Learning in the Future

Welcome to “Learning in the Future,” produced by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Teaching and Learning Center. This podcast identifies useful resources of value to the UNLV educational community as well as spotlights innovative uses of technology by university educators.

 

 Learning in the Future - Episode #1 [7:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Show notes:

1.  Introduction
2.  Interview:  DeAnna Schoendinst, Client Services Manager, UNLV Campus Computing Services
3.  Resource Spotlight:  The UNLV Faculty Help Desk
4.  Emerging Technologies:  Microsoft Office 2008
5.  Closing remarks:  How to contact us, where to find more information

Online Resources:
1. DeAnna Schoendinst, Client Services Manager
2.  The UNLV IT Help Desk
3.  Microsoft Office 2008
4.  The UNLV Teaching and Learning Center

We invite you to add comments/feedback to this podcast by clicking the”Comments” link below.

Okay, I’ll admit it.  I’m addicted to gadgetry.

I broke down a couple weeks ago and won a bid on an Apple iPod Touch.  I couldn’t resist.  Sure, I could probably make an attempt at justifying the purchase by saying that it will help me understand more about podcasting by *actually owning* an iPod, but that’s stretching it pretty far.  Most people probably like ‘em to play mp3 audio and mp4 video, but that’s not what convinced me to shell out the cash. 

The notion of mobile browsing is very exciting to me.  Here’s a device that can surf the Web through any open access point.  Woo-hoo!  Okay, the screen is only 320 pixels wide…but I don’t care.  I can check my mail, access all the cool “webapps” at Apple, look up TLC workshop registrations…

I’ve already begun to create mini-Web sites that fit in 320 pixel wide windows.  This very blog, for example, automatically adjusts to 320 px when viewed through an iPod Touch.

I’m still figuring out how to check University mail via iPod Touch.  The faculty help desk explained that IMAP access to Lotus Notes is spotty at best. RebelMail (Pioneer Mail), however, does have direct POP3 access…but that means setting up and establishing a whole new e-mail address, not something I look forward to doing.

I can access the UNLV wireless network, using my account there, but reliability also seems spotty.  Sometimes the connection drops as I walk around campus, forcing me to log in again and again.  Some on-campus pages don’t seem to require logging in, while others require validation randomly.

The free off-campus wireless access points seem a bit more reliable, so far.  I was able to surf yesterday during lunch at Yayo Taco (see review below).  Supposedly, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, East Boy, McDonalds and Freakin’ Frog all have free wireless Internet access also.

I’ll share my findings regarding the use of the iPod Touch for education at UNLV as I figure things out.  In the meantime, here are some useful resources:

UNLV Wireless Home
http://oit.unlv.edu/wireless/index.html

UNLV RebelMail
http://rebelmail.unlv.edu/