Finding the right technology solution to fit campus partner needs is a deeply held value of MSU IT. MSU’s multimedia call centers are a prime example of how collaboration and leading with user experience in mind is essential to a successful solution.  Over several months, MSU IT’s Unified Communications team worked closely with eight departments on campus that operate multimedia call centers — IT Service Desk, Department of Police and

Since the advent of ChatGPT it seems like everyone is talking about Bloom’s 2 sigma problem. The quick version is this: the average student who is taught using a combination of (1) one-on-one (or small group) tutoring and (2) mastery learning performs about two standard deviations better then the average student taught in a typical classroom setting. The “problem” in Bloom’s 2 sigma problem is that, while we know that

MSU IT WINTER BREAK HOURS The hours and availability for the MSU IT Service Desk, Tech Store, and ID Office will be modified for the university’s winter break. IT Service Desk Availability The MSU IT Service Desk will be open 8 AM to 5 PM on Monday, December 23. The MSU IT Service Desk will be closed Tuesday, December 24 – January 1, 2025. The IT Services Desk’s regular

Inspired by Tom Whitwell’s annual collection of things learned, here are my ’52 things I learned in 2023′. The list is usually presented under the comment that ‘no explanation or context of what it is about the article I learned, just a title and link of something important to me personally or professionally in [year]’, but this year, like others before, has been quite the challenge. As with previous years,

Prelude The extraordinary woman who mentored me through graduate school and co-chaired my PhD committee, Dr. Laurie Nelson, frequently talked to me about the idea of “current best thinking.” Characterizing something as your “current best thinking” gives you permission to share where you are in your work while simultaneously making it clear that your thinking will still evolve in the future. It is critically important to remember that both

The Educator Developers Network (EDN) was created to empower campus instructors with innovative teaching tools, foster collaboration, and enhance the overall educational experience. In 2025, EDN will be transitioning to a quarterly meeting format to better serve its members. This change will ensure that each meeting provides valuable and engaging content and will allow for more comprehensive updates and richer discussions on Ed Tech topics. Join the next EDN quarterly meeting

MSU IT recognizes the vital role technology plays in teaching and learning. As a primary classroom tech support for MSU faculty and academic staff,  MSU IT’s Digital Classroom Support (DCS) team is dedicated to delivering a positive user experience. To elevate their support, DCS introduced the IT Help Button and QR codes at the start of the 2024 Fall Semester. Intuitive in design, each was created with the intent to

MSU IT is excited to introduce Microsoft Copilot, a powerful generative AI tool now available to the MSU community. This tool, included in MSU’s existing enterprise agreement with Microsoft, enhances equity by providing access to high-quality information at no cost. Unlike other free AI tools, MSU’s enterprise access to Copilot offers unique security and data privacy features.   Copilot has been thoroughly evaluated and deemed safe for a variety of use

After a series of heavy posts I thought I’d offer a gentler, more entertaining one for the weekend. Here I’ll introduce the podcasts I’m currently listening to. (taps mic). Wow, I haven’t done one of these posts since 2021. In terms of habits, I listen to podcasts pretty frequently. Mostly it’s in multitasking situations where my hands are busy and I can’t read or watch a video: biking, doing dishes,

As the year closes, I often take time to think about the events of the year. Sometimes these reflections can be very personal. Other times, like this post, they focus on my observations of UK higher education. This year has been marked by a complex landscape of financial pressures, job insecurity, the changing government, and evolving policies. Here’s a brief look at 2024: Financial challenges The financial stability of universities