Connecting in the CloudThe Connecting in the Cloud series is an opportunity to come together in an informal, online setting to discuss challenges you're facing everyday. Registered members will participate in a facilitated brainstorming session around a specified topic, similar to an interest group but without the geographical challenges. Upcoming EventsStay tuned as we work to schedule out our next slate of discussions and training topics. More details to come.
Past Events February 21st - Instructional Design Interest Group
Universal Design for Learning and ChatGPT - Changing the Way Teachers Teach
Over the past few years, either deliberately or by necessity, faculty have looked at their course goals, source material, assessments and methods for teaching and made changes to improve the learning experience for their students. Join us as we talk about Universal Design for Learning, Accessible Course Design, and the kind of accommodations that are now part of the higher education vocabulary. How have we seen this in practice at our own schools, and what hardware, software or even attitudinal shifts have been adopted?
If time permits, let's also talk about ChatGPT - an AI chatbot launched in November 2022 which communicates in a way that emulates real human language when given a prompt. This has worried many professors with the possibility of students using it to cheat. Are we in for another sea change in teaching? There are now many conversations about what kind of assessments to give students, flipping assignments, and instead of fearing AI, to use it as a tool like the graphing calculator or Google Translate before it. What does ChatGPT look like and what kind of implications are there for potentially incorrect or biased outputs? What should we be preparing for and be on the look out for? Many "AI detectors" to be sure, but also different kinds of activities and assignments in classes, as well as ideas for protocols to handle academic integrity violations at both the course/syllabus level and at the University level. Are we about to see a revolution in thinking about what the classroom is for? Will faculty become more explicit about their broader goals than just knowing the material but for their students to become analytical thinkers, better communicators and to develop an appreciation for learning itself?
WATCH NOW December 15th - Leadership Interest Group
It's December and that means everyone's favorite time of year. "Annual Review Season!!." This session discussion concerned annual review processes, what works, what doesn't. Listen in on the discussion here.
October 27th Annual Conference Recap
A Connecting in the Cloud session to recap this year's in-person CCUMC conference! We were joined by our interest group leaders to host an open discussion about memorable conference presentations, exciting topics from the interest groups, accounts of the CTS-prep course, new products from the showroom floor, and agenda items from the annual business meeting.
WATCH NOW September 29th
Open Forum: Fall Semester Kickoff
Discussion how projects were creatively completed despite supplier shortages, how faculty and students are adapting to the new hybrid teaching landscape, and what projects we're teeing up for the mid-semester and winter breaks. This is a chance to check in with the higher ed community and to hear from your peers.
September 22nd
DEI Training begin held Shannon Dowling, SCUP Fellow, Learning Environments Strategy + Design, at Ayers Saint Gross.
Session Title: Planning + Designing for Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Campus Learning Environments Session Abstract: Over the 2020-21 academic year, Shannon used her position as a Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) Fellow to engage with more than two dozen institutions around the topic of welcoming and inclusive physical campus environments. She interacted with 200-plus students to understand their comfort levels in different environments across campus and what design qualities drove feelings of inclusion and belonging. Drawing from student words and work, Shannon created a playbook that gives strategies for campus master plans, facility plans, and building renovations to reinforce the goals and metrics outlined in an institution’s strategic plan around inclusion, belonging, and student success. The playbook serves as a conversation starter: a way to get planners, designers, and university stakeholders to the table and move the needle towards a more supportive physical environment. How can stakeholders across an institution work together to ensure the physical environment is welcoming and inclusive to marginalized students? What values manifest in the built environment, and what metrics can we apply to our projects to assure that our physical campus environments embody the mission, vision, and values of the universities they house? In this session, Shannon will share her process and her research. Using highlights from conversations with students, design solutions they proposed, and strategies outlined in the playbook, Shannon will illustrate how thoughtful planning and design can contribute to a more welcoming, inclusive, and thriving place for students to live and learn.
WATCH NOW July 25th
AVIXA Training: Successful Project Management for Design & Installation This short course will review the entire project management process from initiating to closing. It discusses the importance of identifying Scope of Work, Quality, Time Line, Pricing and Terms and Conditions. It will also touch on planning and coordination meetings, identifying key stakeholders and project managers. Finally, it will briefly discuss Work Breakdown structures and Logic Network Diagrams.
WATCH NOW July 14th
Tech Talk: Ticketing Systems Ticketing systems are a fundamental tool to create, manage, and report on service requests coming into our support areas but they can also present challenges. We will discuss what products our members are using, how they are using them, and any lessons learned from migrating to new systems.
June 23rd
Is This Meeting In-Person or Virtual? - Creating Gatherings in a Hybrid World.
Now that things are starting to open up again, how do we design purposeful hybrid gatherings that will educate our faculty and students? How can we motivate our faculty to attend these gatherings which will provide vital information for teaching effectively in today’s classrooms? In this session, we discussed these questions as well as brainstorm how to create gatherings in a hybrid world that are purposeful and meaningful for your attendees.
WATCH NOW InfoComm Recap
Open discussion for those that attended InfoComm, and for those of you that missed it.
WATCH NOW May 5th Interest Group: Emerging Issues
Connecting in the Cloud session to discuss the past, present, and future of connected, studio-style classrooms.
We were joined by members who have installed these kinds of rooms at their schools as well as manufacturers who design products for building these rooms.
April 14th
Tech Talk: Digital Signage
Digital signage can be a great tool to get messages out but it can also present challenges related to installation, maintenance, configuration, and content management. Measuring the effectiveness of the content and choosing optimal locations can also be difficult.
WATCH NOW March 24th
Designing for UX "Designing for UX" In this session, we learned how UX research and design techniques can help you better understand user needs, and create a great user experience. Attendees explore how to gain an understanding of what is involved in UX research, including conducting interviews, evaluating systems, and analyzing systems using principles of good design.
This AVIXA training on "Designing for UX" was led by Chuck Espinoza and worth 1 RU credits for anyone that attended live. 4K Video: What You Can See, What You Can't and What You Need to Know
Ask any three industry professionals, “which display do I need for this application?” and you’re likely to get four different answers! March 8th Interest Group: Women in Technology
Celebrating International Women’s Day by joining the discussion in the CCUMC Women in Technology Interest Group. We reflected on the theme #BreakTheBias with questions:
February 24th
Managing Student Staff With resources becoming more limited, it is vital that we seek new ways to meet the never ending demands. Student staff is one resource that many of us are tapping into. Students are eager to learn about technology, and provide the extra hands need to complete work.
Open Forum: Spring Semester Kickoff
Hopefully, you have survived the start of the new year and got your Spring semesters off and running. To kick-off the 2022 Connecting in the Cloud series, we will have an open discussion focusing the steps you had to take to get classrooms updated, operational, and online for the Spring Semester.
We will discuss project management, staffing, and budget challenges you had to overcome, or address a new focus for hybrid or converged learning. What adjustments did your university or college have to undergo in response to the “Covid Fraternity” that has hit the States these past few months?
January 20
Led by Chuck Espinoza those that attended the live training received 1 RU credit.
One of the best tools any manager has, is their staff. Honing that tool requires more than just good leadership and technical knowledge. It requires mentoring. It requires interpersonal skills. It also requires a plan. In this session, we will discuss some of the techniques Technology Managers can use to diagnose and train their AV staff, and develop a training plan for their AV department. From onboarding to ongoing performance, your staff will make your mission and vision come to life, if they are trained properly and motivated by your example!!! September 30th
Industry Perspective: Supply Chain This roundtable discussion focused on equipment shortages, delays, and supply chain struggles in the technology world. This discussion was not recorded to help promote candid conversation from both our institutional and corporate members concerning the topic. September 23rd
Tech Talk Series: Virtual Water Cooler
Our next connecting in the Cloud is part of the Tech Talk Series on September 23rd at 2pm ET/11am PT. Join us at the virtual water cooler for a back to school debrief.
August 12th Connecting in the Cloud: Returning to In-Person Classes Those who have not previously returned will have an opportunity to share their plans, concerns, and hopes while those who have already returned will be asked to “share one lesson they’ve learned”. Topics may include, but not be limited to, new support structures (including remote support), technology updates, staffing challenges, office configurations, keeping equipment clean, and student employees.
July 22nd June 22nd June 17th June 8th
Thursday, June 3rd Tuesday, May 25th Thursday, May 20th Tuesday, May 11th Thursday, May 6th At this session discussed how institutions handle repair and installation schedules, and allocating the necessary resources, budget and staff time to do so. Tuesday, April 27th Title: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion This discussion was hosted by chair Kayden Kassof and esteemed helper Kathy Dooley. Conversation focused on mental health amid the plethora of things happening in the world. This session was not recorded to help create a safe space for all CCUMC members to have a place for productive conversation and community building.
Thursday, April 22
Title: Tech Talk Session 1: Tools
Thursday, April 8 Thursday, March 18
Thursday, February 18
Thursday, October 29th Join us for open discussion sessions every other Thursday through the end of the summer. Topics will flow based on what folks want to discuss and can include leadership and administration, technical solutions, hardware considerations, and more! If you have a question or want to share something you've been working on, please join us. Thursday, September 17th Join us for open discussion sessions every other Thursday through the end of the summer. Topics will flow based on what folks want to discuss and can include leadership and administration, technical solutions, hardware considerations, and more! Thursday, September 4th Join us for open discussion sessions every other Thursday through the end of the summer. Topics will flow based on what folks want to discuss and can include leadership and administration, technical solutions, hardware considerations, and more!
Thursday, August 21st Join us for open discussion sessions every other Thursday through the end of the summer. Topics will flow based on what folks want to discuss and can include leadership and administration, technical solutions, hardware considerations, and more! Thursday, August 6th Join us for open discussion sessions every other Thursday through the end of the summer. Topics will flow based on what folks want to discuss and can include leadership and administration, technical solutions, hardware considerations, and more!
Thursday, July 23rd Join us for open discussion sessions every other Thursday through the end of the summer. Topics will flow based on what folks want to discuss and can include leadership and administration, technical solutions, hardware considerations, and more!
Thursday, July 9th Possible topics could include: planning for Fall (staffing levels, student workers, office layouts, legal issues), remote vs. onsite services, engaging with remote teams, and ongoing support for professional development.
Thursday, June 18th For part two, we want to focus on the less technological aspects of the fall semester. Possible topics could include hybrid classroom logistics, social distancing and classroom seating, sanitizing electronics, signage and communication campaigns, thermal sensors and screening, etc. Remember that these are freeform, member guided discussions, so please don't hesitate to bring your own questions and topics to the group! Hosts: Emerging Technologies Interest Group - Jim Spencer, University of Notre Dame and Trey Herb, University of Florida
Thursday, June 4th Join us for the second “Connecting in the Cloud” session on Thursday, June 4th where we'll discuss how technology is rising to the challenge and enabling hybrid classrooms and safer learning environments. What will your classrooms look like in August? Hosts: Emerging Technologies Interest Group - Jim Spencer, University of Notre Dame and Trey Herb, University of Florida
Thursday, May 21 Host: Joe Way, University of Southern California
Sustainability of Installations: Hidden Costs of the Future - 06/06/19 Our first topic is Sustainability of Installations: Hidden Costs of the Future and will explore questions like: how do you deal with it?, how do you make a business case upfront for sustained funding?, and how have you been successful? If you have experience in this area or are currently experiencing these problems, pleas join. We hope to have a rich dialog among members so we can learn from each other and possibly create a best practices guide for the future. Managing Student Workers - 02/13/20 Our next topic is Managing Student Workers and will explore concepts like recruiting and retaining a diverse student workforce, managing training and performance review, and rewarding well performing student employees without budget for pay raises. If you have experience with managing students or are currently having difficulties with student employees, please consider joining us. We hope to have a rich dialog among members so we can learn from each other and possibly create a best practices guide for the future |
