Category Archives: Campus News

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Online portal creates central hub for U-M digital learning

By | May 31, 2018
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homepage of Michigan Online showing course categories

As U-M continues to expand its digital learning portfolio, the Office of Academic Innovation announces a new gateway for one-stop access to online courses and learning experiences created by Michigan faculty and instructional teams. Called Michigan Online, the portal brings together more than 120 massive open online courses (MOOCs), teach-outs, specializations, MasterTrack certificates, XSeries, MicroMasters and professional certificate programs… Read More »

$783k raised to support gaming outreach to Mott, others

By | May 31, 2018
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Hundreds of people play video games at the EMU Convocation Center.

More than 1,500 gamers from all over the world participated in person and online in a momentous weekend fundraising event held at the EMU Convocation Center in April. Their purpose: raise money to provide entertainment devices for kids at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, and other hospitalized children across the United States. The event was hosted by Gamers for… Read More »

U-M shares teach-out concept with other universities

By | May 29, 2018
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In 1965, U-M created the first ever teach-in to protest the Vietnam War through a series of debates, presentations, and seminars. The idea spread and, using Michigan’s example, more than 35 universities followed suit within a week. Last year, U-M once again led the way when the Office of Academic Innovation launched the U-M Teach-out Series as a… Read More »

HITS lends a hand to successful Patient Experience Expo 2018

By | May 24, 2018
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Two women lean over a table to share information.

Michigan Medicine recently hosted a week-long celebration of patients and their families. A number of events throughout the week brought together faculty, staff, students, patients, and their families to honor, discuss, and engage in all aspects of the patient experience. The Patient Experience Expo, held on April 24, was especially festive, and HITS was there to join in… Read More »

Academic Innovation adds director for online and hybrid programs

By | May 23, 2018
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Sarah Dysart

In March 2018, U-M announced the intent to design three new online and hybrid programs: one in data science, a first in public health, and a first MasterTrack Certificate program. Sarah Dysart will be the new director for Online and Hybrid Programs at the Office of Academic Innovation. Dysart plans to work with other faculty on their online… Read More »

Ross students create productivity app

By | May 21, 2018
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Recent graduates Shayan Shafii, Reid Ovis, Aklavya Kashyap, Tristan Neeb, and Sean Dew developed a productivity app that pairs with Amazon’s Alexa to help people set and achieve their goals. These goals could be daily, weekly, or monthly in the context of physical, mental, or social capabilities. Named “Iris,” the app aggregates statistical insights regarding productive activity versus counterproductive behaviors. The ultimate… Read More »

Dearborn students help kids with autism stay safe online

By | May 18, 2018
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three students working at computer

Sean Croskey, Luke Pacheco, Aristotelis Papaioannou, and Dominic Retli, seniors at UM-Dearborn, developed a Nintendo-esque video game, with direction from UM-Ann Arbor emerging technologies librarian Patricia Anderson, that helps kids with disabilities better detect online predators. The goal of the game is to find a missing prince or princess by interacting with other characters, making decisions through the… Read More »

Will Alexa ruin your kids?

By | May 15, 2018
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Amazon Echo Dot

Google and Amazon both recently announced that their voice assistants will respond to requests that end in “please.” Parents are worried that because their children are commanding information from these devices, they are not learning manners. To counter this anxiety, Google’s Assistant will now have a “Pretty Please” feature reminding kids to “say the magic word” before responding.… Read More »

Scaling homegrown education technology

By | May 14, 2018
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screencapture of ecoach UI

The Office of Academic Innovation launched an edtech accelerator that’s building and scaling digital pedagogy within and beyond the university. Previously, the issue with edtech was that it did not extend beyond the initial department it was used for, but the Office of Academic Innovation is providing the infrastructure to support and scale it. This process involves software… Read More »

New Computer Showcase at Shapiro hosts grand opening May 30

By | May 14, 2018
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new Computer Showcase in Shapiro Library

  This year’s Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day is also the Grand Opening of the new Computer Showcase Central Campus location in the Shapiro Library. Join us at either location 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30 for one-day-only incentive offers and discount pricing on an expanded selection of our most popular products. Advance product reservations are… Read More »

Social media privacy: Should kids have a say?

By | May 11, 2018
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young african american woman wearing graduation robe, being photographed by another grad

  Is it an invasion of your child’s privacy to take their picture and post it on social media? Sarita Schoenebeck, assistant professor at the School of Information, is an expert on how families use technology. She suggests that parents should respect their children and keep their feelings in mind before posting their pictures. A survey of 331… Read More »

Staff Innovation Award winner creates tech hub to support educational outreach

By | May 9, 2018
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Adam Skoczylas, program manager for the Center for Educational Outreach, was named the individual winner of the 2018 President’s Staff Innovation Awards. Skoczylas received the award for his leadership in the creation of Youth Hub as well as the redevelopment of Children on Campus program registry, including a shared database of these programs. Youth Hub is a technology infrastructure… Read More »

Research projects use IT to explore physical performance and health

By | May 9, 2018
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data synchronization of health book between smartwatch and smartphone in male hands

The U-M Exercise and Sport Science Initiative awarded $800,000 in funding to six teams as part of its second round of pilot grants. The winning projects include: Sensor technology and complex analytics to assess, monitor and predict injury in elite baseball pitchers A data-driven, non-invasive approach for monitoring hydration status in athletes A projection-based augmented reality system for… Read More »

Michigan Medicine awarded $440,000 for health IT contributions

By | May 7, 2018
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Doctor at computer

Michigan Medicine received $440,000 in invoice credit from its electronic health record vendor for taking steps to support continuous improvements in patient outcomes, quality of care, workflow efficiency, and financial performance. Epic recently awarded Michigan Medicine with Magna Cum Laude status in its Honor Roll Program. The recognition program is based on achieving continuous improvements in patient outcomes,… Read More »

Computers running at the speed of light?

By | May 4, 2018
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illustration of lightwave hitting semiconductorr

Researchers from Germany and the University of Michigan have recently demonstrated in a study that infrared laser pulses can shift electrons between two different states, 1 and 0, in a sheet of semiconductor. Their research could help make quantum computing devices, which operate millions of times faster than a conventional computer, a reality. “Ordinary electronics are in the… Read More »

Tackling the gender gap in innovation

By | May 3, 2018
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Rosie the Riveter over a digital BG

In recognition of World Intellectual Property Day, the U-M Office of Tech Transfer recently recognized the achievements of U-M faculty and researchers, who, since 2011, have been responsible for more than 900 patents—laying the groundwork for dozens of products, services and startup companies that are already contributing toward the betterment of society. Following the lead of the World… Read More »

Ross adds data and analytics concentration

By | May 2, 2018
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man and woman looking at data charts on a tablet

  The Ross School of Business is getting on the data analytics train. The school announced recently that it will offer a new MBA concentration focused on business data and analytics beginning in the fall 2018 semester. The concentration, says Brad Killaly, associate dean of full-time and global MBA programs, is designed for MBA students looking to hone their… Read More »

Innovating education through Applied Data Science with Python

By | May 1, 2018
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Christopher Brooks

  Coursera recently named Christopher Brooks, assistant professor at the School of Information, a winner of its Outstanding Educator Award for Innovation for his teaching strategies in the online Applied Data Science with Python Specialization. His approach allows students are to use actual data in a low-stakes environment to solve problems that are relevant to their own communities,… Read More »