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
December 2014 | Volume 1, Issue 12

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

3. Welcome to this last issue for 2014 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.
* 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®.
Feel free to listen to some of our podcasts.
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
I had to pleasure to meet Ralph Baer a few years ago when he came to
campus to speak with our students and then a group of us took him out to
lunch. Quite the innovator and engineer. Sad to hear of his passing.
http://www.wired.com/2014/12/ralph-baer-obituary/
Recent updates to Desire2Learn LMS includes game-based learning features.
Hoping this gets noticed by other LMS providers.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/12/09/d2l-updates-brightspace-
with-game-based-learning-service_0.aspx
This article looks at the IT needs within Higher Education come 2015 and
beyond. Does this ring true to those of you in Higher Ed. IT departments?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/12/11/hiring-outlook-in-higher-
education-it.aspx

6. News (cont.)
U. Texas enhances their online program offerings to help reach 5000
underserved students.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/12/10/u-texas-el-paso-
expands-distance-programs-for-underserved-students.aspx
Lynn University has deployed an iPad initiative that is changing
education for their faculty and students. Who of you use an iPad in
your teaching and learning?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/12/18/using-ipads-to-
lower-the-cost-of-a-degree.aspx
WOW! This is an extremely cool concept and I wish them all the best in
getting their company up and going!
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=808271952535755

7. Apps & Tools
This infographic describes the “Internet of Things” and what the future may
hold.
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2014/11/a-beautiful-visual-explaining-
internet.html
This is an interesting approach to helping students figure out which colleges
to apply to. Anyone try this out yet?
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/11/28/find-your-match-data-
companies-transform-college-applications
Next version of Lync will now be known as “Skype for Business” combining
the best features of Lync with those of Skype. Interesting that it took
Microsoft this long to combine both products since they purchased Skype
years ago.
http://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2014/11/11/skype-business-brings-best-
skype-lync-due-2015/

8. Apps & Tools (cont.)
Translation Preview is available for Skype. To register visit this site:
http://www.skype.com/en/translator-preview/
This Technology Compass helps educators pick from a current list of tools for
use in a specific type of academic activity. Has anyone used these for those
goals?
http://iteachu.uaf.edu/online-training/grow-skills/choosing-the-best-
technology/
Sony has been in the news lately for other reasons, but here is a product that
many professors are very happy about. Sony Digital Paper allows for
annotations on PDF files so the faculty can markup student submissions and
hand them back in their online courses. Anyone have one already?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/12/15/review-sony-digital-
paper.aspx

9. Online Learning
This article continues to discuss the issues around Competency-based
education and how it is the disruptive innovation in online higher education
today.
https://www.educause.edu/ero/article/got-skills-why-online-competency-
based-education-disruptive-innovation-higher-education
This article shares a synopsis of some the points George Siemens shared at
Online Educa Berlin 2014 regarding online learning. Great read. Thoughts?
http://www.online-educa.com/OEB_Newsportal/george-siemens-moocs-
elearning-online-educa-berlin/
This article focuses on recent research that shows that taking online courses
in high school help prepare students for higher levels of success in college.
What do people think?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/12/02/online-courses-in-high-
school-could-help-with-college-prep.aspx

10. Online Learning (cont.)
What will the eTextbook of tomorrow look like?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/12/03
/whats-next-for-e-textbooks.aspx
This article broadens the definition of incivility for
the online classroom and then shares ideas on how
to avoid it. Has anyone successfully tried this
before?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-
education/deal-incivility-online-classroom/

11. MOOCs
Will this task force start another revolution in higher
education or re-purpose one that has already started?
http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2014/revolution-higher-
education-sanjay-sarma-1117
IEEE has joined edX. Anyone engineers taken MOOCs yet?
https://www.edx.org/blog/ieee-joins-edx
Purdue has joined edX as well. Curious to see what 2015
holds for MOOCs and partnerships like edX.
https://www.edx.org/blog/purdue-university-joins-edx

12. Academic Leadership
Switzerland universities do quite well in World Rankings for Higher Education. This
article addresses some of the reasons why this is the case. Thoughts?
http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-
network/blog/2014/oct/01/switzerland-university-rankings-invest-research-science
This article describes some of the outcomes from the recent “College Opportunity Day
of Action”. I would be interested to see higher college completion rates be supported
by federal funding and enhanced technologies. Thoughts?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/12/04/white-house-pokes-colleges-ed-
tech-companies-to-help-more-students-graduate.aspx
This article shares seven principles to use in any faculty development center. These
same principles can be used in other assessments and in preparing for accreditation of
any program. Thoughts?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/faculty-development/communicate-value-
faculty-development-center/

13. Academic Leadership (cont.)
This article identifies some ways we can better
serve students who have learning disabilities on
our campuses.
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/12
/18/how-colleges-can-better-serve-students-
with-learning-disabilities.aspx

14. Faculty Development
For those educators struggling with the “close to the end of term” struggles
that students bring at this time, this article is for you!
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/believe-
students-timely-reminder/
As end of term evaluations start to come in, faculty tend to dread receiving
them because of some of the hurtful comments. This article gives 7
suggestions on how to better approach them.
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/faculty-evaluation/cruel-student-
comments-seven-ways-soothe-sting/
This infographic displays “What would America look like as 100 college
students?”. Interesting statistics. Any surprises?
http://postsecondary.gatesfoundation.org/student-stories/america-as-100-
college-students/

15. Faculty Development (cont.)
This article shares some ideas of what could be a strong emphasis for
change during the next year in teaching and learning. Ideas?
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/12/17/what-to-change-
about-teaching-and-learning-in-2015.aspx
Part 1 of the list of Top 14 articles on Faculty Focus for 2014.
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/14-
popular-articles-2014/
Part 2 of the Top 14 articles on Faculty Focus for 2014.
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/14-
popular-articles-2014-part-2/

16. Student Learning
This article addresses critical thinking and who should be teaching it to our
students. Do you teach your students to think critically in your course and for
that subject?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/instructional-design/unlocking-
mystery-critical-thinking/
This article addresses the importance of the middle school years in preparing
for high school and college.
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/college_bound/2014/12/focus_on_middle_
grades_pivotal_to_high_school_success.html
This article shares some skills that every learner should be able to do. How
many can you do?
http://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2014/12/06/universal-skills-
all-learners-should-know-how-to-do/

17. Student Learning (cont.)
This article gives some excellent tips for college bound students on
how to get the most out of your college career.
http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/10/how-to-reap-the-most-out-
of-college-or-any-education/
This article addresses ideas on how to help your students learn how to
self-assess their work. Great read. Anyone have thoughts on this?
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-
blog/developing-students-self-assessment-skills/
This article tackles three main concerns students having regarding
attending college. Thoughts?
http://www.impatientoptimists.org/Posts/2014/12/Addressing-
Students-Concerns-in-Higher-Ed

18. New Ways of Learning
This article explains Heutagogy and how to best design with this type
of learning in mind.
http://leolearning.com/blog/heutagogy-designing-for-self-directed-
learners/
This infographic describes what the eLearning trends of 2015 might be.
http://blog.talentlms.com/elearning-trends-follow-2015-infographic/
This interview article shares some thoughts on using gamification
techniques within your grading. Anyone doing this already?
http://chronicle.com/blognetwork/castingoutnines/2014/11/25/41-
interview-linda-nilson/

19. New Ways of Learning (cont.)
This infographic combines Bloom’s Taxonomy to the Depth of Knowledge
model. Anyone using this?
https://www.mentoringminds.com/blooms-and-depth-of-knowledge-
infographic
This article and video help instructors figure out how to best “flip” their
course, regardless of subject matter or grade level. Any flippers out there care
to share their experiences?
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/flipping-the-non-flippable-classes-jon-
bergmann
This article shares some excellent YouTube channels useful for the classroom.
Any educators care to share their experience with using YouTube in the
classroom?
http://edtechreview.in/trends-insights/insights/1686-resourceful-youtube-
channels-for-teachers-and-educators

20. New Ways of Learning (cont.)
13 Higher Ed. tech tools and approaches to watch in 2015.
http://www.educationdive.com/news/13-higher-ed-tech-tools-and-
approaches-to-watch-in-2015/336102/
This infographic lists trends in personalized learning for 2015.
http://www.personalizelearning.com/2014/12/10-trends-to-
personalize-learning-in.html
This article share five predictions for active learning in 2015. The
article is written by the social media strategist for the Echo360
product. Anyone using this product, willing to share their experience?
http://blog.echo360.com/5-active-learning-predictions-for-2015

21. New Ways of Learning (cont.)
Here are 10 examples of gamification tools that could be used in your classroom. Most
of these are K-8 examples but some can certainly be used in high school and college
environments.
http://www.yukaichou.com/gamification-examples/top-10-education-gamification-
examples/
This article shares 10 pedagogical innovations compiled by faculty from the Open
University in the UK. Any on this list that your are already a proponent for?
http://www.ecampusnews.com/top-news/pedagogical-innovations-2015-588/
This article shares the Connected Learning model and its principles for learning and
how to design your course to follow the model. Anyone using this already?
http://www.teachthought.com/learning/6-design-principles-connected-learning/

22. Upcoming Movie & TV Trailers
Marvel’s Agent Carter Sneak Peek, Premiere Date: 1/6/2015
http://youtu.be/V13W9gQ_1GA
Person of Interest – If-Then-Else Preview, Premiere Date: 1/6/2015
http://youtu.be/BOellal73JA
12 Monkeys: Extended Preview, Premiere Date: 1/16/2015
http://youtu.be/fGGtWE12w8s
Justice League: Throne of Atlantis Official Trailer, Release Date: 1/27/2015
http://youtu.be/donPLB1xaBw
Full Favorite Trailer playlist on my YouTube channel
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp4nJo9D2kEs3McWG18x5UmIcSsVhNjq0

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