John Bedient’ s Blog

OK, so I know that the spring semester isn’t even over…..But, some changes are happening for fall and I thought I’d let you in on some news.

I’ve spent a lot of time on sabbatical learning about how to use clickers and video and audio to move my teaching style  more in line with what you Millenials seem to enjoy.

One fun thing is that I can add audio to what is being presented on screen. An example is here

http://www.albion.edu/econ/bedient/Ch%2011_Ex10/EX10_V4.html

I think that this type of presentation will allow students to easily review homework technique as well as just the answers. It should make studying for tests easier, as well. Sometimes students will email with questions about homework when they realize their notes are incomplete. These files will allow me to respond with a live (sort of) answer. One other benefit is that you can fast forward. Haven’t you wanted to press fast forward when a professor is speaking?

The video camer I’m using is Flip Video. Check it out here

http://www.theflip.com/products_flip_ultra.shtml

The sound quality isn’t great, but the camera is easy to use. It has built-in USB access, so saving to the computer is easy. Sometimes students will ask questions after class that I think should be shared with the whole group. With the Flip I can do a video and get it on the blog in a matter of minutes.

I’ll also be capturing some lectures on audio files. I’ll post them so students can listen or even download to an MP3 player.

I’m also going to have two classes use ebooks on the web. Intermediate and Marketing will not be required to buy traditional texts. Students will be required to buy access to a web site for about $65 to $75 that will provide a web-based book and some other goodies.

I’ll add to this later, but here is a rough outline:

• Intermediate I (Econ 311) will use the WileyPlus website. See my web page for the procedure to obtain your code from the Wiley site. Albion’s bookstore will have used and new copies of the traditional book. But, in any case you must get access to WileyPlus.
• Marketing (Econ 336) will use a similar system from Houghton Mifflin.
• Governmental and Systems will use traditional texts, but lots of other information should be available on the blog
• Financial Citizenship (LA 101) will also use a tradtional book.