Films/Video in the Classroom

For faculty who wish to use films in the classroom, I wanted to post some resources you may or may not know about.

• Language Media Services, located in JMZ 1204, has a variety of films in their video collection that can be checked out by faculty or graduate students or placed on reserve for students to view in the Independent Study Lab on the 2nd floor outside of the Spanish Office (room 2224). A list of available films can be found in LMS or online.
• Non Print Media Services, located in the basement of Hornbake Library has a vast array of media resources and services for faculty. Their collection can be searched online using the Advanced Search feature in the catalog. Make sure you change the format tab to indicate DVD or VHS or you can search for materials in a specific language.
  
• Films@UM is a collection of nearly 500 digital videos on a wide variety of subjects which can be used in the classroom or independently. Spanning documentaries, public television programming, taped performances and feature films. These resources can be accessed online with a UM directory ID.
• CDIGIX is an online video distribution service outside of the University that will allow secure access to your films. They are offering a trial this semester with 5 free titles to faculty for trying out their service with your class. This would allow your students to view films from their home computers.

Looking for equipment to show a film?
If you teach in one of the many technology classrooms on campus, then you have all of the equipment you need for showing a film. There are also rooms available in NonPrint Media Services: http://www.lib.umd.edu/NPRINT/newrooms.html

If you teach in Jiménez Hall, you can request a tv/dvd cart or a laptop and projector with speakers from Language Media Services depending on availability. ARHU Classroom support will deliver and set up a projector, speakers and dvd player for $15 per session. To make an appointment, call x52108.

What about Language specific television?
UMD campus cable has a variety of language specific tv programs.
The SLLC has full access to SCOLA, a non-profit educational organization that receives and re-transmits television programming from around the world in native languages. SCOLA also provides other language learning content via their website. Please email brennanj@umd.edu for the login information for your language program. This information is also posted in the copier room in JMZ 3215.

Wikis now available from OIT

OIT's Learning Technology office will soon be rolling out their access to their wiki software. They are running the same opensource MediaWiki software that we used in our ARHU wiki pilot program which took place last year. MediaWiki is also the same software that runs Wikipedia.
What exactly is a wiki, you ask? Well, in simple terms, it is an easy way to create simple webpages that can be edited and accessed by multiple people.

For more information about how you can use a wiki in your class or professional life, visit the following sites:

• ARHU All about wikis
• TeachingWithWikis, University of Minnesota
  

If you are ready to jump right in and test out a wiki space for yourself, your class, or a group you can do so here.