Tool: Generative AI Product Tracker

by

AI graphic image

Generative AI (GAI) is rapidly becoming a staple in higher education, with surveys indicating widespread adoption by students and faculty. In response to the challenges posed by a crowded marketplace, Ithaka S+R partnered with 19 institutions to assess the impact of GAI on education. They have launched a publicly available Product Tracker, cataloging over 100 GAI tools designed for teaching, learning, and research. The Tracker offers insights into pricing, features, and relevant details, helping institutions navigate the evolving landscape.

The accompanying issue brief provides a typology of GAI products and speculates on the future of academic GAI. Most products aim to enhance the research lifecycle, leveraging commercial large language models like ChatGPT. The GAI market is dynamic, with new products continually emerging, suggesting a transformative influence on teaching, learning, and research practices in higher education.

Upcoming Webinar: How to Use Otter.ai and Glean for Notetaking and Transcription

by

The logo for RIT and DeafTec

Discover the potential of Otter.ai and Glean in RIT and DeafTec's upcoming webinar on March 7, 2024, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM EST. Learn how these web-based applications enhance transcription and notetaking, revolutionizing meetings and classes. Ideal for students with disabilities or as classroom accommodations, these tools ensure organization, productivity, and engagement. 

Otter.ai uses an AI Meeting Assistant to transcribe meetings in real-time, record audio, capture slides, extract action items, and generate an AI meeting summary. Glean can be used to record classes, add notes, and combine transcripts, slides, and other visual supports in one easy-to-use workspace.

Join Mike Sauter, Alternate Media Specialist from Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, California, and explore the power of these apps.

Register now for insights that can transform your notetaking experience. Sign language interpreting and captioning provided. Register online through RIT.

Upcoming Webinar: Next Generation Electric Vehicle Curriculum

by

A graphic image promoting the Next Generation Electric Vehicle Curriculum

Join Clemson University Center for Workforce Development and Trident Technical College on March 13 at 2 pm for a webinar that explores the future of automotive education with their Electric Vehicle Maintenance and Manufacturing Curriculum, set to come out in Fall 2024.

Experience their new online learning platform, crafted with the collaboration of instructional designers and technology architects. Enriched with video lectures, online assessments, and immersive digital twin simulations, the courses adhere to universal design for learning (UDL) principles, ensuring inclusivity for all learners.

Hear from the minds behind the innovation - industry experts, instructional designers, and technology architects who have worked on the curriculum. Gain valuable insights and inspiration for bringing electric vehicle education to life in your classroom.

Find more information and register on the Zoom webinar link

American Association of Community Colleges Annual Conference

by

The graphic logo for the annual AACC conference

Join the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) for one of the most significant professional development events for leaders in community colleges and stakeholders within the two-year college sector. The annual conference, catering to diverse roles including CEOs, executives, community college faculty, trustees, and industry partners, promises high-energy keynote presentations, thought-provoking breakout sessions, and disruptive technology showcases. Keynote speakers this year include Gayle King, Jack Uldrich, and Anya Kamenetz.

This conference serves as a crucial platform for community college professionals at various levels, from entry-level positions such as administrative assistants and advisors to managers and executives, including deans, directors, and vice presidents. As the community college landscape evolves, the AACC event stands out as a hub for collaboration, innovation, and shared insights in the pursuit of advancing two-year college education.

Learn more about the conference, program, and events on the AACC Conference website. 

Upcoming Conference: Drone Education Conference

by

A drone flying in the misty sky

West Valley College is set to host a two-day drone education conference on March 14-15, 2024. Open to educators nationwide, the event features keynote speakers Nicole Bonk, Skydio Director of Flight Testing, and Albert Lin, National Geographic Explorer.

The conference includes presentations, workshops, and insights into drone technology applications in fields such as Emergency Response, Utilities, Transportation, Agriculture, and Drone Delivery. The schedule includes insightful presentations, hands-on workshops, and flight demonstrations. Faculty attending both days receive a $700 stipend. Registration is free for all attendees. Corporate participants include Esri Drone2Map Team, Skydio Team, and Censys Technologies.

For registration and details, visit the conference page.

Upcoming Webinar: ATE Proposal Tips

by

The AACC logo

Discover success tips for your next ATE project proposal with the American Association of Community Colleges's (AACC) upcoming webinar, "Moving Up! How-to Tips for Success with YOUR Next ATE Project Proposal," scheduled for Feb 21, 2024. 

If your college has been an ATE grantee or you've new to the ATE community, this session is a must-attend to maintain the momentum. Learn how to leverage ATE funding for your college's technician education programs and students by taking the next step with additional ATE funding.

Join the AACC for an in-depth exploration where they will provide a comprehensive checklist and expert tips to enhance the competitiveness of your ATE proposal. Understand how requirements and reviewer expectations evolve as you progress, and discover valuable resources for making your proposal more viable.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain insights, strategies, and insider tips to navigate common pitfalls in seeking your next ATE grant. To register, please visit the Zoom registration website

Community College Enrollment Updates

by

An image of students sitting in a lecture

In fall 2023, undergraduate enrollment in the U.S. experienced a 1.2 percent increase, marking the first rise since the pandemic. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center's latest report revealed a growth of approximately 176,000 students nationally.

Notably, community colleges thrived with a 2.6 percent enrollment boost, indicating a positive recovery from pandemic-related losses. Community colleges focusing on vocational programs saw a remarkable 16 percent surge. Associate degree program enrollments rose by 2.2 percent, surpassing the 0.7 percent increase in bachelor's degree program enrollments.

Despite these gains, overall enrollments remain below fall 2019 levels. Furthermore, two-year public colleges and for-profit institutions experienced continued employment declines, with community colleges witnessing a 4.35 percent reduction in staff from 2020 to 2022.

Upcoming Event: S-STEM Proposal Preparation Webinars

by

A screenshot of the S-TEM Logo

The S-STEM REC (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Scholarship Program Resource Center) and the National Science Foundation are set to host a series of four S-STEM Proposal Preparation Webinars from January 22 to January 25, 2024.

The webinars aim to provide valuable insights and support for prospective S-STEM grantees, focusing on the 2024 S-STEM solicitation and the proposal preparation process.

Two sessions will address general questions about the new solicitation, while the other two will delve into discussions and questions specific to S-STEM projects at two-year colleges and minority-serving institutions. The webinars will feature Q&A sessions with NSF S-STEM program officers and panel discussions with S-STEM Principal Investigators. Participants will have the opportunity to register for sessions tailored to their institution types, fostering a collaborative environment for proposal preparation.

Don't miss the chance to engage with experts and enhance your understanding of the S-STEM program. Register and find more information on the S-STEM website.

NSF Announces ReDDDot Program

by

A screenshot of the NSF ReDDDoT website

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has partnered with five philanthropic organizations to launch the Responsible Design, Development, and Deployment of Technologies (ReDDDoT) program, committing $16 million to prioritize ethical and social considerations in emerging technologies. The collaborative initiative aims to embed ethical, legal, community, and societal considerations throughout the lifecycle of technology, promoting public well-being and mitigating potential harms. 

The ReDDDoT program invites multidisciplinary, multi-sector teams to submit proposals that examine responsible design, development, and deployment of technologies, aligning with the principles specified in the "CHIPS and Science Act of 2022." The program is supported by philanthropic partners, including the Ford Foundation, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, Pivotal Ventures, Siegel Family Endowment, and the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation.

Key goals of ReDDDoT include stimulating research and innovation, creating inclusive communities of interest, educating the STEM workforce on responsible practices, accelerating societal and economic benefits, and empowering marginalized...

» Read More

New Resource: NCSES Knowledge Base

by

The NSF Logo

In a bid to empower users with valuable insights, the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) recently introduced the NCSES Knowledge Base. Launched as a user-centric resource, this platform offers self-service solutions to common queries related to NCSES data and tools.

The current repository features articles on various topics, including:
- Understanding and Using Public Use Files
- How to Build a Table
- How to Build a Chart
- How to Use Custom Dimensions

NCSES eagerly anticipates collaborative efforts with its users to enrich and refine this self-help repository. Users are encouraged to direct inquiries about NCSES data or tools to ncsesdata@nsf.gov. Explore the NCSES Knowledge Base on the NCSES website

Items 1 - 10 of 321