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/07/2015-predictions-
competency-based-ed-to-grow-debt-could-topple-some-schools.aspx
President Obama is proposing a plan that would allow for some high school
students to get their associates degree at community colleges for free. I’ll be
interested in the full details on how this can get funded but I am hopeful for
this to be approved.
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/college_bound/2015/01/president_obama
_proposes_two_years_of_free_community_college_for_all.html
This article gives more detail on the community college initiative President
Obama proposed last week while visiting in TN.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/12/free-community-college-
proposal-gets-thumbs-up-at-least-on-facebook.aspx

6. News (cont.)
This article list the Top 10 articles from Campus Technology last year.
Many of these I had published on my social networks already but
worth checking these out if you have not had the opportunity yet to
do so.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/13/top-10-most-read-
campus-technology-articles-in-2014.aspx
Educause will have a new President and CEO come June 1 this year.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/20/educause-names-
new-president-and-ceo.aspx
As the Hispanic population continues to increase in the US, what does
their population look like within higher education?
http://www.edexcelencia.org/research/2015-factbook

7. Apps & Tools
This list of top picks provided by WIRED has something for everyone
from this year’s CES show.
http://www.wired.com/2015/01/best-of-ces-2015/
Six alternative social media tools faculty can consider using in their
courses. My colleague, Alexandra M. Pickett is quoted for the first one.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/07/6-alternative-
social-media-tools-for-teaching-and-learning.aspx
In light of the release of the second Avengers trailer, this sounds like a
personal J.A.R.V.I.S. app for students. Anyone seen students using this
app already?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/12/virtual-personal-
assistant-app-helps-students-manage-college-life.aspx

8. Apps & Tools (cont.)
These survey results show that Facebook is still the “king of the hill” for social
networks. Will any other tool dethrone them?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/12/survey-facebook-still-
most-popular-social-network-others-gaining.aspx
This is an interesting move by Moodle and wonder how the other LMS
providers will react. Curious to see what will come in the next few months
from this partnership.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/20/microsoft-open-tech-
integrates-office-365-with-moodle.aspx
Amazon launches a new tool to help instructors create their own textbooks.
Anyone using this yet?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/22/amazon-unveils-kindle-
textbook-creator.aspx

9. Apps & Tools (cont.)
As email turns 44, this infographic shares some
interesting trivia about email through the years.
http://www.digitalinformationworld.com/2015/
01/the-history-of-email-infographic.html

10. Online Learning
This article shares some effective tips on improving online discussions. I have used the
first one to some great benefit to the students and overall discussion; who else has
used any of these before?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/effective-ways-
structure-discussion/
This article shares some great tips on how to best deal with a difficult student in your
online course or over electronic communication. Same tips can be used in everyday
settings.
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/five-tips-dealing-combative-
students-online-environment/
This article gives some excellent tips on how to make sure your online course is ready
for “primetime” once the semester starts. I have done well with the first five but have
not done number six, new addition to my routine. What about others?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/six-tips-preparing-online-
course/

11. Online Learning (cont.)
This article shares four lessons learned in serving
adult learners within online higher education.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/28
/4-lessons-for-serving-adult-learners-online.aspx
This article shares some great tips on how to best
provide support to international students within
your online courses.
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-
education/supporting-international-students-
online/

12. MOOCs
This MOOC platform has many IT certification
courses freely available. Anyone interested in
getting certified or re-certified in IT should
highly consider checking this out.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01
/14/new-mooc-platform-provides-free-it-
certification-courses.aspx

13. Academic Leadership
Recent report from Ithaka S+R indicates that public research universities
could be doing more with technology to help their bottom line.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/12/15/challenged-public-
research-universities-could-do-way-more-with-tech.aspx
A new “chief” role has been named: the Chief Digital Officer. Any higher
education friends have this role in their institutions already?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/08/higher-ed-meet-the-
chief-digital-officer.aspx
A university commons area for the 21st century student. Interesting approach.
Thoughts?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/21/setting-the-stage-for-
anytime-anywhere-learning.aspx

14. Faculty Development
The difficulty of striking a balance between praise and motivation. Any
thoughts on these research findings?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/educational-assessment/praise-
undermining-student-motivation/
A Top 8 list of pedagogical journal articles from 2014. Has anyone already
read some of these? Thoughts?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/best-list-
celebrates-scholarship-teaching-learning/
This article shares research results regarding students taking advantage of
faculty office hours or not. Does anyone have great success in having students
make use of office hours? I always encourage faculty to consider adding video
tools to make it accessible without having to be there in person. Others?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/students-
dont-attend-office-hours/

15. Faculty Development (cont.)
This article shares some tips on how to best prepare your students
when offering a cumulative final exam.
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/educational-
assessment/preparing-students-for-cumulative-finals/
This article shares some strategies on how to avoid student resistance
when attempting something new in the classroom.
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-classroom-
management/strategies-preventing-student-resistance/
This article shares an idea on how to help your students improve their
learning and study habits before the next assessment.
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/first-
exam-semester-wake-call-students/

16. Faculty Development (cont.)
This article challenges instructors to have more
creative assignments within their courses.
Thoughts?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/instructional-
design/finding-place-creative-assignments-course/
This article gives some tips on how to help your
students take better notes in class.
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-
and-learning/help-students-improve-note-taking-
skills/

17. Student Learning
This article shares the value of storytelling in your classes. Anyone do this
often in their classrooms?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-teaching-strategies/power-
storytelling-college-classroom/
This article addresses how you can help your students by defining
fundamental concepts in their discipline and how these can help address
essential questions for their discipline. Thoughts?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/instructional-design/using-
fundamental-concepts-essential-questions-promote-critical-thinking/
Do students have a major disconnect between what they think about
plagiarism and being able to avoid it? If so, what can be done?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/plagiarism-
interesting-disconnect-students-thoughts-actions/

18. New Ways of Learning
Curation is something I have been slowly learning to do better and I really
enjoyed the tips given in this infographic. Anyone using these tips already?
http://www.curata.com/blog/content-curation-the-art-of-a-curated-post-
infographic/
While some of the lessons learnt are basic project management best
practices, I am very interested to see this pilot’s completion and overall
results.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/14/google-glass-pilot-
lessons-learned-so-far.aspx
Will badging truly become the future in higher education professional
development? I know some of you are using badges, comments?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/14/badges-a-new-measure-
of-professional-development.aspx

19. New Ways of Learning (cont.)
The value of concept maps in the classroom can be great but you should be
sure to teach the “concept” properly. This article shares some excellent tips
on how to teach students to use concept maps in their learning.
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/instructional-design/keeping-students-
board-concept-maps/
Here is a list of 10 questions any instructor should ask themselves before
diving into flipping their course. I also suggest connecting with your
instructional designer (if you have one at your institution).
http://edtechreview.in/trends-insights/insights/902-ten-questions-you-
should-ask-before-you-flip-your-classroom
How is mobile moving digital growth forward? This infographic sheds some
light on that question.
http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/we-are-social-mobile-digital-growth-
infographics

20. New Ways of Learning (cont.)
This infographic shares five trends in web design for
this year.
http://visual.ly/top-5-web-design-trends-2015
Iowa State researchers report that Facebook use
adversely affects freshmen more than seniors in
college. Thoughts?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/01/22
/report-facebook-use-affects-gpa-in-freshmen-not-
seniors.aspx

21. Upcoming Movie & TV Trailers
Vikings Season 3 Comic-Con Trailer, Premiere Date: 2/19/2015
http://youtu.be/PiqWLM3wyeY
Marvel’s Daredevil Trailer, Premiere Date: 4/10/2015
http://youtu.be/XC7GPdBV9WQ
Orphan Black Season 3 Trailer, Premiere Date: 4/18/2015
http://youtu.be/svztOA5BLQ8
Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron Trailer, Release Date: 5/1/2015
http://youtu.be/MZoO8QVMxkk
Full Favorite Trailer playlist on my YouTube channel
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp4nJo9D2kEs3McWG18x5UmIcSsVhNjq0

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