The Center for Instruction and Technology

An interesting article on the value of ...commuting?

Study: Commuting has an upside and remote workers may be missing out Researchers surveyed commuters to find out what they do — and don't — get out of the daily trek to and from work. Many people say it's invaluable personal time to recover and switch gears.

Then over the winter break a student wrote an app to help detect whether papers were written by AI or by humans:

A college student created an app that can tell whether AI wrote an essay Some students have been using ChatGPT, a text-based bot, to do their homework for them. Now, 22-year-old Edward Tian's new app is attracting educators working to combat AI plagiarism.

Even in that light, Microsoft has announced they are looking to integrate the Open ZI tool into future versions of Office!
https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/01/07/microsoft-plans-adding-openai-chatbot-tech-to-productivity-apps?utm_source=sendible&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=RSS&fbclid=IwAR1saI6SeQbC6ZZzir7V6p1iurrr6wULWAXSzgwkvX4zqFZRobMmVo7FfaA

Microsoft is adding OpenAI writing tech to Office | AppleInsider Microsoft may provide Office users a way to write text for projects, by incorporating AI technology from OpenAI into its apps.

So much has been made of the new AI for writing called Chat GPT but there are some dangers to it too as reported by NPR:

A new AI chatbot might do your homework for you. But it's still not an A+ student ChatGPT gives users their very own virtual assistant. It could transform academia, experts say — for better and worse.

Looks like the highly anticipated Apple AR/VR headsets are coming this spring!

Apple's mixed reality headset may launch before WWDC | AppleInsider Apple's long-rumored AR and VR headset could finally debut to the world in the spring of 2023, with a pre-WWDC introduction expected before a release in the fall.

Apple insider on Apple’s hopefully upcoming XR project!

Apple AR, VR operating system now called 'xrOS' | AppleInsider Apple has reportedly changed the name of its mixed-reality operating system to "xrOS," signaling that the company may be close to releasing a mixed-reality headset.

EdSurge has an interesting take on digital natives and technology proficiency:

Teaching ‘Digital Native’ College Students Who Understand TikTok — But Not Microsoft Excel - EdSurge News Members of Gen Z may be internet-savvy, but many still need lessons in academic tech tools.

Ever wonder if you can use your digital camera or smart phone as a we**am for your Zoom sessions? AppleInsider has an interesting article on the options for leveraging your existing "camera" devices as your we**am for Zoom and other video conferencing platforms:
https://appleinsider.com/inside/iphone/tips/how-to-turn-your-digital-camera-or-iphone-into-a-powerful-we**am

Looking to the new year and one of the questions still out there for educators during the pandemic is what masks are the best choices. Tech and Learning has a nice article on the options:

What Type of Mask Should Educators Wear? Educators should be wearing better masks, says Dr. Joseph G. Allen, director of the Healthy Buildings Program at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

An interesting article looking at flipping the classroom during and after the pandemic:

How to Launch a Flipped Classroom Flipped classroom enthusiasts say the pandemic has eliminated the technical barriers to flipped learning.

The Chronicle of Higher Ed-some things we can't lose when we are back together:

6 Things We Can’t Afford to Lose When Campus Life Resumes A year ago, who would have thought anyone would miss faculty meetings?

eCampus news had an interesting article on supporting faculty in technology-be sure to check out the link to the Educause survey and research!

5 ways to support faculty technology use and preferences - eCampus News A study from EDUCAUSE examines factors contributing to successful information technology use and habits among faculty and instructors.