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Author Archives: News Staff
Level up: Video games inspire new ‘living textbook’ for computational sciences
A new way of delivering course materials in the computational sciences aims to elevate the study experience from consuming static text and media to a conversation between the learner and the material. Called Mynerva, the cloud-based interactive textbook platform developed at U-M enables instructors to build their materials into video game-like journeys that unfold as the learner progresses.
UM-Dearborn’s online programs receive top marks
U.S. News and World Report online rankings — which surveyed more than 1200 online programs — named UM-Dearborn’s online MBA first in the state its online Master’s in Information Systems and Technology as second in Michigan.
AIM Data Showcase – A month of data events
Join us throughout the month of February for the AIM Data Showcase. This annual event has gone virtual! We’ll be releasing content for the event every day in February at datashowcase.ai.umich.edu.
First license for AV testing software developed by U-M’s Mcity goes to American Center for Mobility
The Mcity OS software, which lets researchers create and execute complex, highly repeatable testing scenarios for vehicles, is especially useful in situations involving smart road infrastructure and intelligent transportation systems.
Social media bans, restrictions have mixed impact on potential misinformation following Capitol riot
The amount of potential misinformation was impacted on at least one social media platform following actions to suspend or shut down thousands of accounts following the Capitol riot Jan. 6, according to a University of Michigan measure of iffy content.
Reimagining Enriching Scholarship
The Teaching and Technology Collaborative (TeachTech) at U-M has started planning for an online 2021 Enriching Scholarship Conference. Here’s what you can expect.
Ready to Go Blue offers faculty tech support, resources for winter term
The Teaching and Technology Collaborative (TTC) has curated a set of resources and workshops as part of the Ready To Go Blue (R2GB) initiative to help faculty prepare for teaching this upcoming winter term.
U-M rolls out updated ResponsiBLUE app
The ResponsiBLUE application has been updated and expanded for the winter 2021 semester. U-M first launched ResponsiBLUE during the fall 2020 semester to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, aid in circulating public health knowledge, and ensure student safety. University Information and Technology Services developed ResponsiBLUE in partnership with the university leadership and the Office of Research. The app, which… Read More »
Social exclusion, career limitations hinder LGBTQ STEM professionals
According to new research from U-M, LGBTQ professionals’ pride in their science, technology, engineering, and math work is not reciprocated. These STEM professionals are more likely to experience career limitations, social exclusion and harassment, and devaluation of their scientific and technical knowledge than their non-LGBTQ peers.
45% of adults over 65 lack online medical accounts, which could affect COVID-19 vaccination
Many health systems are using patient portals for vaccine scheduling, but many older adults may need help setting up accounts, especially those with lower incomes and education levels.
Inspired to create: U-M alumnae and the world of international tech start ups
When you think of tech startup companies, what comes to mind? Is it Silicon Valley, black turtlenecks, and billion-dollar IPOs? Or perhaps something about college drop-outs and the proverbial idiosyncrasies of “tech-bro culture”? While stereotypes can be helpful for getting the big picture of things, when you look more closely they’re often misleading caricatures, and this has proven especially true in the case of the tech industry.
Watch: SI’s Cliff Lampe on social media shutdowns
The move by Twitter, Facebook, and Snapchat to remove or suspend President Donald Trump’s accounts and decisions by Google, Apple and Amazon that led to a shutdown of Parler continues to bring questions about the unchecked power of social media and the future of the platforms. Watch the video or read excerpts from the interview with Professor of… Read More »
Dell to be U-M’s new strategic supplier for computer hardware
Dell Technologies has been selected as U-M’s new strategic supplier for computer hardware, which includes laptops, PCs, monitors, keyboards and other equipment. The new contract goes into effect Jan. 18 and replaces the current HP contract. Dell was selected by a cross-functional team composed of representatives from the Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint campuses as well as Michigan… Read More »
Does Canvas allow faculty to track students online?
Learning management systems like Canvas allow faculty to see some student activity. But UM-Dearborn’s Coordinator of Digital Education Chris Casey says it’s far from being a surveillance system. The rumor he hears most often is that faculty can see if students open other browser tabs or websites outside of Canvas. “This one is definitely false,” Casey says, noting… Read More »
How computer science is changing education
U-M researchers are taking on the big challenges to integrating computing into everyone’s education: Under a grant from the National Science Foundation, Mark Guzdial, professor of electrical engineering and computer science, and his colleagues have launched a program that integrate the use of task-specific computer science tools that will allow high school students to build data visualizations into… Read More »
Hacking reality
Where does “computer” end, and “real world” begin? This line, separated so firmly in our minds by apps and user interfaces, is finer than it appears as our devices are under attack in new, increasingly sophisticated ways: microphones that “hear” light; microprocessors that “tell” us secrets; self-driving cars that “see” fake objects; sensors that “feel” the wrong temperature.… Read More »
Precision health in the palm of your hand
Precision health takes into account variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle for each person. Huge amounts of data are being collected and analyzed to manage our care, but results can be slow in coming, and the wait between testing and diagnosis can be days or weeks. However, recent breakthrough developments in technologies are poised to deliver a new… Read More »
COVID forced psychiatric care online, and many patients want it to stay there, study finds
A year ago, trying to find patients who would agree to see their Michigan Medicine mental health provider through a video screen felt like pulling teeth. But on March 23, all non-urgent health care across the state of Michigan shut down to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Video chats and phone calls became (and remain) the only way… Read More »
Building a testing-free future
Testing is a cornerstone of quality software design. And yet, it’s time consuming, labor and resource intensive, and extremely difficult to do exhaustively. In fact, most software in use today is so complex that thorough testing is practically impossible. A group of researchers from U-M envision a smarter alternative: why not let math do the heavy lifting of… Read More »