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Low Threshold Applications for Educational Improvement. Charles J. Ansorge University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Definition of LTA.
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Low Threshold Applications for Educational Improvement Charles J. Ansorge University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Definition of LTA • A Low Threshold Application is a teach-ing/learning application of information Technology that the potential user per-ceives as NOT challenging, not intimi-dating, not requiring a lot of additional work or new thinking. Steve Gilbert, President TLT Group
LTAs/LTUs • Learn about Low Threshold Appli-cations and Uses • See demonstrations of LTAs/LTUs • Hands on experience • Plenty of opportunity to learn how LTAs impact pedagogy
Digital Information • Increasingly faculty are posting information on Web sites for student access in electronic form • Documents are being made available in all sorts of formats: PDF, animation, movies, etc. • This includes PowerPoint slides shows (both handouts and slides)
PowerPoint Slide Shows • Possible to easily add audio to slides with latest versions of PowerPoint for PC and Mac • Narrated slide show can then be saved and posted on Web • Viewed as a link in Blackboard
PowerPoint and Pedagogy • Examples shown in session of ways that narrated PowerPoint slide shows may be used to enhance learning • Weekly updates • Previews for Future Events • Teaching vignettes • Course previews
Why Use Animations? • Movement often conveys information more clearly than a static picture • Low bandwidth alternative to video • Can use color to highlight important components • Allows one to address different learning styles
Other Examples • Editing course projects with Microsoft Word • Creating grading templates for classes with Excel • Multimedia on CDs for class usage • Palm computers in the classroom • Screen capture software