Direct printing from your iPad

Do you need to print directly from your iPad? Available printers: here is the list

iPad competition heats up

Amazon's Kindle Fire tablet was finally introduced Wednesday. It will sell for $199, feature a 7-inch touchscreen and ships on Nov. 15.

The new Kindle tablet from the world's largest online retailer has been anticipated for months as the first device that really might be able to challenge Apple's iPad, given Amazon's ability not only to sell hardware at a low price, but also to offer a full suite of downloadable music, movies, TV shows, eBooks and apps.

New iPhone next week!

Media invitations sent out for a special iPhone event to be held next Tuesday, October 4th!

October Professional Development Opportunities for Faculty and Staff

On Friday OIT announced the October Professional Development opportunities for faculty and staff. The iPad Tips and Tricks session has been very popular. As a result we are repeating this session monthly for the remainder of the calendar year. Please take note dates and times in our monthly announcements. We will continue Collaboration in the Cloud as well. In our October webinar we will examine the use of blogs and wikis as collaboration, communication, and content creation and dissemination tools. Finally, we have added a new format for Using Sakai: Tools and Strategies Part I. This session will be offered both as face-to-face and webinar sessions. We hope you will join us for one of these opportunities. Please contact Sunny Chau for further information at sunnychau@cgu.edu.

Educause Learning Initiatives: 7 Things You Should Know About Series

I am a big fan of the Educause Learning Initiatives (ELI) and its resources, events, and publications. In particular I have found their "7 Things You Should Know About..." Series extremely valuable and informative for new and emerging technologies. I decided to check out the newest additions and found "7 Things You Should Know About Personalized Digital Magazines". If you have an iPad but have not tried Flipboard, Zite, or Pulse, I highly recommend you do so! They truly take advantage of the visual and functional features of the iPad to the maximum. Here is the ELI document that explains the "What, Why, Who, When" about these popular iPad apps!


7 Things You Should Know About Personalized Digital Magazines"

New Help Desk features

Connect with either Instant Messaging or Self-Help. Ways to get help faster!
CGU Help Desk

Diigo, Dropbox, and Evernote?

On Thursday, September 29th, a webinar focused upon collaboration in "the cloud" will be held by OIT. This pilot will provide a broad overview of Diigo, Dropbox and Evernote. Diigo is a web-based bookmarking tool that can be used to compile and share websites and resources. Dropbox is a widely used file sharing technology. Evernote is a professional and personal management tool. All of these technologies are accessible anytime, anyplace and from all mobile devices. They are useful for engaging students, enhancing teaching and learning, and assisting in the research process. This webinar will be recorded for later viewing. For further information or registration please contact Sunny Chau at sunnychau@cgu.edu. Please join us!

Using Skype for Communication and Instruction

For many of us, Skype provides a fabulous way to keep in touch with family and friends remotely. I love my weekly sessions with my two-year-old grandson and have enjoyed watching him grow and change even though I live across country from him and his parents.


Skype is also valuable as a tool to enhance teaching and learning in the classroom. As this technology has developed and added features, it has provided opportunities to communicate with students outside the classroom as well as enrich the learning environment with a widely-used technology. In "Using Skype as an Academic Tool: Lessons Learned", Dr. Martin Sivula includes insight and strategies he has successfully used for academic purposes. I highly recommend this article for your consideration.

Bringing iPads to the classrooms at CGU.













The Bretford PowerSync Cart for the iPad

Retro Gaming Machine

Turn your iPad into a Retro gaming machine. At $100 it is a bit pricey. http://www.ionaudio.com/products/details/icade

Social Media University: How colleges have slowly adopted social media

I'm a big fan of visuals. Many times a visual can reinforce thoughts, facts, and information in dramatic ways that reach the reader much more effectively than just using text. After all "a picture is worth a thousand words"! My doctoral research focused upon the use of visuals to enhance blended and online courses. Visual literacy skills are critical in a world where media are used in multiple ways and surround us daily. As a result, I thought I would include this 'infographic' that demonstrates the rapid and increased adoption by higher ed in the use of social media. I think it will demonstrate more than words that these tools are a part of the present and future and ubiquitous.

Social Media University: How colleges have slowly adopted social media

iPad Apps

Have an iPad? Browse our new webpage with some great apps for your iOS device.

http://www.cgu.edu/pages/9257.asp

OIT Website Redesign

One of the many projects OIT completed over the summer was the redesign of CGU's OIT website. We believe you will find our new layout more user friendly and easier to navigate to find the information you need. We have reorganized and streamlined the resources available to improve your use of technology at CGU. Please take a few minutes to browse our new layout and resources at the Office of Information Technology at CGU and provide feedback to Dr. Carleen Shaffer at carleen.shaffer@cgu.edu. Have a great new academic year!

Professional Development Opportunities for Faculty and Staff

In case you missed it, our September Professional Development Announcement went out to faculty and staff yesterday. We have two new offerings we hope you will take advantage of! Please contact Sunny Chau (sunny.chau@cug.edu) for registrations.Here are the descriptions:


Tips and Tricks for the iPad
As a result of the increasing popularity of the tablet computer, in particular the iPad, we will be offering a 45-minute workshop “Tips and Tricks for the iPad”. Session topics will include:  establishing settings, navigation, creating folders, security, accessing email, calendar, using the App Store, etc. We will also address cloud-based applications that can be used from the iPad as well as other mobile devices and your PC. Note: Participation in this session requires an iPad. You may bring your own or an iPad will be available to use for the session. Presenters: Carlos Miranda, User Services Manager, and Dr. Carleen Shaffer, Director of Academic Computing.

Introduction to Social Media

The second new initiative is a pilot “Introduction to Social Media”. This webinar via Elluminate will focus on the use of social media for personal and professional use as well as strategies for student engagement. The 45-minute webinar will be recorded for subsequent viewing. Session topics will include: Overview of social media (what, why, when, how); brief introduction to Diigo, Dropbox, Evernote and Blogger; security issues; and Sakai integration. Additional social media will be covered in subsequent sessions upon request. Presenters: Dr. Carleen Shaffer, Director of Academic Computing, Carlos Miranda, User Services Manager, and Sunny Chau, Instructional Technology Consultant.