Powerful tools that provide flexible, simple and reliable options for recording multimedia learning materials are available to UWindsor faculty, reports the Office of Open Learning.

“We get a lot of calls from faculty wanting to know how they can record their lectures, or if they can record a tutorial at home or while they are travelling, and make it available for students through CLEW,” says acting director Nick Baker. “Over the last few years, the University has invested in several tools with a wide range of options from very basic to more sophisticated, depending on their needs and the needs of their students.”

He says that instructors are already employing technology for uses ranging from recording live lectures in class and making them available securely through CLEW to all their sections, to being proactive and creating mini-tutorials for students in areas they know regularly cause students difficulty.

“Others are recording their lectures and making them available to students to watch before class, and then using class time to work on problems,” Baker says.

The Office of Open Learning is running a two-hour introductory workshop on Wednesday, October 1, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in room 2103, Lambton Tower. It will introduce instructors to a number of options for recording lectures and other multimedia, including Blackboard Collaborate, Echo360, Camtasia, and other screen capturing tools.

This very basic introduction will provide attendees with tools to begin recording lectures and other educational resources on their own. The workshop will show how instructors can go beyond voice over PowerPoint, and discuss the potential benefits for both students and faculty of recording their teaching.

Register online for the workshop; for more information, contact Alicia Higgison by phone at 519-253-3000, ext. 2008, or e-mail higgison@uwindsor.ca.

Students considering further education once they have completed their undergraduate degrees will benefit from a workshop on the subject hosted by the Student Success Centre in three sessions this week.

“Considering Further Education?” will offer tips and general information about the decision-making process in contemplating graduate and professional programs.

It is offered in room 351 Dillon Hall at:

• 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 30;
• 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 1; or
• 12 noon Friday, October 3.

Registration is required and costs $5. Visit https://career.uwindsor.ca, click on “Career” and then “Events Calendar.”

The workshops will help prepare students at every level of their education for the 9th annual Graduate and Professional Schools Fair, October 7 and 8 in the CAW Student Centre Commons.

The event brings together representatives from more than 40 educational institutions, both Canadian and international, to promote their graduate programs, post-graduate certificate programs and professional schools. It runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day:

• Tuesday: business, law and graduate studies
• Wednesday: medicine, health, education and colleges

Learn more about educational opportunities and programs, the admission requirements and deadlines to apply. Find details, including a list of participating schools, on the fair’s website.

Melissa Woods won a voucher for free tuition, but she wasn’t the only winner at a barbecue held Friday by the Organization of Part-time University Students. With free welcome packages for members and free food for all attendees, everyone was a winner at the 12th annual event.

More than 300 students, faculty and staff members enjoyed the festivities, which featured a meal catered by the University’s Food Services and music by DJ Shauhrat Gill of PanjAab Entertainment.

The barbecue is a welcome for part-time students, said vice-president Anthony Meloche, who thanked sponsors for their support.